Apartment contact bill (HB 779) heads to subcommittee after hearing; members raised penalty, response‑time and scope concerns

Representative Veil presented HB 779 (LC620444S), a proposal requiring apartment building owners or managers to provide local emergency services with after‑hours contact information and to include the number in leases, door postings and annual distributions to tenants.

The sponsor framed the bill as targeting poorly managed complexes that leave emergency responders without a point of contact when incidents occur after 9‑1‑1 responses. He said law enforcement and fire units sometimes arrive after a 911 call and cannot reach management; the bill would ensure dispatch systems include a direct contact for such facilities.

Industry witnesses raised concerns. Jeff Ledford with Georgia Realtors said the penalty scheme—fines up to $2,000–$5,000 per violation—and a one‑hour response window could have a chilling effect on small property owners who rely on individual managers or family networks. Hayden Stanley of the Georgia Apartment Association noted many large owners already participate in annual inspections, business licensing and local relationships, and warned that making nonresponse a misdemeanor with potential GCIC recording is a significant escalation.

Representative Veil acknowledged the concerns and the committee opted for a hearing‑only posture and to move the bill back to subcommittee for further work to tighten definitions and penalty language.

What happens next: HB 779 will be revised in subcommittee to address questions about applicable property types, the practical response window, and the penalty structure.