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Bill > SB437
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
03/27/2026
03/27/2026
Crossed Over
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Passed
Dead
04/02/2026
04/02/2026
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 an inspection and that such inspection may proceed regardless of whether the local governing authority had performed its own inspection; to permit in person or virtual 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 inspection; to provide for an acknowledgment; 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 builders in Georgia to hire private professional providers, such as licensed engineers, architects, or qualified inspectors, to conduct building, plumbing, and electrical inspections for residential properties, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums up to three stories. These private providers can perform inspections either in person or virtually, and their work can proceed even if the local government hasn't completed its own inspection. When a private provider is used, the applicant must notify the local government with specific details about the provider and acknowledge their responsibility for the inspection's accuracy, and the local government's inspection fees will be reduced by 50%, with no convenience fees charged. The bill also sets requirements for the private provider's insurance, outlines procedures for dispute resolution if the local building official disagrees with the private provider's report, and clarifies that local governments cannot impose stricter requirements than those outlined in the bill, while also providing immunity to local officials from liability related to private provider inspections.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Clint Dixon (R)*,
Russ Goodman (R)*,
Randy Robertson (R)*,
Shawn Still (R)*,
Sam Watson (R)*,
Victor Anderson (R),
Last Action
House Postponed (on 03/31/2026)
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/20252026/247816 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/244716 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243139 |
| 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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