Media release from the Georgia Senate Press Office:
By: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome)
We have officially reached Crossover Day, the deadline for Senate bills to move to the House in order to remain eligible for consideration this year. Now the process begins again in the House, where lawmakers will carefully review, debate and vote on these proposals before they can move forward.
Another major step forward came earlier this week when Governor Brian P. Kemp signed the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget into law. Our focus now turns to completing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Both spending plans reflect the same conservative priorities that have kept Georgia financially strong through protecting our reserves, investing wisely and returning money to hardworking taxpayers.
One of the greatest threats to the American Dream today is the rising cost of housing. Across Georgia, families are finding it harder than ever to purchase a home. In metro Atlanta alone, institutional investors now own roughly one-quarter of all rental properties. Large corporations are buying up single-family homes at a rapid pace, leaving hardworking Georgians competing with Wall Street firms just to purchase a place to live.
The consequences are real. The average age of someone entering a 30-year mortgage has climbed to 41. That means many Georgians will struggle to retire at 65. It also means couples are delaying starting families or considering leaving our state in search of more affordable housing. If we are serious about making Georgia more affordable, we must address this issue head-on.
Senate Bill 463 takes an important step in that direction. This legislation would prevent large corporations from owning more than 500 single-family residential properties in Georgia and would prohibit foreign companies from owning single-family residential rental homes altogether. The goal is simple: ensure that the homes in our communities remain available to Georgia families, not large investment firms. Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream, and we cannot allow Wall Street to push hardworking families out of the housing market.
We are also working to make it easier to build new homes across our state. Senate Bills 437 and 447, both of which have passed the Senate and now move to the House, will streamline the homebuilding process and improve transparency for families looking to build.
Senate Bill 437 shortens construction review timelines and allows certified private companies to conduct certain building, plumbing and electrical inspections. These inspections are an important part of ensuring safe construction, but unnecessary delays can drive up costs for future homeowners. By making the process more efficient, we can help bring more housing to the market and make homeownership more attainable.
Senate Bill 447 increases transparency between local governments and future homeowners by requiring clear and timely explanations when building permits are denied. Families considering where to build their homes deserve straightforward answers, and this legislation helps ensure Georgia remains a welcoming place for those looking to put down roots.
Finally, I want to talk about Senate Bill 566, a bill I passed out of the Senate on Crossover Day. Tackling housing costs remains a big priority for us, and this bill takes us another step in the right direction by clarifying exactly what you are being taxed on and whether you are eligible for exemptions. We do not want Georgia homeowners to accidentally undervalue their homes because of a lack of information. This is a commonsense bill that I look forward to seeing pass out of the House to make life easier for you and your family.
Now, let’s talk about data centers. This has been a big focus in the Senate and for Georgians across the state this year. Senate Bill 410 passed out of the Senate this week and would repeal the data center sales and use tax exemption, while allowing exemptions issued prior to the bill to remain in effect. Additionally, language from a bill I introduced a year before our most intense discussions on this issue began was incorporated into SB 410 before it passed. Unfortunately, the language altered the original bill and does not properly codify consumer protections into law, as my original bill would have. SB 34 would have prevented any costs of powering high-technology data centers from being passed on to your power bills, while SB 410 waters down this language by only providing an “intent” to cover “marginal costs” for large-load customers, without fully implementing the safeguard for everyday Georgians. I voted to pass this bill because it removes a financial incentive for big tech, but I honestly believe it will not do enough to save you from rising costs in its current form.
With Crossover Day behind us, the Senate will begin reviewing House legislation and voting on bills that may soon head to the Governor’s desk. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns or ideas as the Session continues. It is an honor to serve you.
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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.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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