SB 527 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Sheriffs; candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; require

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-16-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions, so as to require that candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 18, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As introduced LC 63 0109 → As Passed Senate · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its final passage by the Senate, replacing the 'As introduced' header with 'As Passed Senate'. This change signifies that the legislation has successfully completed its first legislative chamber and is now ready for further action, such as moving to the House of Representatives.

TECHNICAL

The header indicating the bill's status was changed from 'As introduced' to 'As Passed Senate', reflecting the legislative body's approval of the text.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

44–2

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 48

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic19

15 Yea 2 Nay 2

78% Yea

R Republican29

29 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Passed/Adopted

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Committee Favorably Reported

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Senate Read and Referred

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Senate Hopper

upper

11 primary · 0 co-sponsors