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Committee approves bill to let state and private donors fund local public‑safety needs
Summary
HB 1080 would create a Georgia Public Safety Support Fund administered by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to accept legislative appropriations and private donations for equipment, training and similar lawful uses; the committee passed the substitute and sent the bill forward.
Representative Neal presented House Bill 1080 (LC630072S), the Georgia Public Safety Support Fund, which would create a grant fund under the existing Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to speed funding for local public‑safety initiatives. The measure would allow legislative appropriations and private donations to be deposited into the fund and distributed through CJCC’s current grant process.
Neal told the committee the bill is not intended to create a new administrative body; CJCC would use its existing grant procedures and board to review requests. She said the fund could help smaller departments that lack a foundation or nonprofit vehicle to accept donations and could be used for operational support, training, equipment and similar lawful purposes.
Committee members asked if the fund would be pre‑funded through appropriations or accept private donations; Neal said both are possible. Members also asked whether donors could earmark contributions for a particular county or department; staff advised that donors may express a preference but strict earmarking is not permitted; CJCC would consider donor intent alongside grant requests.
The bill includes guardrails (noted by committee members and the chair) that prohibit use of funds for direct cash payments to individuals, gratuities or extra compensation, or for lobbying or political activities. After questions, a motion to report the committee substitute “do pass” carried by voice vote, and HB 1080 was approved by the committee.
Next steps: HB 1080 will return to the House calendar and, if scheduled, move toward floor consideration; members signaled interest in ensuring clear guidance on donations and CJCC’s grant criteria.
