Senator Albers: Week Ten Under the Gold Dome
Saturday, March 21, 2026
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 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].
For all media inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].