The House returned to the Capitol on March 16 for Legislative Day 32 and the start of week 10. After Monday’s session, Tuesday was devoted to committee work as we reviewed Senate bills that crossed over to the House. By Friday, we had reached Legislative Day 35, leaving only five days in the 2026 session. With the calendar running short, the work at the Capitol has only grown more intense. Even so, the focus remains the same, passing sound policy that helps Georgia families, supports public safety, and strengthens communities like those in House District 30.
Tax Relief for Georgia Families
One of the quickest actions we took this week delivered relief at the gas pump. House Bill 1199 temporarily suspends Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax for 60 days. This move comes as families and small businesses continue facing higher fuel costs tied to global instability.
Right now, gas taxes stand at 33.3 cents per gallon for gasoline and 37.3 cents for diesel. After the House passed the bill, the Senate moved quickly to approve it, and the governor signed it into law. As a result, Georgians should begin seeing lower prices as new fuel shipments reach local stations.
In addition, taxpayers will soon see another form of relief. The Senate gave final passage to House Bill 1000, which provides a one-time income tax refund for eligible taxpayers. Refund amounts include:
- $250 for single filers or married individuals filing separately
- $375 for heads of household
- $500 for married couples filing jointly
Once a taxpayer files a 2025 return, the Department of Revenue will issue the refund. At a time when many households are watching every dollar, these steps offer some practical relief.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
Access to healthcare remains one of the biggest challenges facing many Georgia communities. That is why the House passed Senate Bill 427 this week.
This bill creates a pathway for internationally trained physicians to practice in Georgia under a provisional license. To qualify, those physicians must secure full-time employment under a supervising doctor at an approved facility. These facilities include rural practices, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers.
In addition, physicians must complete two years of service in underserved areas before they can receive full licensure. That requirement helps direct care where it is needed most.
For rural communities, provider shortages are not abstract policy problems. They affect wait times, travel times, and whether families can receive care close to home. Senate Bill 427 gives Georgia another practical tool to expand access in areas that have been underserved for too long.
Protecting Children and Strengthening Public Safety
The House also passed Senate Bill 383, which updates the role of local child fatality review committees across Georgia. At present, these committees examine how a child died and whether the death was preventable. Under this bill, they would also recommend ways to prevent future tragedies.
The bill also improves reporting timelines. Medical examiners would now submit preliminary reports within seven days, which allows for more complete and timely reviews.
At the same time, the House addressed another growing public safety threat. Senate Bill 470 bans signal jammers that interfere with communication systems used by law enforcement and emergency responders.
Under this bill:
- Signal jammers are classified as contraband
- Strong felony penalties apply
- Illegal equipment may be seized
That matters because first responders cannot do their jobs if communications are blocked during an emergency. This bill helps protect both public safety personnel and the people they serve.
Strengthening Rural Hospital Infrastructure
Reliable hospital infrastructure is essential, especially in smaller communities. Senate Bill 170 addresses that issue by creating a grant program for backup generators at rural hospitals.
The program applies to hospitals with fewer than 100 beds in areas affected by a declared state of emergency. The Department of Community Health, working with GEMA, would oversee the grants. Priority would go to hospitals that do not already have backup power systems.
In rural Georgia, a power outage can quickly become a healthcare crisis. If a hospital loses electricity, patients may lose access to vital services. This program helps reduce that risk and gives hospitals stronger support during emergencies.
Additional Measures Passed
The House also passed several other Senate bills this week that deal with election integrity, business regulations, consumer protection, transportation, and agriculture.
These include:
- SB 177, which restricts political activity by entities receiving funds from foreign adversaries without proper registration
- SB 284, which allows the return of certain funds to investors and updates public works rules
- SB 293, which increases penalties for fraud in the used vehicle industry, including odometer fraud and false title information
- SB 384, which creates an optional five-year vehicle registration program for drivers who want a longer registration cycle
- SB 551, which updates state law on egg standards and labeling and removes the requirement for an egg candling license
While these bills cover different subjects, each reflects the kind of detailed work that fills the final weeks of session.
Looking Ahead
We have now entered the final stretch of the 2026 session. These remaining days will shape the final outcome of this year’s work, and there is still much left to do.
I encourage you to stay engaged and keep track of bills that affect your family and community. You can follow legislation, watch livestreams, and review committee schedules through the House website. As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve House District 30.