Georgia bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB 1226
Crimes; justification for use of force in defense of self or others; revise standards
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- David Clark (Republican)
- Tyler Paul Smith (Republican)
- Jordan Ridley (Republican)
- Alan Powell (Republican)
- Josh Bonner (Republican)
- Karen Mathiak (Republican)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Georgia legislature· description
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to revise standards of justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to provide for a rebuttable presumption; to provide for timing for claims of immunity from prosecution based upon justification; to provide for standards of proof; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Text versions
Roll-call votes
No recorded votes on this bill.
Actions
- Feb 26, 2026 · House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute - Feb 19, 2026 · House
House Withdrawn, Recommitted - Feb 18, 2026 · House
House Committee Favorably Reported - Feb 9, 2026 · House
House Second Readers - Feb 6, 2026 · House
House First Readers - Feb 5, 2026 · House
House Hopper