---
title: HB 1003. Public officers and employees; daily expense accounts of members of the General Assembly; revise provisions
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb1003
cite_as: HB 1003, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1003
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1003.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1003/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72298
date: 2026-01-28
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 129
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1003.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 1003
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-01-16
last_action: House Second Readers
sponsors:
- David Wilkerson
- Karen Lupton
- Esther Panitch
- Dar'shun Kendrick
- Lisa Campbell
- Shea Roberts
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB1003/2025
upstream_id: 2085232
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- legislative expenses
- state officials pay
- government spending
- legislator security
---
# HB 1003. Public officers and employees; daily expense accounts of members of the General Assembly; revise provisions
## Text
House Bill 1003
By: Representatives Wilkerson of the 38th, Lupton of the 83rd, Panitch of the 51st, Kendrick
of the 95th, Campbell of the 35th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual
salaries of certain state officials and cost-of-living adjustments, so as to revise provisions
related to daily expense accounts of members of the General Assembly; to provide members
of the General Assembly with an additional security expense allowance; to provide for
related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to annual salaries
of certain state officials and cost-of-living adjustments, is amended by revising
subparagraph (a)(22)(C) and adding a new subparagraph to read as follows:
"(C) In addition to any other compensation and allowances authorized for members of
the General Assembly, each member may be reimbursed for per diem differential and
for actual expenses incurred in the performance of duties as a member of the General
Assembly in an amount not to exceed $7,000.00 $10,000.00 per year. Expenses
reimbursable up to such amount shall be limited to one or more of the following
purposes: lodging, meals, per diem differential, postage, personal services, printing and
publications, rents, supplies (including software), telecommunications, transportation,
utilities, purchasing or leasing of equipment, and other reasonable expenditures directly
related to the performance of a member's duties. If equipment purchased by a member
has a depreciated value of $100.00 or less when such member leaves office, the
equipment does not need to be returned to the state. No reimbursement shall be made
for any postage which is used for a political newsletter. No reimbursement shall be
paid for lodging or meals for any day for which a member receives the daily expense
allowance as provided in this paragraph. Eligible expenses shall be reimbursed
following the submission of vouchers to the legislative fiscal office in compliance with
the requirements of this subparagraph and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (E)
of this paragraph. Such vouchers shall be submitted in such form and manner as
prescribed by the Legislative Services Committee pursuant to subparagraph (E) of this
paragraph, provided that each such voucher shall be accompanied by a supporting
document or documents, or legible copies thereof, showing payment for each expense
claimed or an explanation of the absence of such documentation; in addition, each such
voucher shall include a certification by the member that the information contained in
such voucher and supporting document or documents, or legible copies thereof, is true
and correct and that such expenses were incurred by the member. The provisions of
Code Section 16-10-20 shall be applicable to any person submitting such certified
vouchers and supporting documents or copies the same as if the General Assembly
were a department or agency of state government. No such voucher or supporting
document shall be required for per diem differential.
(C.1) In addition to any other compensation and allowances authorized for members
of the General Assembly, each member may be reimbursed for actual security related
expenses incurred in the performance of duties as a member of the General Assembly
in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 per year. Expenses reimbursable up to such
amount shall be limited to security improvements for the member's residence,
including, but not limited to, monitoring expenses, or security services when
undertaking, traveling, or otherwise related to duties as a member of the General
Assembly. If security equipment purchased by a member has not become a fixture to
real property and has a depreciated value in excess of $100.00 when such member
leaves office, the equipment shall be returned to the state. Eligible expenses shall be
reimbursed following the submission of vouchers to the legislative fiscal office in
compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph and subject to the provisions of
subparagraph (E) of this paragraph. Such vouchers shall be submitted in such form and
manner as prescribed by the Legislative Services Committee pursuant to subparagraph
(E) of this paragraph, provided that each such voucher shall be accompanied by a
supporting document or documents, or legible copies thereof, showing payment for
each expense claimed or an explanation of the absence of such documentation; in
addition, each such voucher shall include a certification by the member that the
information contained in such voucher and supporting document or documents, or
legible copies thereof, is true and correct and that such expenses were incurred by the
member. The provisions of Code Section 16-10-20 shall be applicable to any person
submitting such certified vouchers and supporting documents or copies the same as if
the General Assembly were a department or agency of state government."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
House Bill 1003 would raise the annual expense reimbursement cap for Georgia legislators from $7,000 to $10,000 and add a separate $10,000 yearly allowance for security-related expenses.
### Plain-language summary
Under current Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 45-7-4), members of the General Assembly can be reimbursed up to $7,000 per year for expenses like lodging, meals, postage, supplies, and equipment tied to their legislative duties. House Bill 1003 raises that cap to $10,000 per year.
The bill also creates a brand new allowance, separate from the existing one, letting each member be reimbursed up to $10,000 per year for security-related expenses such as home security improvements, monitoring services, or security services while traveling for legislative duties. Members must submit vouchers with supporting documentation to the legislative fiscal office and certify the expenses are accurate, under penalty of Georgia's false statements law (O.C.G.A. § 16-10-20). Security equipment that isn't a permanent fixture and retains value over $100 must be returned to the state when a member leaves office.
### What it does
- Increases the existing annual expense reimbursement cap for General Assembly members from $7,000 to $10,000.
- Creates a new, separate annual allowance of up to $10,000 per member for security-related expenses like home security systems and monitoring services.
- Requires members to submit vouchers with supporting documents and a signed certification of accuracy to claim security expense reimbursements.
- Requires return of security equipment to the state if it isn't a fixed part of real property and still has depreciated value over $100 when a member leaves office.
- Applies Georgia's false swearing law (O.C.G.A. § 16-10-20) to anyone submitting certified vouchers for the new security allowance, treating false claims the same as lying to a state agency.
### Who it affects
This bill directly affects the 236 members of the Georgia General Assembly, who would receive higher expense reimbursements and a new security allowance. It also affects the legislative fiscal office and Legislative Services Committee, which process and set rules for these expense vouchers.
### Why it matters
Legislators would have more state money available each year, both for general duties and now specifically for security at their homes or while traveling. The change reflects rising costs and security concerns, and adds oversight requirements like vouchers and certifications to guard against misuse of the new funds.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 revises subparagraph (a)(22)(C) of O.C.G.A. § 45-7-4, raising the general annual expense reimbursement cap from $7,000 to $10,000.
- Section 1 adds new subparagraph (C.1) creating a separate $10,000 annual security expense allowance covering home security improvements, monitoring, and security services during legislative travel.
- The security allowance requires vouchers with supporting documentation and a signed certification of truthfulness, submitted to the legislative fiscal office under rules set by the Legislative Services Committee.
- Security equipment that is not a permanent fixture and has depreciated value over $100 must be returned to the state when a member leaves office.
- Section 2 repeals all conflicting laws.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-01-16)
- Last action: House Second Readers (2026-01-28)
- Sponsors: David Wilkerson, Karen Lupton, Esther Panitch, Dar'shun Kendrick, Lisa Campbell, Shea Roberts
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72298
> The history, votes, and amendments (129 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1003.md?full=1