As Georgia’s 2026 legislative session nears a decisive moment — Crossover Day — our Policy and Advocacy team has attended many Senate and House committee meetings to protect civil liberties and push back against overcriminalization and excessive punishment.
In recent weeks, we’ve opposed overbroad and punitive criminal law bills, defended constitutional rights, and focused on reducing the harmful impacts of overpolicing and incarceration.
March 6 is Crossover Day, one of the most exciting days of the session. It’s the final day for bills to pass out of their chamber of origin to be considered for passage.
Here’s a rundown of some of our efforts in February. Check out our YouTube channel to view full committee testimonies.
Opposing Harmful Bills; Supporting Smart Reform
We testified against HB 1076, which increases penalties for obstructing law enforcement with a motor vehicle. The bill’s broad language would include stationary vehicles, which pose little to no threat of violence. Unfortunately, this bill passed out of a Senate committee and may be considered by the House.
Our team has opposed several bills that attempt to restrict minors’ use of social media, including Senate Bill 495. The bill’s original language raised serious First Amendment concerns because it would have restricted young people’s access to constitutionally protected speech. In response to our advocacy, the lawmaker behind the bill narrowed its scope to limit in-app features rather than censor content.
We also testified against House Bill 1154, which would expand the number of crimes that could receive the death penalty. We have and will continue to oppose the death penalty because it is inhumane, an ineffective deterrent, and results in wrongful deaths based on flawed convictions. While the bill failed in committee, we will keep a close eye on it for any further action.
Finally, we testified in support of several reform bills, including House Bill 1175, which would reduce the penalties for shoplifting low-cost essential items, such as food or toiletries. We also testified in support of House Bill 496, which ensures that the smell of marijuana cannot be the sole cause for a stop or search by law enforcement. If enacted, these bills would help reduce incarceration for non-violent, minor crimes.
