Bill > HB467

This bill provides comprehensive legal protections for government and privately owned monuments, statues, plaques, flags, and other commemorative symbols in Georgia. The legislation defines key terms such as "monument" (which includes statues, markers, and memorials dedicated to historical entities or military personnel) and establishes strict legal consequences for anyone who mutilates, damages, defaces, removes, or obscures such monuments without proper authorization. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to damage monuments and allows any interested party to bring a legal action against violators, who can be liable for treble damages, attorney's fees, and court costs. The legislation also requires government agencies to provide 90 days' public notice before removing a monument and establishes a requirement for the Department of Community Affairs to create a comprehensive registry of all monuments in the state, including their location and ownership status. Notably, the bill provides protections for both publicly and privately owned monuments, ensures that relocated monuments maintain their original prominence and visibility, and allows for potential transfer of monuments to interested third parties who will publicly display them. The overarching goal appears to be preserving historical monuments and providing a legal framework for their protection and potential relocation.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70379