HB 1226 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Crimes; justification for use of force in defense of self or others; revise standards

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to revise standards of justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to provide for a rebuttable presumption; to provide for timing for claims of immunity from prosecution based upon justification; to provide for standards of proof; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 39 4863/a → LC 39 4976S/hs · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended by the Judiciary Committee to add a substitute version with clearer language and additional provisions. The main substantive change is the addition of an effective date provision and reorganization of the law enforcement immunity clause to specify when force against officers is not justified. The bill's scope remains focused on self-defense laws in Georgia, but the committee version provides more detailed guidance on when citizens can use force against law enforcement.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains the same - it governs use of force in self-defense cases in Georgia - but the committee substitute adds clarity to law enforcement immunity provisions and includes an effective date provision.

REQUIREMENT

Added an effective date provision to clarify when the new self-defense laws take effect

Reorganized the law enforcement immunity clause to more clearly specify conditions under which using force against officers is not justified, including requirements about officer identification and public locations

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'House Bill 1226' to 'H. B. 1226 (SUB)' to indicate this is a committee substitute version

Added committee attribution text identifying the Judiciary Committee as the sponsor of the substitute version

Reorganized subsection numbering and formatting for better readability and legal clarity

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors