SB 463 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Specialized Land Transactions; business enterprises or business enterprises controlled by natural born persons from owning an interest in more than 500 single-family residential properties; prohibit

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of specialized land transactions, so as to prohibit business enterprises or business enterprises controlled by natural born persons from owning an interest in more than 500 single-family residential properties; to prohibit foreign investment vehicles from owning any interest in a single-family residential property to be used as rental property; to provide a private cause of action against a business enterprise that owns an interest in more than 500 single-family residential properties and foreign investment vehicles; to provide for the disclosure of information by brokers; to provide an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Mar 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate → LC 49 2872S/hss · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten from a property ownership restriction law to an anti-squatting enforcement law. The original version prohibited businesses from owning more than 500 single-family homes and restricted foreign investment in rental properties. The new version focuses on magistrate court jurisdiction over squatting cases, defines squatting violations, and establishes procedures for property owners to request law enforcement assistance for removing squatters.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from regulating business ownership of residential properties to addressing unlawful squatting and intruder removal procedures.

SCOPE

Removed provisions prohibiting business enterprises from owning more than 500 single-family residential properties

Removed provisions restricting foreign investment vehicles from owning single-family rental properties

ENFORCEMENT

Added magistrate court jurisdiction over unlawful squatting violations and intruder proceedings

Added requirements for verified complaints and law enforcement procedures for squatter removal

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions allowing property owners to request law enforcement assistance for immediate removal of squatters

DEFINITION

Added definitions related to squatting, intruders, and property owner rights

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from January 1, 2027 to 2026 as indicated in the new title

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

43–3

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 48

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic19

17 Yea 2

89% Yea

R Republican29

26 Yea 3 Nay

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

18 primary · 0 co-sponsors