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GA SB437
GA SB437State Building, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes; acknowledgement of an applicant's use of a private professional provider to conduct a plan review or inspection; provide
summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
02/10/2026
02/10/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Part 2 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state building, plumbing, and electrical codes, so as to provide for building inspection procedures for residential properties; to provide for schedules of certain fees; to provide for certain notifications; to provide for acknowledgment of an applicant's use of a private professional provider to conduct a plan review or inspection and that such review or inspection may proceed regardless of whether the local governing authority had performed its own plan review or inspection; to permit in person or virtual plan reviews or inspections; to provide for a shorter period for local governing authorities to approve applications; to prohibit local governing authorities from charging convenience fees; to provide for procedures to use a private professional provider for plan review or inspection; to provide for an acknowledgment; to provide for plan review; to authorize prequalification; to provide for prequalification procedures; to authorize permit denial; to provide procedures for permit denial; to provide for immunity; to prohibit more stringent requirements; to provide for certain stop orders; to provide for complaint procedures; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill allows homeowners and developers in Georgia to hire private, licensed professionals (engineers, architects, or qualified inspectors) to conduct plan reviews and inspections for residential construction projects, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums up to three stories. This means that if a local government cannot complete a plan review or inspection within a specified timeframe, or if the applicant chooses, a private professional provider can perform these services. The applicant must notify the local government and provide details about the private provider, including their qualifications and insurance. If a private professional provider is used, the applicant will pay reduced regulatory fees (50% less) to the local government. The bill also outlines procedures for when local governments must issue a "project initiation permit" if they fail to act on an application within the set time, and it clarifies that local governments cannot charge convenience fees for using private providers. Importantly, local governments are generally immune from liability for actions or inactions of these private providers, and they cannot impose more stringent requirements than those specified in the bill. The bill also details procedures for dispute resolution, appeals, and disciplinary actions for private providers, and it specifies insurance requirements for these professionals.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Senate Read Second Time (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72582 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/242111 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/240791 |
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