2026 GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
SUMMARY OF ANIMAL-RELATED LEGISLATION
Nine beneficial animal-related bills were considered in 2026 by the Georgia legislature and six of these bills passed OVERWHELMINGLY in both the House and Senate, indicating a high degree of bipartisan support. This trend is very encouraging, as companion animal protection is neither right, nor left, but forward. It is also indicative that advocates are continuing to build a bench of lawmakers who understand the importance of, and are willing to sponsor and cosponsor, animal-related bills.
Bills that have passed both chambers and are awaiting the Governor’s signature (or 40 days) to become law:
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 onsite
where the vaccine is administered.
Status: Passed House 170-0 / Passed Senate 50-0
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 Patient 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. An
unintended consequence of the original law was a shutdown of poison control services by Pet Poison
Helpline and the ASPCA. The passage of HB 1195 restores those services.
Status: Passed House 172-0 / Passed Senate 47-0
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 appropriations, that will be created
and administered by the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of the State of Georgia and updated monthly. The
purpose of this free and publicly searchable database will be to assist animal shelters and animal control
agencies involved in animal placement determinations in screening prospective owners and preventing
animals from being placed in dangerous situations. Those convicted of, or who plead guilty or nolo contendre
to, the following offenses will be included in the database: Cruelty and Aggravated Cruelty to animals
(O.C.G.A. 16-12-4), Dogfighting (O.C.G.A. 16-12-37), Bestiality (O.C.G.A. 16-6-6), Criminal trespass involving a
wild animal (O.C.G.A. 16-7-21.2), and Interfering with, harming of, or aggravated harming of a public safety
animal or search and rescue animal (O.C.G.A. 16-11-107). Note. Local ordinance violations will not appear in
this registry.
Status: Passed Senate 48-0 / Passed House 163-0
Further amendments are likely needed in 2027 to strengthen the impact of the database.
Comments from animal law attorney Claudine Wilkins: 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 Title 16 felonies 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.
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT with revisions to address concerns and strengthen the law’s impact.
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 170-0 / Passed Senate 48-0
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
HB 668 (Representative Brad Thomas): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70962
Provides a much-needed update to Georgia law surrounding service animals. 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 / Passed Senate 47-0
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 or harming/aggravated harming of a public safety animal or search/rescue animal, so as to
provide for commendations of public safety animals and search/rescue animals that are injured or killed in
the line of duty.
Status: Passed Senate 49-0 / Passed House 166-1
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
Bills that passed one chamber by Crossover Day (March 6) but did not progress further:
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.
Status: Passed Senate 49-3 (2025). Did not receive a hearing and vote by the House Judicial Non-Civil
Committee in 2026. Georgia remains the only U.S. state without a cockfighting statute.
GA Pet Coalition: SUPPORT
Bills that did not pass one chamber before Crossover Day (March 6):
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 but did not receive a 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: HB 88 would primarily benefit rural large and mixed animal practices.
HB 75 (Representative Jordan Ridley): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69407
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.
Status: Recommitted to House Game, Fish & Parks Committee in 2025. Did not receive a hearing in 2026.
GA Pet Coalition: There are multiple concerns with the bill’s language.
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.
* Proclamations are issued to promote public awareness and do not involve legislative action or funding.
