Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB21: Local Governments; violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies; waive sovereign and governmental immunities
Status: Failed, March 19, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to waive sovereign and governmental immunities for local governments and their officials and employees for a violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding jails, so as to require sheriffs, jailers, and deputies to honor immigration detainer requests issued by the Department of Homeland Security; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to waive sovereign and governmental immunities for local governments and their officials and employees for a violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to waive sovereign and governmental immunities for local governments and their officials and employees for a violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding jails, so as to require sheriffs, jailers, and deputies to honor immigration detainer requests issued by the Department of Homeland Security; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, is amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 36-80-23, relating to prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies by local governmental entities, and certification of compliance, to read as follows: S. B. LC 49 2106 "(f) In the event that a local governing body acts in violation of this Code section, the sovereign immunity of such local governing body and the governmental immunity of all local …
Sponsors
- Jesse Petrea (R, 166) · primary sponsor
- Blake Tillery (R, 19) · primary sponsor
- Matt Brass (R, 6)
- Larry Walker (R, 20)
- Marty Harbin (R, 16)
- Burns, Max (R, 23)
- Shawn Still (R, 48)
- Jason Anavitarte (R, 31)
- Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
- Brandon Beach (R, 21)
- Chuck Hufstetler (R, 52)
- Randy Robertson (R, 29)
Latest actions
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Withdrawn, Recommitted
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
Votes
- Senate Vote #54 (February 13, 2025): 33 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #53 (February 13, 2025): 20 yea, 31 nay, failed
Common questions
- What is SB21?
- SB21 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Local Governments; violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies; waive sovereign and governmental immunities.
- What does SB21 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities, so as to waive sovereign and governmental immunities for local governments and their officials and employees for a violation of the prohibition on immigration sanctuary policies…
- What is the status of SB21?
- Failed as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: House Withdrawn, Recommitted (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB21?
- Jesse Petrea (R, 166), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB21?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69478
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.