HB 161 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; authority to issue subpoenas of electronic communication records for purposes of investigating certain cyber enabled threats to life and property; provide

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, to provide for authority to issue subpoenas of electronic communication records for purposes of investigating certain crimes relating to cyber enabled threats to life and property; to provide for punishment for failure to obey certain subpoenas; to amend Title 16 and Code Sections 20-3-10, 36-80-23, and 38-3-40 of the O.C.G.A., relating to crimes and offenses, sanctuary policies prohibited and penalty for violation, prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies by local governmental entities, certification of compliance, and punishment, and definitions relative to the Board of Homeland Security, respectively, so as to repeal the definition of 'domestic terrorism'; to establish the crime of domestic terrorism; to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Signed May 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 56 0311S/hcs HB 161/AP* · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill text has been updated to reflect its final passage status, changing the header from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed House and Senate.' This indicates the legislation has completed its legislative journey and is ready for the next stage, such as becoming law. The changes are primarily technical and formatting updates to the document's metadata rather than substantive policy shifts.
TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and versioning to show it has been approved by both chambers of the legislature.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

465
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 55
Mar 20, 2025
D Democratic22
17 Yea 3 Nay 2
77% Yea
R Republican33
29 Yea 2 Nay 2
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 8, 2025
Signed into law
Act 68
upper
May 8, 2025
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors