HB675: HB675 Crimes and offenses; criminal offenses related to material support of terrorism; provide

Currently, material support for terrorism is mainly addressed under federal law. This bill would add a new article to Georgia's criminal code (O.C.G.A. Chapter 11 of Title 16) creating state-level crimes for knowingly providing material support or resources, such as money, training, weapons, false documents, or personnel, to further an act of terrorism or to a group the federal government has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The bill defines key terms like 'act of terrorism,' 'material support or resources,' and 'designated foreign terrorist organization,' the latter tied to federal designations under 8 U.S.C. Section 1189 and a specific 2025 executive order. It sets penalties of up to 20 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both. It also exempts government-authorized activity and licensed attorneys providing legal defense services, and states that courts should interpret the new provisions consistent with existing federal terrorism law.

• Creates a new Georgia felony for knowingly providing material support or resources used in preparing for or carrying out an act of terrorism, punishable by up to 20 years in prison or a $100,000 fine.
• Creates a separate felony for knowingly providing material support or resources to a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization under federal law.
• Defines 'material support or resources' broadly to include money, training, weapons, false documents, safe houses, and personnel, but excludes medicine and religious materials.
• Criminalizes concealing an escape from, or attempting or conspiring to commit, either of the new material support offenses.
• Exempts activity authorized by a government or law enforcement agency and legal services provided by licensed attorneys defending accused individuals.
• States legislative intent that the new offenses be interpreted consistent with federal case law under 18 U.S.C. Sections 2339A and 2339B.

The bill affects anyone in Georgia who might provide money, training, equipment, personnel, or other resources connected to terrorism or to a federally designated terrorist organization, as well as prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and defense attorneys handling related cases.

If enacted, Georgia prosecutors could bring state charges, separate from any federal case, against people who fund, train, equip, or otherwise assist terrorist activity or designated terrorist groups. This adds a new layer of criminal liability and lengthy prison exposure under state law.

• New O.C.G.A. § 16-11-230.1(a) defines 'act of terrorism,' 'designated foreign terrorist organization,' 'material support or resources,' 'expert advice or assistance,' and 'training.'
• Subsection (b) criminalizes providing material support intended for use in an act of terrorism, concealing escape from that offense, or attempting or conspiring to commit it, with penalties up to 20 years and $100,000.
• Subsection (c) criminalizes knowingly providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, requiring knowledge of the organization's designation or terrorist activity.
• Subsection (d) clarifies when providing 'personnel' counts as material support, based on working under the direction and control of a terrorist organization or person.
• Subsection (e) exempts activity authorized by government or law enforcement agencies and legal services from licensed attorneys defending the accused.
• Subsection (f) states legislative intent that the provisions be interpreted consistent with federal law under 18 U.S.C. Sections 2339A and 2339B.
• Section 2 repeals all conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-18House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2025-03-06House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2025-02-28House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-27House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-02-27House Hopper (House)

• Brent Cox (R, HD-028)Primary sponsor
• Lauren McDonald (R, HD-026)
• Esther Panitch (D, HD-051)
• Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-011)

• terrorism law
• criminal offenses
• national security
• material support
• foreign terrorist organizations