Media release from the Georgia Senate Press Office:
By: Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome)
The 2026 Legislative Session has officially come to a close, and while our work under the Gold Dome has concluded for the year, my work on your behalf continues. I now look forward to bringing that same focus and commitment back home to the 52nd Senate District, where it matters most.
One of our most important responsibilities each year is passing a balanced state budget, and I am proud of the one we delivered for Fiscal Year 2027. Because we have exercised responsible stewardship of your tax dollars, we are able to invest in key priorities while maintaining Georgia’s strong financial position. This includes meaningful support for education, our workforce and our state’s largest industry—agriculture.
One area where we recognized the need for greater focus is early childhood literacy. Currently, only about a quarter of Georgia students are reading on grade level, which is simply unacceptable. In response, we invested $70 million to place literacy coaches in every K-3 public school and passed the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026.
These measures will help identify struggling readers earlier, provide targeted support and ensure students are better prepared for long-term success. This is not only an investment in education, but also in Georgia’s future workforce and overall economic strength.
We also took steps to help you keep more money in your pocket. The Senate passed House Bill 463, which will gradually reduce the state income tax rate to 3.99% while increasing the standard deduction to $18,000 for individuals and $36,000 for families over the next several years. By lowering the tax burden and allowing more income to remain tax-free, this legislation provides meaningful relief as many Georgians continue to feel the strain of rising gas and grocery prices.
This year, we also took meaningful steps to provide long-term property tax relief for Georgia homeowners. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly, local governments must now cap annual reassessment increases at no more than 3% or the rate of inflation, bringing predictability and protection for families facing rising home values. In addition, counties and cities now have new tools, pending voter approval, to significantly reduce, or even eliminate, property taxes through local sales tax options such as the Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) and the Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST). These measures could save you and your family hundreds of dollars as soon as this year, with even greater relief in the years ahead. In many communities, homeowners could see their property tax bills cut in half or, in some cases, eliminated entirely, while ensuring that growth and investment remain balanced and sustainable.
In addition to our efforts to return your hard-earned money to your bank account, I have some updates on legislation that I either sponsored or helped carry across the finish line during the final weeks of the session.
- Senate Bill 566 passed last week, which will help tackle housing costs by clarifying exactly what you are being taxed on and whether you are eligible for exemptions. This bill ensures you have a clear assessment of your property value, making financial planning easier.
- House Bill 1278 is a straightforward piece of healthcare legislation that streamlines the certification process for dentists to administer conscious sedation or general anesthesia. This streamlined process will eliminate unnecessary red tape for practicing dentists and allow patients to efficiently receive the best possible care.
- Senate Resolution 424 would create the Senate Study Committee on Franchise Fees to evaluate how best to protect Georgia electric consumers in unincorporated areas from rising power bills. With the rapid growth of data centers and other large load electric customers, it is our responsibility to develop solutions that prevent their costs from being passed on to the average consumer. Those living in unincorporated areas are disproportionately affected by costs associated with cities where they do not reside. This study committee will identify effective ways to hold large load customers accountable and help reduce utility costs.
Although the legislative session has ended, my commitment to serving Senate District 52 remains constant. It is an honor to serve you and your family, and I look forward to seeing you back home in the district. Thank you for your support every step of the way.
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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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