HB 1131 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Criminal procedure; personal service of process for notice of a warrant application hearing; provide

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to warrants for arrest, so as to provide for personal service of process for notice of a warrant application hearing; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 48 1685/a → HB 1131/AP* · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect its passage by both the House and Senate and streamlined the legislative text to focus on Title 17 rather than a specific article. The core policy changes include requiring personal service of notice for warrant hearings, mandating that accused persons be informed of specific charges via personal service, and significantly expanding regulations for professional bail bond companies regarding documentation, background checks, and financial escrow requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope was clarified by changing the reference from 'Article 3 of Chapter 4' to the broader 'Title 17' relating to criminal procedure.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that notice of a warrant application hearing must be served personally or by a method reasonably calculated to inform the person of the hearing details.

Added a mandate that the accused person must be informed of the specific charge and pertinent particulars through personal service.

Added new requirements for professional bail bond companies to provide detailed documentation, employee background checks, and establish cash escrow accounts or collateral.

FISCAL

Adjusted the maximum cash escrow requirement for established bonding companies from $1,000,000 to $500,000.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header and act title to reflect its status as passed by both chambers and simplified the statutory references.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 2, 2026 · House Feb 26, 2026

How they voted

42–1

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 47

Apr 2, 2026

D Democratic18

13 Yea 1 Nay 4

72% Yea

R Republican29

29 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 11, 2026

Signed into law

Act 482

upper

May 11, 2026

Signed into law

House Date Signed by Governor

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Introduced

House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Passed/Adopted

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors