HB926: HB926 General Assembly; revise oath of office to require that members conduct themselves with civility

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-4) already requires state senators and representatives to take an oath before taking their seats, promising to support the state and federal constitutions and to act in the state's best interest on matters before them. This bill would revise the wording of that oath to specifically require members to conduct themselves with civility while doing so. The bill changes subsection (a) of the code section to insert the civility language directly into the oath text itself. It does not create any enforcement mechanism, penalty, or definition of civility beyond adding the word to the sworn statement. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision, but does not specify an effective date beyond the General Assembly's usual rules.

• Rewrites the text of the oath of office in O.C.G.A. § 28-1-4 that all state senators and representatives must take before serving.
• Adds a requirement that members conduct themselves 'with civility' when acting on questions and measures before the General Assembly.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the revised oath language.

The bill directly affects members of the Georgia General Assembly, both senators and representatives, who must take this oath before taking their seats each term.

If passed, every incoming and returning member of the Georgia General Assembly would swear to conduct themselves with civility as part of their formal oath, adding explicit language to a legal promise members make before serving, though the bill sets out no penalty for breaking it.

• Section 1 amends subsection (a) of O.C.G.A. § 28-1-4 to insert 'so conduct myself with civility' into the sworn oath text.
• Section 1 preserves the rest of the existing oath language about supporting the state and federal constitutions and acting in the state's interest.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws that conflict with the revised oath, a standard closing clause.

1. 2026-01-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-04House Hopper (House)

• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)Primary sponsor

• General Assembly oath of office
• legislative conduct
• state legislature rules