Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB8: Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide
Status: Failed, March 27, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, so as to provide for arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; to amend Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, so as to provide for arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; to amend Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, so as to provide for arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; to amend Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, is amended by revising Code Section 15-11-7, relating to court of inquiry, as follows: "15-11-7. (a) The juvenile court shall have jurisdiction to act as a court of inquiry with all the powers and rights allowed courts of inquiry in this state and to examine or investigate into the circumstances or causes of any conduct or acts of any person 17 or more years of age that may be in violation of the laws of this state whenever such person is brought before the court in the course of any proceeding instituted under this chapter. The court shall cause S. B. LC 57 0179 the person to be apprehended and brought before it upon either a writ of summons, a warrant duly issued, or by arrest. (b) …
Sponsors
- Joseph Gullett (R, 19) · primary sponsor
- Kay Kirkpatrick (R, 32) · primary sponsor
- Brian Strickland (R, 42)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Kim Jackson (D, 41)
- Matt Brass (R, 6)
- Jason Esteves (D, 35)
Latest actions
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Reconsidered
- : House Third Reading Lost
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Second Readers
Votes
- Senate Vote #964 (April 2, 2026): 26 yea, 26 nay, failed
- House Vote #786 (March 27, 2026): 115 yea, 45 nay, passed
- House Vote #349 (March 31, 2025): 94 yea, 74 nay, passed
- House Vote #348 (March 31, 2025): 79 yea, 87 nay, failed
- Senate Vote #28 (February 10, 2025): 51 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB8?
- SB8 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide.
- What does SB8 do?
- In its own words: To amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, so as to provide for arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; to amend Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, so as to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of SB8?
- Failed as of March 27, 2026. Latest action: House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (March 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB8?
- Joseph Gullett (R, 19), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB8?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69327
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.