With just one week left under the Gold Dome, we are not slowing down. We are fulfilling our responsibility to lower costs, protect your family and make sure Georgia continues to lead in responsible government.

Let’s be honest, what you’re seeing in Georgia stands in stark contrast to what’s happening in Washington and in many Democrat-led states. While others continue to spend recklessly, raise taxes and grow government, we’ve taken a different path rooted in discipline and respect for your hard-earned money.

That approach is on full display in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

This week, the Senate took up House Bill 974, a $38.5 billion budget that reflects both the strength of Georgia’s economy and our commitment to conservative financial stewardship. Unlike the federal government, which continues to rack up debt with no tangible plan to pay it back, Georgia is constitutionally required to balance its budget, and we do it the right way.

We are making targeted investments in education and our future workforce, including $70 million to place a literacy coach in every K-3 classroom. At the same time, we are expanding the Georgia PROMISE Scholarship to give families more options and greater control over their child’s education, because we trust parents, not bureaucracies, to make those decisions.

While some on the left continue to push one-size-fits-all education policies, we are empowering families with real choices and real opportunities. We’re also standing by the people who have dedicated their lives to public service. By contributing $100 million to the Employees’ Retirement System, we are ensuring that Georgia’s retirees can remain here, continue contributing to our communities and live with the dignity they’ve earned.

In our classrooms, Senate Republicans are choosing focus and safety over distraction. House Bill 1009 establishes a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in high schools. Parents and teachers alike have seen the impact of constant screen time, less engagement, more distraction and fewer real conversations. This legislation helps restore discipline in the classroom, improve academic outcomes and ensure students are attentive in emergency situations.

The issue of speed cameras and the fines associated with speeding violations has been a major debate, and this week, the Senate took decisive action. House Bill 651 passed out of the Senate this week to provide better oversight and accountability by preventing revenue-based policing with speed cameras or speed traps. HB 651 will make reduced-speed zones clearer to drivers and allow the Department of Public Safety to revoke speed-detection device permits if it finds evidence of misuse. While the safety of children in school zones and Georgia motorists is incredibly important, we also want to keep bad actors from profiting off these systems.

I’m also proud to report that Senate Bill 470, the Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act, passed the Senate several weeks ago and is now on its way back from the House for final consideration. Signal jammers pose a real danger to the safety of all Georgians, and this bill would ban their manufacture, sale, and use to protect law enforcement and critical infrastructure.

Finally, it was my pleasure and great honor to present Senate Resolution 1000 and celebrate House Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones’s decades of service to the great state of Georgia. Speaker Pro Tempore Jones has been a true friend and an even better legislator in the General Assembly, tirelessly advocating for education initiatives in Georgia. She also broke barriers as the first female Speaker of the House, and I’m confident her leadership will continue to inspire for generations to come.

As we approach our final legislative day, I encourage you to stay engaged and reach out with any questions or concerns. Your voice matters, and it continues to shape the work we do here under the Gold Dome.

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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].

With just days remaining in the 2026 Legislative Session before Sine Die on April 2, Republicans under the Gold Dome are in a full sprint to deliver on the promises we made to you. Every vote, every bill, and every late night is focused on defending your hard-earned money and preserving the conservative values that make Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

While others talk, Senate Republicans are delivering.

From day one, we have made it clear that Georgia’s economic success should reach every community, not just a select few. That’s why we passed House Bill 376 to expand tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic properties, with a strong focus on rural counties often left behind. This measure will help to revitalize our main streets, support small businesses and make sure that no part of Georgia is overlooked in our state’s growth.

Through our diligent financial stewardship of your tax dollars, we are once again in a position to give money back to you and your family. The Senate passed House Bill 1000, paving the way for a fourth round of income tax rebates. That means up to $250 for individuals, $375 for heads of household and $500 for married couples filing jointly. While Washington continues to spend recklessly, Republicans in Georgia are proving that conservative leadership means putting money back in your pocket when you need it most.

With the continued rise in gas prices, we are taking meaningful steps to ease the burden many Georgians are feeling at the pump as well. The Senate has unanimously passed HB 1199, legislation that will suspend the state gas tax for the next 60 days. At a time when families and communities are already facing significant financial pressures, this is a practical way to help lower costs and provide some immediate relief over the coming months.

We are also taking decisive action to protect our classrooms from foreign influence. House Bill 1379 ensures transparency by requiring schools and universities to disclose funding from hostile foreign nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Georgians deserve to know who is attempting to shape what our students are taught, and Republicans are standing firm to ensure our education system reflects our values, not those of our nation’s enemies.

When it comes to public safety, we’re sending a clear message to criminals: if you bring deadly drugs into our communities, there will be consequences. With the passage of House Bill 535, we are cracking down on fentanyl traffickers by imposing tough, mandatory penalties on those who poison our streets. This measure is a step in the right direction in the fight to stop a crisis that has devastated too many lives across our state and nation.

The final days of session are always the most critical, and Republicans are not letting up. We will continue fighting to lower costs and defend the principles that have keep Georgia strong.

Finally, I am proud to share updates on several important public safety bills moving toward final passage. House Bill 1086, the “Preston Fant and Brant Chesney Firefighter Safety Act,” honors two dedicated Georgia firefighters who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. Both were responding to structure fires involving lightweight, truss-type roof construction, which is more prone to collapse during a fire. This bill requires buildings of this type to display clear indicators so firefighters can adjust their approach and better protect themselves and those inside. On Friday, the Senate passed this measure unanimously and sent it to the Governor. I am honored to have helped push this measure forward, providing even a moment of clarity to these brave men and women who otherwise have to act quickly to save lives.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 160 passed out of the House this week and is on its way back to the Senate for final adjustments. SB 160 will hold reckless street racers accountable for endangering the lives of Georgia commuters by increasing penalties for reckless driving and allowing intelligent speed assistance devices to be installed in their vehicles. These devices, by court order, can be installed to help control a vehicle’s speed within the bounds of the law. Thousands of Georgians lose their lives in car-related accidents each year, so this bill is an important step toward improving safety for drivers and families across our state.

As always, it is an honor to serve you. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, I encourage you to reach out. Your voice drives the work we do every day under the Gold Dome.

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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].

For all media inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].

With Crossover Day behind us, the Senate is now turning its attention to House legislation and one of our most important responsibilities: crafting a fiscally responsible Fiscal Year 2027 state budget. This week, Senate leaders met with agency heads and stakeholders from across Georgia’s industries to review funding needs and ensure our state remains on a strong financial path.

This process may take time, but it’s one of the reasons Georgia is consistently recognized for responsible financial management. Every dollar we approve is taxpayer money, and we take that responsibility seriously. That means asking tough questions, carefully reviewing requests and investing in programs that truly benefit Georgia families.

Protecting your finances is a top priority we addressed this week. The Senate passed House Bill 945, which strengthens protections against financial exploitation. Unfortunately, scams targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals have become more common and increasingly sophisticated. This bill allows banks to place a temporary 15-day hold on transactions if they suspect someone is being financially exploited. Financial institutions are often the first to notice suspicious activity, and this legislation gives them the ability to step in and help prevent someone from losing their hard-earned savings.

We also took an important step toward helping more children find permanent homes. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 771, creating the Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability. For many loving families, the cost of adoption can be a major barrier. This committee will study ways to make adoption more affordable and accessible so that more children in Georgia have the opportunity to grow up in safe, stable homes.

The Senate Committee on Public Safety passed several important bills this week, but one in particular stands out for its potential to save the lives of Georgians and our firefighters. House Bill 1086, the “Preston Fant and Brant Chesney Firefighter Safety Act,” is named in honor of two dedicated Georgia firefighters who tragically died in the line of duty. Both men were responding to structure fires in DeKalb and Forsyth counties involving lightweight, truss-type roof construction, which is more prone to collapse during a fire. This bill requires buildings with this type of construction to display a notice outside so firefighters can adjust their approach before entering and be more aware of the risks inside. I am truly honored to carry this legislation forward on behalf of my fellow firefighters. While it may seem like a small change, it will make a life-saving difference for firefighters across our state.

Finally, I was grateful to honor the life of Claire Bartlett alongside her family and friends in the Senate chamber. Mrs. Bartlett was not only a great friend, but also a fearless advocate for conservative values. She fought tirelessly to defend the right to life for Georgia’s unborn children, leaving a legacy that will impact our state for generations to come. Her commitment to volunteerism and her service to the Republican Party of Georgia will not be forgotten. Claire was a friend and exceptional member of our Roswell community. I will carry her memory with me as I continue my work under the Gold Dome.

As always, hearing directly from you is one of the most important parts of my job. If you have questions, concerns or ideas about issues affecting our community, please do not hesitate to contact my office. It is an honor to serve you under the Gold Dome.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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].

We have officially reached Crossover Day, the deadline for Senate bills to move to the House in order to remain eligible for consideration this year. Now the process begins again in the House, where lawmakers will carefully review, debate and vote on these proposals before they can move forward.

One of the greatest threats to the American Dream today is the rising cost of housing. Across Georgia, families are finding it harder than ever to purchase a home. In metro Atlanta alone, institutional investors now own roughly one-quarter of all rental properties. Large corporations are buying up single-family homes at a rapid pace, leaving hardworking Georgians competing with Wall Street firms just to purchase a place to live.

The consequences are real. The average age of someone entering a 30-year mortgage has climbed to 41 years old. That means many Georgians will struggle to retire at 65. It also means couples are delaying starting families or considering leaving our state in search of more affordable housing. If we are serious about making Georgia more affordable, we must address this issue head-on.

Senate Bill 463 takes an important step in that direction. This legislation would prevent large corporations from owning more than 500 single-family residential properties in Georgia and would prohibit foreign companies from owning single-family residential rental homes altogether. The goal is simple: ensure that the homes in our communities remain available to Georgia families, not large investment firms. Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream, and we cannot allow Wall Street to push hardworking families out of the housing market.

We are also working to make it easier to build new homes across our state. Senate Bills 437 and 447, both of which have passed the Senate and now move to the House, will streamline the homebuilding process and improve transparency for families looking to build.

Senate Bill 437 shortens construction review timelines and allows certified private companies to conduct certain building, plumbing and electrical inspections. These inspections are an important part of ensuring safe construction, but unnecessary delays can drive up costs for future homeowners. By making the process more efficient, we can help bring more housing to the market and make homeownership more attainable.

Senate Bill 447 increases transparency between local governments and future homeowners by requiring clear and timely explanations when building permits are denied. Families considering where to build their homes deserve straightforward answers, and this legislation helps ensure Georgia remains a welcoming place for those looking to put down roots.

We are also taking steps to keep Georgia’s children safe in an increasingly digital world. As technology continues to evolve, we must ensure our laws keep pace with the dangers that can accompany it. Senate Bill 540 would protect minors from harmful AI-generated content by prohibiting the creation of explicit material involving children and requiring online platforms to provide stronger privacy tools. There is no place in Georgia for online exploitation, and this bill holds bad actors accountable while strengthening protections for young people.

Finally, we passed several pieces of public safety legislation this week that I was proud to support. Last year, the CDC headquarters in Atlanta came under fire from an armed perpetrator who was intent on harming those working in that building. Luckily, Emory University Police Department officers acted swiftly to block off connecting roads and confront the assailant, preventing any further harm and saving potentially dozens of lives. However, this police department and similar ones representing other institutions do not have the same qualified immunity as every other law enforcement agency in Georgia. That’s why I was proud to support the passage of Senate Bill 565, which redefines law enforcement units to include police forces of nonprofit private colleges and universities. The officers of these institutions act with the same bravery as our other state officers, so they deserve equal protection and benefits under the law for their service.

With Crossover Day behind us, we will begin reviewing House legislation and voting on bills that may soon head to the Governor’s desk. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns or ideas as the Session continues. It is an honor to serve you.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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].  For all media inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].

The Georgia General Assembly crossed the halfway mark of the 2026 legislative session. With Crossover Day later this week, we are debating legislation, refining, and advancing the strongest bills that will make it to the Governor’s desk. The pace has been intense and productive as we focus on delivering meaningful results for our families, small businesses, and communities across our district and throughout Georgia.