Offenses Against Public Health and Morals; the establishment of an animal cruelty database; provide
Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide for the establishment of an animal cruelty database; to provide for purpose and funding; to require the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia to create, administer, and maintain such database; to provide for minimum requirements; to provide for reporting and forms; 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
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 25, 2026
Signed May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
LC 60 0368S/hrcs
→
SB 587/AP*
·
1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted to reflect its passage by the Senate, changing the header and page numbering. The substantive content regarding the creation of a statewide animal cruelty database remains unchanged, including the requirement that it be established by January 1, 2027, and the mandate for courts to report convictions to the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council.
TECHNICAL
The document header was updated to indicate the bill has been passed by the Senate, and page numbers were renumbered to reflect the new version.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House Mar 31, 2026
How they voted
47–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 48
Mar 6, 2026
D
Democratic19
94% Yea
R
Republican29
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Act 498
upper
May 11, 2026
Signed into law
Senate Date Signed by Governor
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Introduced
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
upper
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
23 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bill Cowsert
RRepublican
P
Billy Hickman
RRepublican
P
Blake Tillery
RRepublican
P
Bo Hatchett
RRepublican
P
Brian Strickland
RRepublican
P
Carden Summers
RRepublican
P
Chuck Hufstetler
RRepublican
P
Chuck Payne
RRepublican
P
Frank Ginn
RRepublican
P
John Albers
RRepublican
P
Kay Kirkpatrick
RRepublican
P
Lee Anderson
RRepublican
P
Marty Harbin
RRepublican
P
Matt Brass
RRepublican
P
Max Burns
RRepublican
P
Mike Hodges
RRepublican
P
Randy Robertson
RRepublican
P
Rick Williams
RRepublican
P
Russ Goodman
RRepublican
P
Sam Watson
RRepublican
P
Shawn Still
RRepublican
P
Steven McNeel
RRepublican
P
Tim Bearden
RRepublican
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