FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 26, 2025

ATLANTA | Today, the “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act” passed out of the Senate with bi-partisan support and will now head to the House for consideration. Senate Bill 79, a priority of Lt. Governor Burt Jones, would establish stiffer criminal penalties for fentanyl offenses.

“Last year, more than 55 million pills and nearly 8,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized by the DEA,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug and those who traffic this poison should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, and I will remain steadfast in my commitment to deliver on this promise. Too many Georgia families, along with those across the nation, have lost their loved ones to fentanyl and we must do all we can to get this drug off our streets. I want to thank the families who have shared their stories and ensured that legislation like this is a priority and the loves ones they lost are never forgotten.” 

Senate Bill 79, the “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act,” is sponsored by Senator Russ Goodman (R – Cogdell). The Act removes fentanyl from Georgia’s current statutes relating to possessing, selling, distributing, manufacturing, and trafficking opiates and creates a separate schedule of offenses specific to fentanyl and its related substances. The bill would go into effect on July 1, 2025 and would apply to criminal offenses committed on or after that date.

For the full language of Senate Bill 79, please follow this link: 

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69811

Contact

Policy and Communications Director Ines Owens

[email protected]