Georgia CommonsSB 586: "K-9 Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2026"; enact
Comm Sub version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action April 2, 2026 · Engrossed
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
The House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security offers the following substitute to SB 586:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 3 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to livestock running at large, so as to authorize a sheriff impounding certain livestock running at large to donate the livestock to certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, and entities; to provide for notice; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 3 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to livestock running at large, is amended by revising Code Section 4-3-5, relating to notice of impoundment and sale of livestock, as follows:
"4-3-5.
(a) Upon the impounding of any livestock by the sheriff, his or her deputies, or any other law enforcement officers of the county, the sheriff shall forthwith serve written notice upon the owner, advising such owner of the location or place where the livestock is being held and impounded, the amount due as a result of such impounding, and that unless such livestock is redeemed within three days from that date the livestock shall be offered for sale or donated to a nonprofit organization, an individual, or an entity deemed by the sheriff to have the facilities, land, and resources necessary to properly and humanely care for such livestock. In the event the owner of such livestock is unknown or cannot be found, service upon the owner shall be obtained by publishing a notice once in a newspaper of general circulation where the livestock is impounded, Sundays and holidays excluded. If there is no such newspaper, then service shall be obtained by posting the notice at the courthouse door and at two other conspicuous places within said county. Such notice shall be in substantially the following form:
'To Whom It May Concern:
You are hereby notified that the following described livestock (giving full and accurate description of same, including marks and brands) is now impounded at (giving location where livestock is impounded) and the amount due by reason of such impounding is ______ dollars. The above-described livestock will, unless redeemed within three days from the date of this notice, be offered for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash.
______________ ______________
Date Sheriff of
________ County, Georgia'
(b) Unless the impounded livestock is redeemed within three days from the date of the notice, or donated to a nonprofit organization, an individual, or an entity deemed by the sheriff to have the facilities, land, and resources necessary to properly and humanely care for such livestock, the sheriff shall forthwith give notice of sale thereof, which shall be held not less than five days nor more than ten days, excluding Sundays and holidays, from the first publication of the notice of sale. The notice of sale shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the livestock is impounded, excluding Sundays and holidays, and by posting a copy of such notice at the courthouse door. If there is no such newspaper, then notice shall be given by posting a copy at the courthouse door and at two other conspicuous places in the county. Such notice of sale shall be in substantially the following form:
'(Name of owner, if known, otherwise, "To Whom It May Concern"), you are hereby notified that I will offer for sale and sell at public sale to the highest bidder for cash the following described livestock (giving full and accurate description of each head of livestock) at ______M. (the hours of sale to be between 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. eastern standard time or eastern daylight time, whichever is applicable) on the ____ day of ______________ at the following place _______________________ (which place shall be where the livestock is impounded or at the place provided by the county commissioners for the taking up and keeping of such livestock) to satisfy a claim in the sum of ______ for fees, expenses for feeding and care, and costs hereof. ______________ ______________
Date Sheriff of
________ County, Georgia'"
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 4-3-6, relating to redemption of livestock prior to sale, as follows:
"4-3-6.
The owner of any impounded livestock shall have the right at any time before the donation or sale thereof to redeem the livestock by paying to the sheriff all impounding expenses, including fees, keeping charges, and advertising or other costs incurred, which sum shall be deposited by the sheriff with the clerk of the superior court who shall pay all fees and costs as allowed in Code Section 4-3-10. In the event there is a dispute as to the amount of such costs and expenses, the owner may provide bond, with sufficient sureties to be approved by the sheriff, in an amount to be determined by the sheriff, but not exceeding the fair cash value of such livestock, conditioned to pay such costs and damages. Within ten days thereafter, the owner shall institute an action to have the dispute adjudicated by the court or referred to a jury if requested by either party to the action."
SECTION 3.
Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 4-3-7, relating to disposition of livestock not sold at auction, as follows:
"4-3-7.
If there is no bidder for the livestock at the sale provided for in Code Section 4-3-5, the sheriff shall donate the livestock to a nonprofit organization, an individual, or an entity deemed by the sheriff to have the facilities, land, and resources necessary to properly and humanely care for such livestock or have the livestock killed and shall dispose of the carcass thereof; and, if there is any money received by him or her from the disposal, the same shall be disbursed in the manner provided for in Code Section 4-3-8. If there is no ready sale for the carcass, the sheriff shall deliver the carcass to a public institution of the county, state, or municipality within the county or to any private charitable institution, in this order, according to their needs."
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.