Georgia Senate bill by author Sen. Still passes House and Senate, mandates statewide public animal cruelty database

Newly passed bill authored by State Sen. Shawn Still aims to establish a public, statewide animal cruelty database to help agencies screen potential animal owners and prevent dangerous placements, according to the Georgia State Senate.

It passed both chambers as of Tuesday, March 31, clearing the House by a vote of 163-0 and the Senate by a vote of 48-0.

The bill, introduced as SB587 on Wednesday, Feb. 25 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Offenses Against Public Health and Morals; the establishment of an animal cruelty database; provide’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill requires the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of the State of Georgia, by Jan. 1, 2027 and subject to available funding, to create, run and maintain a free, statewide, publicly searchable animal cruelty database on its website. The database must list the full names of people convicted of or pleading guilty or no contest to specified animal cruelty and related offenses, be updated at least monthly and be designed primarily to help shelters, animal control agencies and others screen potential animal owners and prevent animals from being placed in dangerous situations. State law enforcement, prosecution and corrections agencies must supply case information using a uniform reporting form created by the council.

In the Senate, 17 Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the House, 71 Democrats and 92 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Beth Camp (Republican-135th), Sen. John Albers (Republican-56th), and Sen. Lee Anderson (Republican-24th), along with 21 other co-sponsors.

Still graduated from the University of Alabama in 1994 with a BA.

Still, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 48th Senate District, replacing previous state senator Michelle Au.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday, May 11.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State Senate. The source data can be found here.