Georgia House bill by author Rep. Smith on foreign land restrictions and military installation definitions passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. Vance Smith aims to revise restrictions on foreign land ownership and clarify the definition of military installations after winning approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Monday, March 31, clearing the House by a vote of 120-50 and the Senate by a vote of 35-20.

The bill, introduced as HB358 on Monday, Feb. 10 during the 2025 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Agriculture; prohibiting acquisition of possessory interest in certain land by certain foreign persons and entities; provide for a definition’.

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

In essence, this bill amends Code Section 2-1-7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which addresses restrictions on certain foreign persons and entities acquiring possessory interest in specific land. It introduces a new definition for “military installation,” identifying it as a facility owned and operated by branches of the U.S. armed forces, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard, which houses military equipment, personnel, and conducts training and operations. Additionally, the bill repeals any conflicting laws or parts of laws in accordance with this amendment.

In the House, 24 Democrats and 96 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 50 Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, four Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor, while 18 Democrats and two Republicans voted against it.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Debbie Buckner (Democrat-137th) and Rep. David Huddleston (Republican-72nd), along with two other co-sponsors.

Smith graduated from Columbus State University in 1974 with a BS.

Smith, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 138th House District, replacing previous state representative John Pezold.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday, May 14.

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 House. The source data can be found here.