SB 163 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Brady Law Regulations; standards for bringing an action against the government for an unauthorized act relating to regulation of weapons; revise

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 5 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Brady Law regulations, so as to revise standards for bringing an action against the government for an unauthorized act relating to regulation of weapons; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Last action Mar 25, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed Senate LC 48 1842S/hss · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was significantly rewritten from a firearms regulation bill to a criminal procedure discovery bill. The original version focused on protecting gun manufacturers from lawsuits and limiting local gun regulations, while the new version focuses on improving how evidence is shared between prosecutors and defendants in criminal cases.
Scope change
The bill's scope completely changed from firearms regulation and liability protection to criminal procedure, specifically discovery rules, indictment procedures, and pretrial motion deadlines.
SCOPE

Removed all provisions related to Brady Law regulations, gun show regulations, and liability protections for firearms manufacturers and dealers.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for prosecutors to mail or email copies of indictments and accusations to defendants within five days of filing.

TIMELINE

Changed pretrial motion filing deadlines from ten days after arraignment to thirty days after discovery compliance, with special rules for cases where discovery is served late.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for discovery-related terms including 'possession, custody, or control of the state or prosecution,' 'statement of a witness,' and 'written scientific reports' from forensic agencies.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions allowing courts to grant defendants additional time to file motions when prosecutors serve discovery late, with a requirement for prosecutors to notify the court of what evidence they are providing.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

3421
Passed
Total votes 55
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic22
2 Yea 20 Nay
90% Nay
R Republican33
32 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
House Withdrawn, Recommitted
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
15 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors