SR 810: Federal Immigration Detention Facilities; the importance of transparency, community engagement, environmental stewardship, and congressional oversight; recognize

This resolution responds to community concerns in Walton County and Hall County about proposed federal immigration detention facilities and their effects on local infrastructure, water and energy use, and neighborhoods. It does not create new law but states the Georgia Senate's position on how such facilities should be sited and funded. The resolution says the Senate supports federal efforts, including legislation proposed by U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, to require congressional authorization and oversight before federal funds are used to build or expand immigration detention facilities. It calls on Congress and federal agencies to require public disclosure and environmental review before spending money on these projects, and it directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• States the Senate's support for federal legislative efforts requiring congressional authorization before federal funds go toward building or expanding immigration detention facilities in Georgia.
• Encourages Congress and federal agencies to require public disclosure and environmental review before committing federal funds to detention facility projects.
• Affirms a general principle that federal, state, and local leaders should collaborate and respect community input on projects affecting Georgia residents.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Does not change any Georgia statute, regulate any facility, or bind any federal agency, since it is a nonbinding expression of the Senate's views.

Residents and local leaders in Walton County and Hall County near proposed detention facility sites, federal agencies and Congress involved in siting and funding such facilities, and members of the Georgia State Senate whose position is stated in the resolution.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it signals the Georgia Senate's stance on a live local controversy over detention facility proposals, potentially adding political weight to calls for more transparency, environmental review, and congressional oversight before federal money is spent.

• The whereas clauses identify Walton County and Hall County as sites of specific community concern over proposed detention facility development or expansion.
• The first resolved clause expresses Senate support for federal efforts promoting transparency, environmental stewardship, and community input on facility siting.
• The second resolved clause calls on Congress and federal agencies to require public disclosure, environmental review, and congressional authorization before obligating federal funds for such projects.
• The third resolved clause affirms the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local leaders.
• The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2026-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)

• immigration detention facilities
• federal oversight
• environmental review
• community input
• Walton County