Week 10 Legislative Session Recap 2026

The Georgia House of Representatives returned on Monday, March 16, marking Legislative Day 32 and the beginning of the 10th week of the 2026 legislative session. After Monday’s floor work, committees met Tuesday to continue reviewing Senate legislation following Crossover Day. By week’s end, Legislative Day 35 was complete, leaving just five days in the session. Although time is winding down, the pace remains steady as we continue working to move impactful legislation forward for Georgians.

During week ten, the House passed the following legislation:

• House Bill 1199 – Suspends the state motor fuel excise tax for 60 days, aligns Georgia’s tax code with federal updates and caps the low-income housing tax credit at $100 million annually through 2028.
• House Bill 1000 – Issues one-time income tax refunds to eligible filers based on prior-year tax liability and filing status.
• Senate Bill 427 – Establishes a provisional licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians to practice in underserved areas, with a route to full licensure.
• Senate Bill 383 – Enhances child fatality review efforts by focusing on prevention, expanding committee input and improving reporting timelines.
• Senate Bill 523 – Creates standardized procedures for reporting and addressing discrimination in Georgia’s public education systems.
• Senate Bill 399 – Improves emergency response by expanding AED access and requiring 9-1-1 operators to provide CPR and AED guidance.
• House Bill 571 – Transfers oversight of radiologist assistants to the Georgia Composite Medical Board for licensure and regulation.
• House Bill 185 – Updates dietetics and nutrition laws and enables participation in a multi-state licensure compact.
• Senate Bill 570 – Mandates human trafficking awareness training for hotel and short-term rental employees.
• Senate Bill 452 – Boosts retirement contributions for qualifying law enforcement officers.
• Senate Bill 470 – Bans signal jammers that interfere with emergency and public safety communications.
• Senate Bill 170 – Creates grants to help rural hospitals install backup generators for emergency situations.
• Senate Bill 160 – Allows limited driving permits with speed control devices for certain suspended drivers.
• Senate Bill 177 – Requires registration for individuals or groups acting politically on behalf of hostile foreign entities.
• Senate Bill 216 – Adds certain prosecutorial officials to the Judicial Retirement System.
• Senate Bill 284 – Revises securities law to allow restitution and updates provisions related to public works and school grants.
• Senate Bill 285 – Allocates a portion of insurance premium taxes to support peace officer retirement benefits.
• Senate Bill 293 – Strengthens penalties and enforcement against fraud in the used vehicle industry.
• Senate Bill 384 – Introduces an optional five-year vehicle registration program with advance tax payment.
• Senate Bill 432 – Extends authority for higher education systems to retain certain funds.
• Senate Bill 435 – Updates statutory language to rename the Georgia Development Authority.
• Senate Bill 439 – Requires disclosure of referral fees in assisted living and personal care placements.
• Senate Bill 444 – Sets guidelines for the use of AI in insurance decisions, requiring human oversight.
• Senate Bill 489 – Adjusts funding and dues for the Probate Courts Retirement Fund.
• Senate Bill 524 – Establishes specialty license plates recognizing the nation’s 250th anniversary and Girl Scouts of Georgia.
• Senate Bill 535 – Updates governance and operations of community service boards.
• Senate Bill 551 – Repeals outdated statutes related to egg standards.
• Senate Bill 553 – Creates a new state licensing board for construction-related professions.
  
  

With only a few legislative days remaining, attention now turns to final passage and resolution of key measures before adjournment. These closing days are critical in shaping this year’s legislative outcomes, and I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns as we approach the end of the session. Please feel free to contact me by email at karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov or by phone at (404) 656-0213. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative.