SB549: SB549 Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies; covered governmental entities from providing funding or resources in support of the operation of immigration detention centers; prohibit

This bill adds a new section to Georgia's law governing law enforcement officers and agencies (O.C.G.A. Chapter 1 of Title 35). It targets what it calls 'covered entities,' a broad category that includes state departments and agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other local authorities created under Georgia law. The bill defines an 'immigration detention center' as any facility in Georgia that holds detainees, including privately run facilities under contract with the federal government. A 'detainee' is defined as a noncitizen held pending immigration proceedings or removal by federal immigration authorities. The core rule is short: no covered entity may provide funding or resources to support the operation of these detention centers. The bill does not set penalties or an enforcement mechanism, and it repeals any conflicting Georgia laws.

• Adds a new Georgia Code section (O.C.G.A. § 35-1-17.1) barring covered government entities from funding or providing resources to immigration detention centers.
• Defines 'covered entity' broadly to include state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other political subdivisions and authorities in Georgia.
• Defines 'immigration detention center' to include private facilities in Georgia under federal contract that hold immigration detainees.
• Defines 'detainee' as a noncitizen held for immigration proceedings or removal under federal Department of Homeland Security or ICE authority.
• Repeals any existing Georgia laws that conflict with this new prohibition.

Georgia state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other local government authorities, which would be barred from funding or resourcing immigration detention operations; and operators of immigration detention facilities in Georgia, including private contractors, who could lose local government support.

If enacted, Georgia state and local governments could no longer use public money or resources to support immigration detention facilities operating in the state, potentially affecting funding streams, services, or cooperation arrangements that detention center operators currently rely on from Georgia government entities.

• Section 1 creates new Code section 35-1-17.1, defining 'covered entity' to cover state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, and other Georgia government authorities.
• Section 1 defines 'detainee' as a noncitizen held pending immigration proceedings or removal under federal Department of Homeland Security or ICE authority.
• Section 1 defines 'immigration detention center' as any Georgia facility holding detainees, including privately contracted federal facilities.
• Section 1(b) states the operative rule: no covered entity may provide funding or resources supporting the operation of immigration detention centers.
• Section 2 repeals any Georgia laws that conflict with this new provision.

1. 2026-02-24Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-02-23Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)Primary sponsor
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)

• immigration detention
• local government funding
• state and local government
• immigration policy