A bill introduced by State Rep. Houston Gaines in the Georgia House would require local governments to follow state bail requirements for designated crimes or risk forfeiting state funding, according to the Georgia State House.
Filed as HB1436 on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill carries the formal name: ’Georgia Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act; enact’.
The summary below, based on the actual bill text, offers interpretation to clarify the proposal’s provisions.
This legislation, known as the Georgia Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act, would prohibit state agencies from distributing, renewing or continuing grants or funding for any local government that adopts laws, policies, or standing orders that significantly restrict secured cash bail for individuals accused of certain crimes. The bill defines a “covered offense” as a crime presenting an explicit danger to public safety and order, specifically referencing the offenses in subsection (a) of Code Section 17-6-1. Funding restrictions would take effect for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, and for each subsequent fiscal year.
The bill has been co-sponsored by Rep. Alan Powell (Republican-33rd), Rep. Trey Kelley (Republican-16th), and two additional lawmakers.
During the current session, Gaines has submitted 13 individual bills; four have been adopted so far.
Gaines holds a BA from the University of Georgia.
A Republican, Gaines was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023, representing the 120th House District after succeeding Trey Rhodes.
In Georgia, the legislative process starts when a legislator, sometimes prompted by a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After being filed with the Clerk of the House or Senate Secretary, it gets an initial reading before moving to committee for review and discussion. If advanced by the committee, the bill receives a third reading and floor consideration before a final vote. Passage through both chambers is required—differences are resolved by conference committee if necessary—before being sent to the governor, who then has six days during the session or 40 days post-adjournment to sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without signature. The Georgia General Assembly convenes annually for a 40-day session starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1379 | 02/18/2026 | Foreign Funding Transparency and Accountability Act; enact |
| HB852 | 03/25/2025 | Athens-Clarke County; Board of Elections and Registration; reconstitute and reestablish |
| HB851 | 03/25/2025 | Athens-Clarke County; Board of Elections and Registration; provide for abolition on a date certain |
| HB839 | 03/25/2025 | Jackson County; board of commissioners; filling vacancies; revise provisions |
| HB577 | 02/21/2025 | Georgia Nicotine Vapor Products Directory Act; enact |
| HB558 | 02/20/2025 | State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish adult workforce high school diploma program |
| HB454 | 02/13/2025 | Vince Dooley Battlefield Trust Fund Act; enact |
| HB417 | 02/12/2025 | Education; tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities; revise definition of approved school |
| HB370 | 02/10/2025 | Ad valorem tax; school districts; state-wide base year homestead exemption; provisions |
| HB296 | 02/05/2025 | Motor vehicles; presentation of a driver’s license in a certain electronic format; provisions |
| HB295 | 02/05/2025 | Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions |
| HB288 | 02/05/2025 | Appeal and error; declaratory judgments in instances involving accusations made by a prosecuting attorney regarding credibility of a peace officer; provide |
| HB246 | 02/04/2025 | Courts; office of sheriff and training of peace officers; revise qualification requirements |
This article relies on information from the Georgia State House, with original source data available here.
