Online Link to Your Legislators
A Brief Tutorial

To learn your legislators’ names, (a) access https://www.openstates.org/find_your_legislator/, (a) where appropriate, type your street address, state and zip code for the link to their House and Senate district numbers. (b) Click a number for either your senator’s or representative’s name and (c) click the other number for the other’s name. (e) Then click on each name to access their pictures and contact numbers. You may email them by putting a period between their first and last name, then add @house.ga.gov for representatives or @senate.ga.gov for senators.

For example: Peter.Rabbit@senate.ga.gov; Minnie.Mouse@house.ga.gov.

H.B. 258 Sexual Offenses, Age of Consent introduced February 4th by Representative Steven Sainz would raise the age of consent for sodomy from age 10 to age 16. Current law that allows 10-year-olds to consent to sodomy would not be affected, but this adds to current law a new subsection that states: “(e) when the alleged victim is under age 16, consent of the victim shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this Code section.” Further change is needed, as well.

ACTION – Support. Although age 10 for consent needs to be raised, too, this change is an improvement. Call Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Representatives Burchett, Ch., 404 656-5705; Reeves, V-Ch., 651-7737; Gravley, Sec., 656-5025; Efstration, 656-5125; Ballinger, 656-7153; Boddie, 656-0287; Byrd, 656-0213; Cooper, 656-5069; Kendrick, 656-0109; Lopez, 656-0298; McLaurin, 656-0202 Momtahan 656-0178; Setzler, 656-5143; Smith, 657-1803.

H.B. 276 School Athletes Compete According to Biological Sexual ID Representative Wes Cantrell introduced February 8th applies to athletic teams of local school systems, private schools or institutions of the University System of Georgia to prohibit competition with teams of other such schools that allow biological males to participate in athletics designated for females. Biological sex is determined by reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

H.B. 372 High School Athletes Compete According to Biological Sexual ID introduced February 10th by Representative Rick Jasperse does not affect lower grades, but requires high school athletes who are biological males to participate in sports as males. Students whose biological ID is female would participate in events or activities with biological females only.

ACTION – Support both H.B. 276 & H.B. 372. Call Education Committee Representatives Dubnik, Ch., 656-0213; Erwin, V-Ch., 656-0188; Belton, Sec., 656-3947; Benton, 656-5126; Cantrell, 656-0152; Carter, 656-0220; Cheokas, 463-7853; England, 463-2247; Evans, 656-0109; Glanton, 657-1803; Hill, 656-0325; Howard, 656-6372; Jasperse, 656-7153; Jan Jones, 656-5072; Todd Jones, 463-2246; LaRiccia, 651-7737; Mainor, 656-0126; Nguyen, 656-0314; Nix, 656-5146; Paris, 656-0109; Rich, 656-5087; Setzler, 656-5143; Wade, 656-0188; and Wilson, 656-6372.

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Proposed: Major Changes in Current Law

Death Penalty Origin
In the year 2348 BC, when Noah and his family exited the ark just after the flood, God created capital punishment in Genesis 9:61: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.” Later, other crimes were so designated.

Georgia’s first execution was in 1735 AD2. Since that time, 1,022 executions have occurred in Georgia. That’s the fifth-highest total in the U.S. Treason, aircraft hijacking and murder are death penalty offenses in Georgia. However, murder must be accompanied by aggravating circumstances before the death penalty can be sought. If treason and aircraft hijacking were to be deemed a crime against the state, capital punishment may be an option.

The electric chair was used in Georgia in 1924 and, primarily, until October 5, 2001. After the Supreme Court declared electrocution cruel and unusual punishment, Georgia converted to lethal injection, which remains, currently.
From March 2014 – March 2019, Georgia imposed no death sentence. From 1983 through January 30, 2020, a total of 76 people were executed in Georgia. As of February 3, 2020, 43 men and one woman were/are on death row. The death penalty cannot be imposed without a unanimous jury decision. If a single juror rejects the death penalty, a life sentence is issued.

Clemency power is vested in the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, whose governor-appointed five members serve with advice and consent of the State Senate.
H.B. 916 Repeal Death Penalty introduced February 19th by Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague would (a) prohibit capital punishment in Georgia and (b) commute the sentence of death to life without parole for inmates currently on death row. Regardless of outrageous or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman torture, depravity of mind or aggravated battery to the victim, a death penalty could not be imposed or sought, if H.B. 916 passes as written.

ACTION – Oppose. Contact Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Representatives Efstration, Ch., 404 656-5105; Reeves, V-Ch., 651-7737; Gravley, Sec., 463-8143; Ballinger, 656-7153; Boddie, 656-0109; Cooper, 656-5069; Dickerson, 656-0314; Fleming, 656-5125; Kendrick, 656-0109; McLaurin, 656-0202; Momtahan, 656-0177; Sainz, 656-0177; Setzler, 656-7857; Silcox, 656-3949;Trammell, 656-5058.

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