Georgia House of Representatives
Public Information Office
Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800
3-2000-5158
For Immediate Release 		 
March 17, 2004
Bills Sponsored by Local Representative Pass House
Atlanta – State Rep. Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) is the sponsor of two pieces of legislation that have been passed this session by the House of Representatives. They are now in the Senate awaiting approval. The first one is HB 1228 which adds gated communities to a list of options election superintendents may consider as a precinct.

HB 1228 was introduced because of request by voters in Fairfield Plantation, which is a gated community in Carroll County. Hulett precinct that serves Fairfield Plantation has become increasingly large with 2,964 registered voters making parking a problem and creating long lines where people have to wait hours to vote.

“I live in a growing part of the state that is mainly rural with small churches and schools,” said Smith. “Then a development comes along and overnight we go from a precinct of 200 registered voters to 3,000 registered voters. HB 1228 will help alleviate this situation and provide another option if a gated community allows their clubhouse to be used as a precinct.”

The second measure is HB 677. It places the Department of Corrections on a priority list of state agencies that can seize tax refunds due someone on adult probation who has absconded or is on warrant status and owes the courts probation fees or debt.

According to Rep. Smith, “Under this bill, the Department of Corrections will have the right to seize a state tax refund from someone on the lam who owes money. This added option will help collect delinquent probation fees and benefit state revenue.”

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For further information please contact Rep. Smith’s office at 404-656-7859.