[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6322566,"mediaKeyId","2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9","parentId",2347258,"title","Georgia World Congress Center Authority briefs senators on public-safety capabilities ahead of major events including FIFA","audioSeconds",1400,"startMs",2937000,"endMs",4337000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9&start=2937&end=4337","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9/thumbnail_2937000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322566/Georgia/Georgia-World-Congress-Center-Authority-briefs-senators-on-public-safety-capabilities-ahead-of-major-events-including-FIFA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322566-38fd9d3999e16f66fb735b1007f15c86/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989940&Signature=fYywWX0KPm8fgVoLIAcaFzyau~j0ZB6I8WBhMroW2kJ9VvXWgu1Wz-0ae~-0Xv0wyEXvKk~MyNgVhOdwexOgzGXFaVjPO3ov-ziIU2V5aY-0Af5tRngrOlM-4dj8kWmtQQjpQ3POHZI~VZ6ZRhGule2Aentx0Vhk7erJe-kwi0jMkqtfx1JBDR407063AWf8yHI-zYfTupxExVhtw17C6B3Lf6f2q3PUaETtcQhnVGTOQN0m4ILDUm6Cfr1Qz5A3raheZqqHdEgD9bRXnKgi4oE-b040ivzkHyUHTYFFqxBglvx6cnAd8KB8q9W4HYwC3HSOVjI7zH8kvbNIEWnL7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) briefed the Senate Public Safety Committee on Oct. 12 about campus public-safety operations and preparations for several major upcoming events, including the Club World Cup this June and FIFA next year.

Lindsey Strickland introduced GWCCA’s public-safety team: Senior Vice President Paul Garucci, Chief of Police Joe McKinney and CEO Kevin Duvall. McKinney said the authority maintains a state-certified Department of Public Safety on the campus, with 22 full-time post-certified sworn positions and an organizational structure that includes police, a security division and an emergency-preparedness office with a certified emergency manager.

McKinney described capabilities the GWCCA offers: a 24/7 911 dispatch center that monitors a large closed-circuit television system, two explosive-ordnance-disposal canines, a fixed shot-detection system and an emergency operations center that can integrate with state and federal partners using NIMS and incident-command practices. He said GWCCA handled more than 160 major events and 3.3 million visitors last year, producing significant economic impact and state revenue.

Officials said GWCCA relies on two staffing models for big events: mutual-aid responses from state and local partners and an off-duty/post-certified officer program that brings in as many as several hundred additional officers under GWCCA command. For very large events, officials said the authority funds and coordinates off-duty officers and works with partners including the Georgia State Patrol, the GBI, GEMA, FBI, the City of Atlanta Police Department, Fulton County and university police forces.

On FIFA and other upcoming sporting events, Garucci said the campus will run the traffic and perimeter plan and that GWCCA expects to use about 100–120 officers for traffic during major Club World Cup dates and an expanded plan for FIFA, including extended fan-fest days in Centennial Olympic Park. He said GWCCA has begun planning and has funding identified for off-duty staffing and anticipates relying on its established mutual-aid agreements.

Senators praised the coordination and asked about tabletop exercises, traffic engineering and integration with city and state traffic systems. McKinney said GWCCA runs regular exercises, coordinates monthly traffic meetings with DOT and private traffic engineers, and uses traffic engineers to operate signals while officers keep intersections clear.

Committee members expressed support for the authority’s planning and pledged legislative help if needed as the agency prepares for large international events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/19/2025 Senate Committee on Public Safety","oneSentenceSummary","GWCCA officials described campus public-safety organization, mutual-aid partnerships and plans for upcoming major events, including Club World Cup this summer and FIFA next year; they said off-duty and contracted officers plus state partners will provide staffing for traffic and perimeter security.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322571,"Committee advances bill allowing DNA sampling when immigration detainers placed on arrestees",607,2320000,2927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9&start=2320&end=2927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","/articles/6322571/Georgia/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-DNA-sampling-when-immigration-detainers-placed-on-arrestees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322571-fffe532d7e692423473e3778cb19f975/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989940&Signature=kzvTa01tg9eDylSOKfzqa0gjuH~rsbuSmTeNXs-trGDq-K71fKaCDuMJIMQhHZrT-gQFYi4DynBMYbkE2RtDQRmttlJBubTO9c~dlOeJnElOFODs7yZrOOdY80vgzSBVA4a1b6MkKuUgxKljiadf7gm7XLpktuSCmrwRALC7FrjTEos7cHrGFnU8W6tOtETJDSvDZdN1f2uOQQFxSlNYHiSzgGQgXYRFH1KcvdzBBMSe-9rBEnVYZOlzE3NYNPvBuF6tIQ20QPb48cNREGwX0WXs~GtyjlxMIZO90EbzGF5RIowUuSpBb4IlvweMYXY0E-37vrKzZXo9qQXL5zIbzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Tim Bearden sponsored Senate Bill 116 (LC 394563), which the Public Safety Committee advanced on Oct. 12 by a 5–3 vote. Bearden said the bill would require that, when an immigration detainer is placed on an arrestee (misdemeanor or felony), a DNA sample be taken; he said the change is a four-word amendment on line 29 of the bill text.

Bearden and others argued DNA is a modern investigative tool that can solve violent and unsolved crimes when other trace evidence is unavailable. He told the committee the swab itself has a low per-kit cost; during questioning Senator Rick Williams and others raised concerns about laboratory capacity, backlog, and personnel. Williams told the committee the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) had told him it lacks current personnel capacity to handle a substantial increase in swabs and that any cost estimate should include staffing and processing, not just kit price. Bearden said the committee has been working with GBI leadership and that the bureau has been adding scientists and using third-party labs to reduce backlog.

Mike Mitchell of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association told the committee the association did not oppose the bill but flagged cost uncertainty and the operational reality that some detainees with misdemeanor charges bond out before a detainer is received and thus would not be available for sampling.

The committee voted to advance the bill to the Senate Rules Committee by a recorded voice/hand count of 5 in favor and 3 opposed.","Senators voted 5–3 to advance Senate Bill 116, a civil measure requiring DNA swabs from people arrested for misdemeanor or felony offenses if an immigration detainer has been placed, with discussion focused on costs, lab capacity and timing of detainers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322576,"Committee revises school-zone camera and bus-camera rules, leaves key choices to subcommittees",766,610000,1376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9&start=610&end=1376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9/thumbnail_610000.jpg","/articles/6322576/Georgia/Committee-revises-school-zone-camera-and-bus-camera-rules-leaves-key-choices-to-subcommittees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322576-e0aaa972825ff4c1ca23f8cdb1c6c037/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989940&Signature=jGtCsvDsY0ap6N0xD2suHpdD9u8H6LOazPd8I-02QsyVjgbiQLwNVfUYWSy-Ll0MpxxRNFILQGUywFxqR9foG8Ywu4J4eX1RNTf-s1zSxz8yCbtdLfEOjNjs8k0bV~tlMBAfN~wXHZDkk4RyqZcsOtNnmmhp8cq6Iy~Iv-wvh0cPhtPTsFAoOW1be-VZ05-zzJEr99gDJPhosYJWcondyZl04v0tUDB~6kQzlWsrvxfVpVtw88T1XIgn28R9F0MpRq~An-9yEKCaRNPcqnJnmOtst0VFvkJlKrM2PcCxbj0yswpou5DPyI24iezOK8AKhAGBFhBY8mNQKgI-BpLDxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Burns presented a committee substitute that ties elements of Senate Bill 75 to language previously considered in the session’s House substitute to House Bill 348. The substitute would define school zones by existing master state orders or local ordinances, require advance warning signs and driver-speed displays ahead of school zones, and set rules for automated enforcement and school-bus cameras.

Burns told the Senate Public Safety Committee the substitute includes a section requiring warning signs about a half-mile before a school zone and an additional sign within a quarter-mile displaying the motorist’s speed and the posted limit. He said the bill also preserves law enforcement authority to ticket drivers when an officer is actively using a speed-detection device.

Key operational details in the substitute include a permitted operating window for automated devices: 90 minutes before to 30 minutes after the official start of the school day, and 30 minutes before to 90 minutes after the official end. The bill would move the permitting authority from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Public Safety and would limit authorized uses of automated traffic enforcement devices to safety purposes only.

On fines and remittances, Burns said the substitute sets a flat civil penalty of $50 per automated-speed citation (down from $75 with prior escalation) and includes a $5 late fee. The substitute would require municipal remittances to the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit (POAB) fund in Chapter 17 of Title 47; Burns asked the committee to consider striking some downstream language that would allow remaining revenues to be used for local public-safety initiatives after POAB obligations are met.

The substitute includes a provision that could subject a jurisdiction to state withholding of funds if an investigation finds improper use; Burns and committee members discussed that the language stating a jurisdiction “shall be subject to” withholding leaves enforcement discretion with the Department of Public Safety and is imprecise.

On school-bus cameras, Burns noted the substitute mirrors the citation-process language from speed-zone cameras and highlighted that state law already provides a $1,000 fine for illegally passing a school bus with its lights on. Committee members raised concerns about a mandatory $1,000 fine with no judicial discretion and the disproportionately small $5 late fee paired with that penalty.

Committee chair Senator Chuck Payne appointed two subcommittees — a first-responder subcommittee chaired by Senator Robertson and a general-welfare subcommittee chaired by Senator Tim Bearden — and asked Senator Burns to work with Senator Robertson to produce a final committee substitute for a planned Monday vote.","Lawmakers discussed a merged substitute tying automated school-zone speed cameras and school-bus camera rules into existing school-zone enforcement law; sponsors asked members to form subcommittees to refine permit, timing, revenue and penalty provisions before a Monday vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322581,"Senate committee approves judge-ordered speed-limiting devices for repeat street-racing convictions",289,291000,580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9&start=291&end=580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347258-71b20a0ee325a08a681a3c1c5b035ce9/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6322581/Georgia/Senate-committee-approves-judge-ordered-speed-limiting-devices-for-repeat-street-racing-convictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322581-5801f7c1361efbb3cd1fd7b2298058a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989940&Signature=Fp3pIcOujDF1ggC-8vLDMFwOaZxkQ~4xOT88LXEFrC0ipkbritp8fnr-dTEq52gU31EdNahh6DdtZpC3Uulw0ha8BRHZMwZnTqyRF2rTLD358gvgxWdqIe1e0OXaWOP6iMu4gpyhoMsPf2stLfVHJdKYcfJPBZO54KtBV1E0Wr2Dh865t7CPDxdKfPIZWhUzesHKgbuLrVzUDYP2GHXXKxsBq9wBTzoYI6n7Rq6NSR-Q5~lRRNyoq1WZTGNQB4b90XpQRhip9UPAfq4FTK8UJUmTRR-~eEERFMKhpbd9VWYRWDkCbMPQlYmim37GG20~aRaE0VEd5Tx5XevZeWtoEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Kirkpatrick, sponsor of Senate Bill 160 (LC 394601), told the Senate Public Safety Committee on Oct. 12 that the bill authorizes a court to order installation of an “intelligent speed device” on vehicles of people convicted a second or subsequent time of reckless stunt driving, including drag racing. The devices would limit the vehicle to no more than 70 miles per hour, she said.

The bill gives judges discretion to require the device rather than imposing a mandatory installation. “ISAs…have been in use in Europe for many years, and states are beginning to use this tool to control excessive speeding, including street racing,” Kirkpatrick said. She told lawmakers the devices cost between about $200 and $1,600, to be paid by the offender, and that the bill does not impound vehicles so offenders can still travel to work.

Committee members asked practical questions about manufacturers and setting the limit. Senator Tim Bearden asked how many companies produce the technology in the United States; Kirkpatrick said she had identified three firms that do the same function but expected more exist. A committee member observed judges could set a lower cap than 70 mph when appropriate; Kirkpatrick said the bill allows the device to be set at no greater than 70 mph and the committee could alter that if desired.

Senator Chuck Payne moved to advance the bill on LC 394601; Senator William seconded the motion. The committee chair called the question and the bill passed by voice vote; the chair announced the motion “passes unanimously.”

The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee.","The Senate Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to advance legislation that would authorize judges to require installation of intelligent speed devices on vehicles of repeat reckless stunt-driving offenders, limiting speeds to no greater than 70 mph.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Georgia World Congress Center Authority briefs senators on public-safety capabilities ahead of major events including FIFA

Committee advances bill allowing DNA sampling when immigration detainers placed on arrestees

Committee revises school-zone camera and bus-camera rules, leaves key choices to subcommittees

Senate committee approves judge-ordered speed-limiting devices for repeat street-racing convictions