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The Georgia Legislature will return “under the golden dome” for another year, beginning a 40-day session on Monday.
The session begins as the nation prepares for a year of potentially high-profile midterm elections, with special elections still being held for open seats across the state.
From tax reform to marijuana, here are some of the topics coming to the Georgia General Assembly in 2026.
Georgia House and Senate focus on affordability
“What everyone running for statewide office is talking about this coming session is affordability,” Republican strategist Brian Robinson told WAGA. “But so is what we are hearing from legislative leadership in the House and Senate.”
In the House, Speaker John Burns is expected to propose repealing the homestead property tax for Georgians. Taxation of rental housing and residential real estate will be up to local bodies.
Burns said homeowners shouldn’t “pay rent to the government,” and “I don’t think anyone in Georgia should have to face the possibility of losing their home” because they can’t afford to pay property taxes, according to The Center Square.
Senate Republicans also want to reduce the tax burden on Georgia households, rather than eliminate the state income tax.
The proposal would gradually phase out income taxes over the next few years, starting with annual incomes of less than $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for married couples. Eventually, this tax is scheduled to be completely abolished in 2032.
Another tax bill, SB 34, would provide tax incentives for the rapid expansion of data center development in the state, hoping to reduce costs for electricity customers. The bill would direct the Public Service Commission on how rate changes can be applied to power companies that build new data centers.
changes in education
Lawmakers plan to address two issues discussed in the last legislative session regarding education in Georgia.
The first bill, SB 120, was introduced in the Senate last year and will take a new vote this session to see if it moves to the House. The bill states, “No public school, local educational agency, or public institution of higher education shall promote, support, or sustain programs or activities that advocate diversity, equity, and inclusion, commonly referred to as DEI.”
Speaker Burns also said the Legislature will consider expanding existing HB 340, which bans the use of cell phones in K-12 education. The changes will also include banning cell phones for students in grades 9 through 12. Georgia is one of 36 states with some level of ban on cell phone use in schools.
Medical marijuana could expand
It is currently legal in Georgia to obtain “low THC oil” containing up to 5% THC for medical purposes only. Registered patients may only carry a maximum of 20 fluid ounces.
The bill, SB 220, passed the Senate and is expected to move to the House for a vote this year. The bill would raise the THC limit from 5% to 50% and lift the ban on vaping of medical cannabis oil. Patients will also be able to have 2 ounces of THC material instead of 20 fluid ounces to accommodate a greater variety of products.
It would also add lupus as a qualifying health condition and remove the requirement that the condition be in the cutting or terminal stage before medical marijuana can be used. The change would also allow reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana patients.
Other efforts to change cannabis policy will also be considered, from regulating cannabis to preventing police searches based solely on the scent of marijuana.
Cannabis advocates continue to push for full legalization of marijuana, following national trends and following the drug’s nationwide reclassification, but changes are unlikely this Congress.
Eileen Wright is an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
