SB 454: Regulation of Fire and Other Hazards; use of temporary door locking devices in public buildings during certain emergency situations; authorize

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Discussed in meetings (15)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. Senate Public Safety Committee, February 18, 2026

   From 1:53:12 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair said the committee had run out of time and would hear SB 454 on Monday at 1 p.m. No presentation, debate or vote on the bill occurred.

2. Senate Public Safety Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 0:19:58 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would authorize temporary door-locking devices in public buildings during active threats or drills, replacing improvised lockdown measures with safety, training and oversight requirements. The sponsor described requirements for removal without a key from inside, protection of fire-door functions, inclusion in emergency plans and training, and access to plans for first responders. The sponsor said use on fire exits or exit pathways would require approval from a fire or law-enforcement authority. After confusion over versions, the committee considered the original bill. The chair said legislative counsel advised that federal disability protections applied without adding language. One committee member asked whether someone intending harm could use a device to trap people inside a classroom. The sponsor acknowledged that possibility. The chair said firefighters could force entry quickly. No public witnesses spoke. The committee approved the bill with one opposing vote and advanced it to the Senate Rules Committee.

3. Senate Rules Committee, February 25, 2026

   From 0:28:23 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would address door-blocking safety devices for school-shooter emergencies and specify what the fire code would allow. The sponsor said the devices would not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. No questions followed, and the bill was not selected for the floor calendar.

4. Senate Rules Committee, March 3, 2026

   From 0:18:13 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said SB 454 would allow temporary door-locking devices during emergencies at schools and day cares to prevent people from breaking in. The sponsor said the devices would comply with fire codes and disability-access requirements. Another presenter briefly began discussing the bill before the chair clarified that it had already been presented. Members selected it for the calendar as part of the approved slate.

5. Senate Rules Committee, March 5, 2026

   From 1:21:42 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair listed SB 454 among bills carried over from the previous day for return to the floor calendar. Its provisions were not discussed. The committee unanimously approved the calendar package.

6. Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 1)

   From 7:05:52 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Tabled)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said SB 454 would allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings, especially schools, during active-threat emergencies and drills. The sponsor said the Department of Insurance supported the measure, it did not favor a particular product, and staff and first responders would be trained before use. The sponsor also said the devices would keep intruders out without trapping occupants inside or compromising fire safety. No questions or opposing speeches followed. The Senate passed the bill, 51 to 0.

7. House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, March 11, 2026

   From 0:22:14 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would allow temporary door-locking devices to protect students and teachers from intruders while allowing occupants to leave by turning the door handle. The sponsor said first responders would receive notice and become familiar with the devices before use, and that the devices could not conflict with disability-access requirements. The sponsor also said the state fire marshal had approved this type of equipment. One committee member asked whether doors would have signs or dispatch systems would identify buildings using the devices. The sponsor acknowledged that the bill did not require those measures and expressed willingness to consider them, but no signage amendment was offered. Another member emphasized that using the devices would be optional. The chair offered an amendment incorporating school emergency-access provisions from HB 1327, including key boxes where suitable access arrangements were not already in place. The committee adopted the amendment and approved the amended bill by voice votes, with no opposition heard.

8. House Rules Committee, March 16, 2026

   From 0:35:05 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said SB 454 would allow door-blocking safety devices in schools and daycare settings. The sponsor said the devices were approved by the fire marshal and compliant with disability-access requirements. The sponsor also described an added outside lockbox with a key to allow first responders entry during a lockdown or shooting. Asked whether the proposal was limited to one provider, the sponsor said multiple providers could supply the equipment and that first responders would be briefed and conduct drills. No vote or calendar action followed.

9. House Rules Committee, March 27, 2026

   From 1:09:50 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair requested a motion to return SB 454 to the Public Safety Committee. After a motion and second, the committee approved the return without stated opposition. No discussion of the bill’s contents occurred.

10. House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, April 1, 2026

    From 0:18:31 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

    Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair said SB 454 combined two legislators’ bills and described changes to its school lockbox provision. The chair explained that replacing a requirement with permission would allow, rather than require, elementary and secondary schools to install at least one exterior lockbox. The chair also said the changes removed an exception for schools whose governing bodies had implemented a documented, formal process, because that exception was unnecessary once installation became optional. A committee member moved to adopt the bill as amended, and another member seconded the motion. No substantive questions or further discussion followed. The motion passed by voice vote, with no opposition heard.

• Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 3, 2026 (legislative day 11), 0:27:11
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24), 0:35:44
• Read aloud: House floor session, March 9, 2026 (legislative day 29), 0:53:14
• Read aloud: House floor session, March 10, 2026 (legislative day 30), 0:42:59
• Read aloud: House floor session, April 2, 2026 (legislative day 40, AM), 0:53:02

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