SB464: SB464 Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; federal immigration authorities from utilizing certain technologies to identify individuals for certain purposes; prohibit

Georgia law currently has no specific rule addressing whether federal immigration authorities can use biometric identification tools within the state for immigration enforcement. This bill adds a new section to the state law governing law enforcement officers and agencies (O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 1) to address that gap. The bill defines 'biometric data' broadly to include fingerprints, voice prints, retina or iris images, and DNA profiles, and defines 'biometric surveillance technology' as any technology that identifies a person using that data. It then states that federal immigration authorities may not use biometric surveillance technology to identify individuals for the purpose of verifying their immigration status. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws but does not include a separate effective date section.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 35-1-25) that directly prohibits federal immigration authorities from using biometric surveillance technology to verify a person's immigration status.
• Defines 'biometric data' to cover 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 restriction.

The bill directly restricts federal immigration authorities operating in Georgia. It also affects individuals in Georgia whose fingerprints, voice, eye images, or DNA might otherwise be used by those authorities to check immigration status.

If enacted, federal immigration agents in Georgia would be barred from using fingerprint, iris, voice, or DNA identification tools specifically to verify someone's immigration status, which could limit one method those authorities use to identify and act on people's immigration status.

• Section 1 creates new Code section 35-1-25 within Title 35, Chapter 1, which governs law enforcement officers and agencies.
• Subsection (a) defines 'biometric data' and 'biometric surveillance technology' for purposes of this new section.
• Subsection (b) states that federal immigration authorities cannot use biometric surveillance technology to identify individuals for verifying immigration status.
• Section 2 repeals all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2026-02-05Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)Primary sponsor
• 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)

• immigration enforcement
• biometric surveillance
• law enforcement technology
• privacy rights