GeorgiaSB 1992025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

State Ethics Commission; shall not accept or reject complaints made against candidates 60 days prior to an election; provide

Sponsored By: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Steven McNeel (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Became Law

Governmental AffairsEthicsGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Home addresses removed from filings

Beginning January 1, 2026, the State Ethics Commission removes home addresses from any records it releases to the public, including financial disclosures. This protects residential address privacy.

No ethics complaints 60 days pre-election

Beginning January 1, 2026, the State Ethics Commission does not accept, reject, or start complaints against a candidate during the 60 days before that candidate’s election. This pause applies to any election in which the person is a candidate.

Small local races file less

Beginning January 1, 2026, small local campaigns can skip campaign disclosure reports if they file a notice and keep total contributions at or below $2,500 and total spending at or below $2,500 for the cycle. The local official must e‑send a copy of the notice to the State Ethics Commission within 10 days, but a late transmission does not cancel the exemption. Also starting January 1, 2026, elected soil and water conservation district supervisors do not have to file campaign disclosure reports.

Stronger campaign reporting and late fees

Beginning January 1, 2026, committees that work on statewide constitutional amendments or referendums must file reports 75, 45, and 15 days before the election, and a final report by December 31. People who leave office or lose and still hold excess campaign funds must file supplemental reports on January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20 each year until the money is spent as allowed. Late campaign reports cost $125 at first, plus $250 after 15 days, plus $1,000 after 45 days; the commission keeps $25 of the first fee, and higher fees apply only after proper notice. If a mailed or overnight filing arrives late, the recipient must keep the envelope’s postal or delivery markings with the file. When a campaign or committee dissolves, it must file a termination statement with the final report within 10 days and name who will keep the records.

Training acknowledgment for local candidates

Beginning January 1, 2026, when you qualify for certain county or city offices, you must include a statement saying you know newly elected county officials must complete required training. You do not send this statement to the State Ethics Commission.

2026 local filing for some offices

From January 1 through December 31, 2026, candidates and public officers for certain county and city offices file campaign and financial disclosures with the county election superintendent or municipal clerk, not the state commission. The local office must make filings available and send an electronic copy to the State Ethics Commission within 30 days after the grace period or reporting period ends. The commission cannot penalize the filer for a local official’s failure to send the copy. Local officials who willfully fail to send copies can face civil penalties.

Earlier deadlines for financial disclosures

Beginning January 1, 2026, most public officers file each year’s financial disclosure between January 1 and April 1; special‑election filers have 15 days after qualifying. Starting January 1, 2027, certain municipal candidates file by September 1 instead of April 1. State Transportation Board members must file within 60 days after election and then by April 1 each year, and they must also file an affidavit by April 1 stating they took no action that affected their private financial or business interests last year.

New filing rules for lobbyists

Beginning January 1, 2026, lobbyists who work on bills before the General Assembly must file reports twice a month on the 1st and 15th while the session is underway. Lobbyists on vendor selection or State Transportation Board matters file monthly by the 5th. Lobbyists who influence local ordinances must file monthly by the 5th and send copies to the involved county or city when the report covers local spending; a five‑day grace period applies. If you file the semimonthly legislative reports, you do not also file overlapping monthly reports for those same periods.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Chas Cannon
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 251 • No: 18

House vote • 3/31/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 167 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

MOTION TO ENGROSS: SB 177, SB 199

Yes: 29 • No: 17