Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB309: Local government; require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method
Status: Passed both chambers, April 2, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county police, so as to require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method; to provide for a referendum; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 8 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county police, so as to require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method; to provide for a referendum; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 8 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county police, so as to require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method; to provide for a referendum; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 8 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county police, is amended by revising Code Section 36-8-2, relating to terms of office, removal, and authority to abolish county police force, as follows: "36-8-2. (a) Except as otherwise provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section, the The terms for which county police shall be elected or appointed shall be left to the discretion of the county governing authority. Such county police or any member thereof may be removed from office at any time, at the will of the county governing authority, with or without cause. A resolution or ordinance authorizing the creation of a county police force adopted by a county governing authority and approved by the qualified electors of the county in a H. B. LC 39 4463 special election as provided in subsection …
Sponsors
- Clint Dixon (R, 45) · primary sponsor
- Rob Clifton (R, 131) · primary sponsor
- Houston Gaines (R, 120)
- Marcus Wiedower (R)
- Stan Gunter (R, 8)
- Clinton Crowe (R, 118)
Latest actions
- : Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Taken from Table
- : Senate Tabled
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Recommitted
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported
- : Senate Read and Referred
Votes
- Senate Vote #947 (April 2, 2026): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote #151 (March 4, 2025): 169 yea, 3 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB309?
- HB309 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Local government; require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method.
- What does HB309 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 8 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to county police, so as to require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method; to provide for a referendum; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB309?
- Passed both chambers as of April 2, 2026. Latest action: Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (April 2, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB309?
- Clint Dixon (R, 45), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB309?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70020
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.