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), John F. Kennedy (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Governmental AffairsEthicsGeneral Bill

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.

Ethics records keep home addresses private

Beginning January 1, 2026, the State Ethics Commission must remove identifiable home addresses from records it releases or posts publicly. This includes public financial disclosure statements. The privacy protection does not change anyone’s duty to file required statements.

Small local campaigns get reporting relief

Through December 31, 2026, covered local candidates and committees can qualify to skip campaign disclosure reports. They must file written notice that election-cycle contributions and spending will each stay at or below $2,500. If either total exceeds $2,500 but neither exceeds $5,000, only July 31 and October 20 reports are required. Exceeding $5,000 in either contributions or spending triggers regular reporting.

Ballot question committees face reporting rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, committees supporting or opposing Georgia ballot questions must register when contributions or spending exceed $500. Registration is with the State Ethics Commission. These committees must file an electronic report 15 days before the election. A final report is due before December 31 of the election year.

Candidates report campaign money four times yearly

Beginning January 1, 2026, candidates and campaign committees subject to regular reporting file January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20. These deadlines apply in election and nonelection years. Former officeholders and unsuccessful candidates with leftover contributions use the same schedule until the money is lawfully used or disposed of. This replaces twice-yearly reporting for former officeholders and annual reporting for unsuccessful candidates. Unsuccessful candidates receiving contributions to repay campaign debt keep reporting until unpaid campaign costs are paid.

Political committees need registration and bank accounts

Beginning January 1, 2026, political action committees handling money for candidates must open a committee bank account before registering. They must register with the State Ethics Commission before accepting or making contributions or expenditures. They must keep the account until termination. Reports are due January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 20 each year. Reporting continues until the account has a zero balance and the committee is terminated.

Statewide candidates disclose five years of finances

Beginning January 1, 2026, statewide candidates, including incumbents seeking reelection, file financial statements with the State Ethics Commission by April 1. Candidates qualifying after that election-year deadline must file within seven days after qualifying, including for special elections. Statements report income sources and types using 11 value bands, from $1,000 or less to more than $5 million. Income-source details cover the five calendar years before the election year. Financial-affairs details cover those five years plus the election year’s first quarter.

Candidate complaints paused before their elections

Beginning January 1, 2026, Georgia’s State Ethics Commission cannot accept, reject, or start complaints against candidates during a pre-election pause. The pause covers the 60 days immediately before an election in which the candidate seeks nomination or election. This protects candidates from new commission complaints during that period but limits when complaints against them can be handled.

Lobbyists file monthly instead of local copies

Beginning January 1, 2026, registered lobbyists file monthly reports by the fifth day, covering activity through the preceding month. This replaces twice-monthly legislative reports and the May, September, and January schedule for covered local lobbying. The monthly rules also cover state vendor selection and State Transportation Board matters. Local ordinance or resolution lobbyists get a five-day grace period. Lobbyists no longer need to file copies with county and municipal officials.

Local candidates shift to state filing

Through December 31, 2026, covered county candidates file campaign reports with county election superintendents; municipal candidates use clerks or chief executives. An agreement can allow municipal campaign reports to go to the county superintendent. Covered local officers and candidates also file financial disclosures locally, using the municipal chief executive when there is no clerk. Local officials must send filings electronically to the State Ethics Commission within 30 days after the reporting period ends. Direct state filing begins January 1, 2027; covered municipal candidates’ financial disclosure deadline becomes September 1 instead of April 1.

Officials face updated financial disclosure deadlines

Beginning January 1, 2026, covered public officers file prior-year financial statements by April 1 annually, including election years. Candidates for those covered offices also file; their special-election statements are due within 15 days after qualifying. Transportation Board members’ annual statements and affidavits confirming no covered official action move from January 31 to April 1. Their initial financial statement remains due within 60 days after election. Covered local officers and candidates must acknowledge required training for newly elected county officials, school board members, and municipal officials.

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 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

MOTION TO ENGROSS: SB 177, SB 199

Yes: 29 • No: 17 • Other: 4