COLUMN: Hodges: Weeks Nine & Ten Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick)

With just days remaining in the 2026 Legislative Session before Sine Die on April 2, Republicans under the Gold Dome are in a full sprint to deliver on the promises we made to you. Every vote, every bill, and every late night is focused on defending your hard-earned money and preserving the conservative values that make Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Through our diligent financial stewardship of your tax dollars, we are once again in a position to give money back to you and your family. The Senate passed House Bill 1000, paving the way for a fourth round of income tax rebates. That means up to $250 for individuals, $375 for heads of household and $500 for married couples filing jointly. While Washington continues to spend recklessly, Republicans in Georgia are proving that conservative leadership means putting money back in your pocket when you need it most.

With the continued rise in gas prices, we are taking meaningful steps to ease the burden many Georgians are feeling at the pump. The Senate has unanimously passed HB 1199, legislation that will suspend the state gas tax for the next 60 days. At a time when families and communities are already facing significant financial pressures, this is a practical way to help lower costs and provide some immediate relief over the coming months.

Senate Republicans are also taking decisive action to protect our classrooms from foreign influence. House Bill 1379 ensures transparency by requiring schools and universities to disclose funding from hostile foreign nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Georgians deserve to know who is attempting to shape what our students are taught, and Republicans are standing firm to ensure our education system reflects our values, not those of our nation's enemies.

When it comes to public safety, we're sending a clear message to criminals: if you bring deadly drugs into our communities, there will be consequences. With the passage of House Bill 535, we are cracking down on fentanyl traffickers by imposing tough, mandatory penalties on those who poison our streets. This measure is a step in the right direction in the fight to stop a crisis that has devastated too many lives across our state and nation.

The final days of session are always the most critical, and Republicans are not letting up. We will continue fighting to lower costs and defend the principles that have keep Georgia strong.

From day one, we have made it clear that Georgia's economic success should reach every community. That is why I carried House Bill 376, which updates the Georgia Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit and expands incentives for the preservation of historic properties. This bill places a strong focus on rural communities that are too often overlooked, helping revitalize main streets, support small businesses, and preserve the cultural character that makes our state unique. This bill has passed the Senate and heads to Governor Kemp's desk for his signature. I am truly delighted to see this program continue for future generations of Georgians to enjoy.

Protecting your finances is another one of my priorities. As a banker, I've seen far too many scams targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals, and with new technology, these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. I carried House Bill 945, which allows banks to place a temporary 15-day hold on transactions if they suspect someone is being financially exploited. Financial institutions are often the first to notice suspicious activity, and this legislation gives them the ability to step in and help prevent someone from losing their hard-earned savings. This measure to stop financial exploitation is now on its way to the Governor's desk.

I'm also proud to share that my bill, Senate Bill 500, has passed the Senate and made its way to the House. SB 500 enhances a statewide data system overseen by the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce. It expands their database to include licensed health care professionals, which is critical in identifying gaps in care and directing resources where they're needed most, especially in our rural communities. I'm grateful to my colleague Rick Townsend for carrying this legislation forward in the House.

As always, it is an honor to serve you. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, I encourage you to reach out. Your voice drives the work we do every day under the Gold Dome.

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Sen. Mike Hodges serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. He represents the 3^rdSenate District, which includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn and McIntosh counties, as well as a portion of Ware County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7127 or by email at [email protected].

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