SB 102 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Dogfighting; revise provisions

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to gambling, so as to revise provisions relative to dogfighting; to prohibit fighting of dogs and game cocks; to prohibit possession or sale of fighting related objects; to provide for punishment; to provide for definitions; to amend Code Section 4-8-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certificates of registration, requirements for issuance of certificate, individuals excluded from receiving registration, limitation of ownership, and annual renewal, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Last action Apr 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As introduced LC 49 2192 → As Passed Senate · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify exemptions for lawful hunting and fishing activities, while also updating the bill's tracking number and adding a new section that references related felony provisions. These changes help ensure that legitimate hunting and agricultural practices are not inadvertently prohibited by the dogfighting legislation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed to explicitly exclude lawful hunting, fishing, and agricultural activities from its prohibitions, preventing unintended restrictions on legal practices.

SCOPE

Added explicit language to exempt lawful hunting and fishing activities from the bill's prohibitions, clarifying that the law does not interfere with legitimate wildlife management practices.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section referencing related felony provisions for dogfighting and animal cruelty, linking the bill to existing legal frameworks.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill's tracking number from LC 49 2192 to LC 39 4595S (SCS) to reflect its progression through the legislative process.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 20, 2025

How they voted

47–4

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 55

Feb 20, 2025

D Democratic22

17 Yea 2 Nay 3

77% Yea

R Republican33

30 Yea 2 Nay 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 4, 2025

Committee

House Withdrawn, Recommitted

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors