2026 GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION:

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Bills that passed one chamber by Crossover Day (March 6th) and are still viable for 2026:

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HB 1408 (Representative Beth Camp): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73461
Authorizes licensed veterinary technicians to administer the rabies vaccine to animals under direct
supervision of a licensed veterinarian. “Direct supervision” means that the attending veterinarian is on the
premises where the vaccine is administered.
Status: Passed House 170-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

SB 587 (Senator Shawn Still): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73645
Provides for the establishment of an animal cruelty database, subject to funding, that will be created and
administered by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia.
Status: Passed Senate 54-0
Comments from attorneys Claudine Wilkins and Kim Schwartz: Under the Georgia “First Offender Act”
(O.C.G.A. § 42-8-60), people convicted of Cruelty, Aggravated Cruelty, or Dog Fighting (felonies) may opt to
avoid a permanent conviction by completing certain court-ordered requirements, such as probation or
community service. Once these requirements are completed, the offender may apply to have their record
sealed. SB 587 does require “a person who has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere” to such offenses to be listed on the registry. However, a challenge could be raised based on the
First Offender Act. Adding Cruelty, Aggravated Cruelty, or Dog Fighting to the list of crimes in O.C.G.A. § 42-8-
60(j) for which First Offender sentencing is not authorized would prevent any challenges (e.g., all the crimes
for which one is required to be on the sex offender registry are also crimes for which you can’t request First
Offender sentencing). In addition, the bill does not specify how long a person would remain on the registry.
Note. Local ordinance violations will not appear in the registry.
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

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HB 1283 (Representative Esther Panitch): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73132
Designated as the “Family Justice Center Act.” Authorizes the establishment and funding of Family Justice
Centers (FJC) to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to serving victims of family violence, child
abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking that co-locate public and private service providers,
including law enforcement officers, in a single, safe, and accessible location. Victims of domestic violence
often delay leaving abusive households out of fear for the safety of their pets; the FJC’s multidisciplinary
approach includes provisions for pets.
Status: Passed House 163-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

HB 1195 (Representative Rob Leverett): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72844
Amends O.C.G.A. § 43-50-121 and clarifies the intent that a Veterinary Client Relationship (VCPR) is NOT
required for licensed veterinarians or licensed veterinary technicians (supervised by a Georgia-licensed
veterinarian) to provide veterinary teleadvice or veterinary teletriage and resolves confusion about
geographic requirements that created uncertainty for practitioners around access to teletriage services.
Status: Passed House 172-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

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SB 102 (Senator Randy Robertson): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69979
Amends the dogfighting law (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-37) to add prohibitions on cockfighting, possession or sales of
fighting related equipment, and permitting a minor to attend a dog fight or cock fight. Cockfighting is illegal
by federal law but requires the FBI or federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases. Passage of
SB 102 will enable local and state law enforcement to handle these cases. Georgia remains the only U.S. state
without a cockfighting statute.
Status: Passed Senate 49-3 (2025); awaiting a hearing and vote by the House Judicial Non-Civil Committee.
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

HB 668 (Representative Brad Thomas): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70962
Redefines service dogs to include assistance and guide dogs; provides for a criminal penalty for a person who
causes death or physical harm to a service dog; revises provisions relating to the use and training of service
dogs; and provides for a penalty for persons who misrepresent the need for a service dog.
Status: Passed House 168-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

SB 586 (Senator Rick Williams): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73644
Designated as the “K-9 Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2026.” Amends O.C.G.A. § 16-11-107, relating to
interfering with, harming of, or aggravated harming of a public safety animal or search and rescue animal, so
as to provide for commendations of public safety animals and search and rescue animals that are injured or
killed in the line of duty.
Status: Passed Senate 51-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT

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Bills that did not pass one chamber before Crossover Day (March 6th) but could be attached to other viable,
germane bills:

SB 590 (Senator Carden Summers): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73651
Expands minimum standards of care applicable to dog breeders and limits the total number of dogs that may
be possessed for breeding purposes.
Status: First Reader (introduced) to the Senate on February 26, 2026 but did not receive committee hearing.
GA Pet Coalition: Revisions needed.

HB 88 (Representative Imani Barnes): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69427
Provides educational loan repayment of $30k for licensed veterinary technicians who practice fulltime for a
3-year contract in designated rural areas (population of 50,000 or less).
Status: Favorably Reported by Substitute by the House Higher Education Committee.
GA Pet Coalition: There are concerns regarding the proportionality of funding for educational loan
repayment for vet techs compared to funding for veterinarians, and also whether there is sufficient funding
for administrative support. The benefit of this bill to shelter medicine and nonprofit sterilization clinics is low.

HB 75 (Representative Ridley Jordan): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69407
Status: Recommitted to House Game, Fish & Parks Committee in 2025.
Revises provisions relating to the impoundment of domesticated animals by a government agency and the
care of such impounded domesticated animals; requires a court order prior to the euthanasia of any
impounded domesticated animal; provides for state or local liability in cases of the death of, loss of, or injury
to an impounded domesticated animal under certain circumstances. The bill was named after an illegally
harbored squirrel and raccoon located in another state. Native wildlife generally cannot be kept as pets in
Georgia, as state law prohibits holding most wildlife without non-pet related permits.
GA Pet Coalition: The bill was introduced in 2025 and did not receive a hearing in 2026. There are multiple
concerns with the current version.

 

Proclamation Issued by Governor Kemp: *

 

Spay/Neuter Awareness Month in Georgia, February 2026:

https://gov.georgia.gov/contact-us/proclamations/2026

Governor Kemp issued a Proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Spay / Neuter Awareness Month in
Georgia. February 24th was WORLD SPAY DAY which promotes the sterilization of pets to reduce the
number of unwanted and homeless animals globally. 

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* Proclamations are issued to promote public awareness and do not involve legislative action or funding.