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Georgia · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 523: Education; public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; authorize

Enacted 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

SB 523 is a bill introduced in the Georgia Senate on February 18, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Education; public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; authorize. Primary sponsor: Russ Goodman (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), John Albers (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Jason T. Dickerson, Tim Bearden (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Sonya Halpern (Democratic), Elena Parent (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (May 5, 2026): Effective Date.

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 Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to authorize public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; to require the Department of Education to establish a state-wide K-12 Title VI Coordinator; to authorize withholding of funds for noncompliance; to provide for notice and appeal procedures; to provide for definitions; to provide for an effective date; to provide for annual reporting; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2 · Republican 20

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Russ GoodmanPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate8
Bill CowsertPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate46
Kay KirkpatrickPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate32
John AlbersPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate56
Blake TilleryPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate19
Lee AndersonPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate24
Matt BrassPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate6
Mike HodgesPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate3
Shawn StillPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate48
Carden SummersPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate13
Max BurnsPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate23
Chuck HufstetlerPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate52
Billy HickmanPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate4
Marty HarbinPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate16
Sam WatsonPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate11
Brian StricklandPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate42
Drew EcholsPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate49
Jason T. DickersonPrimary sponsorNot applicable (committee)——
Tim BeardenPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate30
Ben WatsonPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate1
Steve GoochPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate51
Sonya HalpernPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate39
Elena ParentPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate44

“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. Effective Date
  2. Act 402
  3. Senate Date Signed by Governor
  4. Senate Sent to Governor
  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
  6. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
  7. House Third Readers
  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
  9. House Second Readers
  10. House First Readers
  11. Senate Passed/Adopted
  12. Senate Third Read

Showing 12 most recent of 16 actions. Full history

Sources

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