A measure introduced in the Georgia Senate by State Sen. Sheikh Rahman calls for stopping residential rental property owners and managers from employing coordinated algorithmic systems to set lease terms, the Georgia State Senate indicates.
Filed as SB559 on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is officially listed as amending the “Fair Business Practices Act of 1975” to prohibit any person from enabling noncompete agreements between residential rental property owners or managers—including the use of algorithmic coordinating functions.
The summary below is based on the original bill document and incorporates clarifications to help explain intended provisions.
Broadly, SB559 seeks to update the Fair Business Practices Act by forbidding the facilitation of noncompete terms among residential rental property owners or managers. This includes agreements coordinated using software, data analytics services, or algorithmic technologies. The legislation outlines essential terminology such as algorithm, algorithmic device, coordinating function, residential dwelling unit, and residential rental property owner or manager. The proposal would label the coordinated use of algorithmic tools to align rents, lease renewals, occupancy, or lease conditions through shared data as an unlawful, unfair, and deceptive trade practice. It applies to contracts formed or taking effect from July 1, 2026.
The legislation lists Sen. Gail Davenport (Democrat-17th), Sen. Ed Harbison (Democrat-15th), and Sen. Emanuel Jones (Democrat-10th) as co-sponsors, joined by 19 additional backers.
Rahman, who earned a BA from the University of Georgia in 1995, brought forward this measure.
Rahman has served as a Democrat representing Georgia’s 5th Senate District since 2019, succeeding Curt Thompson.
For context, in Georgia, the lawmaking process begins when a legislator works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to prepare a bill. After being filed with either the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, it receives a first reading then moves to committee for discussion and hearings. If cleared by committee, the bill proceeds to the floor for a third reading, debate, and vote. Both legislative chambers must approve—potentially reconciling versions via a conference committee—before it goes to the governor, who has six days during session or 40 days post-adjournment to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signature. The General Assembly holds a 40-day annual session that starts the second Monday in January.
This report is based on information from the Georgia State Senate. See the source data here.
