SR 882: Department of Community Affairs; to refrain from adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code in order to protect housing affordability and maintain the current energy code framework of this state; urge

This is a resolution, not a binding law: it expresses the Senate's opinion rather than changing any statute. It responds to the Department of Community Affairs considering whether to adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, a set of national model standards for energy efficiency in buildings, for residential construction in Georgia. The resolution states that Georgia currently uses the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with Georgia amendments and argues that switching to the 2024 version would raise home construction costs by thousands of dollars per house, pricing more residents out of homeownership. It formally urges the department to keep using the 2015 code instead of adopting the newer 2024 code. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to the commissioner of community affairs and the chairpersons of the State Codes Advisory Committee.

• Formally urges the Department of Community Affairs to not adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code for residential construction.
• Urges the department to continue using the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with Georgia amendments instead.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to the commissioner of community affairs and the chairpersons of the State Codes Advisory Committee.
• States the Senate's position that adopting the newer code would raise home construction costs and reduce housing affordability, without itself changing any law.

The Department of Community Affairs and the State Codes Advisory Committee, which set energy construction standards; home builders and developers who must follow the energy code; and prospective homebuyers and renters affected by construction costs and housing affordability across Georgia.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not itself block the department from adopting the new code, but it signals the Senate's opposition and could influence the department's decision, which would in turn affect construction costs and home prices statewide.

• The resolution recites housing affordability concerns and rising construction costs as background for its position.
• It states that adopting the 2024 code would increase construction costs by thousands of dollars per home.
• It resolves that the Senate urges the Department of Community Affairs to refrain from adopting the 2024 code and continue using the 2015 code.
• It directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the commissioner of community affairs and State Codes Advisory Committee chairpersons.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-23Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-03-23Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-03-03Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)Primary sponsor
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   39 yea, 10 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• housing affordability
• energy codes
• home construction
• Department of Community Affairs