Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB979: State government; procedures for retrocession of jurisdiction in certain circumstances; provide
Status: Passed both chambers, March 27, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 50-2-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the retrocession of jurisdiction over lands owned by the United States, so as to provide for procedures for the retrocession of jurisdiction in certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Code Section 50-2-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the retrocession of jurisdiction over lands owned by the United States, so as to provide for procedures for the retrocession of jurisdiction in certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Code Section 50-2-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the retrocession of jurisdiction over lands owned by the United States, so as to provide for procedures for the retrocession of jurisdiction in certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Code Section 50-2-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the retrocession of jurisdiction over lands owned by the United States, is amended as follows: "50-2-27. (a) The consent of this state is given to the retrocession of jurisdiction, either partially or wholly, by the United States over land owned by the United States within the boundaries of this state; and the Governor is authorized to accept for the state such retrocession of jurisdiction. (b) Retrocession of jurisdiction shall be effected upon written notice by the principal officer of the agency of the United States having supervision and control over the land to the Governor, such notice describing the land by metes and bounds and specifying the H. B. LC 48 1653 nature of the jurisdiction therein to be retroceded to the state and the entry of acceptance upon the written notice by the Governor. The Governor shall not accept …
Sponsors
- Chuck Payne (R, 54) · primary sponsor
- Josh Bonner (R, 73) · primary sponsor
- Tyler Smith (R, 18)
- Bethany Ballard (R, 147)
- Soo Hong (R, 103)
- Scott Holcomb (D, 101)
Latest actions
- : House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended
- : Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Second Readers
Votes
- House Vote #777 (March 27, 2026): 149 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #793 (March 23, 2026): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Vote #632 (March 4, 2026): 161 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB979?
- HB979 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): State government; procedures for retrocession of jurisdiction in certain circumstances; provide.
- What does HB979 do?
- In its own words: To amend Code Section 50-2-27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the retrocession of jurisdiction over lands owned by the United States, so as to provide for procedures for the retrocession of jurisdiction in certain circumstances; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB979?
- Passed both chambers as of March 27, 2026. Latest action: House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub As Amended (March 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB979?
- Chuck Payne (R, 54), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB979?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72239
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.