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GeorgiaSB 4702025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act"; enact

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Jason T. Dickerson (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Technology and Infrastructure InnovationJudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Property owners risk losses for jammer offenses

Beginning July 1, 2026, property used or intended to help violate Georgia’s signal jammer law is subject to civil forfeiture. The law treats that property as contraband and recognizes no ownership rights in it. The Georgia Attorney General can start forfeiture cases under Georgia’s Uniform Civil Forfeiture Procedure Act. Affected owners risk losing property, not just the jammer itself.

New penalties for signal jammer offenses

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia protects communications through new felony bans on signal jammers, including devices that disrupt cellular, wireless, radar, GPS, radio, telephone, or cable signals. Unauthorized possession, making, selling, offering for sale, distributing, or importing carries 1 to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both. Doing these acts—or using or operating a jammer—with intent to interfere carries 1 to 7 years, up to $10,000, or both. Targeting signals involving public safety agencies, 9-1-1 centers, or critical infrastructure carries 1 to 10 years, up to $25,000, or both. These offenses do not merge with other offenses, and the law bars suspending, staying, deferring, or withholding its sentences and fines. Exceptions cover federally authorized or approved conduct, public safety, law enforcement and correctional agencies, and other legally authorized people or entities.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Timothy Bearden

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason T. Dickerson

    Republican • Senate

  • Kay Kirkpatrick

    Republican • Senate

  • Chuck Payne

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Clint Crowe

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 256 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/27/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/19/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 163 • No: 3 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/11/2026Senate

  3. Act 495

    5/11/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    3/27/2026Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    3/19/2026House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/19/2026House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/18/2026House

  9. House Second Readers

    3/4/2026House

  10. House First Readers

    3/3/2026House

  11. Senate Third Read

    2/26/2026Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/26/2026Senate

  13. Senate Read Second Time

    2/25/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/24/2026Senate

  15. Senate Read and Referred

    2/9/2026Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 470/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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