With the Georgia General Assembly now officially adjourned sine die, the 2025–2026 legislative biennium has come to a close. Lawmakers finalized priority legislation in the final days of the session, sending approved bills to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration. He now has until May 12 to sign or veto legislation; any bill not acted upon by that date will automatically become law.

As is typical, the session’s final stretch included late-night negotiations and last-minute compromises to advance key priorities aligned with the Chamber’s legislative agenda.

Key Budget Investments Impacting Our Region

FY2026 Supplemental Budget:  HB 973 – Signed March 3

• $5M for Savannah Convention Center riverwalk repairs
• $10M to establish a robotics academy at the Georgia Institute of Technology
• $432K for child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Gateway Behavioral Health
• $3M for Georgia tourism marketing
• $16.7M for a new residency program with St. Joseph’s/Candler
• $29.8M for a new College of Optometry at Georgia Southern University

FY2027 Budget: HB 974 – Pending

• $42.8M for a student support and wellness facility at Savannah State University
• $3M for the Pooler Replacement Library (Live Oak Public Libraries)
• $1.14M to support Gateway’s crisis stabilization unit
• $1.3M for aviation campus design at Savannah Technical College
• $3M for Savannah Tech’s Jack Hill Conference Center in Effingham County
• $70M statewide for literacy coaches in elementary schools
• Additional funding for Georgia Research Alliance institutions

Notable Legislation to Watch
Several bills now await the Governor’s decision:

• HB 376: Expands historic preservation tax credits, supporting redevelopment projects and job creation
• HB 1030 (“Math Matters Act”): Strengthens math instruction and expands advanced coursework opportunities
• HB 1077: Extends tax exemptions for nonprofit arts and cultural institutions through 2032
• HB 1193: Advances early literacy through statewide “science of reading” initiatives and funding for literacy coaches
• HB 1302: Aligns education and workforce systems to better meet labor market demands
• HB 1534: Adds a fourth judge to the State Court of Chatham County beginning in 2027
• HR 1243: Proposes a constitutional amendment to create a dedicated Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund

What This Means for Savannah
These investments and policy changes reflect continued progress on key priorities—workforce development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and tourism. The Chamber will continue to monitor the Governor’s actions and advocate for policies that support business growth and regional prosperity.