Georgia Department of Law

This document outlines the mission, vision, and guiding principles for the Department of Law, State of Georgia. Its mission is to provide high-quality legal representation to state government entities and uphold the Attorney General's constitutional and statutory responsibilities. The vision is to be an independent department committed to excellence, setting standards for quality management, staffed by diverse and motivated professionals, and recognized as leaders in the legal profession. Key guiding principles emphasize public service, accessibility, integrity, justice, ethical client representation, fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for employees, and promoting continuous improvement.

The meeting included an update on the Georgia Supreme Court's opinion in Lathrop v. Deal and its impact on the Subcommittee's work. The discussion focused on potential courses of action, including no action, a constitutional amendment, and legislative action. The Subcommittee agreed to discuss a draft report at the next meeting before formalizing the report to the Full Court Reform Council.

The subcommittee meeting of the Court Reform Council focused on potential reforms within the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Key discussion areas included final decision authority, judicial review, jurisdiction, evidentiary matters, the APA's interplay with the Civil Practice Act, enforcement authority, and the filing of hearing requests. The subcommittee explored proposals to give the Office of State Administrative Proceedings (OSAH) authority to issue final decisions, the possibility of direct appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals, and making all agencies subject to the APA. Further discussions addressed the application of the Georgia Evidence Code, the use of telephone hearings, the application of the Civil Practice Act, OSAH's enforcement authority, and the process for filing hearing requests.

The subcommittee reviewed potential reforms to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The discussion included topics such as final decision authority, enforcement authority, and filing hearing requests. The subcommittee voted to adopt the reform on Final Decision Authority. The subcommittee also discussed the power to enforce subpoenas when parties do not appear, through the imposition of fines, and the power to sanction individuals for disobeying lawful orders. The subcommittee discussed specifying a deadline by which agencies must refer cases to OSAH, or to require parties to file hearing requests directly with OSAH.

The meeting of the Sovereign Immunity Subcommittee was called to order by Attorney General Chris Carr, who provided an overview of the Subcommittee's purpose and reminded attendees of the next meeting date. Solicitor General Sarah Hawkins Warren provided an overview of Georgia Supreme Court case law on sovereign immunity. Deputy Solicitor General Andrew Pinson suggested potential options for addressing sovereign immunity, including maintaining the status quo, legislative action, or a state constitutional amendment. The Subcommittee agreed that further research was needed before the next meeting.