HB 296 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Motor vehicles; presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format; provisions

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to provide that presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format satisfies the requirement to possess a driver's license while operating a motor vehicle; to prohibit the compelling of a licensee to produce a wireless telecommunications device to a law enforcement officer; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Signed May 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 39 4667S/hcs HB 296/AP* · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended from a committee substitute version to its final passed version, changing the bill's purpose from voter ID requirements to alternative vehicle taxation. The original version focused on voter identification at polling places and hunting license regulations, while the new version focuses on providing an alternative payment method for title ad valorem taxes on modified rental vehicles.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed significantly from voter identification and hunting license requirements to vehicle taxation policy, representing a complete shift in legislative focus.
SCOPE

Removed all provisions related to voter identification requirements at polling places, which previously required voters to present specific forms of ID including driver's licenses, voter ID cards, passports, and military IDs.

Added new provisions establishing an alternative method for paying title ad valorem taxes on modified rental vehicles, replacing the previous voter ID and hunting license content.

Changed the bill's stated purpose from voter ID and hunting regulations to vehicle taxation policy, as reflected in the title and summary sections.

REQUIREMENT

Removed all hunting license provisions that required license agents to verify driver's licenses or ID before selling licenses and allowed for agent authority withdrawal for selling to nonresidents or minors.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 4, 2025 · House Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

504
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 55
Apr 4, 2025
D Democratic22
18 Yea 3 Nay 1
81% Yea
R Republican33
32 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
7
Committee
5
Amendments
1
May 14, 2025
Signed into law
Act 256
upper
May 14, 2025
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors