Committee advances bill tightening rules on squatters and clarifying hotel-guest status; passes 8–2

Representative Seebaugh presented House Bill 61 as a targeted measure to close gaps in Georgia law that lawmakers and stakeholders say have enabled squatting, fraud and unlawful occupancy. The bill would expand magistrate-court jurisdiction, create a verified sworn-complaint process allowing sheriffs to remove unauthorized occupants where no tenancy exists, require alleged squatters to produce valid documentation within a defined timeframe, and establish a felony for presenting a fraudulent lease, deed or rental agreement to remain in possession of property.

Why it matters: Sponsors told the committee they drafted the bill after experience with House Bill 1017 (2024) revealed continuing loopholes. Supporters argue the bill restores property owners’ right to exclude unlawful occupants and strengthens deterrence and officer authority while preserving due process and civil remedies for wrongfully deprived occupants.

Representative Seebaugh said the bill also clarifies the innkeeper/guest relationship for hotels, requiring a valid written occupancy contract with notice provisions (the sponsor cited a 24-hour prior notice rule) and giving hotel owners the ability to work out payment arrangements. Seebaugh emphasized the bill is balanced to protect legitimate tenants and prevent abuse.

Senator Williams raised concerns about families with small children living in hotels who might be displaced, urging caution and local supports; Seebaugh and other members noted nonprofit and charitable options and emphasized the bill targets fraudulent or unlawful occupancy rather than families in need. Lisa Anders, chief operating officer of Explore Gwinnett (the Gwinnett County tourism office), told the committee her hotels most frequently report individual male occupants who are systematically abusing system protections; she said hotels often work with families but struggle to remove repeat offenders.

The committee took a recorded vote: eight in favor, two opposed. The motion passed and the measure will proceed to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration. Sponsor noted the bill would take effect upon the governor’s signature and that line edits changed a date from 2025 to 2026 in the draft.