Gold Dome bill tracker: 2026 legislation we’re watching

Atlanta Civic Circle is tracking bills related to democracy, labor and housing for the Georgia legislative session, which kicked off on Jan. 12. Here’s a look at proposed civil liberties, governance, elections, and housing bills. Since this is the second year of a biennial session, several bills that stalled in the 2025 session have resurfaced.  

We’ll be adding bills and updating their progress periodically, so don’t hesitate to contact us with comments, questions or suggestions. 

SPEECH AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Senate Bill 74: Criminalizes librarians for distributing “harmful materials” to minors

Status: Favorably reported by House Judiciary Non-Civil committee on Feb. 6, advances to a full House vote. STALLED

Sponsors:  Max Burns (R-Sylvania), Larry Walker III (R-Perry), Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), Carden Summers (R-Cordele), Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), Lee Anderson (R-Grovetown), John Albers (R-Roswell), Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), Timothy Bearden (R-Carrolton), Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), Shawn Still (R-Suwanee), Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega). 

This controversial bill would create criminal penalties, including jail time, for librarians who knowingly allow minors to check out materials deemed harmful to them under Georgia’s obscenity law. The bill includes a provision exempting librarians who act in good faith to remove such materials or were unaware those materials were available to minors. The Republican-backed Senate Bill 74 already passed the Senate last year. Read more about the bill here.

Senate Bill 443: Increases protest penalties

Status: Passed Senate 35-17 on March 3. Passed House 96-69 on March 23. PASSED

Sponsors: Carden Summers (R-Cordele), John Albers (R-Roswell), Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), Frank Ginn (Danielsville), Brain Strickland (R-McDonough), Jason T. Dickerson (R-Canton), Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), Lee Anderson (R-Grovetown), Timothy Bearden (R-Carrollton), Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick), Max Burns (R-Sylvania), Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell). 

This Republican-backed bill increases the charges and penalties for obstructing a roadway – a common charge against protestors. The GOP-backed bill, now before the Senate Judiciary Committee, raises simple obstruction from a misdemeanor to a high and aggravated misdemeanor, carrying a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or up to a 12-month jail sentence. If convicted, the offender is also civilly liable for property damage. Read more about the bill here.

GOVERNANCE & ELECTIONS

Senate Bill 421: Data Center Transparency Act

Status: Before State & Local Governmental Operations Committee. STALLED

Sponsors: RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta), Drew Echols (R-Canton), Jaha Howard (D-Austell), Shawn Still (R-Kennesaw), Harold V. Jones II (D-Augusta), Kenya Wicks (D-Fayetteville), Kim Jackson (D-Tucker), Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia), Donzella James (D-Atlanta), Sheikh Rahman (D- Lawrenceville), Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro), Nan Orrock (D- Atlanta)

This bipartisan bill, sponsored by 11 Democrats and two Republicans, would prohibit local governments from signing non-disclosure agreements with any entity related to a proposed data center’s electricity and water usage. The bill aims to make the impact of data centers, which are high intensity users of water and power, more transparent to the public, at a time when the number of data centers in Georgia is growing fast.

House Bill 147: AI regulation for state and local governments

Status: Senate recommitted Jan. 12. STALLED 

Sponsors: Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), Joseph Gullet (R-Dallas), Rob Clifton (R-Evans), Don Parsons (R-Marietta). 

This Republican bill, which has some Democratic support, is back from the 2025 session, after passing the House unanimously last year plus two Senate reads. Now before the Senate Science & Technology Committee, it would create Georgia’s first-ever statewide body to set best practices for how state and local governments use artificial intelligence (AI). The bill also would establish disclosure requirements, so the public understands how, when, and why local governments are using AI. 

Senate Resolution 563: Secretary of State Raffensperger should provide unredacted voter registration list to US Department of Justice

Status: Senate passed 31-22 on Feb. 2. PASSED

Sponsors: Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), Matt Brass (R-Newnan), Timothy Bearden (R-Carrollton), Sam Watson (R-Moultrie)

This non-binding resolution urges the Georgia Secretary of State to immediately comply with the US Department of Justice’s demand that it hand over Georgia’s voter registration list and associated voter data, such as Social Security and driver’s license numbers. The DOJ sued Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in December for the unredacted list. Raffensperger has refused to provide the Trump administration with all unredacted voter data over concerns that it would be shared with third-parties, compromising the privacy of millions of voters.

The Trump administration’s demand for state voter data is unprecedented, since it is states that run elections, not the federal government, under the US Constitution. The demand follows five years of efforts by President Donald Trump and his supporters to revive discredited and baseless allegations of voter fraud in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election.

House Bill 414: Empower State Ethics Commission to investigate non-resident entities that influence Georgia elections

Status: Passed Senate 50-1 on Feb. 5, Passed House 169-0 on Feb. 11. CROSSED OVER

Sponsors: Reps. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), Buddy DeLoach (R-Townsend), Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville), Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville), Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta), and Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough). 

This bill would allow the Georgia State Ethics Commission, which enforces campaign finance and transparency laws, to investigate entities located outside Georgia, such as out-of-state donors, consultants, or political organizations, that influence state or local elections.

Under current law, the Ethics Commission can’t investigate people, records, or financial activity that is located out of state. This bill would explicitly authorize it to seek subpoenas through Georgia superior courts to pursue such investigations.

Senate Bill 214: Require hand-marked paper ballots 

Status: Assigned Jan. 14 to House Governmental Affairs Committee. STALLED 

Sponsors: Max Burns (R-Sylvania), Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), Colton Moore* (R-Trenton), Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), Steve Gooch* (R-Dahlonega), Sam Watson (R-Moultrie)

* Moore has resigned to run for Congress and Gooch has resigned to run for Lieutenant Governor. 

This Republican-backed bill passed the Senate in 2025 and then a first and second read in the House in January. It would require the Secretary of State to replace Georgia’s current electronic voting system with hand-marked paper ballots counted via an optical scanner. Advocates say this will improve transparency and trust in elections after repeatedly discredited allegations of fraud in the 2020 Georgia presidential election.

Senate Bill 422: Switch municipal elections to even-numbered years

Status: Favorably reported by Senate Ethics Committee Feb. 3. STALLED 

Sponsors: Timothy Bearden (R-Carrollton), Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), Ricky Williams (R-Milledgeville), Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), Matt Brass (R-Newnan), Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell)

This bill proposes shifting municipal elections in Georgia to even-numbered years. The goal is to increase voter turnout by holding local elections in even years to coincide with statewide and federal elections. That means that municipal elections scheduled for 2027 would instead be held in 2028. To facilitate the transition, SB 422 would extend the terms of municipal elected leaders in office on Dec. 31, 2026 by one year. The extension would not apply to officers elected to two-year terms in localities with staggered terms of office.

House Bill 1235: If over half of campaign funds come from out of state, candidates and political fundraising committees must disclose in their ads.

Status: Assigned to House Governmental Affairs Committee. STALLED 

Sponsors: Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), Martin Momtahan (R-Dallas), Matt Reeves (R-Duluth), Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas), Tangie Herring (D-Macon), Sandy Donatucci (R-Buford)

This bipartisan campaign-finance bill would require that candidates and political fundraising committees disclose in their campaign ads if more than 50% of their funds comes from people or entities outside of Georgia. Print ads (such as mailers, online ads, billboards) must have a notice reading, “This political advertisement was paid for by out-of-state interests.” The same notice must be read at the end of TV and radio ads or robo-calls. Violators could be subject to criminal or civil penalties, including fines starting at $1,000 per violation. 

Senate Bill 514: Eliminates ballot drop boxes and limits dates for special elections

Status: Introduced Feb. 17, Assigned to Senate Ethics Committee Feb. 18. STALLED 

Sponsors: Timothy Bearden (R-Carrolton), Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), Matt Brass (R-Newnan), Jason T. Dickerson (R-Canton)

This Republican-backed bill  would eliminate using ballot drop boxes for advance voting, even at government buildings. Presently, drop boxes in Georgia are only allowed outside early voting locations or elections offices and must be under 24-hour surveillance by an election official, law enforcement or security guard. 

The bill would also limit when local special elections and voter referendums can be held. In even-numbered years, both special elections and referendums could only be on the ballot during the scheduled presidential or general primary, or for the general election in November. Sales tax referendums could only be on the ballot for the November general election — presumably when turnout is highest.

In odd-numbered years, special elections could only be scheduled for the third Tuesday in March, June or September, or Election Day in November. Voter referendums could only be held in March or November.

House Bill 369: Make district attorney elections non-partisan in metro-Atlanta counties

Status: PASSED – Awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature or veto. 

Sponsors: Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta), Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon), John LaHood (R-Valdosta), Sylvia Baker (D-Douglasville), Terry Cummings (D-Mableton), Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro). 

This bill would make district attorney elections nonpartisan for the five-county metro-Atlanta area, awaits the governor’s signature. Why nonpartisan DA races – and only in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett and Clayton Counties? Because Republicans think they can’t win elections in these counties with an (R) next to their name. The House on March 27 approved a last-minute substitute version of HB 369 — originally a bipartisan bill to regulate food trucks — passed by the Senate on March 25.

The Republicans behind the bill were able to target the metro-Atlanta counties by making the provision apply only to counties that appoint county coroners, instead of electing them. Two Republicans voted against the bill, Rep. Don Parsons (R-Marietta) and Jordan Ridley (R-Woodstock). Gov. Kemp on April 1 declined to say whether he would veto the legislation.

Senate Bill 423: Prohibits candidates and campaign committees from receiving more than 50% of their contributions from outside Georgia

Status: STALLED – Passed Senate by a 33-21 vote on March 6, but House tabled March 31. 

Sponsors:  Timothy Bearden (R-Carrollton), Sam Watson (R-Moultrie),  Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville), Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick), Chuck Payne (R-Dalton), Brian Strickland (R-McDonough), Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), Matt Brass (R-Newnan), Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell), Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega). 

This bill would prohibit Georgia political candidates, campaign committees, political action committees, and other fundraising entities for candidates, from receiving more than 50% of their contributions from out of state. Donations above that threshold would be felonies, with a one to 10 year prison term and/or a $10,000 fine.

HOUSING

House Bill 61:  Eviction bill targeting extended-stay hotel residents

Status: Passed House 165-0 on Feb. 11. Passed Senate 32-18 on March 20. CROSSED OVER

Sponsors: Reps. Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta), Lauren McDonald III (R-Cumming), John Corbett (R-Lake Park), Danny Mathis (R-Cochran), Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), and Sen. Shawn Still (R-Kennesaw)

A zombie bill from last session has resurfaced that would make it easier for extended-stay hotels to evict long-term residents on the spot. Section 5 of HB 61 says that if an extended-stay resident fails to pay the hotel fee (or the hotel refuses to accept payment) they can immediately be denied access to the room, their personal property can be seized and held until any past-due fees are paid, and law enforcement can be summoned to arrest them if they do not immediately vacate the property. 

Critics, such as the Housing Justice League, point out that innkeepers already have the right to remove non-paying guests. This bill goes further by allowing immediate lockout of the resident and their family, property seizure, and arrest – with no notice or due process. Many extended-stay residents are low-income families just one step away from homelessness, Housing Justice League notes. They can’t rent a house or apartment due to poor credit, lack of downpayment money, or past evictions, so extended-stay hotels, despite the higher monthly rate, are their only option.

The bill also says that extended-stay residents are presumed to be guests, no matter how long they’ve lived at the hotel or how they pay their bill – and that a written lease is required to convert their residence into a landlord-tenant relationship, along with the protections that affords. State law currently protects long-term hotel residents as tenants. This bill would strip those protections from them.

Last year senate Republicans implanted the extended-stay eviction provisions from a failed bill, HB 183, into HB 61, which regulates license plates for hearses and ambulances — so the altered HB 61 never passed through any House committee. Since the Senate substituted its own language, the bill returns to the House for a final yes or no vote to pass.

House Bill 295: Allows property owners to seek compensation from local governments for not enforcing anti-homelessness laws

Status: Passed House 98-75 on March 3. Senate tabled on March 31. Passed Senate on Sine Die. House agree-disagree vote required. IN PLAY

Sponsors: Houston Gaines (R-Athens), Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), Jan Jones (R-Milton), Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia), Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah)

This Republican-backed bill would allow property owners to sue local governments for loss of property value or expenses incurred if they don’t enforce laws aimed at keeping unhoused people off the streets. Property owners could collect damage awards from the municipality for failing to enforce laws against public camping, panhandling, loitering, public urination, obstruction of public thoroughfares, possession or use of controlled substances, public intoxication or shoplifting. 

Atlanta’s Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD) and other critics say the bill would divert local government funds away from housing and supportive services for unhoused people towards legal fees. It would also increase pressure on cities to ticket, arrest, or otherwise displace people who have nowhere to go, while discouraging community outreach and diversion strategies, they add.

Language from Senate Bill 21 was added, requiring another vote in the House.

House Bill 1035: Prohibits foreclosures on homes for unpaid HOA fees, utility bills, or other non-tax debts

Status: Favorably reported by House Ways & Means Committee on Feb. 26. STALLED 

Sponsors: Sandra Scott (D – Rex), Viola Davis (D – Stone Mountain), Kim Schofield (D – Atlanta), Gerald Greene (R – Cuthbert), Rhonda Taylor (D – Conyers), David Huddleston (R – Roopville)

This bipartisan bill, sponsored by four Democrats and two Republicans, seeks to protect homeowners from foreclosure due for non-tax related debts, such as unpaid home or condo owners association fees and assessments. The bill also would make it illegal for local governments to transfer unpaid water, sewer, storm-water or other service charges to the ad valorem tax roll in order to foreclose on and sell a person’s home for unpaid taxes.

House Bill 1188: Rental price transparency

Status: Assigned to House Judiciary Committee. STALLED 

Sponsors: Gabriel Sanchez (D-Smyrna), Dale Washburn (R-Macon), Spencer Frye (D-Athens), Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta), Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), El-Mahdi Holly (D-Stockbridge)

Sponsored primarily by Democrats, plus one Republican backer, this bill seeks to amend the state’s Fair Business Practices Act to require landlords to transparently disclose total rental prices and outlaw hidden fees on residential leases before agreements are signed.

House Bill 1233: Fee waivers for affordable housing development

Status: Assigned to House Governmental Affairs Committee. STALLED 

Sponsors: Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), Rob Clifton (R-Evans), Spencer Frye (D-Athens), Dale Washburn (R-Macon)

Driven by Republicans, this bill would allow local governments to waive development impact fees on certain projects that create affordable housing, without requiring them to raise impact fees on other developments to make up for lost revenue.

Senate Bill 463: Zombie version of HB 61, previously it placed limits on corporate home buyers and ban on rental property investment by foreign firms

Status: Passed Senate 49-3 on March 3. Favorably Reported by House Judiciary Committee on March 27. CROSSED OVER

Sponsors: Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), Larry Walker III (R-Perry), Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), Shawn Still (R-Suwanee), Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), Chuck Hustetler (R-Rome), Brian Stickland (R-McDonough), Timothy Bearden (R-Carrollton), Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta), Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), Jason T. Dickerson (R-Canton), Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), Ben Watson (R-Savannah), Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell),

Before Sine Die this bill became a zombie of HB 61, the anti-squatting legislation.

Originally, this Republican-led legislation proposed capping ownership of single-family rental properties by business entities at 500 homes and barring foreign investment firms from owning any such rental properties in Georgia.