Georgia SB470: "Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act"; enact

What the bill says

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 prohibit the possession, use, operation, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution, or import of signal jammers; to establish criminal offenses; to provide for penalties; to require that certain penalties shall not be suspended, stayed, deferred, or withheld by the sentencing court; to provide for the designation of signal jammers and other property as contraband…

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 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 prohibit the possession, use, operation, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution, or import of signal jammers; to establish criminal offenses; to provide for penalties; to require that certain penalties shall not be suspended, stayed, deferred, or withheld by the sentencing court; to provide for the designation of signal jammers and other property as contraband; to provide for the forfeiture of property used directly or indirectly, or intended for use in any manner, to facilitate a violation of the criminal offenses established in this Act; to specifically authorize the Attorney General to commence forfeiture proceedings; to provide for exemptions; to provide for definitions; to provide a short title; to provide an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act." S. B. LC 64 0103S SECTION 2. Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, is amended by adding a new Code …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Clinton Crowe (R, 118) · primary sponsor
• John Albers (R) · primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, 29)
• Timothy Bearden (R, 30)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, 32)
• Chuck Payne (R, 54)
• Dickerson, Jason T. (R, 21)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Effective Date
2. May 11, 2026: Act 495
3. May 11, 2026: Senate Date Signed by Governor
4. April 10, 2026: Senate Sent to Governor
5. March 27, 2026: Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
6. March 19, 2026: House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
7. March 19, 2026: House Third Readers
8. March 18, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
9. March 4, 2026: House Second Readers
10. March 3, 2026: House First Readers

Votes

• Senate Vote #837 (March 27, 2026): 46 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote #728 (March 19, 2026): 163 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Senate Vote #593 (February 26, 2026): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB470?

SB470 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): "Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act"; enact.

What does SB470 do?

In its own words: 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 prohibit the possession, use, operation, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution, or import of signal jammers; to establish criminal offenses; to provide for penalties; to require that certain penalties shall not be suspended, stayed, deferred, or withheld by the sentencing court; to provide for the designation of signal jammers and other property as contraband…

What is the status of SB470?

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

Who sponsored SB470?

Clinton Crowe (R, 118), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB470?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72945