GeorgiaSB 1532025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Official Code of Georgia Annotated; revise, modernize, correct errors or omissions in, and reenact the statutory portion of said Code

Sponsored By: Bill Cowsert (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Harold Jones II (Democrat), Steven McNeel (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Brian Strickland (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican)

Became Law

Code RevisionJudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 9 mixed.

State rules on college athlete pay repealed

The state framework that governed pay for college athletes is repealed. Student‑athletes and schools no longer have those Georgia rules on compensation. No replacement rules or amounts are provided here.

Less help for emergency and maternal care

The law repeals a grant program that helped pay for transport to emergency treatment. It also removes a subsection on remote maternal health services, which may change how those services are offered or reported. In addition, a health department rulemaking section is repealed, changing how the agency sets certain rules. Together, these changes reduce direct help and may affect access or administration for some patients.

Faster evictions and anti-squatting rules

The law lets a landlord hire an off-duty sheriff or certified officer to carry out an eviction if the sheriff cannot do it within 14 days. The landlord must give at least five days’ written notice and pay the full cost. The law also tightens squatting rules. A cited person must show a valid lease or similar papers to the police chief or designee within three business days. If they do not, they can be arrested; if they do, a hearing happens within seven days. A conviction brings a misdemeanor, eviction, and fines tied to fair-market monthly rent.

Some trade and farm rules repealed

A rule on setting a marketing season and license revocation for early sales is repealed. An entire commerce-and-trade article is also repealed. Farmers and small businesses no longer follow those specific requirements, and enforcement tied to them ends.

Two professional licensing chapters repealed

Two chapters that set rules for certain licensed professions are repealed and reserved. People and firms covered by those chapters no longer follow those specific licensing rules. The text gives no transition details here.

Utility and energy rules updated

The law changes utility rules that can affect power plant costs and rates. It updates what counts as conversion costs, excludes some bond‑financed items, and refines fuel savings measures. It repeals two utility chapters and cleans up planning and cogeneration definitions. It also pins a key reference date to July 1, 2015. These steps may shift how utilities recover costs and plan, which can influence customer bills.

Easier access to overdose antidotes

Opioid overdose antidotes like naloxone are exempt from certain criminal rules when used to prevent overdoses. The protection applies when the medicine is an opioid antagonist and is supplied by a dispenser or authorized wholesaler. This makes it safer to dispense and use these medicines to save lives.

New steps to confirm voter residence

If you return to live in Georgia after registering or voting elsewhere, you must update your voter registration where you now live. Local registrars can look at facts like your job, taxes, property, vehicle registration, and family location to decide your residence. Their decision counts as evidence of where you can vote.

Public safety laws and definitions changed

A juvenile-related section and a motor vehicle section are repealed. A definition in the state indemnification fund is also removed. These changes update public safety laws and may change how coverage or eligibility is read for some officers.

Tax collectors split commissions

When a successor tax collector or commissioner is given a list and collects taxes, they must pay half of the commission to the outgoing official and keep half. Commissions are figured as if the outgoing official collected the money.

Two banking rules are repealed

Two banking code sections are repealed. Banks and finance firms no longer follow those specific rules. The law does not provide replacement text here.

Two K–12 rules are repealed

Two K–12 code sections are repealed. Schools and families no longer have those specific rules on the books. The law does not provide replacement language here.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Bill Yearta
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 270 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 50 • No: 1

House vote • 3/20/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 169 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/28/2025