Georgia SB443: Offenses Against Public Order; the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; increase

What the bill says

From the introduced text:

26 Floor Amend 1 ADOPTED Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Albers of the 56th, and Tillery of the 19th offered the following amendment #1: Amend the Senate Committee on Judiciary substitute to SB 443 (LC 49 2642S): by inserting after line 17: "A person who, without authority of law, purposely or recklessly obstructs any sidewalk or other public passage in such a way to render it impassable without unreasonable inconveince or hazard and fails or refuse to remove the obstruction after receiving a reasonable official request or the order of a peace officer that he or she do so is guilty of a misdeameanor."

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Al Williams (D, 168) · primary sponsor
• Carden Summers (R, 13) · primary sponsor
• John Albers (R)
• Clint Dixon (R, 45)
• Billy Hickman (R, 4)
• Frank Ginn (R, 47)
• Brian Strickland (R, 42)
• Dickerson, Jason T. (R, 21)
• Ricky Williams (R, 25)
• Randy Robertson (R, 29)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, 31)
• Lee Anderson (R, 24)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Effective Date
2. May 11, 2026: Act 512
3. May 11, 2026: Senate Date Signed by Governor
4. April 10, 2026: Senate Sent to Governor
5. March 23, 2026: House Passed/Adopted
6. March 23, 2026: House Third Readers
7. March 19, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported
8. March 6, 2026: House Second Readers
9. March 4, 2026: House First Readers
10. March 3, 2026: Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

Votes

• House Vote #752 (March 23, 2026): 96 yea, 69 nay, passed
• Senate Vote #606 (March 3, 2026): 35 yea, 17 nay, passed
• Senate Vote #605 (March 3, 2026): 37 yea, 14 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB443?

SB443 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Offenses Against Public Order; the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; increase.

What does SB443 do?

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to increase the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; to provide for enhanced punishment in certain instances; to authorize civil liability for damages; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

What is the status of SB443?

Signed into law as of May 11, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).

Who sponsored SB443?

Al Williams (D, 168), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB443?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72639