April 2, 2026 – Sine Die Edition

The final gavel has fallen — or rather, is about to. Both Chambers convened at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol, kicking off what promises to be a marathon day of legislative action. For many members, this will be their last session, making today one filled with farewell speeches, last-minute amendments, and the one task the General Assembly is constitutionally bound to complete: passing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Continue reading for a full recap of Day 39 and the two workdays the Assembly powered through this week — and be sure to follow the Cobb Chamber's social media pages throughout the day (and into the night) for live updates and delegation interviews as Coleman and Amanda bring you real-time coverage from the Gold Dome.

From the Capitol Steps will return on Thursday, April 9 with a full breakdown of what fell short and what now awaits action by Governor Brian Kemp. As the 83rd Governor of Georgia, he has 40 days to review the legislation sent to his desk in what marks his final session in that role.

Follow us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

In this Issue:

• State Update
• Federal Update
  
  

STATE UPDATE

Both the House and Senate worked late into the night on Tuesday, moving a number of high-profile bills across the finish line. As Day 39 came to a close, lawmakers advanced several notable measures, including the Speaker and Mrs. Burns’ Georgia Literacy Act of 2026 and Governor Kemp’s proposal to allow certain shareholder claims to be heard in the Georgia Statewide Business Court.

Legislators and lobbyists alike kept a close eye on the floor as bill after bill made its way toward the Governor’s desk. But the work isn’t over yet. With Day 40 now in play, a large slate of legislation still awaits final action before the gavels fall in both chambers.

Speaker’s Literacy Proposal Goes to the Governor

One of the most important pieces of legislation for the House of Representatives this year achieved final passage Tuesday. The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 has officially reached the final threshold of the legislature and now moves on to Governor Kemp’s desk for signature.

Championed by Speaker Jon Burns and his wife, Mrs. Dayle Burns, HB 1193 takes affirmative steps to provide the necessary resources and funding to strengthen Georgia’s literacy rates. The bill provides funding for literacy coaches, revises requirements for reading screeners and instructional materials, and establishes new committees and task forces to guide literacy initiatives.

In a press release on Tuesday, Speaker Burns stated, “the passage of the Early Literacy Act of 2026 marks the beginning of unprecedented change and a monumental step forward for every child who steps foot in a Georgia classroom.”
He added, “This is just the beginning of a success story that I believe will make a generational difference in the lives of children, families, and our entire state by ensuring every child has the chance to learn to read.”

HB 1185 Sees Final Passage

Several of Governor Kemp’s priorities moved quickly through the General Assembly this year, and another key measure crossed the finish line on Tuesday. HB 1185, sponsored by House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, streamlines how shareholder-related business disputes are handled by directing them to the Georgia Statewide Business Court, creating a more consistent, specialized, and predictable venue for resolving complex governance matters.

In a post on X, Governor Kemp stated that he is “Grateful for final passage of HB 1185, bringing corporate governance matters into the 21st century so that Georgia stays the No. 1 state for business at all levels, from the factory floor to the boardroom!”

Halfway Survivors

At the time of this report, Day 40 is well into the throws of legislative action. Before gaveling out tonight, the legislature will most likely work well into the evening ensuring that important measures are passed, including the FY 27 budget. As negotiations occur on legislative action, we expect the budget to be one of the last items voted on today.

The following pieces of legislation made the final push on Tuesday, Day 39, and are on their way to the Governor’s desk. 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.

SB 406 by Sen. Matt Brass
Legislation known as the "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act," which requires home owners' associations to register with the Secretary of State and outlines new rights for property owners, including access to records and notice requirements for foreclosures. It also establishes procedures for resolving disputes, specifies how owner payments are applied to outstanding dues and fees, and introduces changes to lien foreclosure timelines and attorney fee claims.
Senate AGREED to the House Amendment (51-0) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1070 by Rep. Leesa Hagan
Legislation which increases and extends an income tax credit for Class III railroads for expenditures on maintaining their railroad track. The credit is increased to $5,000 per mile of track owned or leased in Georgia, and the duration of the credit is extended until December 31, 2027.
House AGREED to the Senate Sub (139-26) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1077 by Rep. Noel Williams
Legislation which extends the sunset date for an existing sales and use tax exemption on tickets for certain fine arts performances and museum admissions at nonprofit facilities from December 31, 2027, to December 31, 2032. It also creates a new exemption for sales of tickets, fees, or charges for admission to the Georgia National Fair.
House AGREED to the Senate Sub (153-14) and heads to the Governor’s desk

HB 1374 by Rep. Lee Hawkins
Legislation that aims to regulate payment methods between health insurance plans and healthcare providers and also revises state purchasing procedures. 
House AGREED to the Senate Sub (165-0) and heads to the Governor’s desk

Legislation Still Under Consideration

There are many pieces of legislation still in contention to reach the Governor’s desk this year before the final gavel tonight. As of the time of this report, the following pieces of legislation are waiting for final passage. In our April 9 edition, we will give a recap of the year and provide a final r report of the legislation that survived and the legislation that didn’t.

SB 51 by Sen. Ed Setzler
Legislation which revises contracting procedures for counties and municipalities in Georgia when acquiring certain professional services by implementing a Qualifications Based Selection process for these entities contracting services.
Currently eligible for House Rules consideration

SB 131 by Sen. Mike Hodges
Legislation related to auto-renewal service contracts. The bill aims to require advance notice and, in the case of a contract of one year or more that includes a 50% or greater price increase, allows consumers who miss the cancellation deadline to cancel within 30 days and receive a pro‑rated refund. It also requires explicit acknowledgment and affirmative consent for automatic renewals longer than 24 months and applies to contracts entered into on or after December 31, 2026.
Currently waiting on an agree/disagree in the House

SB 447 by Sen. Clint Dixon
Legislation which revises provisions related to the control of soil erosion and sedimentation, requiring local authorities to provide written reasons for permit denials within specific timeframes and to refund fees if deadlines are missed.
Currently waiting on an agree/disagree in the Senate

HB 61 by Rep. Devan Seabaugh
Legislation, titled the "Georgia Anti-Squatting Act of 2026," and also known as the “No Pay, No Stay” bill, aims to provide property owners with more immediate means to remove unauthorized individuals from their property. It revises laws concerning unlawful squatting, expands magistrate court jurisdiction over such offenses, and outlines procedures for law enforcement to assist in the removal of squatters based on a verified complaint from the property owner.
Currently waiting for an agree/disagree in the House

 HB 297 by Rep. Victor Anderson
Legislation which abolishes the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and renames the Atlanta-region Transit Link "ATL" Authority as the Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority. This language was substituted on to the original bill by Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte.
Currently waiting for an agree/disagree in the House

HB 328 by Rep. Kasey Carpenter
Legislation which revises provisions for student scholarship organizations by expanding eligibility to include students with disabilities or military families and allows for electronic endorsement of scholarship awards. It increases the annual aggregate limit for tax credits available for contributions to student scholarship organizations to $225 million. The legislation also now includes language that limits the use of Transit SPLOST funds from being used to offset transit fares and provides that a Transit SPLOST referendum cannot be resubmitted for a vote for eight years after the initial failed election.
Currently waiting for an agree/disagree in the Senate

HB 377 by Rep. Rob Leverett
Legislation which revises contracting procedures for counties and municipalities when acquiring professional services for public works by requiring the use of a Qualifications Based Selection process.
Currently waiting on an agree/disagree in the House

HB 1001 by Rep. Will Wade
Legislation which reduces the Georgia state income tax rate to 4.99% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. 
Currently awaiting a vote in the Senate

HB 1027 by Rep. Victor Anderson
Legislation which allows local governments to enter into longer-term contracts for certain types of electric power services, including solar, wind, and electric power validated by a court. Additionally, it requires contracts with "large load customers" (those with a demand of 100 megawatts or greater) to include provisions protecting residential and retail customers from associated costs.
Currently awaiting a vote in the Senate

HB 1116 by Rep. Shaw Blackmon
Legislation which enacts the "Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026," introducing a Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (L-HOST) to fund homestead exemptions. It also includes provisions for property tax reform, including requirements for referendums on certain local government revenue increases and limitations on special election dates for such questions.
Currently waiting for an agree/disagree in the House

HB 1263 by Rep. Eddie Lumsden
Legislation which exempts health care facilities, services, and equipment primarily dedicated to cancer treatment from certificate of need requirements, with certain conditions and an exception for facilities located near specific nonprofit hospitals.
Currently waiting for an agree/disagree in the House

HB 1274 by Rep. Matt Reeves
Legislation which mandates data collection from auto insurers to identify and refund excess profits, sets minimum reimbursement rates and copayment limits for out-of-network ambulance services, and requires life insurers to conduct policy searches, report on beneficiary protection, and provide policyholders with access to their policy information and an annual status report.
Currently awaiting a vote in the Senate

HB 1344 by Rep. Matt Reeves
Legislation known as the "Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act," aims to ensure affordable insurance coverage and fair claims processing by enhancing the Commissioner of Insurance's authority. It introduces various protections for consumers and strengthens enforcement against insurance fraud and other violations.
Currently awaiting a vote in the Senate

HB 1470 by Rep. Trey Kelley
Legislation which creates a new cause of action in Georgia that allows businesses to recover damages and attorney fees from claimants and their attorneys if a lawsuit alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to their website is unsuccessful.  
Currently awaiting a vote in the Senate

End of Session

Today marks the official close of the current biennium. All bills and resolutions that did not reach the Governor's desk have expired, bringing this legislative chapter to a close.

The 2027–2028 biennium will convene on Monday, January 11, 2027 — and by nearly every measure, it promises to be a session unlike any in recent memory. A new Governor, a new Lieutenant Governor, a wave of incoming members across both the House and Senate following the 2026 election cycle, and a brand-new legislative office building will set the stage for a period of significant transition and change.

We remain committed to advocating on behalf of Cobb Chamber members and will continue to keep you informed every step of the way as this historic new chapter unfolds.

FEDERAL UPDATE

As the Georgia General Assembly winds down, our federal affairs lens ratchets up. Always on the prowl to remind our congressional delegation that continuing resolutions are bad things, we are encouraged to see a bipartisan coalition of 84 House members led by retiring Congressman Barry Loudermilk submitted to Appropriations committee leadership seeking eight new C-130J aircraft for the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve in the FY 2027 NDAA. We like this for two reasons – our airmen at Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base currently fly legacy C-130Hs. Enlisted and reservist Airmen should both be equipped with equivalent, upgraded capabilities. Appropriating funds for Guard and Reserve aircraft gets the Air Force closer to a completely upgraded fleet—including at Dobbins. Secondly, the Lockheed Martin plant here in Cobb County produces the Super Hercules. Funding these aircraft helps to keep our workforce busy with high quality jobs. The Cobb Chamber continues to advocate for this enhanced capability for our service members.

Meanwhile, the 22 agencies under the Department of Homeland Security are still operating without a budget as the Easter recess is in full effect. Congress is set to return to The Hill on Monday, April 13.

2026 WASHINGTON D.C. FLY-IN registration opens on Wednesday, May 6. This year’s advocacy visit is Sept. 16-18. Mark your calendars and get ready to sign up. Our trip sells out annually, and you won’t want to miss it!


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.