SR 202: Equal Rights Amendment; proposed Amendment to the United States Constitution; ratify

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed addition to the U.S. Constitution that says equal rights cannot be denied or abridged because of sex. Congress passed it in 1972, and this resolution recites that it has since been ratified by enough states, and that President Biden declared it the 28th Amendment in January 2025. This Georgia Senate resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it has the General Assembly officially ratify and adopt the ERA on Georgia's behalf, and directs the Governor to send a certified copy of the resolution to the President, the U.S. Secretary of State, and the National Archives as official notice of Georgia's ratification. The resolution cites federal law (1 U.S.C. §§ 106b and 112) as the basis for that notice process.

• Has the Georgia General Assembly formally ratify and adopt the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• Directs the Governor to send a certified copy of the resolution to the President of the United States as notice of Georgia's ratification.
• Directs the Governor to send the same certified copy to the U.S. Secretary of State and the Archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration.
• States the General Assembly's position that constitutional equality regardless of sex remains a timely issue, without creating any new state law or program.

This resolution primarily affects the Georgia General Assembly's official record and federal officials who receive its notice, including the Governor's office, the President, the U.S. Secretary of State, and the National Archives. It does not directly regulate Georgia residents, businesses, or agencies.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia statutes, it does not change any Georgia law or create enforceable rights. Its practical effect is symbolic and procedural: it places Georgia on record supporting the ERA and formally notifies federal officials of that position.

• The preamble recites the ERA's 1972 congressional passage, its text guaranteeing equal rights regardless of sex, and its 2025 recognition as the 28th Amendment.
• The first resolving clause states that the General Assembly of Georgia ratifies and adopts the proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• The second resolving clause directs the Governor to forward a certified copy of the resolution to the President, the Secretary of State, and the Archivist of the United States.
• Cites 1 U.S.C. §§ 106b and 112 as the federal provisions under which the certified copy serves as official notice of ratification.

1. 2025-02-19Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2025-02-18Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)Patrocinador principal
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)

• Equal Rights Amendment
• women's rights
• U.S. Constitution
• sex discrimination
• legislative resolutions