05 LC 28
2272
House
Bill 552
By:
Representative Hembree of the
67th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Part 5 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 40 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to equipment of law enforcement and emergency
vehicles, so as to provide that the commissioner of the Department of Public
Safety may issue a permit to certain private vehicles for certain lights,
sirens, and markings; to provide for limitations; to provide for sanctions for
violations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Part
5 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to equipment of law enforcement and emergency vehicles, is
amended by adding a new Code Section 40-8-92.1 to read as follows:
"40-8-92.1.
(a)
Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, the commissioner may
issue a permit for a private vehicle to be marked as a law enforcement vehicle
and to be equipped with emergency lights and siren if such private
vehicle:
(1)
Is at least 20 years old;
(2)
Is used only for entertainment, hobby, or historical purposes; and
(3)
Is not used for emergency activities, to violate any traffic laws, or to cause
other vehicles to stop or yield the right of way.
(b)
The commissioner shall promulgate an application form for such vehicles. The
application shall be filed by the owner of the vehicle. Each vehicle shall
require a separate application. The application shall contain such information
as the commissioner shall deem necessary for compliance with this Code section.
The application shall identify the vehicle with particularity and shall identify
the purpose or purposes for which the vehicle is to be used.
(c)
Upon the submission of a completed application form and a fee as determined by
the commissioner but not to exceed $25.00, the commissioner shall be authorized
to issue to the owner such permit for the specified vehicle. The commissioner
may impose limitations on the use of such vehicle and the type of markings,
lights, and sirens with which the vehicle may be equipped. Such permit shall
not be transferrable.
(d)
Upon the vehicle ceasing to be used or maintained by the person to which the
permit was issued, the markings, lights, and sirens shall be removed from such
vehicle and the permit returned to the commissioner with a certification that
such items have been removed.
(e)
It shall be unlawful for any person to use such a vehicle for the purpose of
impersonating a law enforcement officer.
(f)
It shall be unlawful for any person to use such a vehicle for any purpose other
than the purposes permitted by this Code section or in violation of any
limitation imposed by the commissioner in issuing a permit under this Code
section.
(g)
Violations of this Code section shall be punishable as a
misdemeanor."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.