Bill Text: GA HB981 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Law enforcement vehicles; painted solid color; authorize

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-07-01 - Effective Date [HB981 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB981-Introduced.html

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10 LC 35 1621

House Bill 981

By: Representatives Chambers of the 81st, Martin of the 47th, and Day of the 163rd

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 40-8-91 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to marking and equipment of law enforcement vehicles and allowing motorist to continue to safe locations before stopping for law enforcement officer vehicles, so as to authorize to Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety to have patrol vehicles painted a solid color; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 40-8-91 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to marking and equipment of law enforcement vehicles and allowing motorist to continue to safe locations before stopping for law enforcement officer vehicles, is amended by revising subsection (b) as follows:

"(b) Any motor vehicle, except as hereinafter provided in this subsection, used by any employee of the Georgia State Patrol for the purpose of enforcing the traffic laws of this state shall be distinctly painted, marked, and equipped in such manner as shall be prescribed by the commissioner of public safety pursuant to this Code section. The commissioner in prescribing the manner in which such vehicles shall be painted, marked, or equipped shall:

(1) Require that all such motor vehicles be painted in a two-toned uniform color or a solid color. The For vehicles painted in a two-toned color, the hood, top, and the top area not to exceed 12 inches below the bottom of the window opening thereof shall be a light gray color and the remaining portion of said motor vehicle shall be painted a dark blue color;

(2) Require that any such motor vehicle be equipped with at least one lamp which when lighted shall display a flashing or revolving colored light visible under normal atmospheric conditions for a distance of 500 feet from the front and rear of such vehicle; and

(3) Require that any such motor vehicle shall be distinctly marked on each side and the back thereof with the wording 'State Patrol' in letters not less than six inches in height of a contrasting color from the background color of the motor vehicle.

Notwithstanding the above provisions, it shall be permissible for the commissioner to allow not more than five motor vehicles per State Patrol post to be employed in traffic law enforcement which are painted any solid color designated by the commissioner and marked with 'State Patrol' in six inch high letters of a contrasting color."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.