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Georgia · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 1226: Crimes; justification for use of force in defense of self or others; revise standards

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 1226 is a bill introduced in the Georgia House on February 5, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Crimes; justification for use of force in defense of self or others; revise standards. Primary sponsor: David Clark (Republican), Tyler Smith (Republican), Jordan Ridley (Republican), Alan Powell (Republican), Josh Bonner (Republican), Karen Mathiak (Republican). Most recent recorded action (February 26, 2026): House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse in defenses to criminal prosecutions, so as to revise standards of justification for use of force in defense of self or others; to provide for a rebuttable presumption; to provide for timing for claims of immunity from prosecution based upon justification; to provide for standards of proof; to amend Code Section 51-11-9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to no duty to retreat and immunity in certain instances of threat or use of force, so as to extend immunity from civil liability in justified use of force cases to legal representatives and heirs of the person against whom force was used; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 6

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
David ClarkPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse100
Tyler SmithPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse18
Jordan RidleyPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse22
Alan PowellPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse33
Josh BonnerPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse73
Karen MathiakPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse82

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
  2. House Withdrawn, Recommitted
  3. House Committee Favorably Reported
  4. House Second Readers
  5. House First Readers
  6. House Hopper

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source