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GeorgiaSB 2042025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Criminal Procedure; offenses that are not serious violent felonies, sexual felonies, or other certain offenses to be charged by accusation of the district attorney; allow

Sponsored By: Donzella James (Democrat), Colton Moore (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Sheikh Rahman (Democrat), Michael 'Doc' Rhett (Democrat)

Vetoed

Judiciary Non-CivilJudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

DAs can charge felonies by accusation

District attorneys can charge many felonies by accusation instead of using a grand jury indictment. This does not apply to serious violent felonies, sexual felonies, or other listed crimes. A DA may file an accusation after you are bound over to superior court on probable cause, after you waive a hearing, or while you are out on bond awaiting a hearing. An accusation usually does not need a sworn affidavit unless you were not previously arrested or it is used to get an arrest warrant.

Stronger lawsuits over illegal gun rules

If a local rule violates this law, you can sue in superior court. You can recover your actual losses or at least $100, and the winner can get attorney’s fees. Lawful carriers have stronger remedies: your losses or at least $25,000 plus expenses and fees, or three times your litigation costs and fees. Courts can also order fixes. You must file within one year after the local rule is enforced, in the county where it happened.

State takes over most gun rules

The state now controls most gun and weapon rules. Cities and counties cannot regulate shows, buying, selling, carrying, storage, or registration. Local governments can still limit or ban firing guns inside their borders. Counties and cities can set gun rules for their employees and unpaid volunteers, and sheriffs, police chiefs, and local prosecutors set rules for staff they supervise. A city or county may require heads of households to own a gun. Only the State can sue gun and ammo makers for harms tied to lawful design or sale. The law defines “weapon” to include guns, knives, clubs, stun devices, and defense sprays.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Donzella James

    Democrat • Senate

  • Colton Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Elena Parent

    Democrat • Senate

  • Sheikh Rahman

    Democrat • Senate

  • Michael 'Doc' Rhett

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alan Powell

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 288 • No: 215

Senate vote • 1/13/2026

MOTION TO IMMEDIATELY TRANSMIT TO GOVERNOR

Yes: 31 • No: 21 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 1/13/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 32 • No: 21 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/4/2025

TABLE

Yes: 75 • No: 95 • Other: 4

House vote • 4/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 99 • No: 74 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 51 • No: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026Senate

  2. Veto V10

    5/12/2026

  3. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  4. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    1/13/2026Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    4/4/2025House

  6. House Third Readers

    4/4/2025House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    4/4/2025House

  8. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    3/31/2025House

  9. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/27/2025House

  10. House Second Readers

    3/11/2025House

  11. House First Readers

    3/10/2025House

  12. Senate Tabled

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Senate Taken from Table

    3/6/2025Senate

  14. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2025Senate

  15. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/6/2025Senate

  16. Senate Read Second Time

    3/4/2025Senate

  17. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/3/2025Senate

  18. Senate Read and Referred

    2/20/2025Senate

  19. Senate Hopper

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 204/AP* (v12)

    PDF

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