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Running forState Senate, District 11

Sam Watson

RepublicanHas the job now

Overview

Samuel Lawrence Watson is an American politician from Georgia serving as a Republican member of the Georgia Senate, representing the 11th district.

Official site →Ballotpedia →

Facts from Wikipedia.

Bills they wrote

Bills and joint resolutions where they're the main author, since 2023. Laws first, then the ones that got furthest.

Wrote

18 bills

Became law

7 became law. Another 4 passed the House or Senate but didn't.

  • Introduced Feb 23, 2026SB 551: Standard, Labeling, and Adulteration of Food; eggs; repeal provisions
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 19, 2025SB 199: State Ethics Commission; shall not accept or reject complaints made against candidates 60 days prior to an election; provide
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 11, 2025SB 144: Fertilizers or Pesticides; a manufacturer cannot be held liable for failing to warn consumers of health risks above those required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; clarify
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 28, 2025SB 44: Equalization Grants, Annual Calculations, and Allocation; the definition of the term "qualified local school system" by reducing the minimum required millage rate; revise
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 13, 2024SB 494: 'Georgia Hemp Farming Act'; hemp products; regulate
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 13, 2024SB 495: Low THC Oil Patient Registry; term of validity of a registration card; provide
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 31, 2024SB 436: Farm Use Vehicles; define a term
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 6, 2026SB 478: Outdoor Stewardship; provide for a sunset
    Vetoed
  • Introduced Jan 29, 2025SB 59: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; a limitation on leased property; remove
    Vetoed
  • Introduced Feb 20, 2024SB 542: Water Rights; the public trust doctrine; remove references
    Passed both chambers
  • Introduced Jan 28, 2025SB 45: Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and taxation; increase
    Passed the Senate
  • Introduced Feb 25, 2026SB 577: "Coordinated PFAS Remediation Act"; enact
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 27, 2025SB 365: "Georgia Meat and Organic Produce Transparency and Safety Act"; enact
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 26, 2025SB 270: Elections and Primaries; rules or regulations adopted by the State Election Board prior to a general primary, general election, or runoff thereof; limit the effective date
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 19, 2025SB 205: Insurance; pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; require coverage for healthcare services
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 11, 2024SB 578: Regulated Reasonable Use of Ground Water; revocation of permits for conversion to solar farms and reallocation of ground water capacity; provide
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 27, 2023SB 263: Counties and Municipal Corporations; disconnecting interconnected public water systems; prohibit local governments
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 27, 2023SB 262: Ad Valorem Taxation: the return of aircraft for property taxation to the state revenue commissioner; provide
    Introduced

Source: Open States

How they voted

Final votes on bills that passed either chamber of the Georgia legislature, since 2023. Votes on amendments, committees, and procedure are left out. A bill can show up under more than one topic.

Votes shown

1,331 votes on bills that passed at least one chamber.

Attendance

Didn't vote on 65 of 1,704 votes (4%). They had permission to be away (excused) for 44 of them.

By topic
Agriculture36 votes
    Alcoholic Beverages5 votes
      Animals6 votes
        Appeal and Error17 votes
          Aviation9 votes
            Banking and Finance17 votes
              Buildings and Housing20 votes
                Civil Practice38 votes
                  Commerce and Trade51 votes
                    Commercial Code3 votes
                      Conservation and Natural Resources38 votes
                        Contracts5 votes
                          Corporations, Partnerships, and Associations6 votes
                            Courts108 votes
                              Crimes and Offenses (Criminal Code)120 votes
                                Criminal Procedure33 votes
                                  Domestic Relations23 votes
                                    Education207 votes
                                      Elections33 votes
                                        Equity3 votes
                                          Evidence10 votes
                                            Fire Protection and Safety11 votes
                                              Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics22 votes
                                                Game and Fish11 votes
                                                  General Assembly49 votes
                                                    General Provisions, Ocga4 votes
                                                      Guardian and Ward7 votes
                                                        Handicapped Persons9 votes
                                                          Health125 votes
                                                            Highways, Bridges, and Ferries43 votes
                                                              Insurance68 votes
                                                                Labor and Industrial Relations14 votes
                                                                  Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies53 votes
                                                                    Local Government90 votes
                                                                      Mental Health20 votes
                                                                        Military, Emergency Management, and Veterans Affairs34 votes
                                                                          Minors49 votes
                                                                            Motor Vehicles and Traffic103 votes
                                                                              Nuisances2 votes
                                                                                Penal Institutions31 votes
                                                                                  Professions and Businesses106 votes
                                                                                    Property67 votes
                                                                                      Public Officers and Employees56 votes
                                                                                        Public Utilities and Transportation18 votes
                                                                                          Retirement and Pensions45 votes
                                                                                            Revenue and Taxation153 votes
                                                                                              Social Services41 votes
                                                                                                State Government106 votes
                                                                                                  Torts20 votes
                                                                                                    Waters, Ports, and Watercraft9 votes
                                                                                                      Wills, Trusts, and Administration of Estates9 votes
                                                                                                        Local laws (one city or county)23 votes
                                                                                                          Other66 votes

                                                                                                            Source: Open States, Georgia General Assembly. Topics from the state legislature.