Legislative Wins

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday weekend with friends and loved ones. It has been a great first week post-session for the Georgia House as we celebrate a historic list of legislative accomplishments for 2026.

From landmark education and literacy reform, policies aimed at uplifting families and children, and relief to make life more affordable for each of our neighbors across the state, the House delivered results on the issues that matter most to our fellow Georgians.

Over the next few weeks, we will enter the bill review process, during which Governor Kemp considers each piece of legislation passed by the General Assembly before deciding which bills will be signed into law or vetoed.

Here are just a few of the House’s legislative wins from the 2026 session:

HB 1000 -
House Bill 1000 returns $1 billion directly back to Georgia taxpayers through a fourth, one-time tax rebate. Married couples filing jointly will receive $500, and single filers will receive $250.

HB 463 -
House Bill will provide significant tax relief to Georgians by gradually reducing the state’s individual income tax rate from 4.99 percent to 3.99 percent.

SB 33 -
Senate Bill 33 provides Georgia homeowners with protections against unexpected increases in property tax bills by capping assessment increases at 3 percent or the rate of inflation. The Georgia House will continue fighting for property tax relief for homeowners across the state.

HB 1199 -
When prices at the pump began to rise, the Georgia House took immediate action by passing House Bill 1199, which will save Georgia drivers and businesses nearly $400 million by suspending the state gas tax for 60 days as global oil markets stabilize.

HB 1344 -
House Bill 1344, the Insurance Affordability Act, will make insurance more affordable for every hardworking Georgian across the state by making claims processing faster, fairer, and more transparent.

HB 1085 -
House Bill 1085 strengthens Georgia’s forestry industry by expanding income tax credits specifically for forestry manufacturing businesses in Georgia, providing timely relief to one of Southeast Georgia’s most critical industries.

HB 1193 -
The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 will strengthen Georgia’s literacy rates by placing a literacy coach in every K-3 elementary school, streamlining guidelines for grade placement, fostering greater collaboration at the local and school levels, better preparing Georgia’s future teachers, and educating parents on the critical importance of early literacy and language development.

HB 1009 -
House Bill 1009 mandates distraction-free, cellphone-free classrooms in grades 9-12, helping our students focus on learning and prioritize face time over screen time.

HB 1123 -
House Bill 1123 supports working families by increasing access to after-school care for pre-K students by requiring public schools that operate after-school programs to allow pre-K students to participate.

HB 1118 -
There is no more important time for mothers and families than the first few weeks with a newborn. That’s why the House was proud to pass HB 1118, increasing paid maternal birth leave for state-employed birth mothers from 6 to 9 weeks.

SB 452 -
Senate Bill 452 is another step the General Assembly has taken to support our state law enforcement heroes in their retirement by increasing the state’s contributions to their 401(k) retirement accounts.

Welcoming Governor Kemp to deliver his final address to the House on Sine Die

At Home in the District

It was great to spend time with family and friends at the 75th Annual Screven County Livestock Parade last weekend.

I was honored to be recognized at the 75th Annual Screven County Livestock Festival alongside County Commission Chairman Will Boyd, Senator Max Burns, and School Board Chairman Lindy Sheppard Jr.

I want to thank each of you for your support, prayers, and encouragement throughout this year’s legislative session. Serving House District 159 is the honor of a lifetime, and I look forward to hearing from each of you during the interim as we work to move our community forward.

My best,

Speaker Jon Burns