HAPPENINGS AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Crossover Day Wrap Up

The General Assembly convened last week for Legislative Days 26–28, concluding with Crossover Day, the point in the 40-day session when bills must pass their chamber of origin to remain eligible for final passage this year. Lawmakers worked through the night and into early morning to move priority legislation before the deadline, with the Senate completing its work around 11 p.m. Friday and the House remaining on the floor until about 1 a.m. Saturday. While bills that did not pass prior to Crossover can still be revived through amendments or substitutes, the path narrows significantly after Legislative Day 28. The Legislature will be in session Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week, with Wednesday reserved for a committee workday. Sine Die is scheduled for Thursday, April 2.

Key Legislative Themes and Priorities Rise and Fall the Week of Crossover

Tax relief has been a top priority for legislative leadership in both chambers this year. Early in the session, House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) introduced a homestead property tax relief package consisting of HB 1116 and HR 1114, carried by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire). HR 1114, which included a constitutional amendment that would have enabled broad changes to the state’s homestead tax system, failed on the House floor Tuesday after receiving unanimous Republican support but support from only one Democrat, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for passage. As a result, HB 1116 was revised to remove the provisions requiring a constitutional amendment, brought back to the House floor again Friday and ultimately passed on a close vote late in the evening.

Other notable developments included the House rejecting HR 450, a proposal to place sports betting on the statewide ballot and HB 1324 by Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth), which would have repealed the statewide prohibition on firearm suppressors. A similar firearm suppressor bill, SB 499 by Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville), passed the Senate Friday.

The Senate also saw the defeat of three election-related bills, a data center bill, as well as a constitutional amendment that would have authorized statewide grand juries.

House Speaker Jon Burns

Rep. Shaw Blackmon

Status of Bills with Most Significant Interest to the Banking Industry

The GBA Advocacy team has been hard at work this year defending Georgia’s banking industry against legislation that would pose significant challenges. As the session enters the home stretch, we are encouraged by the progress that has been made to protect banks and their customers. Below is an update on the key bills and initiatives we have been most closely monitoring.

Bank Tax Credit Repeal

SB 476, sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia), passed the Senate a few weeks ago and continues to await further consideration in the House Ways and Means Committee. As currently written, the bill would repeal the bank tax credit but leave the state bank tax in place. GBA continues to express our concern that eliminating the credit without changes to bank tax structure would effectively expose banks to double taxation, as banks are subject to both the bank tax and state corporate income tax. If the House takes up the measure in the remaining days of session, we will work to ensure our concerns are heard and that the final legislative product yields a fair and balanced method of taxation for banks.

Interchange

SB 512 by Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville) was presented before the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing-only session, with no vote taken. The bill would prohibit payment card networks from charging interchange fees on the tax portion of credit and debit card transactions. Specifically, it would require networks to exclude sales taxes from interchange fee calculations or provide quarterly refunds to retailers for any tax-related interchange fees collected. GBA president and CEO Tripp Cofield testified in opposition and noted that interchange revenue paid to banks supports payment processing, fraud prevention and other services, and the proposal would amount to the state reallocating revenue from one industry in the private sector to another, which would set a troubling precedent for the number one state in which to do business.

Debanking

SB 341 by Sen. Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) remains pending in the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and has not received a hearing. The bill is an updated version of last year’s debanking proposal, following the defeat of SB 57 during the 2025 session. SB 341 would prohibit certain providers of essential services, including financial institutions and utilities, from denying services based on a customer’s exercise of constitutional rights or the use of so-called social credit scores. The legislation applies to banks and other financial institutions with $2 billion or more in total assets and establishes both public enforcement by the Attorney General and a private right of action exposing covered institutions to civil lawsuits and potential damages of up to $150,000 per violation. GBA opposes this bill.

Unauthorized Practice of Law

HB 1433 by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas) seeks to make certain acts of the unauthorized practice of law felonies, imposing severe penalties and jail time. GBA has engaged in discussions with lawmakers on the measure to ensure bankers and their employees would be sufficiently protected from unintentional exposure. Ultimately, HB 1433 did not meet the crossover deadline and should not advance this session. Two other bills with potential overlap with unauthorized practice of law language also did not advance.

Remote Online Notarization

HB 289 by Rep. Joseph Gullett (R-Dallas) allows notaries to perform notarizations by secure video technology for signers not physically present. The bill also addresses unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions, particularly in the recording of certain residential real estate documents. The bill was favorably reported by the House Judiciary Committee but was not called up for a floor vote. GBA is neutral on the bill. 

In-Person Electronic Notary

HB 1437 by Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) updates notary law to allow in-person electronic notarization (IPEN), enabling signers and notaries to be physically present while using electronic signatures and seals. The bill was favorably reported by the House Technology and Infrastructure Innovation Committee but was not called up for a floor vote. GBA is neutral on the measure.

Local Government Investment Pools

HB 871 By Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Clarkesville) expands authorized investment options for local government funds to include mutual funds, investment trusts, and highly-rated commercial paper. The bill is currently in the House Governmental Affairs Committee. GBA shared our concerns about this legislation with the sponsor and spoke in opposition to the measure during a subcommittee hearing. We were pleased that it was not reported out of committee prior to Crossover.

Local Government Financing

HB 1448 by Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Clarkesville) would create a Georgia Local Government Finance Authority to provide financing for local governments through bond issuance and leasing programs. It establishes a five-member board appointed by state officials to oversee asset financing by local governments. The bill is currently in the House Governmental Affairs Committee, and GBA will continue to monitor the measure.

Securities and Commodities Regulation

HB 934 by Rep. Noel Williams (R-Cordele) transfers regulatory authority over securities and commodities from the Secretary of State to the Department of Banking and Finance. It would establish an advisory board of up to 12 members with expertise in securities and commodities to advise the Banking Commissioner. The bill was favorably reported by the House Banks & Banking Committee, but it was not called up on the floor for a vote. GBA does not have a position on this bill.

In addition to our defensive efforts, several bills are moving through the process that we view either positively or are monitoring closely.

DBF Housekeeping Bill/Optional Transaction Holds and VC Kiosk Regulation

HB 945 by Rep. Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe) allows banks to place a temporary hold on suspicious transactions to investigate potential fraud. Under the bill, banks may opt in to this authority after implementing employee training to help identify and protect at-risk customers. The bill also includes specific liability protections for banks. It is critical that those protections remain unchanged.

The bill also creates a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosks or “crypto ATMs.” It imposes strict disclosure requirements, fee caps, daily transaction limits, refund rights for fraud victims, customer identification requirements, monitoring requirements and live agent support obligations on kiosk operators.

Additionally, the bill clarifies bank merger notification requirements and the Department's objection authority, updates corporate governance rules applicable to banks, modernizes merchant acquirer limited-purpose bank rules and expands regulatory oversight of litigation finance. The bill is currently in the Senate Rules Committee, and we expect a vote on the floor in the coming week. GBA supports this measure.

Local Government Investment Pools

SB 441 by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) requires new investment pools for local governments to obtain State Depository Board approval prior to establishment. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee. GBA supports this measure, as its passage would help level the playing field for banks should legislation like HB 871 advance in future years.

Stablecoins

HB 1272 by Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) seeks to establish a state-level regulatory framework for stablecoin issuance that is substantially similar to the Federal GENIUS Act. The bill would allow the Banking Department to license and regulate stablecoin issuers, creating a regulatory structure for businesses considering operations in Georgia. This bill would make Georgia the first state to pass laws substantially similar to the Federal Genius Act. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. If the bill were to pass and be signed into law, the state stablecoin framework would require federal approval. GBA is neutral on this measure.

Transaction Rounding

HB 1112 by Rep. Carter Barrett (R-Cumming) requires merchants to round cash transaction totals down to the nearest five cents when customers pay with coins or currency. Applicable sales tax must be charged on the full amount of the sales price prior to rounding down. The bill passed the House. GBA is neutral on this legislation.

Transactional Gold and Silver

SB 424 by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) requires the state to recognize gold and silver as legal tender for voluntary transactions by Jan. 1, 2028. It creates a six-member Bullion Depository Commission to establish secure storage facilities. It also authorizes electronic payment systems to facilitate transactions, establishes full nongovernmental deposit insurance coverage and privacy protections for depositor accounts and prohibits taxation on gold and silver transactions. The bill passed the Senate. GBA does not have a position on this measure.

Financial Literacy

HB 1114 by Rep. Bill Yearta (R-Sylvester) requires Georgia public schools to provide financial literacy instruction to all students K-12, with mandatory half-credit course for high school graduation. It prohibits schools from partnering with or accepting materials from gambling enterprises while mandating gambling risk education in financial literacy curriculum. The bill passed the House. GBA supports this measure.

Updates on Legislation GBA is Tracking

Be sure and set a web browser bookmark for the State Issues page on the GBA website to track details about specific bills during the session. Clicking a bill number link gives you the text of the bill and its current status as it moves through the process. GBA is tracking many bills on the State Issues page that will be reported on during the session if action is taken on them and they are relevant to the banking industry. This week, we want to note the following:

Conservation Use Property

SB 306 by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) changes the mandatory notification of an expiring CUVA covenant from first-class to certified mail. If the landowner does not receive notification of the impending expiry, the covenant is automatically renewed for one year. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee.

Property Owners Associations

SB 406 by Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan) requires annual registration with Secretary of State for all property owners' associations with $100 fee and financial disclosure requirements. It creates a State Board for Review of Complaints to investigate association violations within 90 days of receipt and establishes a list of specific rights for community association owners. Additionally, it prohibits associations from bidding at foreclosure sales and raises minimum foreclosure threshold from $2,000 to $4,000. The Secretary of State is also authorized to deny, suspend or revoke registrations for violations and limit association powers. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Data Center Tax Exemption

SB 410 by Sen. Matt Brass (R-Newnan) requires electric utilities to include specific contract terms with large load customers (100+ megawatts) to protect residential customers from bearing infrastructure costs. It repeals sales and use tax exemptions for high-technology computer equipment and data centers while allowing existing certificates to remain valid. The bill passed the Senate.

Construction Permitting

SB 437 by Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford) would let permit applicants use a private professional provider to conduct plan reviews or inspections and allow that work to proceed even if the local government has not completed its own review yet, while still leaving final permit approval with the local authority. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee.

Local Permitting

SB 447 by Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford) ensures permit applicants receive clear and timely reasons when their permits are denied. It revises how counties and municipalities may accept, reject or deny permit applications and requires local permitting authorities to provide applicants with a written explanation of any rejection. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee.

Institutional Home Ownership

SB 463 by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) prohibits business enterprises from owning interests in more than 500 single-family residential properties and bars foreign investment vehicles from owning any single-family rental properties. Creates civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation and eliminates certain tax benefits for non-compliant business enterprises. The bill passed the Senate and has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Conservation Use Property

HB 547 by Rep. Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) permits the combination of multiple covenants into a single, new, ten-year covenant. The bill passed the House.

Development Impact Fees

SB 593 by Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia) adds disclosure requirements for development impact fees and requires cities and counties to disclose total development impact fees upon individual request. It applies to any real estate parcel when ownership transfer would trigger fee obligations. The bill passed the Senate.

Identity Theft

SB 594 by Sen. Tim Bearden (R-Carrollton) makes digital identity fraud a felony punishable by 1-20 years’ imprisonment and fines of $1,000-$500,000. It criminalizes unauthorized use of someone's name, image or profile information on social media to deceive, harm or commit fraud. It also provides civil lawsuit rights for identity theft victims to recover damages and attorney fees. The bill passed the Senate.

Property Owners Associations

HB 664 by Rep. Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) amends Georgia property owners' association laws to allow existing associations to submit to state regulations through a 75 percent membership vote. Reduces the required approval threshold for instrument amendments from 80 percent to 75 percent of association votes. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Tax Rate Reduction

HB 880 By Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) gradually reduces Georgia's income tax rate from 5.19% to 3.99% through annual 0.10% decreases beginning in 2026. It increases standard deductions, dependent deductions, and retirement income exclusions gradually starting in 2027. The bill passed the House.

529 Plans

HB 962 by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) amends Georgia's Higher Education Savings Plan to allow the Board of Directors to determine maximum contribution limits instead of a fixed $235,000 cap. Expands tax deduction eligibility to include contributions to any state-qualified Section 529 education savings plan. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Higher Education Committee.

One-time Individual Tax Credit

HB 1000 by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) provides a one-time tax credit of $250 for individual filers and $500 for joint filers for taxpayers who filed income tax returns for 2024 or 2025. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.

Conservation Land

HB 1148 by Rep. Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) revises Georgia's tax credit program for donating real property for conservation purposes by doubling credit amounts and extending the program. Increases maximum individual credits from $500,000 to $1 million and extends the new application acceptance deadline from 2026 to 2031. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.

Farm Bridge Assistance Program

HB 1159 by Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville) exempts from Georgia state income taxation all payments received under two federal USDA agricultural assistance programs. Applies to individuals, corporations, and partnerships for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2025. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.

Tiny Homes

HB 1166 by Rep. Tangie Herring (D-Macon) exempts residential dwellings of 400 square feet or fewer from local zoning decisions when located on property where residential uses are authorized. It preserves local government authority to enforce building codes, septic regulations, historic district rules, manufactured home standards and flood insurance requirements. The bill passed the House.

State Agencies

HB 1247 by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) prohibits courts and administrative officers from deferring to state agency interpretations of laws and regulations. It requires independent judicial interpretation of constitutional provisions, statutes, regulations and subregulatory documents. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Cotton

HB 1310 by Rep. Jaclyn Ford (R-Tifton) would designate cotton as the official state fabric. The bill passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee.

ADA Website Accessibility

HB 1470 by Rep. Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown) creates a cause of action that allows businesses to seek damages against plaintiffs and attorneys who bring unsuccessful lawsuits alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act related to website accessibility. The bill passed the House.

CADDA 50th Anniversary

SR 919 by Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick) recognizes GBA Associate Member Coastal Area District Development Authority (CADDA) on its 50th anniversary in 2026. It commends the organization for providing economic development lending to small businesses and creating over 9,300 jobs. The resolution was read and adopted.

GBA Represented at the Capitol

The association’s advocacy team is hard at work representing the interests of banking at the State Capitol. Reach out to any of them if you need information about a bill, contact information for your representatives or tips on where to park if you’re coming for a visit. Here’s their contact information:

• Elizabeth Chandler, executive vice president, government relations and advocacy: echandler@gabankers.com, 404.372.7893
• Bo Brannen, senior vice president, member services and advocacy: bbrannen@gabankers.com, 404.731.9886
• Steve Bridges, government relations consultant: sbridges@gabankers.com, 770.789.5605
• Tripp Cofield, president and CEO: tcofield@gabankers.com, 617.909.9530.

We will publish future editions of the Legislative Update after the General Assembly adjourns each week. Please let us know if you have questions or comments on issues of interest to you.