GeorgiaSB 362025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

"Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act"; enact

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Jason T. Dickerson (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Frank Ginn (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Steven McNeel (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Lanny Thomas (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Ed Setzler (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Larry Walker (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

JudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Attorney fees for winners in court

In cases under this law, a winning private party can get reasonable attorney fees. The court may award fees only to a winning private party, not to the government. Judges are not liable for fees for acts on the bench unless they clearly acted beyond their power.

Stronger protections for religious practice

The law stops Georgia governments from substantially burdening your religious exercise. They can do so only for a compelling interest and using the least restrictive way. You can sue or use this law as a defense and ask the court for relief. The law defines “exercise of religion” broadly and it covers state and local officials and agencies.

How this law treats government funding

This law does not change how the U.S. Constitution limits government support of religion. Giving funding, benefits, or exemptions that the Constitution allows does not violate this law. A denial of funding, benefits, or exemptions does not count as “granting,” so you cannot use that denial alone to make a claim under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Tyler Paul Smith
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 128 • No: 93

House vote • 4/2/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 96 • No: 70

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 32 • No: 23

Actions Timeline

Senate Date Signed by Governor
4/4/2025Senate
Act 6
4/4/2025
Effective Date
4/4/2025
Senate Sent to Governor
4/3/2025Senate
House Third Readers
4/2/2025House
House Passed/Adopted
4/2/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported
3/27/2025House
House Second Readers
3/10/2025House
House First Readers
3/6/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/4/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
3/4/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/3/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
2/28/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
1/28/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
1/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 36/AP* (v5)
PDF

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