GeorgiaHB 1152025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Natural Resources, Department of; certain notice upon registration of a vessel; provide

Sponsored By: Buddy DeLoach (Republican), Lehman Franklin (Republican), Bill Hitchens (Republican), Jesse Petrea (Republican), Ron Stephens (Republican), Rick Townsend (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Game, Fish & ParksNatural Resources and the EnvironmentGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Boat Owners Face Fines and Jail

Within seven calendar days of learning that a boat remains in place and is not stolen, the natural resources department must notify its owner. Owners have 30 days after receiving notice to remove it; notices warn about costs, damages, credential restrictions, and prosecution. For owners who registered the boat with the department, a first violation is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. It carries up to $5,000 in fines, up to 12 months in jail, or both. A later offense is a felony carrying up to $50,000, up to five years in prison, or both. Courts may also order repayment of reasonable related costs or damages, and boat registration applications must warn about criminal penalties. The removal deadline does not apply within 36 months after a Governor-declared natural-disaster emergency affecting the boat’s location.

Abandoned Boats Can Cost Owners Registrations

After required notices, Georgia officials may revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to renew an owner’s boat registration or commercial fishing boat license. The revenue commissioner may also restrict the owner’s motor vehicle registrations. Abandonment restrictions may last until the owner restores and resumes using the boat or removes it from public waters or property. Unpaid-cost restrictions may last until removal and storage fees are paid and the related lien is satisfied. Owners can seek a new hearing in superior court within 30 days of notice; unpaid-cost appeal deadlines run from when notice is sent. Appeals require no bond or advance court costs, but do not automatically pause agency action; unappealed actions become final.

Boat Owners Get Notices Before Sale

For removed boats that are not stolen, known owners must receive notice within seven calendar days after removal. This rule excludes boats being repaired by repair facilities or stored by insurers covering boat damage. Notice uses certified or registered mail or statutory overnight delivery; unknown-owner notices require two weekly newspaper ads or two weeks of courthouse posting. Notices explain fees, possible lien foreclosure and sale, and abandonment if the boat is not redeemed within 30 days after removal. Removal, storage, and disposal costs can be recovered through liens; foreclosure requires an itemized payment demand unless unknown-owner publication requirements are met.

Prompt Stolen Boat Checks and Owner Notices

Officers must search stolen-boat records within 24 hours after a safety check or finding an authorized check card. The same deadline applies after an officer removes a boat under the public-safety rule. Private-property removers must notify local police within one day after requesting owner information; police then have 24 hours to search. When a boat is reported stolen, officers must notify the reporting agency, which must notify the owner or report filer. Safety-check cases also require notice to the natural resources department; private-removal cases require sharing the remover’s contact information.

Boat Removers Must Find Unknown Owners

When a removed boat’s owner is unknown, the remover or storage operator must request owner information within 72 hours. This applies to public-water removals requested by police and private-property removals requested by property owners. They must also search another state’s records when facts suggest the boat is registered or titled there. Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources must provide information within five days after the request or when it becomes available. The department may charge up to $2 per request.

Safety Checks and Removal for Unattended Boats

Georgia’s abandoned-boat rules cover state waters, nearby coastal seas, and high seas traveled to or from Georgia’s shore. Private ponds and lakes closed to the public are excluded. Officers or authorized natural resources workers must immediately check unattended boats for people in distress and safety threats. They must attach a completed check card, but can skip checks when a valid card already shows one was done. Attaching an unauthorized card is a misdemeanor. Officers may remove boats after at least five unattended days, measured by the card’s date, or immediately for safety threats.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Ben Watson
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 215 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 51 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 164 • No: 0 • Other: 9

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2026
House Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026House
Act 434
5/11/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/6/2026House
Senate Third Read
3/10/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/10/2026Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
2/24/2026Senate
Senate Taken from Table
1/12/2026Senate
Senate Recommitted
1/12/2026Senate
Senate Tabled
4/2/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/21/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
3/20/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/27/2025Senate
House Third Readers
2/26/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/26/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/19/2025House
House Second Readers
1/28/2025House
House First Readers
1/27/2025House
House Hopper
1/17/2025House

Bill Text

HB 115/AP* (v6)
PDF

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