We have officially reached Crossover Day, one of our biggest milestones in the legislative session. This is the deadline for Senate bills to move to the House in order to remain eligible for consideration this year. Now the process begins again in the House, where lawmakers will carefully review, debate and vote on these proposals before they can move forward.
Another major step forward came earlier this week when Governor Brian P. Kemp signed the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 Budget into law. With that signature, the General Assembly fulfilled the first of our two constitutional budgeting responsibilities for this session. Our focus now turns to completing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Both spending plans reflect the same conservative priorities that have kept Georgia financially strong through protecting our reserves, investing wisely and returning money to hardworking taxpayers.
Regarding local impact on the budget, I was able to obtain $2 million to assist Southeast Georgia Health System with its newly developing residency program. This program adds 13 first-year residents initially and will build up to 39 residents over the next 2 years. Those residents will be added to the current hospital staff and hopefully keep those doctors in our community after they finish their residency training. Additionally, I worked with Rep. Steven Sainz to obtain $500,000 to help with the clean-up of St. Marys Elementary School after its recent bat infestation. I want to extend my thanks to Representative Sainz for taking the lead on getting this money into the budget, and I was proud to keep that $500,000 in the budget on the Senate side as well.
One of the greatest threats to the American Dream today is the rising cost of housing. Across Georgia, families are finding it harder than ever to purchase a home. In metro Atlanta alone, institutional investors now own roughly one-quarter of all rental properties. Large corporations are buying up single-family homes at a rapid pace, leaving hardworking Georgians competing with Wall Street firms just to purchase a place to live.
The consequences are real. The average age of someone entering a 30-year mortgage has climbed to 41 years old. That means many Georgians will struggle to retire at 65. It also means couples are delaying starting families or considering leaving our state in search of more affordable housing. If we are serious about making Georgia more affordable, we must address this issue head-on.
Affordable homes start with meeting the high demand with supply, which is why we are working to make it easier to build new homes across our state. Senate Bills 437 and 447, both of which have passed the Senate and now move to the House, will streamline the homebuilding process and improve transparency for families looking to build.
Senate Bill 437 shortens construction review timelines and allows certified private companies to conduct certain building, plumbing and electrical inspections. These inspections are an important part of ensuring safe construction, but unnecessary delays can drive up costs for future homeowners. By making the process more efficient, we can help bring more housing to the market and make homeownership more attainable.
Senate Bill 447 increases transparency between local governments and future homeowners by requiring clear and timely explanations when building permits are denied. Families considering where to build their homes deserve straightforward answers, and this legislation helps ensure Georgia remains a welcoming place for those looking to put down roots.
Of local importance, I secured an amendment to SB 367 to protect our local Health System’s ability to continue providing top-rate cancer care, which is close to home for our District 3 citizens. This is very important to our health system, which is owned by the citizens of Glynn County.
Protecting the American Dream also means protecting the land that makes Georgia such a special place to live. Senate Bill 478 strengthens our commitment to conservation by increasing the share of funding dedicated to the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. These additional resources will help preserve our waterways, forests and wildlife through 2039, ensuring future generations can enjoy the natural beauty that defines our state while supporting tourism and economic growth.
Finally, we are taking steps to keep Georgia’s children safe in an increasingly digital world. As technology continues to evolve, we must ensure our laws keep pace with the dangers that can accompany it. Senate Bill 540 would protect minors from harmful AI-generated content by prohibiting the creation of explicit material involving children and requiring online platforms to provide stronger privacy tools. There is no place in Georgia for online exploitation, and this bill holds bad actors accountable while strengthening protections for young people.
With Crossover Day behind us, the Senate will begin reviewing House legislation and voting on bills that may soon head to the Governor’s desk. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns or ideas as the Session continues. It is an honor to serve you.
# # # #
Sen. Mike Hodges serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. He represents the 3rdSenate District, which includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn and McIntosh counties, as well as a portion of Ware County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7127 or by email at Mike.Hodges@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.