Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1266: Watercraft; use of certain motors on vessels being operated on the Ogeechee River; repeal a provision
Status: Signed into law, May 11, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to repeal a provision relative to the use of certain motors on vessels being operated on the Ogeechee River; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to repeal a provision relative to the use of certain motors on vessels being operated on the Ogeechee River; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to repeal a provision relative to the use of certain motors on vessels being operated on the Ogeechee River; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, is amended by revising subsection (c) of Code Section 52-7-13, relating to boating safety zones, restrictions on use of motors and operation of houseboats on certain lakes, and exceptions, as follows: "(c) With the exception of law enforcement crafts, no motor in excess of 9.9 horsepower shall be used on any vessel being operated on the Ogeechee River from the point where it crosses State Highway No. 119 to its point of origin Reserved." SECTION 2. H. B. 1266 LC 60 0277 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. H. B. 1266
Sponsors
- Russ Goodman (R, 8) · primary sponsor
- Jason Ridley (R, HD-006) · primary sponsor
- Trey Rhodes (R, 124)
- Steven Meeks (R, 178)
Latest actions
- : Effective Date
- : Act 451
- : House Date Signed by Governor
- : House Sent to Governor
- : Senate Passed/Adopted
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported
- : Senate Read and Referred
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
Votes
- Senate Vote #813 (March 25, 2026): 47 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Vote #617 (March 4, 2026): 164 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1266?
- HB1266 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Watercraft; use of certain motors on vessels being operated on the Ogeechee River; repeal a provision.
- What does HB1266 do?
- In its own words: To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 52 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding registration, operation, and sale of watercraft, so as to repeal a provision relative to the use of certain motors on vessels being operated on the Ogeechee River; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB1266?
- Signed into law as of May 11, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1266?
- Russ Goodman (R, 8), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1266?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73059
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.