Friends,
Welcome to the 2026 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly!
Georgia’s House of Representatives and Senate runs on a biennial schedule, meaning legislators serve in two year terms, during which time we serve our districts, convene at the Capitol, discuss policy matters important for the state, and pass legislation. It is truly my honor to be starting my 6th session in the Georgia General Assembly.
Before we dive into the work of my office and my service to Georgia’s 50th House district, let’s talk a little about how the legislative session runs, and what it means functionally to start the second year of a two year term.
I ran through this 101 in my annual pre-session Town Hall, but for those who were unable to attend (or who are out of district but still want to learn more), you can watch the archive of our livestream, or read our quick and dirty primer below!
GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE PROCESS 101
(Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via the New Georgia Encyclopedia)
Per the Georgia Constitution, our state’s legislative session always starts the second Monday of January and runs no more than 40 legislative days, usually between January and late March/early April. In this span of time we introduce, debate, perfect, and pass bills into law.
There are more than 40 days between January and April, so obviously those 40 days of legislative session are not contiguous. In between the days we are actually voting in the house chamber are other days that we are doing administrative work, committee work, and work back home in our districts.
There are two major milestones each session: Crossover Day and Sine Die.
(Original image source: Georgia Planning Association)
To explain Crossover Day, first I have to do a little Civics 101 and remind people that for a bill to become a law, it must be passed out of both the House and the Senate, though not necessarily in that order. Senate bills pass out of the Senate first, and then need to “cross over” to pass out of the House. House bills need to take the opposite track.
Crossover Day is generally the last day of the legislative session on which a bill must pass out of its originating chamber and cross over to the next. In theory, if a bill does not pass out of the first chamber by Crossover, it is dead for the year. (There are notable exceptions to this rule, especially if you’re in the majority party, and I will explain some of these exceptions in a future newsletter, but let’s keep it simple for now.)
Crossover Day is Day 28 of the legislative session, and this year will fall on Friday, March 6th. After Crossover, much of the time remaining in the session involves one chamber hearing and voting on the other chamber’s bills.
(Source: Matthew Pearson / WABE)
Sine Die, however, is the end of the line. This year Sine Die is Thursday, April 2nd, the last day of the year we will convene. Whatever bill survives long enough to make it past Crossover but does not pass by Sine Die, does not pass for the year. Period.
I noted before that the legislature runs in two year terms. We are currently starting the second year of that two year term. What happens to bills between those two years?
Bills that were introduced the first year and which were not killed in committee or via floor vote survive until the second year, although they revert back to the last committee out of which they passed. That means that even if a bill was passed out of committee in 2025, it has to be re-heard, re-voted on, and passed out of that committee again in the 2026 session. For this reason, the second year of a biennium starts up faster, as there are more bills in the pipeline to start debating and voting on almost immediately.
However, bills that do not pass by Sine Die of this session are done for the term. If lawmakers want another chance to pass those bills, they need to run for re-election, come back, and start the process for each bill all over again from scratch.
Here is a copy of Georgia’s legislative calendar for the 2026 session. Please follow along as we do our work, stay engaged, and stay tuned for my annual HD 50 pre-Crossover Day Town Hall for an update on what bills are still active to be considered for the year!
TEAM AU’S 2026 POLICY SLATE
We have a number of bills from last session that we continue to advance, and some new bills this session that we will be introducing over the next few weeks. Here’s a primer on what to watch.
Gun Safety
Georgia has some of the most lax gun safety laws in the nation, and concomitantly some of the worst gun violence statistics. If we want to talk about public safety and violent crime, it is our responsibility to discuss the role played by easy access to guns.
HB 1: The Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act, our flagship bill. Gun violence is the #1 cause of death in kids and teenagers in this country. Our bipartisan bill simply requires that any guns that can be accessed by unsupervised minors be stored securely. If your reaction is, “shouldn’t this already be a law?” that gives you most of the information you need about how conspicuously lax gun laws are in the state of Georgia.
(Click here to access the full toolkit)
One important concrete goal in the next few weeks is to ask the Speaker of the House to recommit this bill to the Public Health Committee where it belongs, and where it can receive a fair hearing and a vote. Visit our legislative toolkit for ways to help.
HB 2: the Safe Storage Tax Credit Act. This legislation would offer an up to $300 tax credit for purchase of safe storage equipment. A version of this bill has passed nearly unanimously out of the House two years in a row, though it has gotten hung up in the more conservative state Senate. Notably, the 2024 iteration of our bill was endorsed by Georgia 2A, a noted pro-gun rights group.
(Click here to read full article: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
HB 3: Universal background checks. Background checks area already required for guns purchased through a federally licensed gun dealer. This precludes people like convicted felons or those with a serious history of mental illness from easily buying a gun. However, no background check is required for people who obtain guns through private gun sales and transfers. This is a particularly dangerous loophole in a state like Georgia, which passed a permitless carry bill in 2022 allowing people to carry loaded guns in public spaces without a permit.
HB 4: Three day waiting period for purchase of firearms. A version of this bill was first introduced in 2021 by Georgia’s Asian American legislators after the Atlanta Spa shootings, in which a gunman purchased a gun that morning, and by that evening had used that gun to murder eight people, of whom six were Asian women. Waiting periods for gun purchases tend to defuse crimes of impulse or passion, including domestic violence and suicide. Of note, even the extremely conservative state of Florida has a three day waiting period for firearm purchases.
Smoking and Vaping
While the legislative session only runs from January to April, the job of a legislator is year-round. My office spent a lot of time during the off season working on tobacco and nicotine risk mitigation policy stemming from the research of our House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking. Here were some of the bills generated by the work of this bipartisan committee, of which I was co-Chair.
HB 83: Modernization of the state cigarette tax. Georgia has the second lowest cigarette tax in the nation. Meanwhile, cigarette smokers incur far higher healthcare costs than non-smokers, and much of that cost is ultimately borne by the state. My bill proposes a modest raise in Georgia’s cigarette users fee up to the regional average, and directs that tax revenue back into the public health system.
(Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
Our friend Danny Kanso with the Georgia Policy and Budget Institute has written a wonderful primer for those looking to take a deep dive on the issue of tobacco tax policy, I highly recommend it!
HB 84: Vape sales tax increase. Vaping is an addictive behavior prevalent among youth with significant health harms. Younger consumers are also generally more sensitive to price than older smokers, and adjusting our state vaping tax would both dissuade youth nicotine consumption and generate revenue for the state to reinvest in smoking cessation and chronic disease treatment.
(Click here to read full article: Georgia Policy and Budget Institute)
HB 958:Disclosure of vaping ingredients. One bill, HB 577, proposed creation of a state “vape registry,” ostensibly to standardize vape contents and prevent the sale of foreign vapes with undisclosed contents for sale in Georgia.
One big problem: this was a tobacco industry bill aiming to create a massive market advantage for products made by the major tobacco companies that lobby for registry laws: Altria Group (NJOY vapes) and R.J. Reynolds (Vuse). I explained this in the second meeting of our tobacco study committee this summer.
I do think, however, that transparency and disclosure of vaping ingredients is good for consumer awareness. Therefore I filed this bill as a clean alternative to HB 577 which serves its stated goals without supporting the interests of the tobacco lobby.
HB 959: Flavored vape sales ban. Cigarette sales are shrinking, and nicotine purveyors are looking to grow their customer base with a new line of products. Nicotine is highly addictive, and hooking young customers on vapes has the potential to create lifelong new customers.
(Source: vapesocietysupplies.com)
While tobacco companies now push vapes as a “safer alternative” to cigarettes and a helpful “smoking cessation” option, it’s hard to argue that they are trying to entice young people to start vaping when so many of the flavors they sell are explicitly appealing to children and teens. This bill would ban the sale of flavored vapes in Georgia.
Patient Protection
As a practicing physician I have long worked on bills that aim to advocate for patients and their access to safe, affordable care. Here thus far is my slate of patient protection bills this session.
(Image source: Harmony Treatment and Wellness)
HB 326: State Health Benefit Plan Nonopioid Coverage Parity Act. The opioid epidemic persists, and can be fed by an overreliance on opioid-based pain medications for acute and chronic pain. Physician prescription patterns and what healthcare facilities decide to offer on formulary can often be affected by insurance coverage. This bill would require that non-opioid based pain medications be covered at rates no less favorable than opioid-based pain medications.
HB 897: Urgent Insulin Safety Net Act. Would provide up to 30 days of emergency insulin for a copay of no more than $35 for patients who are between insurance providers or who cannot access alternate coverage.
HB 898: Continuing Insulin Safety Net Act. Would provide up to one year of emergency insulin for a copay of no more than $75 every three months for patients who are between insurance providers or who cannot access alternate coverage.
HB 961: Surprise Medical Billing Consumer Protection Act. As a practicing physician I have heard countless stories of patients who have called 911 for an emergency ground ambulance transport, only to receive a bill weeks later telling them that the ambulance they received was “not in network.” Most patients, however, don’t even know that there is such thing as an “in-network ambulance,” nor can they be expected to be determine their network for emergency ground ambulance transport when seconds count. This bill would require that emergency ground ambulance transports meeting the prudent layperson standard be covered at the standard in-network rate.
I particularly appreciate the help of my friend Representative Alan Powell, who has agreed to be the lead sponsor on this bill!
STATE OF THE STATE
(Photo credit: Matthew Pearson / WABE, click here to read full article)
This Thursday Governor Kemp gave his final State of the State address, highlighting his policy priorities for his last year in office. That same day he also released his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Some highlights from the Georgia Recorder:
- Accelerating a plan lowering the state income tax rate to 4.99%, down from 5.19%. His proposal would take effect for this year’s tax year and cost the state about $750 million each year in future lost revenues.
- A tax rebate of $250 for individuals, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for married couples filing jointly. All told, the rebates would cost the state’s rainy day funds about $1.2 billion.
- A proposal to distribute a one-time $2,000 bonus to state employees.
- Push to fund a needs-based scholarship for Georgia students. The University System of Georgia Foundation’s DREAMS Scholarship, previously funded through private donations, would complement the state’s existing HOPE Scholarship, which is awarded to students based on merit. Under Kemp’s proposed budget, the DREAMS Scholarship would receive a one-time contribution of $325 million from the state to create more opportunities for Georgia residents to graduate without student debt.
- A proposed $46.4 million to replace the recent reduction of federal funding for a key food aid program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The cuts were included in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The governor’s plan would also add about $18 million to go toward reducing the state’s payment error rate to avoid future federal funding cuts to the program.
- Roughly $2 billion to go toward highway improvements around metro Atlanta, with another $250 million allocated to local road projects. Rural parts of the state would also receive $100 million to strengthen or replace failing bridges, and $35 million for natural gas infrastructure upgrades.
- $5 million to fund a full hand recount for this year’s election, and another $1.8 million to help scan and tabulate ballots based on the human-readable text.
The new spending will bring the size of this year’s budget up to $42.3 billion. Next year’s budget, which will take effect in July, is set at $38.5 billion. The Governor expects the state’s rainy day fund to have upwards of $10 billion when he leaves office (at present it stands at $14.6 billion).
While there are still some missed opportunities in his proposal, I am on balance pleased with the suggested priorities in the Governor’s final proposal, and am in particular thrilled to see support at long last for a needs-based state school scholarship, long a priority for Democratic lawmakers.
Next week starts the first found of deliberations in crafting the FY 2027 state budget, please follow along with our newsletter as we bring you the legislature’s progress.
THE GEORGIA DIAGNOSIS
It’s official, Team Au has a podcast!
The first seven episodes of our first season are now available to stream, please follow us on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube!
Our fan favorite so far is “Reporting and Representing: When Journalism and Politics Collide,” featuring some of your favorite reporters from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution! Give it a listen!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please join the Legislative Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus for our third annual Lunar New Year at the Capitol as we welcome the community to The People’s House and ring in the Year of the Horse!
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Georgia State Capitol, South Steps
Lion Dance starts 12PM
Buffet lunch to follow, open to all!
TEAM AU IN ACTION
Pre-Session Town Hall
Government works best when everyone participates, and it’s long been our focus to teach people how to best engage with the workings of their state legislature!
I was pleased to reprise my HD 50 “Capitol Conditioning” Town Hall last weekend, presenting constituents a 101 of how the legislative session runs, ways to look up and track bills, follow committee hearings, and reach lawmakers.
If you weren’t able to make it, no problem! We live streamed the program. Video is archived here.
Meeting with Sen. Mark Kelly
An honor to meet with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona as we discussed the defense of fundamental American ideals, the erosion of democratic norms, and how we fight back. Senator Kelly’s conviction and bravery is an inspiration to all of us, and Georgia Democrats stand behind him and his wife Gabby Giffords.
Gold Dome Blood Drive
For the sixth year running, Team Au has partnered with our friends from LifeSouth for a Gold Dome Blood Drive, providing blood donations for most hospitals in the metro Atlanta area, including all the children’ s hospitals!
We continue to suffer a critical shortage of donated blood, which is needed to help trauma, cancer, surgical, and pediatric patients. Each unit of donated blood can save up to three lives! Thank you so much to everyone who donated, and look for our next Gold Dome Blood Drive on Friday, March 20th!
Student Leadership North
Mentorship is such an important part of the mission of our office, and we have worked for many years with Student Leadership Johns Creek (now Student Leadership North) and their faculty advisor Irene Sanders! We were pleased to host this group again this year for their annual Government Day!
We had HD 50 students from Johns Creek, Northview, Chattahoochee, Centennial, and Mount Pisgah HS join us to debate HB 83, which would modernize Georgia’s state tobacco tax. Great discussion, all!
National Council of Jewish Women
A pleasure speaking with the National Council of Jewish Women on gun safety policy and HB 1, The Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act—progress, setbacks, and plans for the 2026 session.
We could not do the work we do without the support of our broad coalition. Let’s keep going!
Georgia College of Emergency Physicians
I was honored to join my colleagues from the Georgia College of Emergency Physicians at their annual conference this winter! Such a strong roster of experts in patient care and health policy coming together to make our state a healthier place!
Particularly loved the innovative format for their lawmaker panels—rotating small group discussion on insurance, rural health access, policy innovation, and tort reform!
Addiction Recovery Awareness Day
As the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Georgia General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery, ending the stigma of addiction and supporting patients in recovery is an important part of my work.
Pleased to join Governor Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and the Georgia recovery community in honoring Addiction Recovery Awareness Day with a proclamation at the Capitol!
VISITING THE CAPITOL
Excited to receive a visit this week from my friend Jermaine Campell, who works with me in the operating room at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital! Jermaine is interested in the political process and enjoyed watching the proceedings of the Georgia House of Representatives from the gallery as we undertook the business of our day.
Are you interested in visiting the Georgia Capitol? Contact our office! We can give you instructions, meet you at the rope line, and even get you a floor pass most days if you are a constituent of House District 50! Students ages 12-18 also have a chance to serve as House Pages on the floor, an application can be found here!
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It has never been more important to pay attention to the work of state legislatures. Thank you as ever for your support so that we can keep doing this most important work together.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office should you need any assistance, or if you have any concerns you’d like me to address on your behalf.
It is my honor to be your voice in the Georgia House of Representatives.
In service,
