Legislative

Originally posted by MCO Group - January 23, 2026.

01. Governor Kemp to Lead Economic Development Mission to Belgium, UK

Gov Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead an international mission to strengthen economic ties with Belgium and the United Kingdom. The Governor and First Lady, joined by representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), will conduct meetings with companies already operating or under construction in Georgia during their trip. 

02. Brown, McNeel Advance to Runoff in Georgia Senate District 18 Race

Democrat LeMario Nicholas Brown led the field with 7,946 votes, or 36.93%, and Republican Steven McNeel finished second with 4,581 votes, or 21.29%, in the special election to fill the seat left vacant after Republican John Kennedy resigned to run for lieutenant governor. Senate District 18 covers a wide swath of Central Georgia, including northern Bibb County, all of Crawford, Monroe, Peach, and Upson counties, and northern Houston County. 

03. Georgia Opts into Big Beautiful Bill School Voucher Program

Gov. Kemp says the state is opting into a newly established federal school voucher program, despite concerns from critics that it could divert money away from public school systems. The program, created by the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” allows taxpayers to contribute up to $1,700 to state-approved scholarship organizations in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit. Those organizations would then distribute the money to eligible students to help cover private school tuition, tutoring, books, and other educational expenses. 

04. State Requests Release From 2010 Olmstead Settlement Provisions

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) announced a joint filing with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Independent Reviewer to release the State of Georgia from all behavioral health provisions of the 2010 Settlement Agreement, and Paragraphs 30-40 of the 2016 Extension of Settlement Agreement. The State entered into the original settlement agreement in 2010. Since then, the State has made significant, deliberate investments to dramatically increase the quantity and quality of services statewide.  

05. Georgia Economist Predicts Higher Inflation, Slow Job Growth

Georgia can expect slow growth of the real Gross Domestic Product and modest income growth, state economist Dr. Robert Buschman said during a joint meeting of the appropriations committees from the Senate and House of Representatives. Businesses may also see slower growth, which could lead to record levels of bankruptcies. Tariffs are reportedly causing some of the economic woes. As of August, 29% of the costs of tariffs were passed on to consumers, 53% were absorbed by U.S. businesses, and only 18% was absorbed by foreign producers.

The legislature was on recess this week for budget hearings. Lawmakers will convene briefly on Monday, January 26th for day six but will not conduct legislative business as parts of Georgia brace for an ice storm predicted to hit much of the state.  They will be in session four days next week completing legislative day nine.

Chuck McMullen, Principal
chuck@mcogeorgia.com 

Amy Odom, Principal
amy@mcogeorgia.com

Originally posted by MCO Group on January 15, 2026

In his final State of the State address, Governor Brian Kemp’s legislative agenda focused on lowering costs, expanding educational and economic opportunity, and strengthening the public safety workforce. While the speech highlighted the fiscal achievements of the past seven years, the Governor’s forward-looking proposals framed 2026 as a year to cement long-term stability and ensure Georgia remains, in his words, “the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Below is a summary of the Governor’s key 2026 legislative priorities: 

Tax Relief & Cost of Living

A fourth one-time $1 billion tax rebate, offering approximately $250 per individual filer and up to $500 for married couples. This move continues his administration’s pattern of returning surplus revenue directly to residents, and would bring total rebate dollars issued during his tenure to more than $7.5 billion.

State Workforce Compensation

A one-time $2,000 pay supplement for all state employees, including teachers, school personnel, and state public safety officers. This supplement builds upon a series of pay raises and one-time awards delivered in previous budgets.

Higher Education

Creation of the DREAMS Scholarship, a $325 million need-based endowment for the University System of Georgia. Designed as a long-term funding source, this initiative would represent Georgia’s first statewide need-based scholarship program, complementing the merit-based HOPE Scholarship and Grant programs.

Medical Workforce Expansion

Continued investments in the state’s healthcare workforce pipeline through an additional $2.1 million to expand medical residency slots, building on the 897 positions added since he took office.

Law Enforcement

An enhanced 401(k)-style retirement plan that increases the state's matching contribution and accelerates the timeline for officers to reach the maximum match. The current cap of 9% would rise to 15%, and officers would achieve the full match by year 10, instead of year 13 under the current system. Kemp cast this change as both a matter of fairness that recognizes the dangers officers face, and a practical tool to bolster recruitment and retention amid nationwide staffing shortages in policing.

Human Trafficking

A forthcoming eleventh bill targeting human trafficking. Modeled after Trey’s Law, which has been adopted in several other states, the legislation is designed to strengthen protections for children, empower victims, and increase accountability for abusers. While details will be released later in the session, Kemp framed the bill as a continuation of First Lady Marty Kemp’s years-long leadership on the issue through the GRACE Commission.

Read the State of State Address 

Originally posted by MCO Group on December 19, 2025 

01. Gov. Kemp Appoints David Burge as Incoming DOR Commissioner

Governor Kemp has appointed David Burge as the incoming Commissioner of the Department of Revenue (DOR). Burge will succeed current commissioner Frank O'Connell, who was confirmed by the Georgia House and Senate Judiciary Committees as the state's first Tax Court Chief Judge. David is currently a partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP in Atlanta, where he focuses on real estate transactions. 

02. Justice Dept. Sues Georgia Over Voter Registration Lists

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division filed federal lawsuits Thursday against Georgia, the District of Columbia, Illinois and Wisconsin for failing to produce complete voter registration lists upon request. The action brings the nationwide total to 22 such lawsuits.

03. State Senators Question Fani Willis Over Trump Prosecution

The Republican-dominated state Senate in January 2024 created the Special Committee on Investigations to examine allegations of misconduct against Fani Willis concerning her case seeking criminal convictions for efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia. The committee is supposed to be examining whether changes to state law are needed to bar future misconduct and doesn’t have the power to sanction or prosecute Willis. 

04. State Republicans Claim Group Running Anti-Burt Jones Ads is Illegal 

The Georgia Republican Party has filed a state ethics complaint against Delaware-based Georgians for Integrity, which is running ads against gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones, claiming the group is operating as an independent committee but failing to follow its rules. Per state law, committees, which are groups that spend money on activities to affect elections, have to register and file mandatory disclosure reports. Georgians for Integrity, however, has “thumbed its nose” at the requirements, the complaint claims.

05. Dr. Jaha Howard wins State Senate District 35 special election runoff

Dr. Jaha Howard has won the runoff in Georgia's Senate District 35 special election with 3,229 votes, or 51.9%, defeating longtime state Rep. Roger Bruce, who finished with 48.1% and 2,993 votes. The open seat was created after former state Sen. Jason Esteves launched a campaign for governor.

Originally posted by MCO Group on December 12, 2025 

01. November State Revenue Up 0.9%

The state’s net tax collections during the month of November totaled almost $2.4 billion, for an increase of $22.4 million, or 0.9%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections approached $2.38 billion for the month. Year to date, net tax revenue collections totaled nearly $13.28 billion, for an increase of $262.7 million, or 2.0%, compared to November 2024, when net tax collections approached $13.02 billion.

02. Republican John Kennedy Resigns Senate Seat

Republican John F. Kennedy has resigned his state senate seat as he shifts full-time to his campaign for lieutenant governor. The announcement ends Kennedy’s 11-year tenure representing Senate District 18, which includes portions of Crawford, Monroe, Peach, Upson, Bibb and Houston counties.

03. Senator Colton Moore Announces Bid for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Seat

Sen. Colton Moore joins crowded field for Marjorie Taylor Greene's seat in Congress. Moore was kicked out of the Senate Republican caucus in 2024 after launching attacks on fellow Republicans for their refusal to agree to his call for a special session to take action against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for indicting former President Donald Trump. 

04. Georgia Lawmakers Call for Tougher Social Media, A.I. Laws

Georgia lawmakers are joining states nationwide in pressing for tougher laws to hold social media companies accountable for children’s safety on their platforms and when those users interact with artificial intelligence. The Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee spent months hearing from parents and experts about how to make the internet safer for kids. The proposals are expected to be taken up during the upcoming legislative session. 

05. Narcan to be Made Available in Every Georgia Public School

By spring 2026, every Georgia public school will have opioid overdose reversal kits on hand. The initiative is part of a statewide plan, launched this fall, to curb rising overdose cases in schools. Funded by opioid settlement dollars administered by the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust, the Georgia Overdose Response Partnership ensures school staff are equipped to recognize and respond to an opioid emergency. The effort supports Senate Bill 395, known as "Wesley's Law," which allows schools to obtain and administer opioid antagonists and grants immunity to staff acting in good faith.

Original source: MCO Group
Original post date: November 23, 2025

01. Gov. Kemp Announces Salesforce Expansion in Georgia

Governor Kemp confirmed that Salesforce will invest $15 million to expand operations in Fulton County, adding 250+ new jobs by 2028. Currently employing over 2,000 people statewide, Salesforce cited Atlanta’s talent, global connections, and inclusive community as major growth factors.

02. Virginia Transformer to Create 400 New Jobs in Effingham 

Virginia Transformer Corp. is investing $40 million to expand its Rincon facility, creating 400 jobs in Effingham County. Specializing in large power transformers, the expansion follows continued growth since 2015. Construction begins in January 2026, with operations, maintenance, and assembly roles open on Indeed. 

03. GDOL Unveils Strategic Plan for Modernization 

Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes launched a comprehensive strategic plan for the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) focused on trust-building, modernization, transparency, and service efficiency. Key initiatives include improving unemployment insurance systems, streamlining processes, reducing regulatory burdens, and plain-language communications.

04. Senate District 35 Special Election Heads to Runoff 

Six candidates competed in the special election to fill Jason Esteves’s vacated Senate District 53 seat. With no candidate crossing 50%, Democrats Jaha Howard and Roger Bruce advanced to a December runoff. Howard, a pediatric dentist, led the field; Bruce is a former state representative. 

05. Reps Barrett & Gambill Appointed to House Committees

House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) recently appointed Rep Carter Barrett (R-Cumming) to the House Committee on Ways. Burns also appointed Rep Matthew Gambill (R-Cartersville), who also serves as a Governor’s Floor Leader, to serve as vice chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Click herefor a full list of House committees.

Source: MCO Group

01. Fulton DA Fani Willis to Testify Next Week

Fulton County DA Fani Willis is set to appear before the Georgia Senate committee next month. The panel is investigating her handling of the 2020 election case and the hiring of special prosecutor Nathan Wade. While the committee can’t prosecute, it aims to recommend new rules for prosecutors. Willis was previously removed from the case after a conflict-of-interest ruling, and her appeal was denied in September.

02. Georgia Tax Revenues Up 6.9% in October

State revenues approached $2.71 billion in October, representing an increase of $175.9 million, or 6.9 percent, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections totaled approximately $2.53 billion for the month. Year to date, net tax revenue collections totaled $10.88 billion for an increase of $240.4 million, or 2.3 percent, compared to October 2024, when net tax collections totaled almost $10.64 billion. 

03. Trey Bennett Appointed New GEFA Director

Governor Kemp announced Trey Bennett will take the helm of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority starting November 16, succeeding Hunter Hill. Bennett, currently General Counsel and Grants Division Director at the state’s Office of Planning and Budget, brings over a decade of legal and government experience, including crisis-era policy work and management of Georgia’s $4.8 billion Recovery Fund.

04. Microsoft Launches Atlanta “AI Superfactory”

In October, Microsoft began operations at Fairwater 2 in Atlanta—a massive, AI-optimized data center designed for ultra-high-density neural computing. Paired with Fairwater 1 in Wisconsin, it’s part of a new “planet-scale AI superfactory” powered by linked GPUs and custom AI-WAN fiber networks. Microsoft touts this model as a virtual supercomputer capable of massive AI training workloads.

05. Medicaid Contract Protests Denied

On November 10, Georgia’s Department of Administrative Services rejected protests over the state’s Medicaid managed care RFP. The contracts cover the Georgia Families and Georgia Families 360º programs, serving general Medicaid members and youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system. Protests from major insurers, including Aetna, Amerigroup, and Peach State, claimed scoring flaws and conflicts of interest, but the Deputy Commissioner ruled the process fair and upheld awards to CareSource, Humana, Molina, and UnitedHealthcare. Appeals are due by November 13.

Source: MCO Group

01. Early Voting Started for Statewide & City Elections 

Early voting for the November 4 general election started this week. Statewide, voters will elect two Public Service Commission commissioners, deciding between incumbent Tim Echols and Alicia Johnson in District 2, and incumbent Fitz Johnson and Peter Hubbard in District 3. Akbar Ali, Marqus Cole and Jamie Parker are running in the special election for House District 106 (Gwinnett County) to replace Shelly Hutchinson, who announced her retirement in August. Running for a second term, Mayor Andre Dickens faces three candidates, including Helmut "Love" Domagalski, Kalema Jackson and Eddie Meredith.

02. Former Democratic Senator Vernon Jones Running for Secretary of State 

Vernon Jones, a former Democratic state representative who switched parties in support of President Donald Trump, announced Monday he's running to become Georgia's top election official. Jones, who has called himself the “Black Donald Trump,” ran for Congress in 2022 with Trump's endorsement, bolstering the president's false claims that Georgia’s 2020 election was stolen from him. Jones dropped out of the 2022 governor's race, then lost the Republican congressional primary that same year to U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.

Jones served several terms in Georgia's state House before becoming a Republican in January 2021, as his final term came to an end.

03. State School Superintendent Wants to Change School District Accounting 

Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods wants state lawmakers to consider legislation that would safeguard school finances. The request comes after the state advanced $1.4 million to the Dublin City Schools in the wake of its financial woes. Woods developed a "Blueprint for Reforms to School District Financial Safeguards that recommends adding penalties to school districts that do not meet auditing requirements and deadlines. Districts given moderate-risk status would be required to work with the state Department of Audits and Accounts instead of using an independent auditor.

04. Voting Rights Group New Georgia Project Shutting Down

Months after a Georgia nonprofit admitted to violating campaign finance laws, it has announced it will shut down. The New Georgia Project and The New Georgia Project Action Fund will be officially dissolved. In January, the voting rights group New Georgia Project admitted to 16 violations of Georgia’s campaign finance laws and the state ethics commission hit it with a record $300,000 fine.

05. State Rep. Mandi Ballinger Dies After Battle With Cancer

Georgia State Rep. Mandi Ballinger, a Canton Republican who chaired the Judiciary Juvenile Committee, has died after a "long and courageous" battle with cancer, House Speaker Jon Burns said Sunday. Ballinger served in the Georgia House for more than a decade, representing District 23. Her House biography says she has been "instrumental in furthering Georgia's laws dealing with domestic violence and child abuse and has been recognized for this legislative work" by several state organizations. In a statement, Gov. called Rep. Ballinger "respected across the political aisle as an advocate for justice in our state."

Original source: Georgia Legislative Update - MCO Group 

01. Georgia Ins. Commissioner Drops Out of U.S. Senate Race

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King dropped out of the 2026 Republican race for the U.S. Senate Thursday, hours after Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced his support for former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in a Republican run for the Senate post. King said he would run for reelection as state insurance commissioner next year, saying he would support efforts to help Republicans win “and back a Senate nominee who supports President Trump’s agenda.”

02. Gov. Warns State Agencies to Brace for Federal Cuts

Gov. Brian Kemp warned state agencies to prepare for tighter budgets as Georgia braces for the potential fallout from steep federal spending cuts included in President Donald Trump’s budget plan. In a memo sent last week by the state budget office, Director Richard Dunn advised agency heads that the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 budgets will likely not include any new spending increases. The memo makes it clear that if federal funding is reduced, the state does not plan to fill in the gaps—except for enrollment-based programs such as K-12 education and health care services.

03. TCSG, USG Sign Articulation Agreement for Nursing Students

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the University System of Georgia (USG) signed an articulation agreement to help nursing students seamlessly advance their education and careers, the first of its kind following the passage of HB 192, the Top State for Talent Act. The agreement allows graduates of TCSG’s associate degree in nursing programs to transfer directly into participating USG institutions to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), establishing a true 2+2 transfer model between the two systems.

04. Pilgrim’s Expanding Georgia Footprint, Creating 630 Jobs in Walker County

Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading food companies, will invest $400 million to build a new, multi-phase prepared foods facility in LaFayette, Walker County, supporting more than 630 new jobs at full capacity. The new facility will produce a variety of fully cooked chicken products to support the growth of its fast-growing prepared foods business. The project is expected to get underway in the fall of 2025, and hiring is expected to begin in 2027, aligning with the expected completion of the first phase of construction.

05. House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK-12 Education

The House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK-12 Education met on Tuesday to discuss the causes of chronic absenteeism in schools, as absence rates have increased since before the pandemic in Georgia. Based data, research, surveys, and other sources from a 6-month study, the subcommittee created a report identifying factors related to student absence and outlining actions that can be taken to reduce absences.

Original source: Georgia Legislative Update - MCO Group 

01. Georgia General Assembly Adjourns 2025 Legislative Session

The Georgia General Assembly's 2025 legislative session will adjourn today, April 4, 2025, which is known as "Sine Die.” The governor's 40-day bill review period begins tomorrow, April 5, 2025, and concludes on May 14, 2025. During this time, the governor can sign bills into law, veto them, or let them become law without a signature.

02. House & Senate Adopt CCR on FY26 Budget

The House and Senate voted today to adopt the Conference Committee Report (CCR) to adopt HB 68, the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget. The FY26 budget is set by a revenue estimate of $37.8 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion or 4.4 percent over the FY 2025 original budget. House and Senate conferees reconciled line-item differences including over $1.1 billion in state funds in the Capital Projects Fund as well as funding the Governor’s position on Promise Scholarship Grants CCR FY26 budget highlights:

• The CCR adopted the Senate position of $490,873 for positions to expand the Georgia Hemp Program pursuant to SB 494 (2024 Session).
  
• The final version of House Bill 68 cuts $6 million to improve homelessness initiatives including $2 million to leverage additional federal funding for the State Housing Trust Fund and $750k to expand the Accountable Housing Initiative.
  
• The CCR maintained $2.7 million in new funding provided in the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for various programs that address homelessness, including 100 new housing voucher slots, outreach services for those with severe mental illness, and a community action team.
  
• The House and Senate did not fund $7 million to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to prepare for the execution of public safety and infrastructure costs related to the hosting of future major sporting events, including Super Bowl 62 and the 2031 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
  
• The CCR struck $200,000 of state funds to establish the Georgia Grown Wood Product program in the Georgia Forestry Commission.
  
• The joint committee failed to fund $25 million for the first-year cost of the statewide School and Student Safety (S3) Database to gather and investigate school-based threats across state and local law enforcement agencies. The funds also provide support for behavioral threat assessment management (BTAM) teams to resolve identified threats, ultimately improving the safety of Georgia’s students.
  
• The final version of the FY 2026 budget includes a new program under the Department of Education called “Student Support Services,” providing academic and mental health supports for students in and outside school. The program contains $19.6 million for mental health support grants to school systems. Structured like school security grants, systems will earn $20,000 for each middle and high school (979 statewide) for mental health services, to include contracting with mental health providers, tele-mental health contracts, or hiring staff for in-school counseling. The program also includes $5 million for social work services grants.  The Senate failed to fund or partially fund these initiatives.
  
• The Conference Committee Report fully funds the Quality Basic Education (QBE) program, totaling $14.7 billion in state funds. The House version of the FY 2026 budget includes $302.4 million to provide for enrollment growth and training and experience for an additional 1,291 students and 3,413 teachers.
  
• The budget also includes $21.5 million for growth in the State Commission Charter School supplements. Charter system grants receive $313,627 in additional funding and local charter schools receive an additional $48,477 in funding. Additionally, the conference report supports the governor’s recommendation of lowering the school psychologist ratio from 1:2,475 to 1:2,420, totaling $871,982.  The CCR increased the Charter School supplements to $25,374,042 and the ratios totaling $874,984.
  
• The FY26 budget provides $750,000 for college preparatory exams based on increased utilization. Currently, the state funds PSAT exams for all tenth-grade students and one AP/IB exam for free and reduced-price lunch students, and one AP/IB STEM exam for any student. In FY 2025, the state funded 99,960 PSAT exams and 80,000 AP exams for Georgia students.
  
• The Senate version of HB 68 cut almost half of the $16.9 million in reimbursement rate increases for providers treating Medicaid patients across the state. The services include: $8 million for emergency medical services (EMS) transports to provide payment for the first 10 miles of transportation, air ambulance transfers, and service increases; $1.9 million for an increase for speech therapy (CCR: $0) $1.9 million for neonatologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists; $6.3 million (CCR: $900,000) for applied behavior analysis; $7.5 (CCR: $3.75) million for primary care physicians; $3.1 million (CCR: $1.5m) for dental code increases; $1.7 million (CCR: $0) to increase durable medical equipment reimbursements; and $1.5 million to provide coverage for heart and lung transplants. The CCR struck $1 million earmarked for the Department of Community Health to conduct a comprehensive study of all Medicaid provider reimbursement rates and to make recommendations for improvements.
  
• The CCR fully funds the Governor’s recommendation for the Program for All-Inclusive Care (PACE) for the Elderly pursuant to HB 1078 in the 2024 Session.
  
• The final version of the budget includes $3.1 million to continue the $3 dispensing fee for independent pharmacists for an additional six months, and an additional $2.9 million for drugs dispensed to a covered person in an amount equal to the national average drug acquisition cost.
  
• The CCR funds over $7.4 million in funding for graduate medical education. The state will file a new State Plan Amendment similar to Florida’s recent filing that was approved in 60 days.  This includes $2.8 million for 150 new residency slots, $469,654 in new fellowships, and $5 million to establish a grant program to support new and expanding residency programs.
  
• House Bill 68 directs the Georgia Student Finance Commission to utilize existing funds to increase the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) award amount from $1,100 to $1,150 per year.  The CCR failed to fund this increase.
  
• House and Senate conferees agreed to fund an additional $33 million in formula funds for the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to reflect a 10.6% increase in enrollment. The budget also includes $15.8 million in additional targeted funding, bringing the total appropriation to TCSG to offset the increased cost of providing high-demand and high-cost programming in aviation, commercial truck driving, and nursing to $31 million.
  
• The final version of the FY 2026 budget supports the governor’s recommendation for 100 NOW/COMP waivers.
  
• HB 68 provides $5.8 million to DBHDD to expand the availability of forensic services and adds $185,420 (CCR: $0) for a jail diversion program. Finally, the CCR agrees with the House position to add $9.4 million for a new behavioral health crisis center in North Fulton.
  
• The final version of HB 68 provides $19.2 million to address growth in foster care and the increased costs of care; $1.5 million to provide clothing and supplies for foster youth, keep foster children closer to their families, deter child welfare involvement, and support those aging out of care; and $6.1 million for a 2% provider rate increase for Child Caring Institutions, Child Placing Agencies, foster parents, and relative caregivers.
  
• The CCR provides $1 million for the Department of Public Safety for the protection of communities.
  
• The Conference Committee Report provides the Department of Corrections with a total increase of $199.6 million over the agency’s prior year budget. The budget includes $45 million to add more than 700 correctional officers to improve inmate to staff ratios. The state’s aging correctional facilities are in need of critical repairs to keep both correctional officers and inmates safe. In order to renovate facilities, the budget provides funds to move 667 prisoners out of state prison facilities to other housing units. With the addition of four 126-bed prefabricated housing units coming online in FY 2026, a total of 1,171 inmates will be moved from state prisons to empty housing units for widespread renovations.
  

03. Speaker Burns & Lt. Gov. Jones Praise School Safety Bill Passage

House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones released statements this week praising the final passage of HB 268, a comprehensive school safety plan developed by the Georgia General Assembly in response to the tragic loss of four Georgians during a school shooting at Apalachee High School last September. Below are the specific policies established by the bill:

• Requires all relevant student records, including education and disciplinary records, to be shared with the receiving school in a given time frame when a student transfers between school districts.
  
• Allows for the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to establish a statewide alert system to report and monitor incidents of safety threats made against schools.
  
• Requires schools to adopt threat assessment plans to provide a structured, multidisciplinary process to identify, assess and mitigate potential threats to schools while supporting the safety and well-being of students and school personnel.
  
• Requires all public schools to implement a mobile panic alert system, much like the system used at Apalachee, which we know saved countless lives and prevented a much larger tragedy.
  
• Creates “qualified student advocacy specialist” positions and grants to fund these positions for local school systems.
  
• Requires that students in sixth grade and above receive an hour of suicide awareness and prevention training, as well as one hour of youth violence prevention training annually.
  
• Requires all high-needs schools to implement positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), which are proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety and support improved academic outcomes.
  
• Increases penalties for terroristic acts and requires schools to suspend
  

04. New Chief Justice Sworn In

The Honorable Nels S.D. Peterson was sworn in as the 35th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the State Capitol.  The ceremony drew a bipartisan audience of hundreds of lawmakers, jurists and state leaders. Peterson, who was twice appointed to court posts by then-Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, underscored the fragility of the legal system in an era of distrust.  He described with admiration a judicial system that requires popular majorities to accept outcomes in favor of small minority groups — and the “most powerful of all, the government, to accept and obey limits of government power.”

05. Child Tax Credit Bill Advances to Gov. Kemp’s Desk

Legislation creating a child tax credit and expands childcare tax programs, HB 136,  will now head to Gov. Kemp for consideration and signature. This legislation was recommended by the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare, which Lt. Governor Burt Jones appointed. The bill expands the current tax credit for child and dependent care expenses from a 30% match of the federal credit to a 50% match. It also creates a new Georgia Child Tax Credit, allowing taxpayers to claim an income tax credit of $250 for each child under 6 years old. Finally, the bill creates a new employer incentive to cover childcare expenses. This program will allow an employer to claim a $1,000 credit in the first year and $500 in subsequent years for any employee for which the employer covers at least $1,000 in childcare costs. The bill also preserves the existing tax credit program for employer-sponsored childcare centers.

Original source: Georgia Legislative Report - March 28, 2025
MCO Group

01. Legislature Completes Day 37

The General Assembly convened for three days this week, completing day 37 of the 40-day session. The legislature will convene Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week for days 38 through 40, at which point they will adjourn Sine Dine. Tuesday and Thursday will be reserved for committee days. Committees are feverishly meeting to pass legislation as we are entering the final week of the 2025 legislative session

As a reminder, the adjournment resolution (SR 6) and House and Senate committee schedules are linked below.

Legislative tracking reporting through Legistracker is up to date. Please let us know if you have questions or trouble accessing your account.

02. Second Tort Reform Bill Passes House

The second part of Gov. Brian Kemp's top priority to limit lawsuits and large verdicts won approval Thursday from the House. The full package, also called tort reform, is set to hit his desk in the coming weeks.  The bill, which seeks to limit predatory activity from third parties and foreign adversaries who invest in litigation, got overwhelming approval in the Senate and bipartisan support in the House, passing 98-69. But those moves come as lawmakers grapple with the fallout from political disputes over the first half of the proposal. SB 69 requires third-party entities that invest in litigation to register with the Department of Banking and Finance and bans foreign adversaries and governments from investing in litigation, among other reforms. It also limits how much the funders of litigation can influence civil litigation proceedings and the people involved.

03. President Trump Selects GA Senator as U.S. Treasurer

Senator Brandon Beach has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next U.S. Treasurer. Beach, a Republican, has represented District 21, which includes parts of Fulton and Cherokee counties, since 2013. He is a longtime Alpharetta resident, president and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and president and CEO of the North Fulton Community Improvement District. Trump said Beach would "uphold the values of fiscal responsibility and economic growth — and help unleash America’s golden age."

04. Georgia to Cancel 455,000 Inactive Voter Registrations

Georgia election officials are set to cancel approximately 455,000 inactive voter registrations this summer, one of the largest purges in U.S. history. According to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, more than half of the removals were flagged by the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a 24-state organization that identifies voters who have moved or become ineligible. State officials, including Elections Director Blake Evans, argue that the cancellations demonstrate ERIC’s effectiveness in maintaining an accurate voter list. “ERIC is the best tool out there right now that gives us valuable information you can’t get anywhere else,” Evans told the AJC.  The majority of the cancellations affect voters who appear to have moved, either by changing addresses, registering in other states, or obtaining out-of-state driver’s licenses.

05. Senate Passes FY26 Budget

The Senate voted today 48-7 to adopt HB 68, the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget. The FY26 budget is set by a revenue estimate of $37.7 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion or 4.4 percent over the FY 2025 original budget. House and Senate conferees will need to reconcile line-item differences including over $1.1 billion in state funds between the Capital Projects Fund and the General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund as well as over $95 million of state funds for Promise Scholarship Grants pursuant to SB 233 adopted in 2024.  Senate FY26 budget highlights:

• The House provides $792,585 for eight positions to expand the Georgia Hemp Program pursuant to SB 494 (2024 Session). Senate decreased to $490,873.
  
• The Senate version of House Bill 68 cuts $6 million to improve homelessness initiatives including $4 million to leverage additional federal funding for the State Housing Trust Fund and $2 million to expand the Accountable Housing Initiative.
  
• The Senate maintained $2.7 million in new funding is provided in the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for various programs that address homelessness, including 100 new housing voucher slots, outreach services for those with severe mental illness, and a community action team.
  
• The Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget cuts $7 million to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority to prepare for the execution of public safety and infrastructure costs related to the hosting of future major sporting events, including Super Bowl 62 and the 2031 NCAA Men’s Final Four.
  
• The Senate struck $200,000 of state funds to establish the Georgia Grown Wood Product program in the Georgia Forestry Commission.
  
• The Senate failed to fund $25 million for the first-year cost of the statewide School and Student Safety (S3) Database to gather and investigate school-based threats across state and local law enforcement agencies. The funds also provide support for behavioral threat assessment management (BTAM) teams to resolve identified threats, ultimately improving the safety of Georgia’s students.
  
• The House version of the FY 2026 budget includes a new program under the Department of Education called “Student Support Services,” providing academic and mental health supports for students in and outside school. The program contains $19.6 million for mental health support grants to school systems. Structured like school security grants, systems will earn $20,000 for each middle and high school (979 statewide) for mental health services, to include contracting with mental health providers, tele-mental health contracts, or hiring staff for in-school counseling. The program also includes $5 million for social work services grants.  The Senate failed to fund or partially fund these initiatives.
  
• The House and Senate budgets fully fund the Quality Basic Education (QBE) program, totaling $14.7 billion in state funds. The House version of the FY 2026 budget includes $302.4 million to provide for enrollment growth and training and experience for an additional 1,291 students and 3,413 teachers.
  
• The budget also includes $24.7 million for growth in the State Commission Charter School supplements. Charter system grants receive $313,627 in additional funding and local charter schools receive an additional $48,477 in funding. Additionally, the House supports the governor’s recommendation of lowering the school psychologist ratio from 1:2,475 to 1:2,420, totaling $871,982.  The Senate increased the Charter School supplements to $25,374,042 and the ratios to $874,984.
  
• The Senate struck the House funding of $2.5 million for college preparatory exams based on increased utilization. Currently, the state funds PSAT exams for all tenth-grade students and one AP/IB exam for free and reduced-price lunch students, and one AP/IB STEM exam for any student. In FY 2025, the state funded 99,960 PSAT exams and 80,000 AP exams for Georgia students.
  
• The Senate version of HB 68 cut almost half of the $32 million in reimbursement rate increases for providers treating patients on Medicaid across the state. The services include: $8 million (Sen: $4 million) for emergency medical services (EMS) transports to provide payment for the first 10 (Sen: 6) miles of transportation, air ambulance transfers, and service increases; $1.9 million for an increase for speech therapy (Sen: $0) $1.9 million for neonatologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists; $6.3 million (Sen: $900,000) for applied behavior analysis; $7.5 (Sen: $3.75) million for primary care physicians; $3.1 million (Sen: $0) for dental code increases; $1.7 million (Sen: $0) to increase durable medical equipment reimbursements; and $1.5 million to provide coverage for heart and lung transplants. The Senate struck $1 million earmarked for the Department of Community Health to conduct a comprehensive study of all Medicaid provider reimbursement rates and to make recommendations for improvements.
  
• The Senate also cut over $2.5 million in funds for the Program for All-Inclusive Care (PACE) for the Elderly pursuant to HB 1078 in the 2024 Session.
  
• The House version of the budget includes $3.1 million to continue the $3 dispensing fee for independent pharmacists for an additional six months, and an additional $1.2 million for drugs dispensed to a covered person in an amount equal to the national average drug acquisition cost.  The Senate increased the $1.2 million to $5 million.
  
• The Senate agreed to new funding for graduate medical education. However, the Senate proposes to fund the programs through a new State Plan Amendment similar to Florida’s recent filing that was approved in 60 days.  This includes $2.8 million for 150 new residency slots, $469,654 in new fellowships, and $5 million to establish a grant program to support new and expanding residency programs.
  
• House Bill 68 directs the Georgia Student Finance Commission to utilize existing funds to increase the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) award amount from $1,100 to $1,150 per year.  The Senate failed to fund this increase.
  
• The Senate agreed with the House to fund an additional $33 million in formula funds for the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to reflect a 10.6% increase in enrollment. The budget also includes $15.8 million in additional targeted funding, bringing the total appropriation to TCSG to offset the increased cost of providing high-demand and high-cost programming in aviation, commercial truck driving, and nursing to $31 million.
  
• The House version of the FY 2026 budget supports the governor’s recommendation for 100 NOW/COMP waivers and adds 50 new waivers with a $3.4 million appropriation.  The Senate added 50 additional slots and increased funding to $4.6 million.
  
• HB 68 provides $5.8 million to DBHDD to expand the availability of forensic services and adds $185,420 (Sen: $0) for a jail diversion program. Finally, the House adds $9.4 (Sen: $2.3) million for a new behavioral health crisis center in North Fulton.
  
• The House version of HB 68 provides $19.2 million to address growth in foster care and the increased costs of care; $1.5 million to provide clothing and supplies for foster youth, keep foster children closer to their families, deter child welfare involvement, and support those aging out of care; and $6.1 (Sen: $3) million for a 2% (Sen: 1%) provider rate increase for Child Caring Institutions, Child Placing Agencies, foster parents, and relative caregivers.
  
• The Senate added over $1 million for the Department of Public Safety for the protection of communities.
  
• The House and Senate provides the Department of Corrections with a total increase of $250 million over the agency’s prior year budget. The budget includes $45 million to add more than 700 correctional officers to improve inmate to staff ratios. The state’s aging correctional facilities are in need of critical repairs to keep both correctional officers and inmates safe. In order to renovate facilities, the budget provides funds to move 667 prisoners out of state prison facilities to other housing units. With the addition of four 126-bed prefabricated housing units coming online in FY 2026, a total of 1,171 inmates will be moved from state prisons to empty housing units for widespread renovations.