Legislative Watch

While legislative activity has paused, state policy work continues through interim efforts that will shape the next session. Georgia House leadership has announced a series of Blue-Ribbon Study Committees for the interim, signaling areas of focus for future legislation. (Read More Here)

We wanted to share a brief, but important update prior to this week's BioBeat newsletter, highlighting developments from Washington, DC and their relevance to Georgia's life sciences community.

SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Signed into Law:

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs have been reauthorized through Fiscal Year 2031 following the signing of S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, into law. (Read More Here)

The Georgia General Assembly concluded its 2026 legislative session this week with Sine Die on April 2, the final day of the 40-day session. “Sine Die,” meaning “without assigning a day for a further meeting,” marks the legislature’s adjournment with no scheduled return and represents the last opportunity for bills to pass both chambers before heading to the Governor. As expected, the final days were marked by fast-paced negotiations, late-night votes, and last-minute compromises. Lawmakers fulfilled their constitutional obligation by passing a $38.5 billion state budget, which includes pay raises for state employees, investments in literacy programs, and continued funding for education and workforce development...  (Read More Here)

Week eleven marks the final countdown to Sine Die, shifting focus from high-volume bill passage to negotiating final outcomes in the Georgia General Assembly. The most significant action came early in the week when the Georgia House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $38.5 billion FY 2027 state budget, sending it to the Georgia Senate and setting up the primary framework for end-of-session negotiations. The Senate is expected to pass its version of the budget on Friday, March 27, marking the next major step in the process... (Read More Here)

This week under the Gold Dome tax policy and end-of-session priorities were in focus as we enter the final stretch of the legislative calendar. On March 16, lawmakers gave final passage to a significant one-time income tax rebate measure, providing payments to eligible Georgians and signaling a broader push toward tax relief. At the same time, debate intensified over legislation that could limit public access to police body camera footage, highlighting tensions between transparency advocates and law enforcement interests. Also this week, legislative activity included debates on advancing tax cuts, refining budget priorities, energy policy, data center regulation, and election laws. Additionally, there is a huge gap between the proposed Senate and House budgets, so we anticipate some political maneuvering to occur before the legislature can achieve its constitutionally mandated duty of passing a balanced budget. With the session now in its final phase, lawmakers are primarily working to reconcile House and Senate versions of bills, fast-track priority legislation, and position major measures for final passage before adjournment.... (Read More Here)

This week, the Georgia General Assembly moved into the post-Crossover phase of the legislative session following last week’s Crossover Day deadline. The Georgia House of Representatives approved its version of the fiscal year 2027 state budget, sending it to the Georgia State Senate for revisions and negotiations. Some budget highlights include funding for literacy coaches in elementary schools, support for rural hospitals, and expanded funding for Medicaid dental and autism services. Meanwhile, the Senate began holding hearings and votes on House bills that survived the crossover deadline... (Read More Here)

This week at the Georgia General Assembly was one of the most consequential of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers raced toward Crossover Day, the key deadline that determines which bills can continue moving this year. Committees and floor sessions were packed as legislators worked long hours debating and voting on hundreds of proposals before the Friday, March 6th deadline, with activity continuing late into the evening as lawmakers worked to move legislation before time ran out.

Crossover Day refers to the point in the legislative session when a bill must pass out of its chamber of origin—either the Georgia House of Representatives or the Georgia State Senate—in order to remain eligible for consideration during the remainder of the session. If a bill does not pass its original chamber by Crossover Day, it is generally considered “dead” for the year unless its language is later added to another bill that is still moving through the process. (Read More Here)

This week, the Georgia General Assembly advanced several major priorities centered on taxes, education, and the state budget. The Georgia House passed Governor Brian Kemp’s proposal to reduce the state income tax rate to 4.99% and also approved an amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget that includes roughly $2 billion in income and property tax relief, along with funding for transportation, scholarships, and other initiatives. In education, the House moved forward with legislation to fund literacy coaches in K–3 schools statewide and approved a ban on cellphone use in high schools... (Read more Here)

This week, the Georgia General Assembly returned from the Presidents’ Day Holiday to complete legislative days 19-22 and advanced a wide array of bills: the House unanimously passed health-related measures requiring cardiovascular screenings for high-school athletes, autism screening pilots for foster children, and mandated opioid-reversing medication like Narcan on public college campuses. House Speaker Burns unveiled an insurance affordability reform package this week aimed at homeowner, auto, and health insurance costs, and focused on expanded tax breaks to volunteer firefighters... (Read More Here)

This week the legislature was in session Monday through Thursday for legislative days 15-18. Momentum under the Gold Dome continues to build as the Georgia General Assembly approaches Crossover Day. This week was tax policy and healthcare centric. The Senate advanced significant Republican-backed income tax cut measures that would exempt the first $50,000 of individual income from state taxation and further reduce the flat income tax rate over time, sending the proposals to the House for consideration. Lawmakers also debated several healthcare-related bills, including House Bill 1138, which was put forward by House leadership and would allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives directly to patients to expand access, particularly in underserved areas... (Read More Here)

This week the Georgia General Assembly continued early-session momentum with a mix of floor votes, committee action, and major policy debates on a wide range of issues. Lawmakers advanced bills on workforce and public safety issues, expanded seafood labeling requirements, judicial additions in fast-growing circuits, and measures addressing invasive wild hogs and newborn safe surrender devices. The Senate approved legislation related to property tax relief and recreational fees, while education policy gained attention with a proposal to restrict cellphone use in high schools moving forward in committee. The week also featured the State of the Judiciary address, where judicial leaders highlighted court system challenges and the growing role of artificial intelligence, followed by House Republicans rolling out a “Putting Georgia Families First” policy agenda focused on childcare, maternal health, and family-oriented priorities. Together, the activity reflected a session balancing bread-and-butter legislation with emerging technology and election-year political positioning... (Read More Here)

This week under the Gold Dome focused heavily on early legislative action and policy priorities as lawmakers moved beyond opening ceremonial and organizational activities and into substantive legislative proposals and committee work. Republican leaders unveiled a high-profile property tax overhaul, with legislation (HR 1114) aimed at phasing out property taxes on primary residences by 2032 while boosting homestead exemptions and immediate relief for homeowners, drawing significant attention from across the aisle at the Capitol... (Read More Here)

Budget week at the Georgia State Capitol is a pivotal time when lawmakers hear detailed presentations from state agencies outlining priorities, funding needs, and proposed investments for the coming fiscal years. Through committee hearings and testimony, legislators scrutinize spending plans, weigh one-time versus ongoing funding, and assess how budget decisions impact core issues like housing, workforce development, healthcare, disaster recovery, and economic growth. These discussions set the framework for negotiations that ultimately shape the state’s final budget and policy direction. Here are some key insights to the budget hearings... (Read More Here)

Happy Friday from your government relations team! The Georgia General Assembly kicked off the 2026 Legislative Session Monday, and it was a busy week at the Gold Dome. On the first legislative day, lawmakers set the 40-day session calendar and welcomed new members. Early floor action in the Senate passed the first bill of session which addressed firearm storage and local government authority. Both chambers of the legislature debated immigration enforcement transparency and entertained several community acknowledgments.

Throughout the week, we saw key policy priorities emerge during the annual Eggs & Issues breakfast and Governor Kemp’s State of the State address. In this statewide election year that has many legislators running for higher office or reelection, we anticipate a politically charged session and look forward to keeping you updated... (Read More Here)