Georgia Legislator Burt Jones Files Bill to Create New ‘Back the Blue’ Fund

Senator Burt Jones (R-Jackson) filed a bill last week that would, if enacted into law, allow Georgia residents to contribute money to increase law enforcement officers’ pay.

Georgia residents would subsidize this Back the Blue fund through motor vehicle insurance policies. According to the language of the bill, SB 532, state residents would pay into this fund voluntarily.

Jones, in the bill, said Georgia law enforcement officers have “a hiring and retention crisis” and that increasing their pay and enhancing their benefits helps to retain them and to increase public safety.

“On and after July 1, 2023, all policies of motor vehicle insurance issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state shall contain a provision allowing the policyholder to elect to contribute an additional 0.5 percent of the premium price to the Back the Blue Fund in a manner approved by the Commissioner [of Insurance] or as otherwise prescribed by regulation promulgated by the Commissioner,” the language of the bill states.

“Insurers, or their agent, limited subagent, or any other representative, shall hold amounts dedicated for the Back the Blue Fund in a fiduciary capacity. The amount received shall be promptly accounted for, separated from the premium received, and reasonably ascertainable from the book of accounts and records.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp last year signed House Bill 286, which prohibits local governments in Georgia from defunding the police….(Excerpt from Georgia Star News)