Media release from the Georgia Senate Press Office:
By: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome)
Less than two weeks remain in the 2026 Legislative Session before we adjourn for the final time on April 2, and we are working around the clock under the Gold Dome to deliver on the promises we made to you. We are fully focused on defending your hard-earned money and preserving the conservative values that make Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
With the continued rise in gas prices, my colleagues and I are taking meaningful steps to lower the prices you pay at the gas pump. I was proud to carry and present HB 1199 to the Senate. The Senate unanimously passed this bill last week before it was quickly signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. This legislation will suspend the state gas tax for the next 60 days, when families and communities are already facing significant financial pressures, and it is a practical way to help lower costs and provide immediate relief over the coming months.
From day one, we have made it clear that Georgia’s economic success should reach every community, not just a select few. That’s why we passed House Bill 376 to expand tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic properties, with a strong focus on rural counties often left behind. This measure will help to revitalize small and large towns, support small businesses and make sure that no part of Georgia is overlooked in our state’s growth.
Through our diligent financial stewardship of your tax dollars, we are once again in a position to give money back to you and your family. The Senate passed House Bill 1000, paving the way for a fourth round of income tax rebates. That means up to $250 for individuals, $375 for heads of household and $500 for married couples filing jointly. While Washington continues to spend recklessly, Republicans in Georgia are proving that conservative leadership means putting money back in your pocket when you need it most.
When it comes to public safety, we’re sending a clear message to criminals: if you bring deadly drugs into our communities, there will be consequences. With the passage of House Bill 535, we are cracking down on fentanyl traffickers by imposing tough, mandatory penalties on those who poison our streets. This measure is a step in the right direction in the fight to stop a crisis that has devastated too many lives across our state and nation.
Finally, I am proud to tell you about several meaningful bills I carried that progressed last week to put money back in your pocket.
- House Bill 1199 was originally a tax code tune-up bill, but considering the state of international affairs and how they are impacting gas prices, the Senate and House agreed to add a temporary suspension of the gas tax, which the Governor later signed into law. We understand how rising costs continue to impact Georgia families, and this is one of several tools we are using to provide financial relief.
- House Bill 165 was passed out of the Senate and would make manufactured homes more affordable. If signed into law, manufactured homes and communities will be exempt from local sales and use taxes so long as they have a proper certificate of permanent location. We want as many Georgians as possible to have affordable housing. This bill reduces the cost of establishing these homes as real property and increases your chances of fulfilling your American Dream.
- Senate Bill 382 received a few friendly changes in the House, but remains a strong piece of legislation. The bill would still require a statewide base-year homestead exemption for all local governments and streamline the process for calling referendums on local sales taxes. It would also convert a host of local taxes and would set a cap on the increase local governments can make to property taxes each year. This is an important step to protect Georgia homeowners from inflation-driven property tax increases and to provide a runway for more investment in local small businesses and our state’s economy as a whole.
As always, it is an honor to serve you. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, I encourage you to reach out. Your voice drives the work we do every day under the Gold Dome.
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Sen. Chuck Hufstetler serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He represents the 52nd Senate District, which includes portions of Bartow, Floyd and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0034 or by email at Chuck.Hufstetler@senate.ga.gov.
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