Senator Cowsert, District 46 (R)

2007 – present

(404) 463-1366
Office: 432 State Capitol
bill.cowsert@senate.ga.gov
Bill Cowsert’s Website

Regulated Industries and Utilities – Chairman
Judiciary – Vice Chairman
Rules – Secretary
Reapportionment and Redistricting – Secretary
Finance – Ex-Officio
Health and Human Services – Ex-Officio
Insurance and Labor

Bill Cowsert was the majority leader in the state senate from 2014-2018 and has been involved in the crafting of a number of important pieces of legislation. He ran for Georgia Attorney General in 2026 but lost in the primary.

Signature Policies

Opposition to Abortion: Senator Cowsert is pro-life and was supporter of HB 481, the so-called “heartbeat” anti-abortion bill.

Opposition to Internal Sexual Harassment Investigations: Senator Cowsert was an vocal supporter of efforts to limit internal investigations in the Georgia Senate on accusations of sexual harassment. The new rules were passed at the beginning of the 2019 session but were mostly reversed at the very end of the same session.

Blocking Medicaid Expansion: In 2024, Cowsert allowed a surprise hearing on Medicaid expansion towards the end of the legislative session. However, he cast the deciding vote against the legislation in committee.

Voting Record

Repeal data center tax breaks: YES
Revoke CDLs for noncitizens: YES
Criminalize protest: YES
Limit access to police video: YES
Need-based scholarships: YES
Ban EMS surprise billing: YES
Mandate paper ballots: YES
FY 2026 budget amendment: YES
Ban cell phones in schools: YES

Learn more about 2026 votes here.

Ban transgender girls in sports: YES
Sue “sanctuary city” officials: YES
Restore “religious freedom”: YES
Pay minimum wage to the disabled: YES
Prosecute librarians: YES
Promote school safety: YES
Ban cell phones in schools: YES
Make it harder to vote: YES
Protect in-vitro fertilization: YES

Learn more about 2025 votes here.

Renter Protection Act: YES
Paid Parental Leave: NO
Expand Medicaid: NO
Require ICE Detainers: YES
Puberty Blocker Ban: YES
Require Cash Bail: YES
Rush Vote Tallying: YES
School Vouchers: YES
Bar Library Association Funding: YES

Learn more about 2024 votes.

Expand TANF Benefits: YES
Limit Construction Moratoria: YES
Impose Mandatory Minimums: YES
Require Cash Bail: YES
Oversee Prosecuting Attorneys: YES
Ban Gender-Affirming Treatment: YES
Private School Vouchers: YES

Learn more about 2023 votes.

ACC Homestead Exemption: YES
Mental Health Parity Act: YES
Ban “Divisive Concepts”: YES
Sex Discrimination Protection: YES
Criminalize Protest: YES
Allow Permitless Carry: YES
Expand Postpartum Medicaid: YES
Ban the Abortion Pill: YES
Mandate Cash Bail: YES

Learn more about 2022 votes.

COVID Immunity for Businesses: NO
Paid Parental Leave: YES
Ban Banning Natural Gas: YES
Ban the Defunding of Police: YES
Tax Airbnb and VRBO: YES
End the Citizen’s Arrest: YES
Expand Education Vouchers: YES
Restrict Absentee Voting: YES
Allow Early End to Probation: YES
Criminalize Protest: no vote in Senate
Omnibus Voter Suppression: YES

Learn more about 2021 votes.

Collect Internet Sales Tax: YES
Fight Hate Crimes: YES
Adopt Budget: YES
“Peace Officer’s Bill of Rights”: YES
License / Criminalize Hemp: did not vote
Stop Burning Creosote RR Ties: YES
Ban Surprise Medical Bills: YES
Postpartum Medicaid Coverage: YES
Raise Coal Ash Fee: YES
Expunge More Criminal Records: YES
Restrict Signature Bonds: YES

Learn more about 2020 votes.

Protect Confederate Monuments: YES
Require Schools Allow Recess: YES
Apply for Medicaid Waivers: YES
Takeover the Atlanta Airport: YES
Improve EMS Transparency: YES
Buy Voting Machines: YES
Protect Renters from Retaliation: NO
Ban Abortion: YES

Learn more about 2019 votes.

Cash Bail Reform: YES
Conservation Funding: YES
Income Tax Cut: YES
Cyber-security: YES
Campus Free Speech: YES
Cooperation with ICE: YES

Learn more about 2018 votes.

Ban Sanctuary Campuses: YES
Allow Beer Sales at Breweries: YES
Criminalize Protest: YES
Campus Carry: NO
Establish Education Turnaround Advisory Council: YES
Immigrant Registration: YES

Learn more about 2017 votes.

Election Results

2026 Republican Primary for Attorney General

Brian Strickland — 71.6%
Bill Cowsert — 28.4%

2024 General Election for State Senate

Bill Cowsert (R, incumbent) — 63.7%
Gareth Fenley (D) — 36.3%

2022 General Election for State Senate

Bill Cowsert (R, incumbent) — 64.0%
Andrew Ferguson (D) — 36.0%

2020 General Election for State Senate

Bill Cowsert (R) – 61.0%
Zachary Perry (D) – 39.0%