GeorgiaSB 792025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act"; enact

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Greg Dolezal (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), John F. Kennedy (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Randy Robertson (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

Judiciary Non-CivilJudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Informants can get $1,000 trafficking rewards

A person may receive $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction for trafficking under Georgia Code Section 16-13-31. Law enforcement officers cannot receive this reward. The law begins July 1, 2025, and covers offenses committed on or after that date.

Trafficking convictions block dog registration certificates

People with felony trafficking convictions under Georgia Code Sections 16-13-31 or 16-13-31.1 cannot receive a dog ownership registration certificate. The restriction begins July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Trafficking defendants face tighter release rules

The law applies release rules to trafficking cases under Georgia Code Section 16-13-31. People convicted and sentenced to at least five years in prison cannot get an appeal bond under the covered rule. Trafficking charges are also included among offenses subject to limits on unsecured judicial release. The law updates voluntary surrender and defendant release procedures to cover these cases, without stating how individual release terms change. These changes begin July 1, 2025, and cover offenses committed on or after that date.

Trafficking inmates face parole release limits

For trafficking under Georgia Code Sections 16-13-31 or 16-13-31.1, parole generally requires seven years served on good behavior or one-third of the prison term, whichever comes first. Parole cannot be granted to manage prison populations. Inmates imprisoned for felony trafficking under Section 16-13-31 are classified as dangerous offenders under the prison-overcrowding parole law. The sentence-relief law also lists Section 16-13-31 trafficking, but the supplied provision does not explain the resulting relief options. These changes begin July 1, 2025, and cover offenses committed on or after that date.

Trafficking penalties cover weapons and repeat offenders

The law applies existing weapons and repeat-offender penalty rules to trafficking under Georgia Code Section 16-13-31. The firearm-or-knife rule covers possession while committing or attempting trafficking. Enhanced penalties cover use of a machine gun, sawed-off rifle or shotgun, or firearm with a silencer during trafficking. Minimum-confinement rules also cover people with prior convictions specified in Georgia Code Section 16-11-133. These changes begin July 1, 2025, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

James Burchett
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 329 • No: 96

House vote • 3/28/2025

Immediately Transmit

Yes: 99 • No: 62 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/28/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 131 • No: 31 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 50 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2025
Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/12/2025Senate
Act 123
5/12/2025
Senate Sent to Governor
4/7/2025Senate
House Third Readers
3/28/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/28/2025House
House Immediately Transmitted to Senate
3/28/2025House
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
3/28/2025Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/27/2025House
House Postponed
3/27/2025House
House Second Readers
2/28/2025House
House First Readers
2/27/2025House
Senate Third Read
2/26/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
2/26/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
2/24/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
2/21/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/4/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 79/AP* (v7)
PDF

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