"Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact

Added a mandatory registration requirement; owners' associations cannot collect fines, fees, or file liens unless they are registered with the Secretary of State.

Added a new provision requiring owners' associations to submit to Article 6 of Chapter 3 of Title 44 to establish voting procedures and record dispossessory proceedings.

Added requirements for associations to file financial statements with the Secretary of State as part of their registration.

Changed the committee offering the substitute from the Judiciary Committee to the Rules Committee.

The term 'property owners' association' was changed to 'owners' association' to broaden the definition and include condominiums and common interest communities.

New definitions were added for 'accelerated assessment,' 'regular assessments,' 'special assessments,' and 'specific assessments' to clarify how different financial charges are categorized.

New provisions were added to allow for stays of foreclosure proceedings and to require written notices of certain unpaid sums.

The registration requirements now apply to a wider range of residential property groups, including those previously excluded under the narrower 'property owners' association' definition.

Added a new definition for 'nonregistered property owners' association' to clarify the status of entities that choose not to register.

Introduced an election process allowing an entity to formally opt out of registration by providing written notice to the Secretary of State.

Restricted nonregistered associations from collecting fines or fees, limiting their financial authority if they choose not to register.

Reorganized the bill text to insert new definitions earlier in the chapter and added references to hearings and enforcement actions in the summary.