Georgia Senate Bill SB103

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

Department of Administrative Services, companies owned or operated by Iran to bid on or submit a proposal for a state contract; prohibit

Summary

SB 103 would amend Georgia law governing the Department of Administrative Services to bar companies owned or operated by the government of Iran from bidding on or submitting proposals for state contracts for goods or services. The bill defines key terms such as “company,” “government of Iran,” and “scrutinized company,” and makes any company owned or operated by Iran ineligible for state procurement opportunities. The bill also requires state agencies to obtain a certification from bidders that they are not scrutinized companies. If the Department of Administrative Services determines that a company falsely certified compliance, the bill authorizes a civil penalty equal to the greater of $250,000 or twice the contract amount, requires termination of the contract, and permanently bars the company from bidding on future state contracts. The measure is framed as a procurement restriction and enforcement mechanism within existing state purchasing law.

Impact

SB 103 would add a new restriction to Georgia’s state procurement rules by making Iran-owned or Iran-operated companies ineligible for state contracts and by creating a certification and penalty process to enforce that restriction. It would affect state agencies that solicit bids for goods and services, the Department of Administrative Services, and any vendors seeking to do business with the state. The bill would also create a new civil penalty and contract-termination remedy for false certifications, thereby expanding the state’s enforcement tools in procurement oversight.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to have been introduced in a straightforward, policy-driven manner with no documented opposition or support in the available record. Its purpose suggests a security- and sanctions-oriented approach to state contracting, and the language is categorical rather than exploratory. Because no transcripts or vote history are provided, there is no evidence here of formal controversy or bipartisan disagreement, only the bill’s clear intent to restrict certain foreign-owned entities from state business.

Contention

The main point of contention inherent in the bill is its exclusion of companies owned or operated by the government of Iran from state procurement, which could raise concerns about the scope of foreign-affiliation screening, the burden on vendors to certify compliance, and the severity of the penalties for false certification. Supporters would likely view the measure as a safeguard against state contracting with entities tied to a hostile foreign government, while critics might question whether the restriction is overbroad, difficult to administer, or duplicative of federal sanctions policy. No specific objections or proponents are identified in the provided committee or vote materials.