SR429: SR429 Senate Addressing Felony Disenfranchisement in Georgia's Constitution Study Committee; create

Georgia's Constitution currently bars people convicted of felonies from voting until they finish their entire sentence, including parole and probation, even after they've been released from custody and are working, paying taxes, and living in their communities. This resolution creates a six-member Senate study committee to look at that rule. The committee, appointed by the President of the Senate, would examine the legal basis for the disenfranchisement clause, review how current law affects people released from incarceration, and study possible reforms that would let people regain voting rights once they've completed the custodial part of their sentence. It would also weigh the economic and social effects of restoring voting rights and recommend a framework for reintegration. The committee must file any findings or proposed legislation before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the Senate Addressing Felony Disenfranchisement in Georgia's Constitution Study Committee, made up of six senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study the legal basis and current impact of Georgia's constitutional felony disenfranchisement clause.
• Tasks the committee with studying reforms that would let people who finished their custodial sentence but remain on parole or probation regain the right to vote.
• Requires the committee to consider the economic, legal, and societal effects of restoring voting rights and to recommend a reintegration framework.
• Sets member pay under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 for up to five days unless more are authorized, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025, requiring any approved findings or proposed legislation to be filed before that date.

People convicted of felonies who have completed incarceration but remain on parole or probation in Georgia, the state senators appointed to the study committee, and more broadly Georgia voters and election officials who could be affected by any future changes to voting eligibility rules.

The committee's work could lead to proposed changes letting people who have left custody but are still serving parole or probation regain voting rights, though this resolution itself changes no laws. Any real effect on who can vote in Georgia depends on future legislation or a constitutional amendment the committee might recommend.

• Paragraph 1 creates the study committee; Paragraph 2 sets it at six Senate members with a chairperson chosen by the President of the Senate.
• Paragraph 3 lists study duties, including examining the disenfranchisement clause's legal basis and reviewing its impact on people released from incarceration who are working and paying taxes.
• Paragraph 3(C) directs the committee to study letting people who served their custodial sentence, even if still on parole or probation, regain voting rights.
• Paragraph 5 sets per diem allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless extended, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 requires any approved report or proposed legislation to be filed with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee's abolishment.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2025-03-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
4. 2025-03-21Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-03-20Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Max Burns (R, SD-023)Primary sponsor
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)

1. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 1 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #380

• felony disenfranchisement
• voting rights
• criminal justice reform
• Georgia Constitution
• reentry and reintegration