Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Georgia
Republican
· Senator
Carden Summers
Represents District 13 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
88%
on 318 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 97%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 1,354 of 1,374 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
197 of 299
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 186
Roll calls on record
1,374
2025-2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2025-2026 Regular Session.
How Carden Summers votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Carden Summers sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Carden Summers is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
37 of 318 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
HB1247 · Georgia Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act; enact
In plain English Prohibits courts and administrative officers from deferring to agency interpretations of laws and regulations.
Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #983 · 2026-04-03 · Passed 34–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB295 · Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions
In plain English Allows property owners to file claims against local governments for compensation when the government fails to enforce laws or maintains a public nuisance that causes property value loss or expenses.
Passage As Amended: Senate Vote #938 · 2026-04-02 · Passed 30–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB295 · Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions
In plain English Allows property owners to file claims against local governments for compensation when the government fails to enforce laws or maintains a public nuisance that causes property value loss or expenses.
Motion To Table: Senate Vote #934 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 23–30 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1116 · Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026; enact
Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #974 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 24–28 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB328 · Revenue and taxation; increase annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations
In plain English Increases the annual tax credit limit for contributions to student scholarship organizations and extends the time allowed to make contributions after preapproval.
Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #973 · 2026-04-02 · Passed 30–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB328 · Revenue and taxation; increase annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations
In plain English Increases the annual tax credit limit for contributions to student scholarship organizations and extends the time allowed to make contributions after preapproval.
Shall The Ruling Of The Chair Be Sustained: Senate Vote #972 · 2026-04-02 · Passed 30–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB556 · HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide
In plain English Includes advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in grade point average calculations for HOPE scholarship eligibility.
Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #958 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 25–25 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1316 · Walker County; school district ad valorem tax; remove five year residency requirement for homestead exemption
In plain English Removes the five-year residency requirement for Walker County school district homestead tax exemptions for residents age 75 or older.
Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #835 · 2026-03-27 · Passed 26–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB668 · Crimes and offenses; change references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs
In plain English Changes references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs, adds penalties for harming service dogs or falsely claiming to need one, and revises service dog training provisions.
Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #835 · 2026-03-27 · Passed 26–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1114 · Quality Basic Education Act; allow for students in ninth and tenth grade to complete the high school graduation financial literacy course requirement
Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #835 · 2026-03-27 · Passed 26–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SB556 · HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide
In plain English Includes advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in grade point average calculations for HOPE scholarship eligibility.
Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #958 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 25–25
SB8 · Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide
Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #964 · 2026-04-02 · Failed 26–26
HB61 · Motor vehicles; issuance of separate license plates for hearses and ambulances; provide
Adoption Of Amend #1a By Sen From The 14th To Amend #1 By Sen From The 14th: Senate Vote #767 · 2026-03-20 · Failed 24–26
HB360 · Revenue and taxation; rehabilitation of historic structures; revise tax credit
Passage: Senate Vote #333 · 2025-03-28 · Passed 26–24
SB254 · "Georgia Hemp Farming Act,"; delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; provide milligram limits
Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 29th: Senate Vote #169 · 2025-03-06 · Passed 29–27
Democrats they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Ed HarbisonDemocrat · District 15 · 403 shared contested votes
44%
Sonya HalpernDemocrat · District 39 · 423 shared contested votes
40%
David LucasDemocrat · District 26 · 376 shared contested votes
39%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (20 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Georgia Delegation
YeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Carden Summers was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced299
Out of committee252
Passed one chamber234
Passed both chambers199
Became law197
Never left committee47
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 186 bills that became law this session.
Offenses Against Public Order; the disruption of a religious service; prohibit
In plain English Prohibits disrupting a religious service and provides enhanced penalties for doing so.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against public order, so as to prohibit the disruption of a religious service; to provide for enhanced penalties;…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-12
Motor Vehicles and Traffic; the issuance of emergency vehicle light permits for towing service companies in certain instances; provide
In plain English Allows towing service companies to obtain emergency vehicle light permits in certain instances.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for the issuance of emergency vehicle light permits for towing service companies in certain instances; to revise…
VetoedVeto V12 · 2026-05-12
Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; expand to include data from licensed health care professionals
In plain English Expands the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base to include data from licensed health care professionals and renames it the Health Care Workforce Data Base.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce, so as to expand the Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base to include data from…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-12
Local Boards of Education; audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; provide for the suspension of members
In plain English Allows suspension of local school board members following audit findings of financial mismanagement or misconduct, and caps advance distributions of state funds to school districts.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, rebating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the suspension of members of local boards of education following certain audit findings…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-05-12 · 2026-05-12
"Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact
In plain English Requires property owners' associations to register, establishes a state board to review complaints against them, and regulates their liens and assessments.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses, so as to require the registration of property owners' associations; to provide for renewals and amendments; to provide for appeals; to provide…
Became lawEffective Date 2027-01-01 · 2026-05-12
Professions and Businesses; a preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions; create
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 20, 26, 31, 33, and 43 of the O.C.G.A., relating to education, food, drugs, and cosmetics, health, insurance, and professions and businesses; to amend Chapter 4 of Title 25 of the O.C.G.A., relating to firefighter…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-12
"Putting Georgia's Patients First Act"; enact
In plain English Renames low THC oil as medical cannabis and revises criminal penalties for controlled substance offenses.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend various provisions of the O.C.G.A., so as to rename low THC oil as medical cannabis; to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16, Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 16, and Article 1 of Chapter 2A…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-12
Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; a limitation on leased property; remove
In plain English Removes a limitation on leased property for certain entities receiving preferential tax assessment for conservation use.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transitional property, so as to remove a limitation on leased property as…
VetoedVeto V9 · 2026-05-12
Offenses Against Public Health and Morals; the establishment of an animal cruelty database; provide
In plain English Requires the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council to create and maintain a database of animal cruelty offenses.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding offenses against public health and morals, so as to provide for the establishment of an animal…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-11
"True Patriotism and Universal Student Access (TPUSA) Act"; enact
In plain English Requires public schools to allow students to form partisan and nonpartisan political groups and prohibits discrimination based on student political speech content.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2A of Part 1 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to clubs and organizations, so as to provide for equal access to public schools…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-11
Sexual Offenses; clergy members to be charged with certain improper sexual contact offenses; permit
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to permit clergy members to be charged with certain improper sexual contact offenses; to provide for definitions; to…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-11
Board of Commissioners of Irwin County; the compensation of the board of commissioners; revise provisions
In plain English Changes compensation for Irwin County Board of Commissioners members and revises appointment, duties, and leadership roles.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the Board of Commissioners of Irwin County, approved February 16, 1933 (Ga. L. 1933, p. 571), as amended, so as to revise provisions relating to the compensation of the board of commissioners; to…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-05-11 · 2026-05-11
Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia; allow to set monthly dues
In plain English Allows the Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund to set monthly dues and increases certain court fees.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia, so as to allow the Board of Commissioners of the Judges of…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-11
Professional Counselors; applicants for a license in social work enrolled in a master's degree program to take the master's social work licensing examination in their final semester of the program; authorize
In plain English Allows social work master's degree students to take their licensing exam during their final semester instead of after graduation.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to examination regarding professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, so as to authorize applicants for a license…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-11
Control of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation; denial or nonacceptance of permits; revise provisions
In plain English Requires local authorities to provide written reasons for denying soil erosion permits within specified time frames.
Official synopsis: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to control of soil erosion and sedimentation, so as to revise provisions regarding denial or nonacceptance of permits; to amend Chapter 60 of…
Became lawEffective Date 2026-07-01 · 2026-05-11
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
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HB1161 · 2026-04-03
Motor vehicles; proper operation upon approach by an authorized emergency vehicle or by a law enforcement vehicle for purposes of a traffic stop; provide (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #982)
HB1247 · 2026-04-03
Georgia Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act; enact (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #983)
HB247 · 2026-04-03
Motor vehicles; restoration of licenses; authorize written consent for release of certain information to be obtained and transferred electronically (Motion To Print: Senate Vote #984)
HB297 · 2026-04-03
Ad valorem tax; define multipurpose off-highway vehicle; provisions (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #985)
SB447 · 2026-04-03
Control of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation; denial or nonacceptance of permits; revise provisions (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #989)
SB430 · 2026-04-03
Taxes; certain military museums qualify as destination marketing organizations and private sector nonprofit organizations; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #988)
HB295 · 2026-04-03
Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Amendment: Senate Vote #987)
SB359 · 2026-04-03
Henry County; Board of Commissioners; code of ethics; revise and restate provisions (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #990)
SR624 · 2026-04-03
Officer Drew Haynes Brown Memorial Intersection; Cobb County; dedicate (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #986)
SB556 · 2026-04-02
HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #958)
SB556 · 2026-04-02
HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #959)
SB261 · 2026-04-02
Magistrates Retirement Fund; early retirement benefit; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #956)
HB334 · 2026-04-02
Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act; enact (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #933)
HB447 · 2026-04-02
Crimes and offenses; crimes of gift card theft, gift card forgery, and gift card fraud; provide (Passage: Senate Vote #939)
SB23 · 2026-04-02
Retirement; total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; raise the limit (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #960)
HB1187 · 2026-04-02
Trey's Law; enact (Passage: Senate Vote #951)
HB328 · 2026-04-02
Revenue and taxation; increase annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations (Shall The Ruling Of The Chair Be Sustained: Senate Vote #972)
HB328 · 2026-04-02
Revenue and taxation; increase annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #973)
HB1599 · 2026-04-02
Sandersville School Building Authority; members; revise qualification (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB445 · 2026-04-02
Ad valorem tax; language required to be included in notices of current assessment; revise (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #965)
SB8 · 2026-04-02
Courts; arrest warrant requirements when juvenile courts are acting as courts of inquiry; provide (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #964)
HB1559 · 2026-04-02
Palmetto, City of; qualifications, terms, powers, and duties of mayor, councilmembers, and city manager; revise provisions (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1602 · 2026-04-02
Gainesville, City of; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1565 · 2026-04-02
Lee County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
SB306 · 2026-04-02
Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; require notices (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #963)
SB586 · 2026-04-02
"K-9 Law Enforcement Heroes Act of 2026"; enact (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #942)
HB1310 · 2026-04-02
State symbols; cotton as official state fabric; designate (Passage: Senate Vote #981)
HB1277 · 2026-04-02
Conservation and natural resources; increase project cost threshold for public roads or airports requiring environmental evaluations (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #928)
HB1560 · 2026-04-02
Springfield, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1470 · 2026-04-02
Torts; abusive litigation based on alleged website access violations under federal and state law; create a cause of action (Passage: Senate Vote #978)
SB76 · 2026-04-02
License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; establish (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #970)
HB999 · 2026-04-02
Magistrate courts; collecting sums and fees authorized by law; revise provisions (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Amendment: Senate Vote #957)
HB1582 · 2026-04-02
Fayette County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1272 · 2026-04-02
Banking and finance; licensing of payment stablecoin issuers; provisions (Passage: Senate Vote #953)
SB143 · 2026-04-02
Georgia Firefighter's Pension Fund; certain members to retire at age 50; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #941)
SB207 · 2026-04-02
Professions and Businesses; a preclearance process in the licensing of individuals with criminal records who make application to or are investigated by certain licensing boards and commissions; create (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Amendment To House Substitute: Senate Vote #946)
HB1598 · 2026-04-02
Laurens County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1575 · 2026-04-02
Kingsland, City of; ad valorem tax; apply exemption to residents 62 years or older (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB463 · 2026-04-02
Ad valorem tax; certain senior citizens who volunteer with local governments; provide homestead exemption (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #971)
HB1601 · 2026-04-02
Gainesville, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1409 · 2026-04-02
Domestic relations; revise mandated reporting of child abuse (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #932)
HB1573 · 2026-04-02
Statham, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1569 · 2026-04-02
McDonough, City of; Municipal Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB1344 · 2026-04-02
Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #929)
HB1562 · 2026-04-02
Pike County; ad valorem tax; increase amount of homestead exemption for residents who are totally disabled (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
SB431 · 2026-04-02
Education; enrollment of foster care students within two school days of a request for enrollment by such student's parent or legal custodian; require (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #944)
HB52 · 2026-04-02
Ad valorem tax; qualified disabled veterans; extend homestead exemption to unremarried surviving spouses or minor children (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #952)
HB1404 · 2026-04-02
Pooler, City of; levy an excise tax (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
HB141 · 2026-04-02
Revenue and taxation; allow businesses and practitioners to provide affidavits of certified public accountants in lieu of tax returns (Passage: Senate Vote #976)
HB1588 · 2026-04-02
Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide (Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #927)
SB469 · 2026-04-02
Board of Commissioners of Forsyth County; term limits for members; provide (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #966)
HB309 · 2026-04-02
Local government; require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #947)
SB623 · 2026-04-02
State Court of Clayton County; compensation of the solicitor-general of the state court; revise provisions (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #968)
HB974 · 2026-04-02
General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 (Adopt Conference Committee Report: Senate Vote #975)
HB1116 · 2026-04-02
Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026; enact (Agree To House Amendment To Senate Substitute: Senate Vote #974)
SB613 · 2026-04-02
Superior Court of Clayton County; change the compensation of the sheriff (Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #969)
HB1131 · 2026-04-02
Criminal procedure; personal service of process for notice of a warrant application hearing; provide (Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #948)
SB33 · 2026-04-02
"Georgia Hemp Farming Act"; total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; provide limits (Motion For The Previous Question: Senate Vote #979)
SB33 · 2026-04-02
"Georgia Hemp Farming Act"; total THC concentration of consumable hemp products; provide limits (Agree To House Substitute As Amended: Senate Vote #980)
HB295 · 2026-04-02
Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions (Motion To Table: Senate Vote #934)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 1374 total roll-call votes this session).
District Office
📍108 E. 13th Ave., Cordele, GA 31015
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