HB 555 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgians First Residential Property Protection Act; enact

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 from owning an interest in more than 2,000 single-family residential properties or ten multifamily residential properties; to provide for the forfeiture of rental payments paid in connection with an unlawful lease of residential property; to provide a private cause of action for the return of rental payments paid in connection with an unlawful lease of residential property; to provide for the disclosure of information by brokers; to provide an effective date; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Apr 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 55 0493/a LC 48 1569S/hs · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand its scope by adding condominiums to the types of residential properties covered, clarifying the definition of 'claimant' to include aggrieved persons, and adding 'issuer' to the list of business enterprise types. These changes make the law more inclusive and precise in defining who and what is covered under the restrictions on business ownership of residential properties.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly includes condominiums in addition to single-family residences and townhouses, and broadens the definition of business enterprises to include issuers.
DEFINITION

Added 'issuer' to the list of entity types that qualify as a business enterprise under the law.

Changed the definition of 'claimant' from 'a person' to 'an aggrieved person' to more precisely identify who can seek damages.

Modified the definition of single-family residences to include condominiums as a third category alongside detached structures and townhouses.

SCOPE

Added condominiums as a type of residential property covered by the bill's restrictions on business ownership.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Apr 4, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors