Georgia SB527: Sheriffs; candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; require

What the bill says

To amend Code Section 15-16-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions, so as to require that candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Code Section 15-16-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions, so as to require that candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Code Section 15-16-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions, is amended by revising subparagraph (c)(1)(J) and paragraph (2) of subsection (c) as follows: "(J) At the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff, is a certified peace officer, as defined in Chapter 8 of Title 35, not under revocation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council and files with the officer before whom such person qualifies a form signed by the executive director of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, or his or her designee, that attests and certifies such; provided, however, that any person who is not a certified peace officer at the time of qualifying as a candidate for the office of sheriff but is a first responder, as such term S. B. LC 63 0109 is defined in …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Joseph Gullett (R, 19) · primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, 29) · primary sponsor
• Clint Dixon (R, 45)
• John Albers (R)
• Marty Harbin (R, 16)
• Billy Hickman (R, 4)
• Mike Hodges (R, 3)
• Burns, Max (R, 23)
• Dickerson, Jason T. (R, 21)
• Lee Anderson (R, 24)
• Matt Brass (R, 6)
• Shawn Still (R, 48)

Latest actions

1. March 25, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported
2. March 6, 2026: House Second Readers
3. March 4, 2026: House First Readers
4. March 3, 2026: Senate Passed/Adopted
5. March 3, 2026: Senate Third Read
6. February 25, 2026: Senate Read Second Time
7. February 24, 2026: Senate Committee Favorably Reported
8. February 19, 2026: Senate Read and Referred
9. February 18, 2026: Senate Hopper

Votes

• Senate Vote #610 (March 3, 2026): 49 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB527?

SB527 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Sheriffs; candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; require.

What does SB527 do?

In its own words: To amend Code Section 15-16-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions, so as to require that candidates for the office of sheriff are certified peace officers at the time of qualifying as a candidate; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

What is the status of SB527?

Passed one chamber as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: House Committee Favorably Reported (March 25, 2026).

Who sponsored SB527?

Joseph Gullett (R, 19), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB527?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73378