Section 50-36-3. Immigration Enforcement Review Board; membership; duties; sanctions; civil actions

   (a) As used in this Code section, the term:

   (1) "Board" means the Immigration Enforcement Review Board.

   (2) "Public agency or employee" means any government, department, commission, committee, authority, board, or bureau of this state or any political subdivision of this state and any employee or official, whether appointed, elected, or otherwise employed by such a governmental entity.

   (3) "Served" or "service" means delivery by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested.

(b) The Immigration Enforcement Review Board is established and shall consist of seven members. Three members shall be appointed by the Governor, two members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. A chairperson shall be selected by a majority vote of the members. All matters before the board shall be determined by a majority vote of qualified board members. Members shall be appointed for terms of two years and shall continue to hold such position until their successors are duly appointed and qualified. A member may be reappointed to an additional term. If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board, the appropriate appointing party shall appoint a successor for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is appointed and qualified.

(c) The board shall be attached to the Department of Audits and Accounting for administrative purposes. The members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with the investigation and review of complaints from funds of the board appropriated to the Department of Audits and Accounting for such purposes.

(d) The Immigration Enforcement Review Board shall have the following duties:

   (1) To conduct a review or investigation of any complaint properly filed with the board;

   (2) To take such remedial action deemed appropriate in response to complaints filed with the board, including holding hearings and considering evidence;

   (3) To make and adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Code section; and

   (4) To subpoena relevant documents and witnesses and to place witnesses under oath for the provision of testimony in matters before the board.

(e) The board shall have the authority to investigate and review any complaint with respect to all actions of a public agency or employee alleged to have violated or failed to properly enforce the provisions of Code Section 13-10-91, 36-80-23, or 50-36-1 with which such public agency or employee was required to comply. Complaints may be received from any legal resident of this state as defined by Code Section 40-2-1 who is also a legally registered voter. The method and grounds for filing a complaint shall be posted on the Department of Audits and Accounting's website.

(f) The board shall meet at a minimum of once every three months and shall send a notice to all interested parties of the places and times of its meetings. The board shall issue a written report of its findings in all complaints which shall include such evaluations, judgments, and recommendations as it deems appropriate.

(g) The initial review or hearing may, as determined by the board, be conducted by the full board or by one or more board members. Such review panel or members shall make findings and issue an initial decision. The initial decision shall be served upon the complaining party and the applicable public agency or employee that is the subject of a complaint within 60 calendar days. If the findings are adverse to the public agency or employee, or both, such party shall have 30 days to take the necessary remedial action, if any, and show cause why sanctions should not be imposed.

(h) In the event that the remedial action does not occur to the satisfaction of the review panel or members, the reviewing panel or members shall make a recommendation specifying an appropriate sanction. Sanctions may include revocation of qualified local government status, loss of state appropriated funds, and a monetary fine of not less than $1,000.00 or more than $5,000.00. Sanctions shall only be imposed against an individual employee or official where there is a finding supported by a preponderance of the evidence that such individual knowingly and willfully violated or failed to abide by the provisions of Code Section 13-10-91, 36-80-23, or 50-36-1.

(i) The initial decision or recommendation for sanctions, or both, shall be served upon the complaining party and the applicable public agency or employee that is the subject of a complaint. Where an initial decision is made by fewer than the entire board, the decision may be appealed to the full board. Appeals shall be filed with the board not later than 30 days following the recommendation for sanctions, or 30 days following the initial decision, if no adverse findings were made. Appeals may be made by the complainant or sanctioned public agency or employee. The full board shall by majority vote affirm, overturn, or modify the initial decision. The board may conduct a further hearing on the matter, or make a final decision based on the record from any previously held hearing by the original reviewing panel or members, or determine that no action is necessary based on the information before the board. Where the initial decision or recommendation is made by the full board, such decision shall be the final decision of the board following 30 days after service on the public agency or employee, unless further action is taken by the board prior to the expiration of the 30 day period.

(j) When a public agency or employee fails to take the specified remedial action, the Attorney General shall be authorized to bring a civil mandamus action against such public agency or employee to enforce compliance with applicable law and the sanctions recommended by the board. Nothing contained in this Code section shall prohibit the Attorney General from seeking any other remedy available by law.

Code 1981, § 50-36-3, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 794, § 20/HB 87.