Georgia HB244: State auditor; local governments to request and receive in certain circumstances due date extensions related to filing annual audits; provide

What the bill says

To amend Code Section 36-81-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to audit of financial affairs and transactions, contents, copy to state auditor, and public inspection, so as to provide for local governments to request and receive in certain circumstances due date extensions related to filing annual audits with the state auditor; 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 36-81-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to audit of financial affairs and transactions, contents, copy to state auditor, and public inspection, so as to provide for local governments to request and receive in certain circumstances due date extensions related to filing annual audits with the state auditor; 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 36-81-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to audit of financial affairs and transactions, contents, copy to state auditor, and public inspection, is amended by revising subsection (d), as follows: "(d)(1) Each annual audit report of a local unit of government shall be completed and a copy of the report forwarded to the state auditor within 180 days after the close of the unit's fiscal year. In addition to the audit report, the local unit of government shall forward to the state auditor, within 30 days after the audit report due date, written comments on the findings and recommendations in the report, including a plan for corrective action taken or planned and comments on the status of corrective action taken H. B. LC 47 3293 on prior findings. If corrective action is not …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Watson, Sam (R, 11) · primary sponsor
• Cannon, Chas (R, 172) · primary sponsor
• Bill Yearta (R)
• Gerald Greene (R, 154)
• Jackson, Mack (D, 128)
• Leesa Hagan (R, 156)

Latest actions

1. July 1, 2026: Effective Date
2. May 11, 2026: Act 437
3. May 11, 2026: House Date Signed by Governor
4. April 6, 2026: House Sent to Governor
5. March 16, 2026: House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
6. March 10, 2026: Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
7. March 10, 2026: Senate Third Read
8. February 2, 2026: Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
9. January 12, 2026: Senate Recommitted
10. January 12, 2026: Senate Taken from Table

Votes

• House Vote #706 (March 16, 2026): 151 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Senate Vote #702 (March 10, 2026): 48 yea, 2 nay, passed
• House Vote #150 (March 4, 2025): 162 yea, 7 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB244?

HB244 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): State auditor; local governments to request and receive in certain circumstances due date extensions related to filing annual audits; provide.

What does HB244 do?

In its own words: To amend Code Section 36-81-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to audit of financial affairs and transactions, contents, copy to state auditor, and public inspection, so as to provide for local governments to request and receive in certain circumstances due date extensions related to filing annual audits with the state auditor; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

What is the status of HB244?

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

Who sponsored HB244?

Watson, Sam (R, 11), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB244?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69849