SR882: SR882 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

Georgia currently uses the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, with state amendments, as its energy efficiency standard for residential construction. The Department of Community Affairs has been considering whether to adopt the newer 2024 version of that code, which would set new energy efficiency rules for homes built in Georgia. This resolution does not change any law. It states the Senate's position that the department should refrain from adopting the 2024 code because of concerns that it would raise construction costs and worsen housing affordability. The resolution cites cost modeling suggesting the 2024 code would add thousands of dollars to the price of a home, and claims every $1,000 increase in home prices prices more than 5,000 Georgians out of the housing market. It 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 in Georgia.
• Expresses the Senate's preference that Georgia continue using the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with Georgia amendments.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the commissioner of community affairs and the State Codes Advisory Committee chairpersons.
• Does not itself amend any Georgia statute, code, or regulation; it is a nonbinding statement of the Senate's position.

The Department of Community Affairs and the State Codes Advisory Committee, which set Georgia's residential energy code; home builders and developers who must follow that code; and prospective homebuyers whose costs could be affected by which code version is used.

If the department follows this nonbinding request, home builders in Georgia would keep building under the older 2015 energy code rather than newer 2024 standards, which the resolution says would otherwise raise construction costs and home prices for buyers.

• The whereas clauses state that Georgia currently uses the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with Georgia amendments.
• The resolution asserts that adopting the 2024 code would increase construction costs by thousands of dollars per home, based on cited cost modeling.
• The resolved clause urges the Department of Community Affairs to refrain from adopting the 2024 code and continue using the 2015 code for residential construction.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to the commissioner of community affairs and the 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 code
• residential construction
• Department of Community Affairs