Georgia CommonsSB 464: Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; federal immigration authorities from utilizing certain technologies to identify individuals for certain purposes; prohibit
Last action February 5, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred
A Georgia Senate bill would bar federal immigration authorities from using biometric surveillance technology, such as fingerprint or facial scans, to check people's immigration status.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
Currently Georgia law does not address whether federal immigration officials can use biometric identification tools within the state for immigration enforcement. This bill adds a new section to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 1) that defines 'biometric data' and 'biometric surveillance technology' and then bars federal immigration authorities from using that technology to identify people for the purpose of checking their immigration status. The definitions are broad: biometric data covers fingerprints, voice prints, retina or iris images, and DNA profiles, and biometric surveillance technology means any technology that uses that data to identify someone. The bill has just two sections: the new prohibition itself, and a standard clause repealing any conflicting laws. It does not set penalties or an enforcement mechanism for violations, and no separate effective date is given beyond the Act's general effective date.
What the bill does
- Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 35-1-25) prohibiting federal immigration authorities from using biometric surveillance technology to verify a person's immigration status.
- Defines 'biometric data' broadly to include fingerprints, voice prints, retina or iris images, and DNA profiles.
- Defines 'biometric surveillance technology' as any technology used to identify a person through their biometric data.
- Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new prohibition.
Who it affects
Federal immigration authorities operating in Georgia are directly restricted by this bill. It also affects Georgia residents and others in the state whose biometric data, such as fingerprints or iris scans, could otherwise be used to check immigration status.
Why it matters
If enacted, the bill would limit one specific tool, biometric identification technology, that federal immigration agencies could use to determine someone's immigration status while operating in Georgia, potentially affecting how such enforcement is carried out day to day.
Key provisions
- Section 1 adds new Code section 35-1-25 to Chapter 1 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
- Subsection (a) defines 'biometric data' and 'biometric surveillance technology' for purposes of this Code section.
- Subsection (b) states that federal immigration authorities shall not use biometric surveillance technology to identify individuals for the purpose of verifying immigration status.
- Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the Act.
From the bill
“Federal immigration authorities shall not use biometric surveillance technology to identify individuals for the purpose of verifying immigration status.”
“'Biometric data' means any unique physical representation, including, but not limited to, fingerprints, voice prints, retina or iris images, or DNA profiles.”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
- RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
- Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
- Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
- Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
Topics
- immigration enforcement
- biometric surveillance
- law enforcement technology
- privacy