Sen. Albers: Weeks Two & Three Under the Gold Dome
Friday, January 30, 2026
We have already worked through three weeks of legislative business in the 2026 session, and despite the fast pace, Senate Republicans remain focused on delivering results. I’m incredibly grateful to our first responders for keeping us safe during the winter storm, which allowed the Senate to stay on track for all of Georgia.
Over the past several weeks, much of our time has been spent reviewing Governor Brian Kemp’s budget proposals for the Amended Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and the FY 2027 budget. Thanks to years of conservative, responsible budgeting, Georgia’s economy remains among the strongest 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.
I’m especially looking forward to the proposed investments in our Department of Public Safety, including millions of dollars intended for equipment improvements and renovations to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. These funds give our public safety professionals the tools they need to keep Georgians safe and our communities strong.
This week, I was glad to see the Senate stand with me and unanimously disagree with the House substitute to Senate Bill 9, preserving the original intent of my legislation. SB 9, the Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act, is specifically designed to hold criminals accountable who use artificial intelligence to commit serious offenses, including distributing AI-generated obscene material depicting children. I remain committed to advancing the Senate’s version of this bill, keeping Georgia’s laws aligned with modern technology while protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
This week, the Senate moved forward 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 also recognizes that teachers are the backbone of our schools and gives them the support and flexibility they need to help these students succeed.
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 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.
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.
Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 463-8055 or by email at [email protected].