COLUMN: Hodges: Weeks Two & Three Under the Gold Dome

We are now well into the 2026 Legislative Session, and the work under the Gold Dome is moving quickly. Even with winter weather trying to slow things down, the Senate stayed on track and focused on delivering results for Georgians.

Over the past several weeks, much of our time has been spent reviewing Governor Brian Kemp's budget proposals for the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 and the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Thanks to years of conservative, responsible budgeting, Georgia remains among the strongest financially in the nation. That fiscal discipline allows us to make smart investments while still respecting taxpayers and keeping our state on a path of long-term growth.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, I am focused on providing the hardworking citizens of Georgia with income tax and property tax relief. Governor Kemp's proposed rebate plan returns more than $1 billion in income taxes to hardworking Georgians. Under this plan, single filers would receive a one-time $250 rebate, while joint filers would receive up to $500 back in their pockets. Families don't have the luxury of waiting on the government while bills pile up, and this refund would deliver immediate relief by giving Georgians the freedom to cover everyday costs.

I am also working with the Department of Banking on their annual clean-up legislation. This will ensure that our state's terminology, regulations and requirements are clear and up to date. I am also working on legislation to correct duplicate payments in workers' compensation, a critical step toward reducing administrative burdens and improving coordination between state and local governments.

Senate Republicans are focused on policies that strengthen families, grow our economy, and keep Georgia a great place to live, work and raise a family. That means lowering costs, protecting homeowners, supporting educators, and ensuring government lives within its means, just like Georgia families do every day.

This week, the Senate took an important step forward for students and teachers with the final passage of Senate Bill 148. SB 148 supports educators by expanding flexibility in how learning happens, including hands-on and outdoor education opportunities, while also making common-sense updates to teacher leave policies. This legislation recognizes that teachers are the backbone of our schools and gives them the support and flexibility they need to help students succeed. I was proud to support SB 148 and grateful to my Senate colleagues for working together to get this bill across the finish line.

We also made progress on one of our top priorities for protecting homeowners. Senate Bill 382 passed out of the Senate Committee on Finance, keeping it on track as we move through the legislative process. SB 382 would require a statewide base-year homestead exemption for all local governments and streamline the process for calling referendums on local sales taxes. For too long, homeowners have faced unrelenting property tax increases as some local governments opted out of existing protections. This bill restores fairness and puts homeowners first by ensuring everyone plays by the same rules. SB 382 now heads to the Senate Rules Committee, and I look forward to continuing to push it toward final passage.

While Senate Republicans remain focused on passing meaningful legislation and delivering real results, others continue to focus on political distractions instead of solutions. Republicans are choosing a path centered on affordability, accountability and opportunity for working Georgians.

That focus is reflected in the priorities we are advancing this session. Affordability remains front and center, from keeping property taxes in check to ensuring energy reliability, supporting workforce development and maintaining low taxes that help families keep more of what they earn. These issues matter to Georgia families, and they guide our work every day under the Gold Dome.

In other news, I welcomed members of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, an organization that supports local businesses, fosters economic growth, and strengthens our community. Their efforts closely align with my work in promoting policies that help Georgia's economy thrive. I also met with the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce this week to discuss their need for a data system. Healthcare providers are not evenly distributed across the state, so this information would help us find which areas need the most assistance. I'll be looking into this issue in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for future updates.

As always, I appreciate hearing from you and value your input as the legislative session continues. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. It's an honor to represent you and to fight for Georgia's future.

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Sen. Mike Hodges serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. He represents the 3^rd Senate 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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