SB483: SB483 Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; covered immigration officers to wear body cameras during public immigration enforcement functions; require

This bill adds a new section to Georgia law governing law enforcement officers and agencies (O.C.G.A. Title 35, Chapter 1). It targets what it calls 'covered immigration officers,' defined as officers or employees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who are authorized to carry out immigration enforcement. The bill says any such officer who directly engages in a 'public immigration enforcement function' while in Georgia must wear a body camera that is fully operational and turned on to record both audio and video for the entire activity. It spells out that covered functions include patrols, stops, arrests, searches, status interviews, raids, checkpoint inspections, and serving warrants. The bill also repeals any conflicting Georgia laws but does not state a specific enforcement mechanism or penalty for noncompliance.

• Adds a new Georgia Code section (O.C.G.A. § 35-1-17.1) requiring certain federal immigration officers to wear body cameras during public enforcement activity in the state.
• Defines 'body camera' as a wearable device that records from the wearer's point of view or line of sight.
• Defines 'covered immigration officer' as an ICE officer or employee authorized to perform immigration enforcement.
• Lists specific activities covered by the rule, including patrols, stops, arrests, searches, status interviews, raids, checkpoint inspections, and warrant service.
• Requires the camera to be fully operational and actively recording both audio and video throughout the covered activity.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new requirement.

The bill directly names officers and employees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who carry out public immigration enforcement in Georgia. It also potentially affects people who interact with ICE during patrols, arrests, searches, or checkpoint stops in the state.

If enacted, ICE officers performing enforcement activities in Georgia, such as arrests, searches, or checkpoint stops, would be required to record those encounters on video and audio. This would create a documented record of interactions between federal immigration officers and the public within the state.

• Section 1 creates new Code section 35-1-17.1 within Georgia's law enforcement statutes (Title 35, Chapter 1).
• Subsection (a) defines 'body camera,' 'covered immigration officer,' and 'public immigration enforcement function' for purposes of this section.
• Subsection (b) requires a covered immigration officer engaged in a public immigration enforcement function in Georgia to wear a body camera that is operational and actively recording audio and video.
• Section 2 repeals any Georgia laws that conflict with this new requirement, but the bill does not specify penalties for noncompliance or an enforcement mechanism.

1. 2026-02-10Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-09Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)Primary sponsor
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)

• immigration enforcement
• body cameras
• law enforcement oversight
• ICE
• police accountability