State Rep. Sandra Scott recently introduced a measure in the Georgia House designed to shield homeowners by restricting the use of non-tax service charges and association assessments to justify foreclosures, according to the Georgia State House.
Filed as HB1035 on Tuesday, Jan. 27, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is officially titled: ‘Georgia Homeownership Protection Act of 2026; enact.’
Below is a summary based on the bill’s full text, with clarifications meant to explain its intent.
The proposed legislation, known as the Georgia Homeownership Protection Act of 2026, prohibits counties, cities, local boards, utilities, condominium associations, and property owners’ associations from foreclosing on or compelling tax sales of owner-occupied homes due to unpaid non-tax service charges or association assessments. Instead, such liens become unsecured personal debts, recoverable solely through money judgments. The bill voids contractual rights to foreclose for these charges but allows associations to suspend amenities and apply late fees. Civil remedies, including damages and attorney fees, and attorney general oversight are established. The effective date is July 1, 2026, for foreclosure actions initiated from that day forward.
Rep. Gerald Greene (Republican-154th), Rep. Kim Schofield (Democrat-63rd), Rep. Viola Davis (Democrat-87th), and two other lawmakers have joined as co-sponsors.
Scott has put forward 18 additional bills this session, with one receiving approval.
She earned a BS from Florida A&M University in 1984.
Scott, a Democrat, has served Georgia’s 76th House District in the State House since 2011, when she succeeded Mike Glanton.
In Georgia, the legislative process starts when a legislator, often prompted by a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. Once filed with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill is read for the first time and sent to a committee, where most analysis and discussion happen. If the committee endorses it, the bill advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, it must clear both chambers—sometimes requiring a conference committee if versions differ—before heading to the governor, who has six days during session or 40 days post-adjournment (Sine Die) to sign, veto, or allow it to take effect without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly holds a 40-day session each year starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1034 | 01/27/2026 | Georgia Tech Support Impersonation and Remote Access Protection Act; enact |
| HB1033 | 01/27/2026 | Georgia Access to Healthcare for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias Act; enact |
| HB1032 | 01/27/2026 | Early Enrollment Act; enact |
| HB794 | 03/18/2025 | Clayton County; Board of Commissioners; code of ethics and board of ethics; revise and update provisions |
| HB740 | 03/06/2025 | Stop Social Promotion Act; enact |
| HB713 | 03/03/2025 | Georgia Legislative Integrity and Representation Act of 2025; enact |
| HB712 | 03/03/2025 | Ad valorem tax; prohibit property bills from including any nontax related fees or assessments |
| HB711 | 03/03/2025 | Georgia Firearms and Weapons Act; enact |
| HB62 | 01/15/2025 | Georgia HOA Accountability and Community Empowerment Act (HACEA); enact |
| HB27 | 01/13/2025 | Investing in Every Student Act; enact |
| HB26 | 01/13/2025 | School Behavioral Mental Health Support Act; enact |
| HB25 | 01/13/2025 | Dignity is Essential Act; enact |
| HB24 | 01/13/2025 | School Behavioral Health Support Act; enact |
| HB23 | 01/13/2025 | Student Success and Progress Act; enact |
| HB22 | 01/13/2025 | Veterans Day Paid Leave Act; enact |
| HB21 | 01/13/2025 | Healthy Food Access Tax Credit Act; enact |
| HB20 | 01/13/2025 | State Board of Education; adopt rules to require all certified public school personnel to receive annual training in depression and suicide awareness and prevention |
| HB19 | 01/13/2025 | Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Department of; create and maintain electronic inpatient psychiatric bed registry; require |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.
