[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6653660,"mediaKeyId","2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b","parentId",2477962,"title","Committee advances bill letting Georgians sue large investors owning thousands of single-family homes","audioSeconds",3977,"startMs",1943000,"endMs",5920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b&start=1943&end=5920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b/thumbnail_1943000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653660/Georgia/Committee-advances-bill-letting-Georgians-sue-large-investors-owning-thousands-of-single-family-homes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653660-31f91aedf6ee92c71d0c0988735f25bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=HA6tXn9DYfseo0BphuyLV41Gt1sTvU1lzxOXYzp3ld3C56O8qxsOumilx0tf6-7Waw5nNCJ5B9gJu6NwSDDCIzlHYc6wnFKPDUYbq8RRM7rTrnscXIM3eUhe56fglpGX0pvarpnrRW2fqDFK35I3OBqfgl-mzAs1zNfHHA7Sz8rj9saf7xIjZuXqDUpxbNm-FxhgOCWoESs9cCIfavG262DzpiqZR8pH4SHiAWnzzftpiU707KTbRDcJtYlisi52oZzrsIc8-JFGxe5HPPJqONZceQAec85NC~6~qpd5LR3PUeL~k2GJfgyYE3dTmESnb9JeKbnspc8eiMSZsXq9EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-03-04T01:12:35.697Z","article","The House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 27 advanced House Bill 555, a wide-ranging measure aimed at institutional investors that buy large portfolios of single-family residential properties. The bill creates a private cause of action against business enterprises that \"obtain, own, or possess an interest in\" more than 2,000 single-family residences in Georgia and authorizes statutory damages and other remedies, supporters said.

Representative Jamal McCollum (sponsor) framed the bill as a private-law mechanism to return single-family housing to Georgia families without direct state regulation that could run afoul of interstate commerce limitations. He described the measure as a private-attorney-general vehicle that would permit statutory damages of $15,000 per violation and actual damages for those harmed; the bill’s private remedy would trigger only for business enterprises that cross the 2,000-home threshold, he said.

Supporters cited research by Georgia State and other institutions showing concentrated institutional ownership in parts of Georgia. Proponents told the committee the bill targets large, out-of-state corporate purchasers that they say have purchased tens of thousands of metro-area homes in recent years and that those purchases can reduce owner-occupied housing supply, raise prices and contribute to neighborhood instability. Representative McCollum said, \"The bill helps hardworking Georgians compete to become homeowners and not perpetual renters in a lopsided market.\"

Opponents, including the Georgia Association of Realtors and the National Rental Housing Council, warned that the bill as drafted could be constitutionally vulnerable, could chill production of new housing, and might have unintended consequences for renters who live in investor-owned properties. Betsy Bradfield of the Georgia Association of Realtors testified, \"We are opposed to this bill as written,\" noting concerns about shell-company ownership structures and litigation-driven costs.

Committee members debated standing language, the scope of covered property types (the sponsor removed multifamily from the draft), the 2,000-home threshold, the sell-off window (moved in the substitute from 2026 to 2029), and affirmative defenses included in the draft. The sponsor said the bill includes a safe harbor: a business enterprise that divests below the threshold within 30 days after a private action is initiated would avoid the private cause of action for that violation.

The committee considered and adopted four sponsor amendments that tightened standing language, added condominiums by code reference, added shareholders to the affiliate definition, and inserted insurer/issuer language in a trust-related line. After amendment votes, the committee approved the bill on a voice vote; the transcript records one member voting in opposition.

The bill as amended creates a private enforcement mechanism rather than exclusive state enforcement, includes a statutory-damages provision, and contains a number of affirmative defenses and a 30-day safe harbor for divestiture, according to sponsor comments and committee discussion. Proponents urged further transparency and study; opponents urged caution about constitutional and market impacts before further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary 03.03.25","oneSentenceSummary","The House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 555 on Oct. 27, a measure creating a private right of action against business enterprises that own more than 2,000 single-family residences in Georgia and authorizing statutory damages to be sought by aggrieved parties.","taxTitle","Judiciary, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17225,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653665,"Committee advances bill letting older subdivisions amend covenants with high voter threshold",215,1581000,1796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b&start=1581&end=1796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b/thumbnail_1581000.jpg","/articles/6653665/Georgia/Committee-advances-bill-letting-older-subdivisions-amend-covenants-with-high-voter-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653665-2eafc44673e78fea5ca8a0a79393971a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=ckSF9nhIuy23PIw1EGGz19A0VLGMtEcaVMz9Mklx9Pu1nI-FOqvQB16uLZvGk5r~8r9ebtxlEyIs46cn4DTphJ7p4PfTQ2KuGtM9XbdG9rJirlfG3abYVM3vZakVdRd3g0zaUzHl19PvyZPJAHXFmzE-H7GhN0zxQ5imIZx7PCYfpngh6WWUeZjMZBpIzA9spSNjLwlDs7cZBQ00HiZccnII5RHH4lTRhgkAyWsYQdJlcIod6P~YJnJFYAFCKS8i9KF3msCUBKKbNKlXqA-1bGPqxJnno4ljzyOzkYUIT-HJH54NPXg1BVum-xtOqxkVC9iaabn19xFUxrHaC7WuQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 27 passed House Bill 664, a measure intended to give older subdivisions that lack explicit amendment procedures a statutory path to modify their covenants.

Sponsor testimony said the Hunt Cliff Homeowners Association brought the bill after discovering its original covenants had no amendment procedure. The proposed law would require an 80% affirmative vote of homeowners in the subdivision to amend covenants for affected older subdivisions.

Committee members and witnesses questioned whether an 80% threshold is typical. Anne McKillip, who identified herself as treasurer of the Buckhead Condo Alliance and a Midtown Quality of Life task force director, told the committee that in condominium communities she is familiar with, amendment thresholds are often closer to 70 percent and said 80 percent “is too high,” while also saying a high threshold is appropriate for measures that bind all owners.

The committee adopted the bill by voice vote; one member recorded opposed on the record during the vote.","House Bill 664 would allow certain long-established subdivisions without explicit amendment provisions to change covenants by an 80% homeowner vote; supporters said it provides a path for older communities to modernize rules while witnesses urged review of the 80% threshold.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653669,"Committee approves bill adding penalties for improper property lien filings",50,1487000,1537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b&start=1487&end=1537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b/thumbnail_1487000.jpg","/articles/6653669/Georgia/Committee-approves-bill-adding-penalties-for-improper-property-lien-filings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653669-31faff435de98786514dcf140f3fb785/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=hLxK3wOxX1yQAU-O1jx2fQhexLYFwQNcPtBovmIQQ-zuvyMYZXvhTSPvtItKH5teXFYuUpr9wenXIbfBLR7Z81p1sIiGowRz9AWKddbLyX53AYDx1rx-O0-L3qRXr4V5uEG4BxKutDVEkrl9uw1YHP2nAVbmAyWkH0dDA3g7-ia70YAZd6iQYXutL5uoR2MS29dC~7vJUCLGjMwNqQi5YhV0HjZ3S2y4uXspFe30Vr7z2PBQcYuCvJVQNkuzgeSWptTkavl3M7nAt2CSEKtO2FYmHbOGNiEM001Yx2dVQuAZcjROQSEotoWsOD8Ko231MTJTlHfCTM9BwZv-PZ2R7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 27 approved House Bill 676, a narrowly drawn measure that adds a penalty where a person or entity files a lien on property without the proper legal basis.

Sponsor remarks described the change as a small statutory addition—affecting only a few lines of existing code—designed to deter improper lien filings and to protect homeowners, commercial property owners, contractors and builders from coercive or abusive filings.

Committee members compared the proposal to prior lien reform enacted in the state and urged the sponsor to review earlier legislation (referred to in committee as the \"Liz Pindens\" reform) for drafting consistency. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect all parties, including homeowners and small contractors.

The committee adopted the measure by voice vote.","House Bill 676 would add penalties for parties who file liens on property without the requisite rights, a measure described by supporters as protecting homeowners and contractors from abusive lien filings.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653674,"Committee backs bill to require sellers to disclose a home's flood history",151,1248000,1399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b&start=1248&end=1399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b/thumbnail_1248000.jpg","/articles/6653674/Georgia/Committee-backs-bill-to-require-sellers-to-disclose-a-homes-flood-history","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653674-a3502b7c6c37330fae9a3128f4f2bcc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=Ri~ugg6bSS2JEhUWrYHsr5nVEljcipKeF9trorVnEeo0CTYszNUw7JBR-CaocHKZg96uuBY1x5crSTtu27liUe8x7pKVQHWokTegtkOkFkQVrYPjKzF0ArO90GINANCFmhSXe6UmoXrJn~Jk92Bekxeh7Tp1EX3Gj-94NlIsRSkMnStVj~aNDQFpNfeQ72t5NK3d~MjHHxFbB~5SDbLi9XeA58U1m4xE6p6fxyr22ZEui4xoGSuu1~hH25JWTkW-KuaGbv7j2JiRlFAqxafsJLIBOTu9vXCdToURpS9-BT-kpCcDvrIJX~-k0X1JNzTVZFJg9y48iUsMdODX4A2~gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 618 on Oct. 27, a bill that would require sellers of residential real property to disclose the property’s flood history to prospective buyers.

Supporters told the committee that renters in Georgia already have a statutory right to flood-disclosure from landlords and argued that buyers deserve the same information. Anne Brody, state government relations director at the American Flood Coalition, testified in support and described the measure as “a simple bill” and “a no cost policy” that mirrors disclosure laws adopted in other states.

Brody said sellers would complete check-box disclosures and attach forms; supporters argued that routine disclosure would encourage more homeowners to carry flood insurance and reduce insurance costs over time by raising take-up rates.

Committee members offered no substantive amendment during the hearing; the committee approved the bill by voice vote and moved it forward.","House Bill 618 would require sellers of residential property to disclose a property's flood history to prospective buyers, aligning seller obligations with existing landlord disclosure rules, supporters said; the American Flood Coalition testified in favor.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653679,"Committee advances bill barring minors from venues with explicit performances",131,908000,1039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b&start=908&end=1039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2477962-5618523d657b7227665522bd08e1d54b/thumbnail_908000.jpg","/articles/6653679/Georgia/Committee-advances-bill-barring-minors-from-venues-with-explicit-performances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653679-5199a8e4650422509fe61ed38e28b3f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139270&Signature=gKoRFGkPS31v3v48LnBX8iEQJz0FLnlFgcpbko2rNDOayrIjABQwZVbjSKPCISSI76xn2vlHB1pO1z27hhQd1IaEHLabTF7Df~9AiYsA7WKaUMMFw3FlSyPkO6RZ9egmW4Gn6PGQSmRCxjasFLfujlpA33BQV1pBH55OtBCSlkmLRquamW7p6HMUrUSuf9cDBTrzMiS~X~mJozTMFO2wGuyI8YJatZvswtSf3lxZBtczXBymvjZEGOI2kd6tqN9KeaVRsFNnfIPIXjNUkzKwKjmFMjIXG5qhHCAsTnR43kyDyWYgNmPbErlE5kJ55wUEvdpHjBjUJ3QE0~N84kbuTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 27 advanced House Bill 671, a measure that would bar minors from attending performances the bill describes as sexually explicit or lewd and authorize penalties for venue operators who admit underage attendees.

Sponsor testimony said the bill requires attendees to be 18 or older and would prevent admission of minors even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The measure outlines fines for venue holders and authorizes the Department of Revenue to suspend an alcohol license where minors are present at an event in violation of the statute. Committee members were told the statute cited for the substantive definition is Georgia code section 16-12-100.

Committee debate focused on ensuring the bill targets attendance and not performance content. Representative Mary Margaret McDonald, who spoke in committee, emphasized the bill’s child-protection purpose and said it was not intended “to hurt any of these performers.” Representative McDonald noted the committee had voted unanimously on a prior iteration of the bill.

Representative Evans asked whether prior amendments — made last year to distinguish suggestive dancing at private gatherings (for example, a wedding) from what the code defines as explicit conduct — were carried forward; the sponsor replied that the code’s definition focuses on touching or exposure of genitalia and that the change in the substitute reflects that standard.

The committee approved the bill on a voice vote. The motion passed and the chairman declared the bill passed.","The Georgia House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 671 to prohibit minors from attending explicitly sexual or lewd performances, including when accompanied by a parent, and authorizes fines and alcohol-license suspensions for venue operators who violate the rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill letting Georgians sue large investors owning thousands of single-family homes

Committee advances bill letting older subdivisions amend covenants with high voter threshold

Committee approves bill adding penalties for improper property lien filings

Committee backs bill to require sellers to disclose a home's flood history

Committee advances bill barring minors from venues with explicit performances