Graffiti bill easily passes in Georgia House

ATLANTA - A bill that would allow for the use of state prisoners to be used to remove gang graffiti - which is a major problem for law enforcement and property owners in parts of Hall County - was approved by the Georgia House Friday.

The bill is sponsored by Pedro Marin of Duluth who says removal of graffiti is a powerful weapon against the spread of gang activity.

One hold up to the bill was that it would allow inmates to go onto private property to remove the graffiti and that is currently against the law as to discourage inmates from doing personal work for government officials.

Marin becomes the first Hispanic lawmaker to have a bill approved by the state legislature.