HB 162 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia Bureau of Investigation; restriction and seal of First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked; provide

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, so as to provide for the restriction and seal of First Offender Act sentences until such status is revoked; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to first offenders relative to probation, so as to provide for the restriction and seal of first offender sentences at the time of sentencing; 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 2026
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Signed May 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 48 1476S/hcs HB 162/AP* · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was updated to reflect its final passage through both legislative chambers, changing the version title from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed House and Senate.' This indicates the legislation is now in its final form and ready for the governor's signature, rather than being a draft version.
Scope change
No substantive changes to the bill's scope, eligibility, or legal requirements were made; the changes are purely administrative updates to the document versioning.
TECHNICAL

The header and version identifier were updated from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed House and Senate' to indicate the bill has completed its legislative journey.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2026 · House Feb 19, 2025

How they voted

410
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 48
Mar 12, 2026
D Democratic19
14 Yea 5
73% Yea
R Republican29
27 Yea 2
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 5, 2026
Signed into law
Act 403
upper
May 5, 2026
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Senate Recommitted
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
upper
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors