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GeorgiaHB 1612025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; authority to issue subpoenas of electronic communication records for purposes of investigating certain cyber enabled threats to life and property; provide

Sponsored By: Beth Camp (Republican), Clint Crowe (Republican), Kimberly New (Republican), Matt Reeves (Republican), Tyler Paul Smith (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary Non-CivilJudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Georgia adds terrorism protections and severe penalties

The law creates a domestic terrorism crime for committing or attempting a Georgia felony, alone or through related acts. It requires intent to seriously harm or kill people, or disable or destroy key infrastructure, government facilities, or public transportation. The destruction route requires major economic loss. The acts must also aim to intimidate civilians, coerce government policy, or affect government conduct through destructive devices, assassination, or kidnapping. Penalties are death or life without parole when death results; kidnapping brings 15–35 years or life. Serious bodily harm brings 15–35 years; qualifying infrastructure, facility, or transportation damage brings 5–35 years. Sentences generally cannot be delayed, suspended, or served on probation; partial suspension or probation requires agreement by the prosecutor and defendant. Domestic terrorism and related attempts, solicitation, and conspiracy also fall under Georgia’s racketeering law, adding criminal, civil, and forfeiture exposure.

Georgia investigators gain access to customer records

With the attorney general’s consent, designated Georgia Bureau of Investigation leaders can subpoena records from communication and remote-computing providers. This power covers listed crimes, including certain computer-related crimes involving minors and domestic terrorism. Providers must give customer names, addresses, connection and session times, service details, identifiers, and payment sources or methods. Investigators cannot demand message contents through these subpoenas, and providers cannot tell customers about them. Public release is restricted during pending investigations or prosecutions, with exceptions; police agencies can share records for criminal investigations. Failure to comply without a lawful excuse can lead to court enforcement and contempt penalties. Courts can compel testimony despite a privilege claim, with protection from prosecution for compelled production except for perjury.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Beth Camp

    Republican • House

  • Clint Crowe

    Republican • House

  • Kimberly New

    Republican • House

  • Matt Reeves

    Republican • House

  • Tyler Paul Smith

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 356 • No: 30

House vote • 3/25/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 150 • No: 18 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/20/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 48 • No: 4 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 158 • No: 8 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Act 68

    5/8/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/25/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/20/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/20/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/18/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/13/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/10/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    3/6/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/4/2025House

  14. House Second Readers

    1/30/2025House

  15. House First Readers

    1/29/2025House

  16. House Hopper

    1/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 161/AP* (v8)

    PDF

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