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Finally, HB 161 introduces new measures to combat modern crime, expanding the investigative reach of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and defining a new crime of domestic terrorism. Effective July 1, 2025, this law gives the GBI Director (with the Attorney General’s consent) the power to issue administrative subpoenas for electronic records in certain cases involving “cyber-enabled threats to life or property”[25][26]. What does that mean? Essentially, for suspected serious crimes like planned violent attacks or online threats, the GBI can directly demand user data (such as subscriber information, phone and internet records, etc.) from service providers without a judge’s warrant. The content of communications (like actual emails or texts) still requires a warrant, but metadata – who you contacted, when, how long, and where – can be obtained more easily under this law. HB 161 also formally establishes the offense of “domestic terrorism” in Georgia, likely in response to recent events (for instance, protests that turned violent). This new offense will encompass acts intended to intimidate or harm civilians or influence government policy through destruction or violence, carrying severe penalties.

How This Affects You: In terms of privacy, HB 161 has raised some eyebrows. If you’re a Georgia resident, be aware that your digital footprint (call logs, IP addresses, and other metadata) can now be accessed by state investigators more readily in certain serious investigations[27]. You might never be involved in such a case, but the privacy vs. security balance has undeniably shifted toward law enforcement. For example, if there were credible threats made on social media or via email, the GBI can act faster to track down the source. Supporters say this helps prevent tragedies by removing some red tape in urgent situations. For society at large, the law is pitched as a way to fight domestic terror and organized violence (think of scenarios like planned attacks, mass shootings, or violent extremist plots) with speed and precision. However, civil liberties advocates worry about potential overreach – without a court overseeing these subpoenas, could innocent people’s data be swept up? It places a lot of trust in the GBI and AG to use this power wisely. On the flip side, those plotting violence in Georgia should beware: coordination via phones or computers is now more likely to leave a trail that Georgia authorities can and will follow. The creation of a state-level domestic terrorism charge also means prosecutors have new tools to go after groups or individuals who target the public or government. In practice, we could see this applied to cases of politically motivated vandalism, bomb threats, or attacks on infrastructure. For law-abiding citizens, the immediate impact may be minimal, but it underscores the need to be conscious of your digital privacy settings and the information you share. From a defense attorney’s viewpoint, HB 161 will require vigilance – we’ll be examining how these GBI subpoenas were used in building cases and challenging any abuse of this expanded power. It’s a new frontier where Georgia is trying to balance safety with constitutional rights.