Two Important Bills to Protect Homeowners in Georgia: What You Need to Know About HB 1035 and SB 406

Two Important Bills to Protect Homeowners in Georgia

What You Need to Know About HB 1035 and SB 406

Two bills at the Georgia Capitol are moving forward. They are called:

• House Bill 1035 (HB 1035)
• Senate Bill 406 (SB 406)

Both bills are about protecting homeowners. But they do this in different ways.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is HB 1035?

HB 1035 is called the Georgia Homeownership Protection Act.

This bill says:

Your home cannot be taken away because you owe small HOA fees, water bills, or other service charges.

Right now, in some cases, unpaid fees can lead to foreclosure. That means someone could lose their home over a debt that is not a tax or mortgage.

HB 1035 stops that.

What HB 1035 Does:

• Stops foreclosure for small HOA debts
• Stops tax sales based on service charges
• Says HOA fees are unsecured debt
• Lets taxes and mortgages still be enforced

This bill focuses on protecting your home.

It is a home protection bill.

What Is SB 406?

SB 406 is called the Georgia Property Owners’ Bill of Rights.

This bill focuses on how HOAs operate.

It creates rules and oversight.

What SB 406 Does:

• Requires HOAs to register with the state
• Creates a state complaint board
• Gives homeowners a place to report problems
• Adds new rights for property owners

This bill focuses on improving HOA systems.

It is a reform and oversight bill.

How Are the Bills the Same?

Both bills:

• Help homeowners
• Raise limits before foreclosure can happen
• Try to stop unfair practices
• Aim to protect property rights

Both bills want to make things fairer.

How Are They Different?

HB 1035:
• Stops homes from being taken for service charges
• Does not create a new state agency
• Focuses on stopping foreclosure

SB 406:
• Creates state oversight of HOAs
• Adds a complaint board
• Regulates how HOAs operate

One protects your house directly.
The other changes how HOAs are supervised.

Why This Matters for Families

In many neighborhoods, especially in Metro Atlanta:

• Families live paycheck to paycheck
• Seniors live on fixed incomes
• First-time homeowners are building wealth

If someone loses their home over a small debt, they lose:

• Their savings
• Their equity
• Their stability

These bills try to prevent that.

Could There Be Concerns?

Every bill has pros and cons.

HB 1035:

Some HOAs worry it may make it harder to collect money.

SB 406:

Some worry that new rules could increase costs or add paperwork.

That is why lawmakers debate and improve bills before final passage.

What Happens Next?

Both bills have passed committee.

Now they must go to the Rules Committee.

If they are placed on the calendar, the full House will vote.

This is called Crossover.

If they do not move forward, they could stop this year.

What Can You Do?

If you care about homeowner protections:

• Call your State Representative
• Email your legislator
• Attend a committee meeting
• Share information with neighbors
• Ask questions about how the bill affects you

Your voice matters.

Simple Summary

HB 1035 protects your home from being taken for service charges.

SB 406 creates state oversight and stronger HOA rules.

Both bills aim to protect homeowners.

Now the people of Georgia can speak up and help decide the future of these protections.

house-press.com/rep-sandra-scott-applauds-committee-passage-of-legislation-to-prohibit-foreclosures/