Lawmakers convened this week for legislative days 35-37 with Wednesday serving as a committee work day. This year’s legislative session is nearing the end with one week remaining. The Senate passed the State Fiscal Year 2026 budget, HB 68, on Friday. The FY26 budget estimates nearly $38 billion in revenue and the Senate’s changes include full restoration of Governor Kemp’s recommended funding for the Georgia Promise Scholarship, postponing funding for major sporting events expected in 2028 and 2031, and increase in funding for Department of Corrections. The bill, carried by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery, included a list of the top 11 state tax credits and exemptions for reference as the General Assembly looks to further reduce the state income tax in future years.
The House passed by substitute SB 69 that deals with third-party litigation funding. The Senate agreed to the House substitute as amended. The bill heads back to the House.
References to Gwinnett County School Board member’s pay was stripped in HB 767 sponsored by Rep. Dewey McClain, a local bill with bipartisan support from the Gwinnett State House delegation. The bill still prevents the school board from prohibiting its members from speaking to the press.
This week, the Senate passed a couple local annexation bills for the City of Lawrenceville (HB 739) and Town of Braselton (HB 157). HB 761 sponsored by Rep. Jasmine Clark passed the House on the local consent calendar this week. The bill would grant a homestead exemption and increase exemption for seniors from $10,000 to $50,000. There will be a referendum on the November general election ballot for residents of the City of Lilburn.
Bills to Watch
HB 34 sponsored by Rep. Dale Washburn would create a continuing education tracking solution to monitor compliance of professional licenses with applicable continuing education requirements. It was favorably reported in the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
HB 111 sponsored by Governor’s Floor Leader Soo Hong would reduce the state income tax rate from 5.39 to 5.19 and will continue to reduce the rate by 0.1 percent annually until it reaches 4.99. The bill passed in the Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk.
HB 112 sponsored by Governor’s Floor Leader Lauren McDonald III would provide a one-time tax credit to Georgia taxpayers who filed state tax returns in 2023 and 2024. Single filers would receive $250, married filing jointly would receive $500, and heads of households would receive $375. This bill passed out of the Senate and heads to the Governor’s desk.
HB 113 sponsored by Governor’s Floor Leader Lauren McDonald III would prohibit state agencies from purchasing goods from foreign companies or country of concern. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate by substitute and now heads back to the House.
HB 137 sponsored by Rep. Victor Anderson would increase the bid limits for public works purchasing projects from $100,000 to $250,000. It passed in the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee.
HB 147 sponsored by Rep. Brad Thomas would allow the Georgia Technology Authority to take annual inventory of artificial intelligence usage by state agencies. The bill passed out of the House 172-0. It was favorably reported by substitute in the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
HB 192 sponsored by Governor Floor Leader Matthew Gambill would streamline the High-demand Career List published by the State Workforce Development Board in the development of the Department of Education’s programs. The bill passed in the Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
HB 217 sponsored by Governor Floor Leader Soo Hong would extend the Technical College System of Georgia’s Dual Achievement Pilot Program by five years and expands opportunities and accessibility for students. The bill passed in the Senate as amended.
HB 266 sponsored by Rep. Steven Sainz would tax exempt the retirement income benefit for Georgia’s retired military personnel. The bill passed in the Senate by substitute.
HB 475 sponsored by Governor Floor Leader Matthew Gambill is an agency clean-up language bill on the state’s film tax credit. It passed in the Senate as amended and the House agreed.
HB 539 sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves would increase the existing homestead exemption on Gwinnett School property taxes to $10,000. Gwinnett County Board of Education unanimously voted to opt-out of the statewide homestead exemption. There would be a referendum before Gwinnett voters on the general primary 2026 ballot. The bill passed in the Senate.
HB 540 sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves would increase the homestead exemption for school taxes in Gwinnett County for healthcare workers, first responders, military, disabled veterans, and school employees. There would be a referendum before Gwinnett voters on the general primary 2026 ballot. It passed in the Senate.
HB 579 sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves would streamline the professional business licensing process and reduce inefficiencies. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
SB 12 sponsored by Sen. Frank Ginn would require any open records request to be made to the government entity that has control over such records. It was favorably reported by substitute in the House Governmental Affairs Committee.
SB 28 “Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025” sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal aims to streamline the state’s regulatory process and strengthen public and legislative oversight of any rule-making process. Among the requirements include reducing burdensome regulations on small business. It was favorably reported by substitute in the House Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee.
SB 79 “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act” sponsored by Sen. Russ Goodman would increase penalties for crimes and offenses relating to the possession, selling, distributing, and manufacturing of fentanyl. It passed in the House after being passed by substitute in committee. It was transmitted back to the Senate where they agreed to the House substitute.
SB 82 sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon would encourage local school boards to approve high value charter schools. The House Education Committee favorably reported by substitute.
SB 89 sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland would increase the tax credit for certain childcare expenses. It would also create a new state tax credit for families and offer tax credits for employers providing child care. The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee.
SB 111 “Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act” sponsored by Sen. John Albers would limit certain businesses from data collecting and first obtain consent for sensitive info. Excluded are entities covered by HIPAA and financial regulators. It was recommitted to the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation.
SB 180 sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon would allow apprenticeship sponsors in high demand apprenticeship programs to apply directly to apprenticeship programs with the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, giving more access and awareness to apprentices. It passed in the House and now heads to the Governor’s desk.