Bill > HB535

This bill modifies Georgia law concerning drug trafficking penalties and probation revocation sentencing. Specifically, it revises the mandatory minimum sentences and fines for trafficking fentanyl, adjusting the quantities of fentanyl that trigger different sentencing tiers and increasing the maximum prison terms and fines for certain trafficking offenses. It also clarifies the conditions under which a judge can depart from these mandatory minimum sentences, such as when a defendant was not a leader in the criminal conduct or did not use a weapon, and it expands the maximum prison sentence for trafficking fentanyl to 40 years. Additionally, the bill amends the law regarding probation revocation to ensure that individuals receive full credit for time served in confinement since committing a violation, excluding any time that was paused or "tolled" due to probation violations, which will take effect on July 1, 2026.