Senator Albers: Week Nine Under the Gold Dome
Friday, March 13, 2026
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 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].