HB 1196: Crimes; offense of criminal trespass involving a wild animal; provide

Georgia already makes it a crime to trespass into a wild animal's cage or enclosure without permission and harass the animal. This bill broadens that law (O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21.2) in several ways. It defines a 'foreign object or substance' as almost anything a person could throw or introduce into an enclosure, from rocks and chemicals to electronics, and makes it a crime to cause such an object to enter an enclosure, not just to physically enter it yourself. It also expands the definition of 'wild animal' to include domestic animals or livestock kept by private owners, not just those at zoos, aquariums, or educational facilities. It broadens 'harass' to include causing stress, not just injury or disrupted behavior. The bill also creates a new third-degree offense for knowingly interfering with the operation or integrity of a cage or enclosure, punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 12 months in jail. It extends liability for property damage or death to cover harm to the person caring for the animal, not just the animal itself.

• Expands the crime to cover knowingly causing a foreign object or substance, defined broadly, to enter an animal's cage or enclosure without permission.
• Broadens the definition of 'wild animal' to include domestic animals or livestock kept privately, beyond zoos, aquariums, and educational facilities.
• Adds stress infliction to the definition of 'harass,' widening what counts as harassing a wild animal.
• Creates a new third-degree offense for knowingly interfering with a cage's operation, functionality, or integrity, punishable by up to 12 months in jail.
• Extends liability for damage or loss to include harm to the person caring for or securing the animal, not just the animal itself.

People who enter or throw objects into animal enclosures without permission, owners and operators of zoos, aquariums, and animal sanctuaries, private owners of domestic animals or livestock, and individuals who care for or work around these animals and enclosures.

The bill would let prosecutors charge people who throw objects into enclosures or tamper with cages without physically entering them, and it would apply the law to privately owned animals for the first time, expanding who can be charged and what conduct counts as a crime.

• Subsection (a)(1) newly defines 'foreign object or substance' broadly, covering nearly anything introduced into an enclosure without authorization.
• Subsection (a)(3) expands 'wild animal' to include privately kept domestic animals and livestock, not just those at public-facing facilities.
• Subsection (b)(1)-(2) adds liability for knowingly causing a foreign object to enter an enclosure, alongside physically entering it.
• Subsection (b)(3) creates a new third-degree offense for knowingly interfering with a cage's operation or integrity.
• Subsection (c)(3) sets the penalty for third-degree trespass at up to 12 months imprisonment as a misdemeanor.
• Subsection (d) extends financial liability to cover harm to people who secure, assist, or care for the animal.

1. 2026-03-16Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended (Senado)
2. 2026-03-16Senate Third Read (Senado)
3. 2026-03-12Senate Read Second Time (Senado)
4. 2026-03-10Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
5. 2026-03-04Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
6. 2026-03-03House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2026-03-03House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2026-02-24House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)

• Tyler Smith (R, HD-018)Patrocinador principal
• Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
• Soo Hong (R, HD-103)
• John LaHood (R, HD-175)
• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Steven McNeel (R, SD-018)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes3 de marzo de 2026

   167 a favor, 0 en contra (9 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #587

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado16 de marzo de 2026

   50 a favor, 2 en contra (1 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Passage As Amended: Senate Vote #726

• criminal trespass
• animal welfare law
• zoo and wildlife facilities
• misdemeanor penalties
• livestock and domestic animals