After twelve weeks of tireless work under the Gold Dome, the 2025 Legislative Session has officially come to a close. Let me be clear: Senate Republicans fought daily to protect your freedoms, defend your wallets and invest in the values that make our communities strong. We passed bold, conservative legislation that prioritizes our rural towns, empowers Georgia families, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively.
Our biggest achievement was the passage of House Bill 68, the balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2026. On Friday, the General Assembly met its constitutional duty by sending Governor Brian Kemp this historic budget. It funds essential services and reflects our Republican commitment to conservative governance. We’re cutting taxes, expanding school choice and ensuring law and order in our state prisons. We’ve invested in gang prosecution, human trafficking units and school safety initiatives that will protect our children from real threats. This budget is more than a spending document. It’s a roadmap of Republican priorities.
Through HB 112, we secured tax rebates of up to $500 for Georgia families. HB 111 reduces the income tax rate, letting you keep more of what you earn. With SB 1 and SB 17, we defended female athletes and protected our students. And with SB 68 and SB 69, we passed long-overdue reforms to rein in abusive lawsuits targeting our job creators. When disaster struck, we stepped up. The General Assembly passed over $100 million in aid for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Georgia takes care of its own, and Senate Republicans made sure of that.
School safety wasn’t just a priority, it was a mission. House Bill 268, “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” mandates panic alert systems in schools, ensures campus mapping data is available to first responders, and creates real consequences for threats against students, teachers, and school personnel. We’re also holding juveniles accountable when they commit acts of violence. It will also establish training for suicide awareness and prevention programs for schools. When students and staff feel unsafe in school, they can’t learn or teach properly. This bill gives them the necessary tools to feel comfortable in their environment. I am proud to see this pass, and to see the General Assembly prioritize the protection of our students, teachers, and staff.
We promised help for Georgians devastated by Hurricane Helene and we delivered. HB 511 encourages responsible storm preparation by providing tax incentives for catastrophe savings accounts. HB 618 requires full disclosure of flood history when selling real estate, giving homeowners and buyers the tools to make smart, safe decisions.
Over half of this year’s budget is dedicated to education. HB 37 ensures our educators understand their retirement benefits. HB 150, the Combating Threats from China Act, brings transparency to foreign influence in our universities. HB 371 increases capital funding for schools and brings Georgia’s playgrounds up to modern accessibility standards because every child deserves to play and learn safely.
This session, we fought hard to protect your rights in the courtroom and restore integrity to our judicial system. SB 259, “Ridge’s Law,” allows families to obtain second opinions when child abuse is alleged, a crucial check against unjust state interference. HB 460 protects attorney-client privilege in our prisons, ending surveillance that infringes on fundamental constitutional rights. HB 582, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act, gives victims of domestic violence a voice in court when they act in self-defense.
Senate Republicans stood firmly with law enforcement and emergency responders. HB 154 designates ambulance services as essential, particularly for rural communities that rely on fast, dependable care. HB 296 allows digital driver’s licenses, making compliance easier while maintaining integrity for voting and firearm licenses. We also passed SR 8 and SR 231, renaming intersections to honor fallen officers Deputy Brandon Cunningham and Officer Jeremy Labonte. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Our conservative principles shine through in our tax policy. HB 134 makes it more affordable for families to purchase and convert manufactured homes, a win for rural Georgia. HB 79, the Firearm Safe Handling and Secure Storage Tax Credit Act, encourages responsible gun ownership by offering tax credits for training and safes. It also creates a tax holiday for gun-related purchases. HB 266 eliminates state taxes on military retirement income and incentivizes donations to law enforcement foundations. Georgia’s veterans and officers have earned more than just our gratitude; they’ve earned our support.
I was proud to carry HB 307 and HB 148. HB 307 will help students who struggle to read on grade level or show signs of dyslexia by providing teachers with new resources to address those issues and banning the use of the three-cueing system to teach reading. HB 148 will create new pathways to becoming a CPA, which will help ease the burden on those currently in practice.
My resolution, SR 327, passed in the Senate on Wednesday. This calls on the Professional Standards Commission to share recommendations with the Senate and the Governor on improving the K-12 workforce. Their advice is invaluable as we continue to address the challenges teachers face in our current classrooms.
The 2025 Session may be over, but my service to Senate District 4 continues year-round. I'm here to serve you, whether it’s legislation, budget priorities, or constituent needs.
