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Summers: Week One Under the Gold Dome

Last week marked the beginning of the 2026 Legislative Session, and we have officially finished five days of legislative business. It’s an honor to represent more than eight South Georgia counties under the Gold Dome, and I’m looking forward to the next few months.

Governor Brian Kemp addressed the Senate and House, laying out his vision for the 2026 legislative session in his final State of the State Address. His agenda includes continued tax cuts, state employee and retiree raises, and targeted investments in education and workforce development.

Many families, farmers and small businesses across Georgia are still struggling to make ends meet, thanks to the previous White House administration’s reckless financial policies. Thankfully, Senate Republicans have stepped up and already outlined a comprehensive plan, in line with the Governor, to fully reignite our economy. Our plan ensures that all Georgians who are willing to work will keep more of what they earn.

Instead of living paycheck to paycheck, those who live and work in our state can comfortably save and reinvest in our growing economy. Individual filers will not be taxed on the first $50,000 of earnings, and joint filers will not be taxed on the first $100,000 of earnings. State employees, including our teachers, will also receive a one-time $2000 supplement. This is another tangible investment in the long-term health of our state. Democrats can continue to throw short-sighted pipe dreams at the wall, knowing they will never stick, but we’ll be making changes that move South Georgia families from scarcity to security.

This past week, members of our majority party introduced Senate Resolution 563. This resolution will urge Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to immediately and fully comply with the United States DOJ in producing Georgia’s voter registration list. It’s a simple ask, but our Secretary of State refuses to cooperate and do the right thing. Nobody is above the law, and it is important to uphold integrity at all levels of government. I’ll always make sure that South Georgians have the full truth and all the facts, especially when it comes to our elections.

In the Senate Chamber, we also took action on a measure to regulate firearm storage and further strengthen state gun laws: Senate Bill 204. When the Second Amendment needs to be protected, you can rest assured that I will step up to protect your right to bear arms.

As the legislative session begins, I would like to invite students ages 12 to 18 to serve as Senate Pages. This highly informative program allows students to participate in the legislative process at our State Capitol for one day during the legislative session. Interested students may apply for the program by contacting my administrative assistant or me at my office via email. (Carden.Summers@senate.ga.gov.)

It is a privilege to serve the people of South Georgia, and I look forward to another productive Legislative Session. If you have any concerns, questions, or comments on legislation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Please like and follow my Senate page on Facebook (Carden H. Summers) for continuing updates.

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Sen. Carden Summers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions. He represents the 13th Senate District, which includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-9224 or by email at Carden.Summers@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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 Sen. Carden Summers: Weeks 2 & 3 Under the Gold Dome

The third week of the 2025 Legislative Session has concluded, and we’re staying focused on passing commonsense legislation that puts Georgia families, businesses and communities first.

Last week’s snowstorm may have delayed budget hearings for a few days, but it didn’t slow us down. The General Assembly has been hard at work in joint sessions, carefully reviewing budget requests to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Passing a balanced budget is not only our constitutional duty—it’s the foundation of a responsible government that serves its people.

One of the most crucial budget proposals this legislative session is Governor Brian P. Kemp’s plan to return $1 billion in surplus funds directly to taxpayers. Thanks to years of conservative budgeting and fiscal responsibility, we’re in a position to give back to the hardworking Georgians who keep our state running. This is just part of the $2.2 billion in statewide allocations designed to benefit families, businesses and communities across Georgia. I’m proud to support Gov. Kemp’s efforts to strengthen our economy by putting more money back in your pockets.

Another key priority is ensuring communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene have the resources they need to rebuild. Gov. Kemp has proposed $614.72 million in recovery funding, including $150 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help with debris removal and housing assistance. Another $300 million will go to the Georgia Department of Transportation to restore roads and infrastructure. Many rural counties are still reeling from this storm, and we’re committed to making sure they get the support they need to recover and move forward.

One of the bills I’m proud to sponsor is Senate Bill 43. This legislation aims to update the qualifications for bona fide conservation use property and bona fide residential transition property and would increase the maximum acreage needed to qualify to meet these standards. I’m also proud to sponsor Senate Bill 13, legislation which provides the authority to finance and perform duties in connection with projects relating to natural gas facilities. This legislation is not only important to Senate District 13, but to the entire state.

Finally, I encourage students ages 12 to 18 to apply for the Senate Page Program. This is an excellent way for young people to see firsthand how the General Assembly works. If you know a student who might be interested, they can apply on the Senate website here.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about our work at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s an honor to serve you, and I appreciate your trust as we work together throughout the remainder of the 2025 legislative session.

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Sen. Carden Summers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions. He represents the 13th Senate District which includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner, and Worth County, as well as a part of Coffee County. He may be reached at (404) 463-5258 or by email at carden.summers@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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COLUMN: Sen. Carden Summers: Week One Under the Gold Dome

The first week of the 2025 Legislative Session has officially come to a close. It is a privilege to return to work under the Gold Dome, where I remain dedicated to addressing the issues and advocating for the best interests of Senate District 13 and all of Georgia. This legislative session is already off to a strong start, and Governor Brian Kemp has laid out a bold vision, focusing on initiatives that include increasing funding for school safety, enhancing our skilled workforce, providing aid to families impacted by Hurricane Helene, and continuing to expand access to affordable healthcare for hardworking Georgians. By investing in high-demand, high-skill and high-wage career opportunities, we are taking critical steps to secure Georgia’s economic future.

In his “State of the State” address, Governor Kemp discussed his top priority, tort reform. I have prioritized tort reform over the last few sessions, and I’m optimistic about this Senate’s ability to pass these reforms during the 2025 Legislative Session.

I am proud to have introduced Senate Bill 13, legislation designed to authorize the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to finance and perform duties related to projects involving natural gas facilities.  

While the first week has been productive, much work remains. Among the most pressing issues is supporting recovery efforts for communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many families, farmers, and small businesses in Senate District 13 and throughout the state are still grappling with the aftermath of this catastrophic storm. Governor Kemp’s announcement of $100 million in initial funding is an essential first step, but we know the road to recovery will be long and require sustained effort.

The Senate is committed to ensuring these communities have the necessary tools to rebuild. This includes expediting financial assistance, streamlining permitting processes for rebuilding critical infrastructure, and working with federal and local partners to address gaps in relief. The resilience of these communities is a testament to the strength of Georgians, and we will do everything in our power to support those they represent.

At the Annual Eggs and Issues breakfast hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Gov. Kemp also highlighted the urgent need for tort litigation reform. Unfortunately, according to the American Tort Reform Foundation, Georgia has earned a reputation as having one of the most challenging legal climates in the country. We must work to reduce skyrocketing insurance premiums and ensure that frivolous lawsuits or excessive litigation costs do not weigh down businesses.

I am thrilled to announce my reappointment as Chairman of the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. I am deeply grateful to Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Senate Committee on Assignments for their continued trust in my leadership.

In addition to this role, I will serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities and as a member of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. Through these committees, I am committed to upholding the Senate’s dedication to keeping Georgia the number one state for business.

I am honored to serve the people of the 13th Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any legislative concerns, and I hope to see you soon under the Gold Dome.

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Sen. Carden Summers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions. He represents the 13th Senate District which includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner, and Worth County, as well as a part of Coffee County. He may be reached at 404.463.5258 or by email at carden.summers@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.