reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 32-2-4 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-2-4. Information for Traveling Public

 In order to provide information in the specific interest of the traveling public, the department is authorized to maintain maps and to permit informational directories and advertising pamphlets to be made available at safety rest areas and to establish information centers at safety rest areas for the purpose of informing the public of places of interest within the state and providing such other information as may be considered desirable.   (Ga. L. 1967, p. 423, § 14; Code 1933, § 95A-933, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 947, § 1.)   Cross references.   - Camping at rest areas, § 32-6-6.    Installation and operation of vending machines in safety rest areas, § 32-6-116.
GA Code § 32-2-5 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-2-5. Actions by or Against Department

  The department shall have the authority to bring actions; and it may be sued in such actions as are permitted by law. In addition, the department may adjust and make settlement of any and all claims presented to it under oath.   All actions brought ex contractu by or against the department shall be brought in a county where any part of the work is to be or has been performed. All other actions by or against the department shall be brought in the county in which the cause of action arose. Service upon the department shall be sufficient by serving a second original process issued from the county where the action is filed upon the commissioner personally or by leaving a copy of the same in the office of the commissioner in the Department of Transportation Building, Atlanta, Georgia.    (Ga. L. 1919, p. 242, art. 6, § 3; Ga. L. 1925, p. 208, § 4; Code 1933, § 95-1505; Code 1933, § 95A-304, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 947, § 1; Ga. L. 1974, p. 1422, § 10.)   Law reviews.   - For article surveying contracts - legislation, see 34 Mercer L. Rev. 71 (1982). For note analyzing sovereign immunity in this state and proposing implementation of a waiver scheme and creation of a court of claims, pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, see 27 Emory L.J. 717 (1978).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS   ANALYSIS    General Consideration   Actions Against Department   State's Capacity to Sue   State's Liability to Suit    OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Editor's notes.   - In light of the similarity of the statutory provisions, opinions under former law are included in the annotations of this Code section.   Necessity for retaining highway project file for 20-year period.   - It is necessary to retain an entire highway project file for a 20-year period; retaining the release, final voucher, and contract for this period will not adequately protect the state's interest in compliance with state law because highway construction contracts are sealed contracts and are therefore subject to a 20-year statute of limitations. 1973 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 73-89 (decided under former law).   RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.    - Right of private citizen to complain of re-routing of highway or removal or change of route or directional signs, 97 A.L.R. 192.   Liability and suability, in negligence action, of state highway, toll road, or turnpike authority, 62 A.L.R.2d 1222.   Liability, in motor vehicle-related cases, of governmental entity for injury or death resulting from ice or snow on surface of highway or street, 97 A.L.R.3d 11.   Measure and elements of damages for injury to bridge, 31 A.L.R.5th 171.
GA Code § 32-2-6 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-2-6. Liability of Department for Actions Against Counties; Procedure to Institute Actions

  The department shall defend any action and be responsible for all damages awarded therein in any court of this state against any county under existing laws whenever the cause of action accrues on a public road which at the time of accrual had been designated by the department as a part of the state highway system; provided, however, that no action may be brought under this Code section until the construction of the public road on which the injury complained of occurred has been completed and such public road has been officially opened to traffic as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section. When any such action is brought against a county in any court of this state, it shall be the duty of the plaintiff to provide for service of notice of the pendency of such action against the county upon the department by providing for service of a second original process, issued from the court where the action is filed, upon the commissioner personally or by leaving a copy of the same in the office of the commissioner in the Department of Transportation Building, Atlanta, Georgia. The service of process in such action upon the county shall not be perfected until such second original process has been served as provided in this Code section. The department shall also have the right and authority to defend, adjust, and settle in the name of such county and on its behalf any claim for damages for which the department ultimately may be liable under this Code section.   A public road shall be officially opened to traffic within the meaning of this Code section on the date that the department gives written notice of final acceptance of such work to the contractor or political subdivision performing the work on such road or otherwise in writing acts so as to open the road to traffic by the general public.    (Code 1933, § 95A-305, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 947, § 1.)   Law reviews.   - For article surveying developments in Georgia local government law from mid-1980 through mid-1981, see 33 Mercer L. Rev. 187 (1981). For article surveying developments in Georgia torts law from mid-1980 through mid-1981, see 33 Mercer L. Rev. 247 (1981).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS   ANALYSIS    General Consideration   Joint State-County Suits   State Liability   Limits on State Liability   County Liability   Liability of Other Parties    RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.   - Liability, in motor vehicle-related cases, of governmental entity for injury or death resulting from design, construction, or failure to warn of narrow bridge, 2 A.L.R.4th 635.
GA Code § 32-2-7 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-2-7. Compensation for Employees Injured in Line of Duty

  As used in this Code section, the term "external violence, accident, or injury" means any act of violence, an accident, or an injury that is caused by a person other than:   One who is an employee of the department; or   One who is an employee of a contractor or subcontractor performing duties under a contract with the department.     Any employee of the department who, on or after July 1, 1987, is injured in the line of duty by an act of external violence, accident, or injury shall be entitled to receive compensation as provided in this Code section. Going to and from work shall not be considered in the line of duty. For the purposes of this Code section, "line of duty" means working in the proximity of traffic movements or equipment movements doing maintenance, construction, or other activities which may be construed as hazardous.   An employee injured in the line of duty as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section shall continue to receive his regular compensation for the period of time that the employee is physically unable to perform the duties of his employment; provided, however, that such benefits provided in this Code section shall not be granted for injuries resulting from a single incident for more than a total of 180 working days. An employee shall be required to submit to his department head satisfactory evidence of such disability.   Benefits made available under this Code section shall be subordinate to any workers' compensation benefits for which the employee is eligible and shall be limited to the difference between the amount of available workers' compensation benefits and the amount of the employee's regular compensation.     (Code 1981, §32-2-7, enacted by Ga. L. 1987, p. 390, § 1.)
GA Code § 32-2-8 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-2-8. Department to Fly Pow-Mia Flag at Interstate Rest Areas

 The Department of Transportation shall fly the POW-MIA flag year-round at each of the rest areas along interstate highways in this state. The department is authorized to place a plaque at each rest area to indicate Georgia's appreciation of the sacrifices of prisoners of war and those missing in action and their families.    (Code 1981, §32-2-8, enacted by Ga. L. 2001, p. 485, § 1.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2001, "year-round" was substituted for "year round" in the first sentence.
GA Code § 32-2-21 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 2 - State Transportation Board|§ 32-2-21. Powers and Duties of Board Generally

 The board shall be charged with the general control and supervision of the department. In the exercise of such general control and supervision, the board shall have such duties, powers, and authority as are expressly vested in it by this title, including but not limited to:    Designation of public roads on the state highway system;   Approval of negotiated construction contracts, of authority lease agreements, or of the advertising of nonnegotiated construction contracts; and   Approval of all long-range plans and programs of the department.    (Ga. L. 1925, p. 208, § 3; Code 1933, § 95-1606; Ga. L. 1950, p. 62, § 6; Code 1933, § 95A-307, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 947, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 591, § 2; Ga. L. 2009, p. 976, § 3/SB 200.)   Cross references.   - State Transportation Board, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. IV, Sec. IV.   JUDICIAL DECISIONS    Voluntary dismissal of claims with prejudice was not a contract and, thus, O.C.G.A. §§ 23-2-20 and32-2-21 did not apply to authorize setting aside of the dismissal. Kent v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 233 Ga. App. 564, 504 S.E.2d 710 (1998).    Cited in Outdoor Adv. Ass'n v. DOT, 186 Ga. App. 550, 367 S.E.2d 827 (1988).   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL   Lapse of appropriations that become deobligated.   - Appropriated state funds which become deobligated during a subsequent fiscal year are subject to lapse and may not be applied to contracts for which motor fuel tax appropriations were previously committed. 1993 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 93-9.
GA Code § 32-2-41.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 3 - Officers|§ 32-2-41.1. State-Wide Strategic Transportation Plan

 The director shall prepare a state-wide strategic transportation plan. Such plan shall be updated and delivered in coordination with the state-wide, intermodal transportation plan as defined in 23 C.F.R. Section 450.104. The director shall prepare the state-wide strategic transportation plan for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairpersons of the Senate Transportation Committee and House Committee on Transportation.    (Code 1981, §32-2-41.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 528, § 1/HB 1189; Ga. L. 2009, p. 976, § 6/SB 200; Ga. L. 2014, p. 851, § 1/HB 774; Ga. L. 2020, p. 371, § 1/HB 1098.)    The 2020 amendment,  effective July 29, 2020, rewrote this Code section.   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2008, Code Section 32-2-41.1, as enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 806, § 1/SB 417, was redesignated as Code Section 32-2-41.2.
GA Code § 32-2-41.2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 3 - Officers|§ 32-2-41.2. Development of Benchmarks; Reports; Value Engineering Studies

  The commissioner shall develop and publish in print or electronically benchmarks, based upon the type and scope of a construction project, that detail a realistic time frame for completion of each stage of a construction project, including preliminary engineering and design, environmental permitting and review, and right of way acquisition.   The director shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairpersons of the House and Senate Transportation Committees detailing the progress of every construction project valued at $10 million or more against the benchmarks. This report shall include an analysis explaining the discrepancies between the benchmarks and actual performance on each project as well as an explanation for delays. This report shall also be published on the website of the department.   The department shall create and maintain on its website a detailed status report on each project under planning or construction. This status report shall include, but not be limited to, the name and contact information of the project manager, if applicable.   Value engineering studies shall be performed on all projects whose costs exceed $50 million, except for any project procured in accordance with Code Sections 32-2-79, 32-2-80, and 32-2-81, and the director shall submit an annual report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairpersons of the House and Senate Transportation Committees detailing the amount saved due to the value engineering studies. This report shall also be published on the website of the department.     (Code 1981, §32-2-41.2, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 806, § 1/SB 417; Ga. L. 2009, p. 976, § 7/SB 200; Ga. L. 2010, p. 838, § 10/SB 388; Ga. L. 2013, p. 67, § 1/HB 202; Ga. L. 2014, p. 851, § 2/HB 774.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2008, Code Section 32-2-41.1, as enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 806, § 1/SB 417, was redesignated as Code Section 32-2-41.2.
GA Code § 32-2-41.3 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 3 - Officers|§ 32-2-41.3. Georgia Freight Railroad Program

  For purposes of this Code section, the term "short line railway" means any carrier designated as a Class III by the Surface Transportation Board.   The Georgia Freight Railroad Program shall be administered, subject to appropriations, at the discretion of the commissioner, in order to enhance the state's investment in freight rail projects for public benefit and to support a safe and balanced transportation system for the state.   Eligible projects under the Georgia Freight Railroad Program shall include rail enhancement projects to acquire, lease, or improve railways or railroad equipment, including rail crossings, rolling stock, rights of way, or rail facilities; rail preservation projects to acquire, lease, or improve short line railways or assist other appropriate entities to acquire, lease, or improve short line railways; and rail industrial projects to build, construct, restructure, or improve industrial access to railroad tracks and related facilities.   In administering the program, the commissioner shall make every effort to balance such program among all regions of this state and among the various applicants.   Following the end of each fiscal year, the commissioner or his or her designee shall submit an annual report on the activities of the Georgia Freight Railroad Program to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and shall make such report available to the members of the General Assembly.   Prior to the expenditure of state funds, the commissioner shall make a determination whether such expenditure is ample consideration for a substantial public benefit in compliance with Article III, Section VI, Paragraph VI(a) of the Georgia Constitution. Such substantial public benefit must constitute a benefit accrued to the public in the form of enhanced public safety, enhanced mobility of goods, congestion mitigation, enhanced trade and economic development, improved air quality or land use, reduction of public expenditures due to improved transportation efficiency or infrastructure preservation, or other public benefits identified and approved by a majority of the board. Such public benefit shall also align with goals in the state-wide strategic transportation plan as defined in Code Section 32-2-41.1 or the state's freight plan as defined in 49 U.S.C. 70202.     (Code 1981, §32-2-41.3, enacted by Ga. L. 2020, p. 816, § 1/HB 820; Ga. L. 2020, p. 817, § 1/SB 371; Ga. L. 2021, p. 480, § 1/HB 588.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2020, the enactment of subsection (c) of this Code section by Ga. L. 2020, p. 816, § 1/HB 820, was treated as impliedly repealed and superseded by Ga. L. 2020, p. 817, § 1/SB 371, due to irreconcilable conflict.
GA Code § 32-2-43 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 2 - Department of Transportation|Article 3 - Officers|§ 32-2-43. Director of Planning; Appointment; Responsibilities

  There shall be a director of planning appointed by the Governor subject to approval by a majority vote of both the House Transportation Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. The director shall serve during the term of the Governor by whom he or she is appointed and at the pleasure of the Governor. If the Governor's term expires and the incoming Governor has not made an appointment, the current director of planning may serve until a replacement is appointed by the incoming Governor and confirmed by the House and Senate Transportation Committees.   The director of planning's principal responsibility shall be the development of transportation plans, including the development of the state-wide strategic transportation plan and state-wide transportation improvement program and other comprehensive plans pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 32-2-3 and Code Section 32-2-22, strategic transportation plans pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 32-2-41.1, and benchmarks and value engineering studies pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 32-2-41.2, in consultation with the board, the Governor, and the commissioner. The director shall also be responsible for the duties and activities assigned to the director in Article 5 of Chapter 8 of Title 48. The director shall be the director of the Planning Division of the department and shall possess, exercise, and perform all the duties, powers, and authority which may be vested in such division by law and are necessary or appropriate for such purpose, except those duties, powers, and authority which are expressly reserved by law to the board or the commissioner.     (Code 1981, §32-2-43, enacted by Ga. L. 2009, p. 976, § 9/SB 200; Ga. L. 2010, p. 778, § 2/HB 277; Ga. L. 2011, p. 583, § 3/HB 137.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2009, "the" was deleted following "may be vested in" in the last sentence of subsection (b).   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2010, p. 778, § 1/HB 277, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Transportation Investment Act of 2010.'"
GA Code § 32-3-2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 3 - Acquisition of Property for Transportation Purposes|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-3-2. Acquisition Procedure Generally; Recording Order and Judgment or Instrument of Conveyance; Filing Order and Judgment or Instrument in Records of Department

 All acquisition of property or interests for public road and other transportation purposes shall proceed under the methods set out in this article and in Title 22. Any instrument which conveys such property or interest to or any order and judgment which vests such property or interest in a state agency, county, or municipality shall be recorded in the name of the agency, county, or municipality in each county wherein the property or interest may lie, notwithstanding Code Section 50-16-3. In the case of property or interests acquired by the department, the instrument or order and judgment shall also be kept in the records of the department. Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 48 shall not apply to property or interests acquired under the authority of this article.   (Code 1933, § 95A-602, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 947, § 1.)   Law reviews.   - For comment on Southern Ry. v. State Hwy. Dep't, 219 Ga. 435, 134 S.E.2d 12 (1963), see 1 Ga. St. B. J. 242 (1964).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS    Cited in Citizens Coalition for Planned Growth, Inc. v. Glynn County, 249 Ga. 664, 292 S.E.2d 847 (1982); DOT v. City of Atlanta, 255 Ga. 124, 337 S.E.2d 327 (1985).   RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.   - Power of eminent domain as between state and subdivision or agency thereof, or as between different subdivisions or agencies themselves, 35 A.L.R.3d 1293.
GA Code § 32-3-3.2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 32 - Highways, Bridges, and Ferries|Chapter 3 - Acquisition of Property for Transportation Purposes|Article 1 - General Provisions|§ 32-3-3.2. Procedure When Documented Conflict

  As used in this Code section, the term:   "Acquisition" means the acquisition of rights of way or right of way easements in lieu of condemnation.   "Condemnation" means condemnation of rights of way or right of way easements pursuant to this title.   "Documentation of a conflict" means documentation produced by a condemning authority to a property owner revealing a proposed cure for an alleged damage that resulted as part of a condemnation or from acquisition through negotiations, of which the cure proposed to the property owner by the condemning authority would result in a violation of a local government land use ordinance or land disturbance regulation.     When rights of way or real property or interests therein are acquired or condemned by a state agency, county, or municipality for public road purposes and a documentation of a conflict has been issued to a property owner, the local jurisdiction shall:   Grant a minimum degree of variance from land use or land disturbance permitting standards for the remaining parcel to the property owner or any successor in interest. Such variance shall be granted upon satisfactory production of proof of the transfer of title of the acquired or condemned property or interests in property to the condemning authority and the documentation of a conflict; provided, however, that application for any such variance has been made no later than five years after the transfer of property or interests in property; or   Provide to the property owner or any successor in interest just and adequate compensation for damages related to a conflict with local land use ordinances or regulations as identified by documentation of a conflict and upon denial of a variance sought pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection; provided, however, that no compensation shall be paid either directly or indirectly by the acquirer or condemnor.       (Code 1981, §32-3-3.2, enacted by Ga. L. 2020, p. 371, § 6/HB 1098.)