Gambling Legislation

HR 450 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize sports betting in Georgia by changing Georgia’s Constitution. Because it is a constitutional amendment, it must pass by a 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate and then be voted on by Georgia citizens. Status: Active in 2025, but no movement yet in 2026. However, as of the afternoon of March 4th, we received communications that the House members were being asked where they stand on this legislation in order to see if there was enough support to pass it.

HB 686 is the enabling legislation for HR 450 which means it contains the detailed information on how the law is carried out. Status: Active in 2025, but no movement yet in 2026.

Here are the other major bills we are tracking this session.

Support

• HB 54 prohibits hospitals and other medical facilities using state funds from prescribing or administering, sex reassignment surgery, hormone therapy, or puberty blocking medications for minors. The bill does allow minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria to take puberty blockers with parental consent. Status: This bill was passed in 2025 and amended by the Senate in 2026. The House still needs to approve the changes.
• HB 171, or the Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act is a bill that would prohibit distributing obscene images of children and provide mandatory minimum sentences for those who do. Status: Passed in the House in 2025 but not in the Senate. No movement yet in 2026.
• HB 350, or the Safe Places for Newborns Act, is a bill that would legalize the placement of Newborn Safety Devices in designated areas. These safety devices, which allow for the anonymous placement of newborn babies, would be constantly monitored and accessible by first responders who can immediately transfer them for medical care. Status: Passed in the House this year. Referred to a Senate committee, but no hearing yet.
• SB 74 would repeal an exemption that is currently in place for librarians who provide obscene materials to minors. Status: Passed in the Senate in 2025. Passed committee in the House on 2/6/2026. Waiting on a full vote in the House.
• SB 404 is legislation dealing with child custody proceedings. Currently, a court may consider a joint custody arrangement as an option, but this bill says that joint custody “shall be considered as the default form of custody by the judge and…that joint legal and physical custody and equally shared parenting time are in the best interests of the child.” Similar laws enacted in other states have shown several benefits when 50/50 custody is the starting point and not just another option. Status: Introduced on 1/15/2026. Referred to a Senate committee, but no hearing yet.
• Governor Kemp originally opted Georgia into the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship program in January 2026, and SB 446 states that it “is the policy of the State of Georgia to permanently participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program” established by President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill in 2025. SB 446 also stipulates that the Georgia Department of Revenue is the agency responsible for maintaining future participation (since a state has to opt in annually) while also managing the program. Status: Passed in the Senate on 2/18/26, and it is currently in a House committee.
• SB 542 closes a gap in Georgia’s improper sexual conduct policy by amending the criminal code to include clergy members in the “Improper Sexual Conduct” statute. Status: Passed out of committee on 2/26 and is now waiting on a full vote in the Senate. HB 1458 is the companion legislation that was introduced in the House. Status: Currently being reviewed in the House Judiciary Non-Civil committee.
• SB 571 regulates casino style gaming, which is defined as “Any wagering of a stake of monetary value in the expectation of a prize of monetary value.” This bill requires gambling companies to prove (via a digital identification card) that a person is eighteen or older before they can participate in sports betting, prediction market trading, and other casino style gaming. Status: Introduced in the Senate on 2/24/2026. It is now being reviewed in the Children and Families committee.

Oppose

• SB 493, or the Promise Scholarship Student Success and Transparency Act, would regulate schools that participate in the Georgia Promise Scholarship program. The bill requires that students participating in the Promise Scholarship program be at or above grade level or showing that they are “growing in student achievement.” If students at a school do not meet these requirements, they would have to implement a plan for improvement and if the school failed subsequent reviews, it would not be allowed to participate in the Promise Scholarship program. The school could reapply to participate three years later. Status: Introduced on 2/10/2026. Currently under review in the Senate and unlikely to move due to the Republican majority.
• Expanding access to alcohol (SB 86 and SB 456) and hemp consumables (SB 254).
• Allowing medical marijuana vapes and also increasing the THC potency (SB 220).