HR1530: HR1530 Ending Slavery in Georgia Amendment; propose - CA

Georgia's constitution currently bars involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime after conviction or for contempt of court. This resolution, titled the 'Ending Slavery in Georgia Amendment,' proposes changing Article I, Section I, Paragraph XXII of the Constitution to eliminate that exception. If passed by the General Assembly, the proposed amendment would go before Georgia voters on a statewide ballot asking whether to remove the language authorizing involuntary servitude as a punishment for crimes or contempt of court. Voters would choose yes or no, and if a majority ratifies it, the change becomes part of the Georgia Constitution. The resolution does not change any other constitutional language and only affects this single paragraph.

• Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section I, Paragraph XXII of the Georgia Constitution to remove the exception allowing involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime or contempt of court.
• Gives the proposal the short title the 'Ending Slavery in Georgia Amendment.'
• Directs that the proposed amendment be published and submitted to voters under the process set out in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution.
• Sets the exact ballot language voters would see, asking whether to remove language authorizing involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes or contempt of court.
• Provides that if voters ratify the amendment, it becomes part of the Georgia Constitution.

This measure affects incarcerated people and anyone held in contempt of court in Georgia, since it concerns whether the state constitution can be read to allow forced labor as punishment for them. It also affects Georgia voters, who would decide the amendment's fate at the ballot box.

If ratified, the amendment would remove constitutional language some read as permitting forced labor for people convicted of crimes or held in contempt, potentially affecting how work requirements in Georgia's jails and prisons are viewed under the state constitution. The outcome depends entirely on statewide voter approval.

• Section 1 gives the resolution its short title, the 'Ending Slavery in Georgia Amendment.'
• Section 2 amends Article I, Section I, Paragraph XXII, the constitutional provision on involuntary servitude, though the quoted revised text still shows the crime and contempt of court exception.
• Section 3 sets the ballot question voters would see, framed as asking whether to remove language authorizing involuntary servitude as punishment for crimes or contempt of court, and directs publication under Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution.
• Section 3 also specifies that a 'Yes' vote favors ratification and a 'No' vote opposes it, and that ratification makes the amendment part of the state constitution.

1. 2026-03-06House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-03House Hopper (House)

• Ruwa Romman (D, HD-097)Primary sponsor
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Scott Holcomb (D, HD-101)
• Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)
• Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)

• constitutional amendment
• involuntary servitude
• criminal justice
• voting on ballot measures