Georgia House Bill HB967

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/26
• Report Pass: 2/12/26
• Engrossed: 3/4/26
• Refer: 3/6/26

Caption

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council; provide financial assistance to law enforcement agencies to equip certain motor vehicles with bullet-resistant features; establish grant program

Summary

HB967 authorizes the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to create a grant program that helps law enforcement agencies pay for bullet-resistant upgrades to vehicles used by peace officers. The bill specifically allows grant funds, subject to legislative appropriations, to be used to purchase and install bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, and door panels on agency vehicles used in the line of duty. The bill also directs the council to establish the program’s administrative framework, including eligibility and selection criteria, application procedures, grant amount guidelines, application review standards, and monitoring procedures to ensure compliance with grant conditions. Agencies that receive funding must provide proof of purchase and installation to the council as soon as practicable after the money is spent.

Impact

HB967 would amend Chapter 6A of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by adding a new Code Section 35-6A-18. It expands the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s authority to administer a targeted public-safety grant program for law enforcement vehicle hardening. The practical effect is to create a state funding mechanism for local and other law enforcement agencies to offset the cost of bullet-resistant vehicle components, while also imposing reporting and documentation requirements on grant recipients.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests very strong support for the bill, with the House passing it 153-1. No committee transcripts were provided, but the overwhelming vote indicates broad bipartisan or near-unanimous agreement that the measure serves officer safety and public protection goals. The absence of recorded committee opposition or debate in the provided materials suggests the bill was not highly controversial in the House.

Contention

The main policy issue is whether the state should use appropriated funds to subsidize specialized vehicle armor for law enforcement agencies, and how those funds should be allocated. Any disagreement would likely center on budget priorities, the scope of eligible agencies or vehicles, and the need for oversight to ensure grant money is used as intended. The bill’s reporting requirement and the council’s authority to set eligibility and monitoring rules appear designed to address those accountability concerns.