SB 523 — Education; public schools and postsecondary educational institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination based on religion; authorize
Last action — Senate Date Signed by Governor
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Brian Kemp (Republican) on May 05, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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23 sponsors
1 primary, 22 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (21 R · 2 D) — cross-party backing.
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Mixed recorded votes
3 passed, 1 failed in recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
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.
Bill Text
Action History
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Act 402
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Effective Date
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Senate Date Signed by Governor
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Senate Sent to Governor
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Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
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House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
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House Third Readers
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House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
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House Second Readers
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House First Readers
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Senate Passed/Adopted
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Senate Third Read
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Senate Read Second Time
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Senate Committee Favorably Reported
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Senate Read and Referred
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Senate Hopper
Sponsors
- Matt Brass · Cosponsor
- Elena Parent · Cosponsor
- Sonya Halpern · Cosponsor
- Steve Gooch · Cosponsor
- Ben Watson · Cosponsor
- Timothy Bearden · Cosponsor
- Jason T. Dickerson · Cosponsor
- Drew Echols · Cosponsor
- Brian Strickland · Cosponsor
- Sam Watson · Cosponsor
- Marty Harbin · Cosponsor
- Billy Hickman · Cosponsor
- Chuck Hufstetler · Cosponsor
- Max Burns · Cosponsor
- Carden Summers · Cosponsor
- Shawn Still · Cosponsor
- Mike Hodges · Cosponsor
- Lee Anderson · Cosponsor
- Blake Tillery · Cosponsor
- John Albers · Cosponsor
- Kay Kirkpatrick · Cosponsor
- Bill Cowsert · Cosponsor
- Russ Goodman · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 22 co-sponsors · 224 not signed on · 12 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Russ Goodman Republican Voted No
Co-sponsors (22)
- Matt Brass Republican Voted No
- Elena Parent Democrat
- Sonya Halpern Democrat
- Steve Gooch Republican Voted No
- Ben Watson Republican Voted No
- Timothy Bearden Republican Voted No
- Jason T. Dickerson Republican Voted No
- Drew Echols Republican Voted No
- Brian Strickland Republican Voted No
- Sam Watson Republican Voted No
- Marty Harbin Republican Voted No
- Billy Hickman Republican Voted No
- Chuck Hufstetler Republican Voted No
- Max Burns Republican Voted No
- Carden Summers Republican Voted No
- Shawn Still Republican Voted No
- Mike Hodges Republican Voted No
- Lee Anderson Republican Voted No
- Blake Tillery Republican Voted No
- John Albers Republican Voted No
- Kay Kirkpatrick Republican Voted No
- Bill Cowsert Republican Voted No
Not signed on (224)
224 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 224 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Democrat | 16 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 46 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| % of votes cast | 82% | 0% | 0% | 18% |
How each member voted (56)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| David Lucas | Democrat | Yea |
| Derek Mallow | Democrat | Yea |
| Donzella James | Democrat | Yea |
| Ed Harbison | Democrat | Yea |
| Elena Parent | Democrat | Yea |
| Emanuel Jones | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Freddie Powell Sims | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Gail Davenport | Democrat | Yea |
| Harold Jones II | Democrat | Yea |
| Jaha Howard | Democrat | Yea |
| Josh McLaurin | Democrat | Yea |
| Kenya Wicks | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Kim Jackson | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael 'Doc' Rhett | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Nan Orrock | Democrat | Yea |
| Nikki Merritt | Democrat | Yea |
| RaShaun Kemp | Democrat | Yea |
| Randal Mangham | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Sally Harrell | Democrat | Yea |
| Sheikh Rahman | Democrat | Yea |
| Sonya Halpern | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Tonya Anderson | Democrat | Yea |
| Ben Watson | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Cowsert | Republican | Yea |
| Billy Hickman | Republican | Yea |
| Blake Tillery | Republican | Yea |
| Bo Hatchett | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Strickland | Republican | Yea |
| Carden Summers | Republican | Yea |
| Chuck Hufstetler | Republican | Yea |
| Chuck Payne | Republican | Yea |
| Clint Dixon | Republican | Yea |
| Drew Echols | Republican | Yea |
| Ed Setzler | Republican | Not Voting |
| Frank Ginn | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Dolezal | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Anavitarte | Republican | Yea |
| Jason T. Dickerson | Republican | Yea |
| John Albers | Republican | Yea |
| Kay Kirkpatrick | Republican | Yea |
| Larry Walker, III | Republican | Not Voting |
| Lee Anderson | Republican | Yea |
| Marty Harbin | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Brass | Republican | Yea |
| Max Burns | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Hodges | Republican | Yea |
| Randy Robertson | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Williams | Republican | Yea |
| Russ Goodman | Republican | Yea |
| Sam Watson | Republican | Yea |
| Shawn Still | Republican | Yea |
| Steve Gooch | Republican | Yea |
| Steven McNeel | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy Bearden | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 69 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Republican | 96 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 165 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (180)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| Akbar Ali | Democrat | Yea |
| Al Williams | Democrat | Yea |
| Angela Moore | Democrat | Yea |
| Anissa Jones | Democrat | Yea |
| Anne Allen Westbrook | Democrat | Yea |
| Arlene Beckles | Democrat | Yea |
| Betsy Holland | Democrat | Yea |
| Billy Mitchell | Democrat | Yea |
| Brian Prince | Democrat | Yea |
| Bryce Berry | Democrat | Yea |
| Carl Gilliard | Democrat | Yea |
| Carolyn Hugley | Democrat | Yea |
| Dar'shun Kendrick | Democrat | Yea |
| David Sampson | Democrat | Yea |
| David Wilkerson | Democrat | Yea |
| Debbie Buckner | Democrat | Yea |
| Debra Bazemore | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Demetrius Douglas | Democrat | Yea |
| Derrick Jackson | Democrat | Yea |
| Dewey McClain | Democrat | Yea |
| Doreen Carter | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Edna Jackson | Democrat | Yea |
| El-Mahdi Holly | Democrat | Yea |
| Eric Bell | Democrat | Yea |
| Eric Gisler | Democrat | Yea |
| Esther Panitch | Democrat | Yea |
| Floyd Griffin | Democrat | Yea |
| Gabe Okoye | Democrat | Yea |
| Gabriel Sanchez | Democrat | Yea |
| Imani Barnes | Democrat | Yea |
| Inga Willis | Democrat | Yea |
| Jasmine Clark | Democrat | Yea |
| Karen Lupton | Democrat | Yea |
| Karla Drenner | Democrat | Yea |
| Karlton Howard | Democrat | Yea |
| Kim Schofield | Democrat | Yea |
| Kimberly Alexander | Democrat | Yea |
| L.C. Myles | Democrat | Yea |
| Lisa Campbell | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Long Tran | Democrat | Yea |
| Lydia Glaize | Democrat | Yea |
| Mack Jackson | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Marvin Lim | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary Ann Santos | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary Frances Williams | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary Oliver | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Mekyah McQueen | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael Smith | Democrat | Yea |
| Michelle Au | Democrat | Yea |
| Miriam Paris | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Omari Crawford | Democrat | Yea |
| Park Cannon | Democrat | Yea |
| Patty Marie Stinson | Democrat | Yea |
| Phil Olaleye | Democrat | Yea |
| Regina Lewis-Ward | Democrat | Yea |
| Rhonda Burnough | Democrat | Yea |
| Rhonda Taylor | Democrat | Yea |
| Robert Dawson | Democrat | Yea |
| Robert Flournoy | Democrat | Yea |
| Ruwa Romman | Democrat | Yea |
| Saira Draper | Democrat | Yea |
| Sam Park | Democrat | Yea |
| Sandra Scott | Democrat | Yea |
| Scott Holcomb | Democrat | Yea |
| Segun Adeyina | Democrat | Yea |
| Shea Roberts | Democrat | Yea |
| Sheila Jones | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Solomon Adesanya | Democrat | Yea |
| Spencer Frye | Democrat | Yea |
| Stacey Evans | Democrat | Yea |
| Sylvia Wayfer Baker | Democrat | Yea |
| Tangie Herring | Democrat | Yea |
| Tanya Miller | Democrat | Yea |
| Terry Cummings | Democrat | Yea |
| Tremaine Reese | Democrat | Yea |
| Viola Davis | Democrat | Yea |
| Yasmin Neal | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Alan Powell | Republican | Yea |
| Angie O'Steen | Republican | Yea |
| Beth Camp | Republican | Yea |
| Bethany Ballard | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Fincher | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Hitchens | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Werkheiser | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Yearta | Republican | Yea |
| Brad Thomas | Republican | Yea |
| Brent Cox | Republican | Yea |
| Bruce Williamson | Republican | Yea |
| Buddy DeLoach | Republican | Yea |
| Butch Parrish | Republican | Yea |
| Carmen Rice | Republican | Yea |
| Carter Barrett | Republican | Yea |
| Charles Martin | Republican | Yea |
| Charlice Byrd | Republican | Yea |
| Chas Cannon | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Erwin | Republican | Yea |
| Chuck Efstration | Republican | Yea |
| Clint Crowe | Republican | Yea |
| Dale Washburn | Republican | Yea |
| Danny Mathis | Republican | Yea |
| Darlene Taylor | Republican | Yea |
| David Clark | Republican | Yea |
| David Huddleston | Republican | Yea |
| David Jenkins | Republican | Yea |
| Deborah Silcox | Republican | Yea |
| Derrick McCollum | Republican | Yea |
| Devan Seabaugh | Republican | Yea |
| Don Parsons | Republican | Yea |
| Eddie Lumsden | Republican | Yea |
| Emory Dunahoo | Republican | Yea |
| Gary Richardson | Republican | Yea |
| Gerald Greene | Republican | Yea |
| Ginny Ehrhart | Republican | Yea |
| Holt Persinger | Republican | Yea |
| Houston Gaines | Republican | Yea |
| Jaclyn Ford | Republican | Yea |
| James Burchett | Republican | Yea |
| Jan Jones | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Ridley | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jesse Petrea | Republican | Yea |
| Joe Campbell | Republican | Yea |
| John Carson | Republican | Yea |
| John Corbett | Republican | Yea |
| John LaHood | Republican | Yea |
| Johnny Chastain | Republican | Yea |
| Jon Burns | Republican | Not Voting |
| Jordan Ridley | Republican | Yea |
| Joseph Gullett | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Bonner | Republican | Yea |
| Justin Howard | Republican | Yea |
| Karen Mathiak | Republican | Yea |
| Kasey Carpenter | Republican | Yea |
| Katie Dempsey | Republican | Yea |
| Kimberly New | Republican | Yea |
| Lauren McDonald III | Republican | Yea |
| Lee Hawkins | Republican | Yea |
| Leesa Hagan | Republican | Yea |
| Lehman Franklin | Republican | Yea |
| Lynn Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Newton | Republican | Yea |
| Martin Momtahan | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Barton | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Dubnik | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Hatchett | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Reeves | Republican | Yea |
| Matthew Gambill | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Cameron | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Cheokas | Republican | Yea |
| Mitchell Horner | Republican | Not Voting |
| Mitchell Scoggins | Republican | Yea |
| Noel Williams, Jr. | Republican | Yea |
| Noelle Kahaian | Republican | Yea |
| Reynaldo Martinez | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Jasperse | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Townsend | Republican | Yea |
| Rob Clifton | Republican | Yea |
| Rob Leverett | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Dickey | Republican | Yea |
| Ron Stephens | Republican | Yea |
| Sandy Donatucci | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Hilton | Republican | Yea |
| Sharon Cooper | Republican | Yea |
| Shaw Blackmon | Republican | Yea |
| Soo Hong | Republican | Yea |
| Stan Gunter | Republican | Yea |
| Steve Tarvin | Republican | Yea |
| Steven Meeks | Republican | Yea |
| Steven Sainz | Republican | Yea |
| Tim Fleming | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Jones | Republican | Yea |
| Trey Kelley | Republican | Yea |
| Trey Rhodes | Republican | Yea |
| Tyler Paul Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Vance Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Victor Anderson | Republican | Yea |
| Will Wade | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 0 | 31 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 22 | 31 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 39% | 55% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (56)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| David Lucas | Democrat | Yea |
| Derek Mallow | Democrat | Yea |
| Donzella James | Democrat | Yea |
| Ed Harbison | Democrat | Yea |
| Elena Parent | Democrat | Yea |
| Emanuel Jones | Democrat | Yea |
| Freddie Powell Sims | Democrat | Yea |
| Gail Davenport | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Harold Jones II | Democrat | Yea |
| Jaha Howard | Democrat | Yea |
| Josh McLaurin | Democrat | Yea |
| Kenya Wicks | Democrat | Yea |
| Kim Jackson | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael 'Doc' Rhett | Democrat | Yea |
| Nabilah Parkes | Democrat | Yea |
| Nan Orrock | Democrat | Yea |
| Nikki Merritt | Democrat | Yea |
| RaShaun Kemp | Democrat | Yea |
| Randal Mangham | Democrat | Yea |
| Sally Harrell | Democrat | Yea |
| Sheikh Rahman | Democrat | Yea |
| Sonya Halpern | Democrat | Yea |
| Tonya Anderson | Democrat | Yea |
| Ben Watson | Republican | Nay |
| Bill Cowsert | Republican | Nay |
| Billy Hickman | Republican | Nay |
| Blake Tillery | Republican | Nay |
| Bo Hatchett | Republican | Nay |
| Brian Strickland | Republican | Nay |
| Carden Summers | Republican | Nay |
| Chuck Hufstetler | Republican | Nay |
| Chuck Payne | Republican | Nay |
| Clint Dixon | Republican | Nay |
| Drew Echols | Republican | Nay |
| Ed Setzler | Republican | Not Voting |
| Frank Ginn | Republican | Nay |
| Greg Dolezal | Republican | Nay |
| Jason Anavitarte | Republican | Nay |
| Jason T. Dickerson | Republican | Nay |
| John Albers | Republican | Nay |
| Kay Kirkpatrick | Republican | Nay |
| Larry Walker, III | Republican | Nay |
| Lee Anderson | Republican | Nay |
| Marty Harbin | Republican | Nay |
| Matt Brass | Republican | Nay |
| Max Burns | Republican | Nay |
| Mike Hodges | Republican | Nay |
| Randy Robertson | Republican | Nay |
| Rick Williams | Republican | Nay |
| Russ Goodman | Republican | Nay |
| Sam Watson | Republican | Nay |
| Shawn Still | Republican | Nay |
| Steve Gooch | Republican | Nay |
| Steven McNeel | Republican | Nay |
| Timothy Bearden | Republican | Nay |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 31 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 50 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 89% | 4% | 0% | 7% |
How each member voted (56)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| VACANT | — | Not Voting |
| David Lucas | Democrat | Nay |
| Derek Mallow | Democrat | Yea |
| Donzella James | Democrat | Yea |
| Ed Harbison | Democrat | Yea |
| Elena Parent | Democrat | Yea |
| Emanuel Jones | Democrat | Yea |
| Freddie Powell Sims | Democrat | Yea |
| Gail Davenport | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Harold Jones II | Democrat | Yea |
| Jaha Howard | Democrat | Nay |
| Josh McLaurin | Democrat | Yea |
| Kenya Wicks | Democrat | Yea |
| Kim Jackson | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael 'Doc' Rhett | Democrat | Yea |
| Nabilah Parkes | Democrat | Yea |
| Nan Orrock | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Nikki Merritt | Democrat | Yea |
| RaShaun Kemp | Democrat | Yea |
| Randal Mangham | Democrat | Yea |
| Sally Harrell | Democrat | Yea |
| Sheikh Rahman | Democrat | Yea |
| Sonya Halpern | Democrat | Yea |
| Tonya Anderson | Democrat | Yea |
| Ben Watson | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Cowsert | Republican | Yea |
| Billy Hickman | Republican | Yea |
| Blake Tillery | Republican | Yea |
| Bo Hatchett | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Strickland | Republican | Yea |
| Carden Summers | Republican | Yea |
| Chuck Hufstetler | Republican | Yea |
| Chuck Payne | Republican | Yea |
| Clint Dixon | Republican | Yea |
| Drew Echols | Republican | Yea |
| Ed Setzler | Republican | Not Voting |
| Frank Ginn | Republican | Yea |
| Greg Dolezal | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Anavitarte | Republican | Yea |
| Jason T. Dickerson | Republican | Yea |
| John Albers | Republican | Yea |
| Kay Kirkpatrick | Republican | Yea |
| Larry Walker, III | Republican | Yea |
| Lee Anderson | Republican | Yea |
| Marty Harbin | Republican | Yea |
| Matt Brass | Republican | Yea |
| Max Burns | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Hodges | Republican | Yea |
| Randy Robertson | Republican | Yea |
| Rick Williams | Republican | Yea |
| Russ Goodman | Republican | Yea |
| Sam Watson | Republican | Yea |
| Shawn Still | Republican | Yea |
| Steve Gooch | Republican | Yea |
| Steven McNeel | Republican | Yea |
| Timothy Bearden | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 523 do?
- 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.
- Who sponsors SB 523?
- SB 523 is sponsored by Matt Brass (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Sonya Halpern (Democrat), Steve Gooch (Republican), Ben Watson (Republican), Timothy Bearden (Republican), Jason T. Dickerson (Republican), Drew Echols (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican), Marty Harbin (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Lee Anderson (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), John Albers (Republican), Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Bill Cowsert (Republican), and Russ Goodman (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 523?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 18, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 523?
- Track SB 523 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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