The Georgia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die on April 2nd to complete the 2026 general legislative session. It was a very productive year!  Listed below are some of the many important bills which await Governor Kemp for signature into law. Our work continues all year long and I will be hosting committee meetings, serving on study committees, meeting with constituents, speaking at events, and preparing for 2027!

The 2026 Legislative Session has officially come to a close, and while our work under the Gold Dome has concluded for the year, my work on your behalf continues. I now look forward to bringing that same focus and commitment back home to the 56th Senate District, where it matters most.

One of our most important responsibilities each year is passing a balanced state budget, and I am proud of the one we delivered for Fiscal Year 2027. Because we have exercised responsible stewardship of your tax dollars, we are able to invest in key priorities while maintaining Georgia’s strong financial position. This includes meaningful support for education, our workforce and our state’s largest industry: agriculture.

One area where we recognized the need for greater focus is early childhood literacy. Currently, only about a quarter of Georgia students are reading on grade level, which is simply unacceptable. In response, we invested $70 million to place literacy coaches in every K-3 public school and passed the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026.

These measures will help identify struggling readers earlier, provide targeted support and ensure students are better prepared for long-term success. This is not only an investment in education, but also in Georgia’s future workforce and overall economic strength.

We also passed House Bill 463 to help you keep more money in your pocket. This bill will gradually reduce the state income tax rate to 3.99% while increasing the standard deduction to $18,000 for individuals and $36,000 for families over the next several years. By lowering the tax burden and allowing more income to remain tax-free, this legislation provides meaningful relief as many Georgians continue to feel the strain of rising gas and grocery prices.

In addition, we acted swiftly to provide long-term relief to families amidst the rising cost of homeownership. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly, local governments must now cap annual reassessment increases at no more than 3% or the rate of inflation, bringing predictability and protection for families facing rising home values. In addition, counties and cities now have new tools, pending voter approval, to significantly reduce or even eliminate property taxes through local sales tax options like the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) and the Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST).

These measures could save you and your family hundreds of dollars as soon as this year, with even greater relief in the years ahead. In many communities, homeowners could see their property tax bills cut in half or, in some cases, eliminated entirely, while ensuring that growth and investment remain balanced and sustainable.

Senate Republicans would not have been able to create and pass cohesive, commonsense legislation without your input, including bills that I sponsored. That is why I’m proud to share more about Senate Bill 143, which provides additional benefits for members of the Georgia Firefighters’ Pension Fund. I will always advocate for Georgia’s firefighters, who consistently put their lives at risk to keep us safe. These brave men and women deserve a dignified retirement after all the sacrifices they have made, and SB 143 will improve their financial security and make the transition from service to retirement smoother as well as continuing their service to our communities.

Although the Legislative Session has ended, my commitment to serving Senate District 56 remains constant. It is an honor to serve you and your family, and I look forward to seeing you back home in the district. Thank you for your support every step of the way.

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].