Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB676: Property; fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; provide
Status: Failed, March 23, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen relative to liens, so as to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; 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 Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen relative to liens, so as to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen relative to liens, so as to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen relative to liens, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "44-14-361.6. Any lien filed pursuant to Code Section 44-14-361 that is made without substantial justification or that is not made in good faith or that is made with malice or a wrongful purpose, as such terms are defined in Code Section 51-7-80, shall be subject to a fine of $1,500.00 per lien filed, in addition to any attorney's fees or court costs." H. B. LC 48 1510 SECTION 2. This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval. SECTION 3. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. H. B.
Sponsors
- Ed Setzler (R, 37) · primary sponsor
- Rob Clifton (R, 131) · primary sponsor
- Stan Gunter (R, 8)
- Matt Reeves (R, 99)
- Marcus Wiedower (R)
- Holt Persinger (R, 119)
- Matthew Gambill (R, 15)
Latest actions
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
Votes
- House Vote #487 (February 9, 2026): 165 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB676?
- HB676 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Property; fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; provide.
- What does HB676 do?
- In its own words: To amend Part 3 of Article 8 of Chapter 14 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to mechanics and materialmen relative to liens, so as to provide for a fine for any frivolous mechanic lien filed; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB676?
- Failed as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Senate Read Second Time (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB676?
- Ed Setzler (R, 37), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB676?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70977
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.