Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB618: Property; require any seller of real property to make certain disclosures regarding flood damage to such real property
Status: Passed one chamber, March 31, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, so as to require any seller of real property in this state to make certain disclosures regarding flood damage to such real property; to provide for a definition; to provide for flood damage to be an adverse material fact; to provide for violations of the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, so as to provide for certain protections in the conveyancing of real property in this state; to require any seller of real property in this state to make certain disclosures regarding flood damage to such property; to provide a definition; to provide for violations of the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; to exclude any requirements for an independent investigation or inquiry; to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; to provide for related matters…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, so as to provide for certain protections in the conveyancing of real property in this state; to require any seller of real property in this state to make certain disclosures regarding flood damage to such property; to provide a definition; to provide for violations of the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; to exclude any requirements for an independent investigation or inquiry; to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, is amended in Chapter 1, relating to general provisions, by revising Code Section 44-1-18, which is designated as reserved, as follows: "44-1-18. (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'flood' means means any inundation from rising waters or from the overflow of streams, rivers, or other bodies of water, or from tidal LC 49 2399S surges, abnormally high tidal water, tidal waves, tsunamis, hurricanes, or the unusual and rapid accumulation of standing water resulting from a storm. (b) In addition to any other disclosures required …