March 20, 2026 – Issue 10

This week had a lot going on. The Ides of March came and went (we survived). St. Patrick’s Day found many at the Capitol hoping the luck of the Irish was present as committees met to consider numerous measures. NCAA March Madness tipped off, brackets were filled with hope -- most already in ruins. And now, we officially crossed into spring. If the calendar felt unusually crowded this week, that's because it was. But while everyone else was watching for falling daggers and busted brackets, we were keeping an eye on what's happening at the legislature — and there's plenty to cover not just under the Gold Dome but at the local and federal levels as well. Keep reading to see what kept us on our toes no matter where we showed up.

Note: Today, the General Assembly convenes for Day 35 and is likely still in session as you are reading this. Click here to watch.
 

 

LOCAL UPDATE

It was a very busy week for the Cobb Chamber and SelectCobb at the local level with exciting news breaking on the economic development front.

First, Governor Brian Kemp announced Wednesday that Glytec, a major health tech company, will relocate its headquarters to Cobb County, adding 500 new jobs over the next several years. Founded in Georgia by a licensed endocrinologist, the rapidly growing healthcare information technology company is a global leader in software and related services that manage insulin levels for diabetic patients in hospitals. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Glytec, an innovative leader in healthcare IT, to our business community,” said Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “This relocation reflects the strength of Cobb County and Georgia's business ecosystem and our ability to attract high-growth companies shaping the future of healthcare technology. The addition of 500 high-quality jobs will create new opportunities for our residents while driving continued investment in our local economy.”

This follows last week’s announcement from Governor Kemp that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is officially moving its headquarters to Kennesaw in the Town Center area from California. A manufacturer of ATVs, boat engines, personalized watercraft, and other motorized products, Yamaha already has a strong presence in the state, employing over 2,300 Georgians. The relocation of Yamaha Motor Corp U.S. headquarters will begin this year and is expected to continue through 2028.

Also on Wednesday, plans were teased out at the Cobb Chamber Marietta Area Council by Mayor Tumlin and approved by a 7-0 vote by the Marietta City Council at a special-called meeting Thursday, to bring the headquarters and practice facilities of Arthur Blank’s professional women’s soccer club to Marietta.

The approved contract will give Blank’s company 33 acres of vacant land off Franklin Gateway, half a mile down the road from Atlanta United’s headquarters and practice facility. The land where the women’s facility will be built was once slated to host an IKEA store. In exchange, Blank will pay the city $10 million for the land, as well as donate 10 acres of wooded land he owns across the street from the Atlanta United facility. The city plans to redevelop that land for use as a park, and potentially “other community uses.” Blank will donate an additional $1 million to help fund the park’s construction.

At the same Marietta Area Council, we were honored to host a panel with the three new Marietta City Council members Tee Anderson, Daniel Gaddis, and Jason Waters moderated by Visit Marietta’s Executive Director Brittany Gray. The packed room heard from the members why they ran, what it is like to be a new member, and the importance of SPLOST renewal, not only for their wards but for the city and county overall.

STATE UPDATE

Under the Gold Dome

After today’s session, we are down to five legislative days with Sine Die still two weeks away on April 2. There are lots of measures that look to see action on either the House or Senate floor, and plenty of opportunity for language from bills that failed to crossover to find its way onto vehicles as committee meetings stretch into the late evening.
 

Gas Tax Suspension and Income Tax Rebates

As gas prices continue to climb due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, legislators took action to suspend the state’s gas tax this week providing relief to Georgians at the pump.

On Wednesday, March 18th, the House passed an amendment to HB 1199, which suspends the state’s gas tax for 60 days upon the Governor’s signature and includes language limiting the aggregate annual amount of low-income building tax-credits to not exceed $100 million. The original intent of HB 1199 is to include language that is passed annually to align Georgia’s Internal Revenue Code to that of the federal government.

The Senate unanimously voted to agree to the amended version of HB 1199, sending the legislation to the Governor, who signed the legislation today along with HB 1000. The two bills authorize the return of nearly $1.2 billion in state income tax refunds to Georgians and suspends the state motor fuel tax for 60 days, respectively. When added to previous tax rebates, rate reductions, and suspensions of the gas tax, the administration will have saved or returned over $11.8 billion to Georgia taxpayers with the help of the General Assembly. The final version of the bill removed new state level exemptions for tipped and overtime income, while capping the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit to issue up to $100 million in new credits annually.

"Hardworking Georgians know best how to spend their money, not the government," said Governor Brian Kemp at the bill signing ceremony. "That's why I'm proud to sign these bills and, along with the General Assembly, deliver meaningful tax relief on top of the other measures we've taken in recent years. Because we budget conservatively, we can take steps like these that actually deliver on affordability issues for families in our state."

Update on Local Legislation

Several pieces of local legislation have seen forward movement this year. Local legislation, carried by members of the Cobb Legislative Delegation, aims to make changes to a variety of state laws that solely impact entities within Cobb County. The following pieces of legislation include bills that either crossed over during the 2025 Legislative Session or the 2026 Crossover Day, meaning they are still available to be voted on before Sine Die.

HB 858 by Rep. Terry Cummings
Legislation concerning the State Court of Cobb County to authorize additional assistant solicitor positions and change the salaries of certain staff of the solicitor-general, setting a minimum annual salary of at least $83,400.00 for assistant solicitors beginning January 1, 2027.
PASSED out of the Senate (43-0)

HB 1005 by Rep. David Wilkerson
Legislation which establishes a city manager position for the City of Austell, who will serve as the chief executive and administrative officer responsible for managing city affairs.
PASSED out of the Senate (53-0) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1037 by Rep. Terry Cummings
This bill increases the annual additional compensation for the chief judge of the State Court of Cobb County from $11,328.25 to $11,894.66. It also increases the annual salary for judges of Division 1 of the State Court of Cobb County from $217,134.20 to $227,990.91.
PASSED out of the Senate (48-1) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1213 by Rep. Terry Cummings
Legislation which authorizes the City of Mableton to use all redevelopment and other powers granted by the "Redevelopment Powers Law" and the Georgia Constitution. Before these powers can be exercised, the citizens of Mableton must approve the Act through a referendum vote scheduled for November 2026.
PASSED out of the Senate (45-0) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1452 by Rep. Terry Cummings
Legislation, which authorizes the Municipal Court of Mableton to collect a technology fee, not exceeding $10.00, on criminal and quasi-criminal fines. These funds must be used exclusively for the technological needs of the court and the city's police department, including hardware, software, and camera equipment.
Currently in the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee

SB 491 by Sen. Ed Setzler
Legislation which amends an existing act concerning the Cobb Judicial Circuit to change the salaries of assistant district attorneys. Assistant district attorneys will have a minimum annual salary of $83,400.00, effective January 1, 2027, with the exact amount to be set by the district attorney.
Currently in the House Intragovernmental Coordination Committee

SB 492 by Sen. Ed Setzler
Legislation which amends an existing act to provide for additional assistant solicitor positions in the State Court of Cobb County. Assistant solicitors will have a minimum annual salary of $83,400.00, starting on January 1, 2027, with the exact amount to be determined by the solicitor general.
Currently in the House Intragovernmental Coordination Committee
 

Legislation on the Move

Both the House and the Senate took up several measures this week that we have been tracking. The following pieces of relevant legislation saw action this week and are now headed back to the House or Senate chamber for additional action or are headed to the governor’s desk for signature.

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.

HR 1527 by Rep. Lauren McDonald, III
A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting.
PASSED out of House Special Rules Committee

HB 998 by Rep. Rob Leverett
Legislation which allows certain Tier 2 local exchange companies, that are not affiliated with larger providers, to elect to be regulated under a rate of return system instead of an alternative regulation plan. This bill also modifies the Universal Access Fund, extending the time certain distributions can be made, requiring more detailed financial information from companies seeking reimbursement, and establishing an annual aggregate distribution limit of $50 million starting for costs incurred on or after July 1, 2026.
PASSED out of the Senate (50-2) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1000 by Rep. Matthew Gambill
Legislation which provides for a one-time tax credit for individual taxpayers who filed income tax returns for the 2024 and 2025 taxable years.
SIGNED by Governor Kemp – 03/20/2026

HB 1302 by Rep. Matthew Gambill
This bill reconstitutes the Office of Student Achievement as the Office of Education and Workforce Strategy, renames the High Demand Apprenticeship Program, and establishes the Technical College System of Georgia as the state apprenticeship agency.
PASSED out of the Senate as amended (48-1) and heads to the Governor’s desk

SB 285 by Sen. Randy Robertson
Legislation which requires counties and municipalities to send 1.5% of specific collected funds to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, allows the fund's board to increase member benefits if the fund remains sufficiently "funded," and expresses legislative intent to annually appropriate a portion of state insurance premium taxes to the fund.
PASSED out of the House by Substitute (165-0) and heads back to the Senate

SB 432 by Sen. Larry Walker, III
Legislation which extends the automatic repeal date for provisions related to nonlapsing revenue of institutions within the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, as well as provisions concerning the writing off of small amounts owed to the state, from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031.
PASSED out of the House (153-2) and heads to the Governor’s desk

SB 553 by Sen. Bo Hatchett
Legislation which establishes the State Construction Industry Licensing Board and its divisions for electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors. It also outlines provisions for licensing, requirements, and includes specific considerations for current or former members of the military regarding licensure or certification.
PASSED out of the House by Substitute (168-0) and heads back to the Senate

SB 570 by Sen. Shawn Still
Legislation known as the "Georgia Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act," mandates human trafficking awareness training for employees of inns and third-party property managers of short-term rentals.
PASSED out of the House by Substitute (162-2) and heads back to the Senate
 

Next Week at the Capitol 

Mon., Mar. 23 – Legislative Day 36
Tues., Mar. 24 – Legislative Committee Workday 
Wed., Mar. 25 – Legislative Day 37
Thurs., Mar. 26 – Legislative Committee Workday 
Fri., Mar. 27 – Legislative Day 38 
 

FEDERAL UPDATE

Three hours and counting….that is the current wait time in TSA lines at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport while workers continue to “sick out” during the partial government shutdown that impacts the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. Senate is being kept in town this weekend to work through the administration’s nominee confirmations, including Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-Okla.) nomination to become the new DHS secretary, as well as potential consideration of the SAVE America Act – the proposed legislation to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and impose strict photo ID requirements for voting in federal elections. Meanwhile, both Republicans and Democrats have taken to the local airwaves pointing fingers as to who is at fault for the DHS shutdown while a group of bipartisan senators left a meeting with White House border czar Tom Homan on Thursday afternoon with few signs of progress.

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.