Feb. 20, 2026 – Issue 06

If you were at the Capitol this week, you might have heard the hum of Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer from lawmakers, lobbyists and staff alike as the week kicked off the halfway point of the session. However, as we are quick to point out, only in the Gold Dome microcosm will 20 legislative days add up to 43 calendar days as the General Assembly continues its march to Sine Die on April 2. While it was a holiday week for many in Cobb County, the House and Senate packed a lot into their four-day work week. Keep reading to learn more about what is churning under the Gold Dome.

Call to Action

As we asked in FTCS Issue 5, we are still collecting feedback from our business community on your concerns or support surrounding the elimination of the tax credits as written in SB 476, please click here share your feedback related to the potential elimination of the tax credits through this form. As a reminder, SB 476 includes the following:

• Elimination of insurance premium tax credits for insurance companies
• Elimination of tax credit for depository financial institutions
• Elimination of tax credits for manufacturers of medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and medicine
• Amends tax credits for port traffic in the state
• Elimination of tax credits for businesses headquartered in state and full-time jobs
• Eliminate tax credits for manufacturing of cigarettes for exportation
• Eliminates Data Center Sales & Use Tax exemption
  
  

Speaker Burns Announces Insurance Affordability & Claims Integrity Act

In April 2025, House Speaker Jon Burns announced the creation of the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates to gather facts and plan for future action after the General Assembly passed sweeping lawsuit reform legislation signed by Governor Brian Kemp. He tapped Gwinnett lawmaker Rep. Matt Reeves to chair the committee tasked with addressing affordability and stabilizing insurance rates.

At a press conference this week, Speaker Burns and Rep. Reeves, joined by Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King unveiled several major insurance reform bills that “enhance the oversight and regulatory capabilities of the Office of Georgia's Insurance Commissioner, helping ensure fairness and transparency in Georgia's insurance markets.”

The reform package includes:

• HB 1344, by Rep. Matt Reeves, gives the Insurance Commissioner the ability to employ prosecuting attorneys during insurance fraud investigations, prohibits the solicitation, release, or sale of automobile accident information for financial gain, and establishes the “Insurance is At Home in Georgia Program” to attract and retain insurance companies in the State. The legislation would also establish the Georgia Storm Mitigation Program to help reduce property damage from severe weather, clarify regulations regarding excluded drivers from motor vehicle insurance policies, and increases penalties for driving without minimum insurance coverage.
• HB 1262 by Rep. Eddie Lumsden, raises the penalty for health insurers failing to comply with mental health parity reporting requirements. The bill also increases the general enforcement penalties for any person licensed or required to be licensed under the insurance code. It also raises penalties for violations of the "Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act." Finally, for prepaid legal services plans, the bill increases the maximum fine for offenses.
• HB 1263 by Rep. Eddie Lumsden, adds a provision in existing Georgia law that allows insurance companies to claim a refund for any fees or taxes mistakenly or illegally paid to the Commissioner within three years of the payment date.
• HB 1274 by Rep. Matt Reeves, known as the “Auto Insurance Excess Profits Act”, establishes a mechanism for the Department of Insurance to regulate profits made by insurers selling private passenger automobile insurance in Georgia by requiring these insurers to annually report specific financial data, including earned premiums, incurred losses, expenses, and policyholder dividends, for the three most recent accident years. This legislation also gives the Insurance Commissioner the ability to order insurers to refund excess profits to policyholders based upon a proposed financial comparison formula.

Burns emphasized that insurance is essential for Georgians facing disasters or unexpected events and highlighted the House’s commitment to creating a more stable, transparent, and accountable insurance market.

Representative Reeves noted that the committee collaborated across the state and with both parties to develop strategies to reduce insurance costs, asserting that no state is doing more than Georgia to stabilize rates. The committee also worked closely with Commissioner King to strengthen oversight of insurance companies and improve regulatory capabilities. King praised the partnership and said the new legislation supports a long-term goal of ensuring a fair, sustainable insurance system that prioritizes accountability and affordability for all Georgia consumers.

House Minority Leadership Press Conference

The House Democratic Caucus held a press conference at the State Capitol last week to outline their “Affordability Agenda.” The proposal highlights several policy areas the caucus plans to prioritize during the current legislative session.
House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, joined by members of the caucus, summarized the group’s goals, which focus on issues such as housing, healthcare, education, and tax policy.
According to members of the caucus, the agenda includes the following priorities:

• Housing: Increasing the supply of affordable housing and introducing measures aimed at preventing exploitation of renters.
• Healthcare: Expanding Medicaid, placing limits on prescription drug costs, and investing in state programs intended to lower health insurance expenses.
• Maternal Health: Continuing efforts to address maternal mortality rates.
• Gun Safety: Advancing gun safety initiatives described as measures to help protect families.
• Public Education: Supporting increased investments in public schools.
• Childcare: Expanding access to affordable childcare across the state.
• Tax Policy: Proposing changes intended to allow working families to retain more of their income through a “fair tax system.”

The caucus presented the agenda as a broad framework for addressing cost-of-living concerns and other statewide issues. No specific legislation was announced at the event, but members indicated that related bills would be introduced as the session progresses.
To watch the press conference footage, click here.

Speaker Pro Tem Will Not Seek Re-election

A common theme in an election year is not only announcements of who is running but of those who have decided the time for change has arrived. First elected in 2002, Rep. Jan Jones of Milton rose to become the longest-serving Speaker Pro Tem in U.S. history, serving north Fulton County's District 47. She briefly acted as Georgia's first female interim Speaker after David Ralston's 2022 death and served as the first female GOP majority whip. Well-known for passing education reform bills, Jones was also the first female representative to serve as a conferee during the budget negation process and filled in for the House Speaker as the second highest ranking member of the body. A new House Pro Tem will be elected in 2027 at the start of the new legislative biennium.

Senate Leaders Seek to Build New Mental Health Hospital

While the House announced additional priorities via press conference, so did their colleagues across the hall. On Fri., Feb. 19, Appropriations Chair Blake Tillery flanked by sheriffs and police chiefs from across the state was joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III and Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte to announce plans for a new forensic hospital to help alleviate jail overcrowding. Championed as the number one AFY 26 priority of the Senate, Sen. Tillery said the initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening public safety while delivering appropriate treatment for individuals with serious mental illness involved in the criminal justice system. Senate budget includes $409 million to build a new 300-bed mental health hospital, the first new mental health hospital build since the 1960s.

After the press conference, the Senate convened for Day 22, where Sen. Tillery presented the AFY 26 budget to the body.

Senate Passes Little Budget

While we call the amended budget little, it still packs a big punch. The Senate proved as much Friday when they voted on their version of the AFY 2026 budget. The Senate proposal has major changes to the short-term appropriation language, which will bring the House and Senate leadership together for a conference committee to hash out their differences.

Some of the major line items the House and Senate in the will have to reconcile from the upper chamber adds include:

• Funding both the Governor’s income tax rebates which the House cut for its proposal of $850 million in property tax refunds – the Senate says, do both
• $409 million for a new 300 bed, state mental health hospital
• Reduction to the state employe pay supplements from $2000 to $1250
• Reduction of the amount for the needs-based DREAMS Scholarship from $300 million to $100 million
• Reduction of the $50 million homelessness in urban areas funds to $25 million with a redirect of $15 million to address homelessness among veterans

For a review of the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) changes, click here.  

Cobb Delegation Update

At its weekly meeting, the Cobb Legislative Delegation heard from Adam Ross with the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID). Ross began his presentation by highlighting the impressive growth of the Cumberland CID including multiple project successes and ribbon cuttings in 2025. These include the Akers Mill Ramp Ribbon Cutting, New Day Palisades Phase One Ribbon Cutting, Bob Callan Trail Ribbon Cutting, the successful execution and signage related to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and the Federal Transit Authority Award providing grant funds for autonomous shuttles in Cumberland through the CID’s partnership with Beep, a developer of multi-passenger, autonomous vehicle solutions.

Ross also highlighted the progress of ongoing projects including the Cumberland Sweep, a $150 million project connecting different assets within the Cumberland CID through walking and biking lanes. He ended his presentation by thanking the members of the delegation for their support of FY 2026 appropriation of funds for the construction of the Cobb Parkway Pedestrian Bridge, which will provide a safe passageway for pedestrians to cross Cobb Parkway from the City of Smyrna to The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park.

New Legislation of Interest

The following pieces of legislation dropped this past week that are of interest to the Chamber in relation to our State Legislative Agenda. As always, please feel free to view the legislation we are tracking each week at the Gold Dome by visiting our Relevant Legislation tracker page on our website.

HB 1293 by Rep. Jan Jones
Legislation which updates the Dual Achievement Program, which allows eligible students to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously pursuing technical college credentials, by modifying eligibility requirements and program structure. Key changes include adjusting age and course completion requirements, with different eligibility criteria before and after July 1, 2029, and introducing wraparound services to support student success. The legislation also mandates the development of a new funding formula starting in Fiscal Year 2029, requiring the state board to consider factors such as student enrollment, credit hours, support services, and student outcomes when calculating program funding.
Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee

HB 1295 by Rep. Sharon Cooper
Legislation which establishes the Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact, which allows PAs to practice across participating states through a "compact privilege" by maintaining an unrestricted license in their home state and meeting specific qualifications like national certification and passing a criminal background check. The compact creates a national PA Licensure Compact Commission to administer the interstate agreement, maintain a data system tracking licensure and adverse actions, and develop uniform rules for PA practice across states.
Assigned to the House Health Committee

HB 1296 by Rep. Martin Momtahan
Legislation which establishes the "Breakthrough Treatments for Georgia Heroes Suicide Prevention Pilot Program", which will begin on January 1, 2027 and run for three years, focusing on supporting clinical research and providing innovative treatments for veterans and retired first responders suffering from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and traumatic brain injury. The program will use funds to conduct clinical research, subsidize treatments, invest in clinical infrastructure, provide workforce training, and establish treatment guidelines.
Assigned to the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee

HB 1298 by Rep. Chas Cannon
Legislation which amends Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which deals with revenue and taxation, to exempt the retail sale of electricity and natural gas for use by any residential property from sales and use taxes, meaning consumers will no longer pay these taxes on their home energy bills.
Assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee

HB 1302 by Rep. Matthew Gambill
Legislation, titled the "Education and Workforce Strategy Act," enacts significant changes to Georgia's education and workforce development landscape by reconstituting the Office of Student Achievement into the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy, which will now be responsible for coordinating state agencies on education, student achievement, talent development, and workforce preparedness. It renames the High Demand Apprenticeship Program to the Top State for Talent Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Program, designates the Technical College System of Georgia as the state apprenticeship agency, and requires a combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Plan and Perkins State Plan.
Assigned to the House Education Committee

HB 1315 by Rep. Kasey Carpenter
Legislation known as the Georgia Landowners Protection Act, aims to limit the duration and frequency of local government-imposed moratoria, which are temporary suspensions of certain activities like zoning changes or permit approvals.
Assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee

HB 1320 by Rep. Don Parsons
Legislation which amends existing Georgia law concerning the filing and approval of integrated resource plans. Specifically, it adds nuclear energy generation facilities as a type of energy source that must be considered and demonstrated to provide economic, environmental, and other benefits to the state and its customers within these plans. 
Assigned to the House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee

HB 1345 by Rep. Carmen Rice
Legislation which establishes a process for approving workforce training programs in Georgia that are eligible for the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, a federal initiative aimed at providing financial aid for job training. Specifically, it defines an "eligible workforce training program" as one recognized for the Workforce Pell Grant program under a specific federal law, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025."
Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee

HB 1371 by Rep. Jordan Ridley
Legislation titled the "Georgia Secure Tomorrow Act of 2026," establishes a new system of income tax credits for businesses in Georgia that engage in specific "Secure Tomorrow activities," which broadly include defense, national security space, and emergency response/homeland security sectors, as well as related dual-use technologies like drones and advanced manufacturing for these areas.
Assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee

HB 1374 by Rep. Lee Hawkins
Legislation which amends Georgia insurance regulations to restrict health insurance plans from mandating credit card payments as the sole method of reimbursing healthcare providers and requires clear notification and express consent when changing payment methodologies.
Assigned to the House Health Committee

HB 1377 by Rep. John Carson
Legislation which modifies existing Georgia law concerning Transit SPLOST by establishing a waiting period before a county can hold another election to approve this tax if it was previously rejected by voters. Previously, a county could resubmit the question "from time to time" if the voters did not approve it, but this bill amends the law to require that eight years must pass from the date of the failed election before the question can be resubmitted.
Assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee

HB 1382 by Rep. Eric Gisler
Legislation which encourages and authorizes the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to maintain policies that grant academic credit to active-duty military personnel and veterans for learning acquired through their military service, provided that the training and experience are relevant to the coursework.
Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee

SB 512 by Sen. Drew Echols
Legislation titled the "Consumer Inflation Reduction and Tax Fairness Act," amends Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 to regulate interchange fees, which are fees charged by payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) to retailers for processing credit or debit card transactions. Specifically, the bill prohibits payment card networks from charging interchange fees on the amount of sales taxes included in a consumer's purchase price.
Assigned to the Senate Finance Committee

SB 515 by Sen. Billy Hickman
Legislation related to the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Tax Credit Program, by reducing the annual tax credit for most participating teachers from $3,000 to $2,500, though an exception preserves the $3,000 credit for those already eligible before July 1, 2026. The legislation also increases the maximum number of participating teachers allowed annually is increased from 1,000 to 1,200, and the program application deadline is extended.
Assigned to the Senate Finance Committee

Point of Personal Privilege

Another shout out to the team in the Senate Press Office for their posts and reels. We encourage you to check out one of their latest posts, “Get to Know Sen. Jaha Howard” who is one of Cobb’s newest lawmakers. Click here to watch.

Next Week at the Capitol  

Mon., Feb. 23 – Legislative Committee Workday
Tues., Feb.24 – Legislative Day 23
Wed., Feb.25 – Legislative Day 24
Thurs., Feb.26 – Legislative Day 25
Fri., Feb.27–Recess Day

If you have any questions about the Cobb Chamber Government Affairs Committee, the Cobb Chamber legislative priorities or advocacy in general, please reach out to Amanda Seals, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations, or Coleman Loftin, Senior Manager, Government Affairs and Advocacy.