Georgia Senate refers SB116 to standing committee after sponsor seeks changes

Sarah Walker, identified in the transcript as the meeting president, moved to refer Senate Bill 116 to a standing committee after saying the bill’s author needed to make changes. "The author needs to make some changes on that, and so I would like to refer that to standing committee," Walker said during the session.

Walker noted the measure was a DNA-related bill and that there had been a request from the sheriff’s department or sheriff’s association regarding a timing provision — mentioned in the transcript as about "48 hours." Senator Albers seconded the motion. The chair took a voice vote and declared the motion carried: "All in favor, say aye" was answered and the motion was carried.

According to the transcript, SB116 will be sent to standing committee and heard tomorrow alongside a bill authored by Senator Williams. The record in the transcript did not include a roll-call tally or the full motion text beyond the referral; vote counts were not specified in the record.

Next steps noted in the meeting record: the referral places SB116 on the committee docket for additional amendment and negotiation; the transcript indicates the two bills will be heard the next day on the committee calendar.