The 2026 Georgia General Assembly kicked off this week, with lawmakers returning to the Capitol for this year’s 40-day session.
There’s heightened public attention (and security) as the session begins and interest groups make their way to the Gold Dome to lobby on priority issues. Five new lawmakers – two senators and three representatives – were also sworn in after winning special elections to fill vacancies. 2026’s being an election year is expected to bring about intense policy debate as several lawmakers jockey for higher office.
Here is a recap of what else happened this week:
- The first bill passed by the Senate was SB 204, sponsored by Sen. Colton Moore, which would bar local governments from regulating how firearms are stored and allow people to sue local authorities that impose such rules. This bill was inspired by a local ordinance in Savannah that has been met with legal and political pushback since its passage in 2024.
- The years’ long effort to legalize sports betting in Georgia continues, as House Bill 910 carries over from last year. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Matt Hatchett, would give the Georgia Lottery Corporation power to regulate and license up to 18 mobile sportsbooks, and create licensing and tax rules for operators. Notably, this would not require a constitutional referendum.
- Another bill carrying over from 2025 deals with regulating data centers. SB 34, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, would bar utilities from passing electricity costs related to data centers onto residential and small business ratepayers, instead requiring those costs to be borne by the data centers themselves or proportionally by large users.
- Lawmakers are once again debating how to further reduce the state income tax, potentially phasing it out completely over time. This follows efforts in previous years to lower the tax rate, and while a specific bill number has not yet been assigned to this effort, the Senate is likely to follow a recommendation by a special committee presented earlier this month. That proposal aims to make the first $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for joint filers tax exempt. In addition to the Senate’s proposal, the House still has HB 880, which also phases down the income tax, carried over from last year.
- On a similar topic, last year’s House Bill 260, sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves, was recommitted and will require a vote in 2026 to stay alive. This bill would increase the statewide homestead exemption for property taxes and, if advanced, would go to Georgia voters in November 2026 as a proposed constitutional amendment.
- After the “Distraction-Free Education Act” that banned the use of cellphones in schools from kindergarten through eighth grade was signed into law last year, lawmakers now look to extend those restrictions to high school students. Although a bill number has not been assigned, House Speaker Jon Burns listed this issue as a priority of this session.
- At the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues event on Wednesday, Governor Brian Kemp outlined some of his priorities for the new year. He proposed significant investments in transportation, including billions for highway improvements, such as expanding express lanes on I-75. The governor also highlighted funding for energy infrastructure in rural areas and workforce initiatives, and announced a new $50 million Homelessness Response Grant to address street-level homelessness.
Next week is budget week, with lawmakers gathering in joint sessions to kick off work on the state’s spending plan.