Legislation put forward by state Sen. Bill Cowsert aims to establish a statewide grand jury to handle investigations and prosecutions of election-related crimes, according to the Georgia State Senate.
Known as SB607 and introduced on Wednesday, Feb. 25, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the measure is formally titled: ’Grand Juries; creation, selection, composition, compensation, procedures, and term; provide’.
Below is our summary, derived from the actual bill text, which may contain interpretation for clarity.
The bill establishes a system known as the State Grand Jury of Georgia with authority to operate in all counties to investigate and charge crimes involving elections, violations of Georgia’s election laws, and related matters. It gives the attorney general power to convene a grand jury comprising 13 to 23 members selected from a statewide pool, outlines criteria and oaths for jurors, and sets out rules for secrecy, contempt, subpoenas, immunity, and restricted disclosure. The Supreme Court may create related rules, and the act would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, if a corresponding constitutional amendment is approved during the November 2026 general election.
Sen. Steve Gooch (Republican-51st) and Sen. Greg Dolezal (Republican-27th) have joined Cowsert as co-sponsors.
During the current session, Cowsert has introduced 10 other bills, 3 of which have been approved.
Cowsert earned his BS from Presbyterian College in 1980 and graduated from University of Georgia School of Law with a JD in 1983.
Cowsert, a Republican, was elected in 2007 to represent District 46 in the Georgia State Senate, succeeding former state senator Brian Kemp.
The Georgia legislative process starts when a legislator, sometimes prompted by a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a proposal. After being filed with the House Clerk or Senate Secretary, the bill is read for the first time, assigned to a committee for debate and research, and—if approved—moves to the floor for further review and a vote. To be enacted, the bill must pass both legislative chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if the versions differ, before it is sent to the governor. The governor has 6 days during the session, or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die), to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without a signature. The General Assembly meets every year for a 40-day session starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB606 | 02/25/2026 | “District Attorney Compensation Reform Act”; enact |
| SB605 | 02/25/2026 | Prosecuting Attorneys; additional grounds for discipline of a district attorney or solicitor-general or for his or her removal or involuntary retirement from office; provide |
| SB604 | 02/25/2026 | Crimes and Offenses; the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction with district attorneys to conduct criminal prosecutions of violent crimes, illegal immigration offenses, and fentanyl offenses; provide |
| SB467 | 02/05/2026 | Minors; procedures to validate the age of certain persons using any app; require |
| SB468 | 02/05/2026 | Sexual Offender Risk Review Board; reporting requirements of sexual offenders; increase |
| SB367 | 03/28/2025 | Certificate of Need; health care facilities, services, and equipment dedicated exclusively to the treatment of cancer; provide for exemption |
| SB256 | 02/25/2025 | Electric Membership Corporation; disclose certain acquisitions and other information to its members within a certain time frame; require |
| SB255 | 02/25/2025 | General Assembly; authorization of statutory investigatory powers to certain committees of the General Assembly; codify a process |
| SB254 | 02/25/2025 | “Georgia Hemp Farming Act,”; delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; provide milligram limits |
| SB98 | 02/05/2025 | Guardian and Ward; county conservators; provide |
Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State Senate. The source data can be found here.
