HB 1158: RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act; enact

This bill addresses how Georgia state government refers to the territory that Israel took control of from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War, commonly known internationally as the West Bank. The bill adds a new section to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 50-1-15) directing all state agencies to call this land 'Judea and Samaria' in official communications and government materials, splitting it into 'Judea' for the area south of Jerusalem and 'Samaria' for the area north of Jerusalem. The bill explicitly bans the state from using the term 'West Bank' in official work, including policies, guidance, regulations, notices, press releases, and other communications. Starting July 1, 2026, no state funds may be spent producing any material that uses 'West Bank' instead of the required terminology. The bill carves out an exception for spending tied to the state's obligations under federal law. The bill also states the General Assembly's intent behind the change and gives the act a formal short title.

• Adds a new Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 50-1-15) requiring all state government communications and materials to call the West Bank area 'Judea and Samaria.'
• Defines the land south of Jerusalem as 'Judea' and the land north of Jerusalem as 'Samaria' for state government purposes.
• Bans the state from using the term 'West Bank' in any official policy, guidance, regulation, notice, press release, or other work product.
• Blocks state funds from being spent on materials that use 'West Bank' starting July 1, 2026.
• Exempts spending related to Georgia's obligations under federal law from the funding restriction.

State government agencies and employees who prepare official communications, policies, regulations, press releases, or other government materials referencing this territory. The bill does not directly regulate private individuals, businesses, or local governments.

State agencies would need to change internal terminology and review materials to avoid the phrase 'West Bank,' and agencies would risk losing funding for work that uses the term after July 1, 2026, unless the spending relates to federal legal obligations.

• Section 1 gives the act a formal short title, the 'RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria Act.'
• Section 2 states the General Assembly's intent that Georgia should use the historical names 'Judea and Samaria' rather than 'West Bank.'
• Section 3 adds new Code section 50-1-15, requiring state use of 'Judea and Samaria,' banning the term 'West Bank,' and cutting off funding for materials using that term starting July 1, 2026, with an exception for federal-law obligations.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Hopper (House)

• Mitchell Horner (R, HD-003)Primary sponsor
• Brent Cox (R, HD-028)
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)
• Joe Campbell (R, HD-171)
• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)

• Israel and Middle East policy
• state government terminology
• official government communications
• foreign policy resolutions