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President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III Commends Signing of Legislation to Lower Taxes and Expand Educational Access

ATLANTA (May 11, 2026) — Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III (R–Perry) today commended Governor Brian P. Kemp’s signature of Senate Bill 33, the Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization (HOME) Act of 2026; House Bill 463, the Georgia Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2026; and Senate Bill 556, which establishes the new DREAMS Scholarship Program and expands education savings opportunities for Georgia families.

“Throughout the 2026 legislative session, our primary focus in the Senate was to help make life more affordable for hardworking Georgians,” shared Sen. Walker. “We took meaningful action to reduce income taxes, cap property tax increases, and create new opportunities for students to pursue higher education without taking on crushing student loan debt. These bills reflect our deep commitment to protecting families, strengthening our workforce and keeping the American Dream within reach here in Georgia. I want to thank Gov. Kemp for signing these measures into law and for his continued partnership in advancing policies that put Georgians first.”

Senate Bill 33 builds upon property tax relief efforts approved overwhelmingly by Georgia voters in 2024 by capping annual increases in homestead property assessments at the rate of inflation for all counties, cities, consolidated governments and local school districts beginning in 2027. The legislation closes loopholes that previously allowed local governments to opt out of taxpayer protections and establishes a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST), giving communities another tool to reduce or eliminate property taxes for homeowners.

House Bill 463 lowers the state income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%, effective in 2026, and creates a path to bring personal income tax rates down to 3.99% over time. It also raises the standard deduction and increases the caregiver deduction per dependent from $4,000 to $5,000 in 2026, and up to $6,000 over time. Additionally, this legislation and makes tips and overtime tax-free up to $1,750 for hourly employees, and protects retirees by increasing tax-free retirement income from $65,000 to $70,000 for eligible taxpayers.

Senate Bill 556 creates one of the largest expansions of need-based college aid in Georgia’s history by establishing the Dedicating Resources to Educationally Advance More Students (DREAMS) Scholarship Program. The State of Georgia has appropriated $325 millionfor the DREAMS Scholarship program that supports Georgia students with unmet financial needsat eligible public colleges and universities starting this Fall. Senate Bill 556 also allows advanced fine arts courses to be counted in the GPA calculation for HOPE Scholarship eligibility and increases Georgia’s 529 savings plan limits.

All three measures are part of the Senate’s broader effort to address rising costs and invest in long-term prosperity for communities across the state. You can read more about these measures here.

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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties, as well as a portion of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III Praises Signing of Legislation to Strengthen Georgia’s Forestry Industry

ATLANTA (May 6, 2026) — Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III (R–Perry) today praised the signing of House Bill 134, legislation designed to support Georgia’s forestry industry, drive innovation and provide targeted economic relief to rural communities impacted by recent mill closures.

Sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Walker, House Bill 134, known as the “Keep Georgia Forested Act,” creates new, transferable tax incentives for forestry manufacturers, helping businesses reinvest, expand and remain competitive in a challenging economic environment. The legislation builds on language previously carried by President Pro Tempore Walker and delivers a strategic response to job loss and supply chain disruptions following multiple mill closures across the state in 2025.

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President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III Celebrates Signing of HB 1193 to Strengthen Early Literacy Across Georgia

ATLANTA (May 6, 2026) — Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III (R–Perry) today praised Governor Brian Kemp’s signing of House Bill 1193, the “Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026.” This comprehensive measure is aimed at improving reading outcomes for young students and strengthening Georgia’s education system from the ground up.

HB 1193 makes significant investments in early literacy by establishing school-based and regional literacy coaches, requiring unified literacy plans for all public schools and expanding access to evidence-based instructional materials aligned with the science of reading.

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COLUMN: Walker: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)

The 2026 Legislative Session is officially underway, and after our first full week under the Gold Dome, the Georgia Senate has hit the ground running. While I remain proud to represent Middle Georgia and the 20th Senate District, this year I am also mindful of a broader responsibility to help lead the Senate in a way that serves every corner of our state.

I am deeply humbled to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Georgia Senate. The trust my colleagues have placed in me is not taken lightly. The role of Pro Tempore isn’t about titles, it’s about keeping the Senate focused and results-oriented. I’ll be continuing to work on the issues that matter most to Georgians through my service on the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Rules, Insurance and Labor, and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. This is where the real work of governing happens.

This week, I had the opportunity to introduce our Senate Majority Caucus priorities for the session, an agenda centered on reigniting the American Dream across Georgia. That mission matters now more than ever. Families are feeling squeezed by higher prices and economic uncertainty. Senate Republicans are focused on practical solutions that help people keep more of what they earn, afford a home and build a stable future.

That starts with lowering the cost of living. We will continue working to cut income and property taxes, while advancing reforms that reduce unnecessary red tape and lower housing costs. When government lives within its means, families can do the same.

Our priorities also reflect a commitment to long-term strength. We will continue investing in public safety, infrastructure, and protecting Georgia’s natural resources, which are assets that support economic growth and quality of life in every region of the state. We’re also serious about preparing the next generation. Strong investments in education, literacy and childcare made possible by conservative financial stewardship keep our communities strong for years to come.

Governor Brian P. Kemp reinforced that vision in his final State of the State Address, outlining a responsible agenda focused on tax relief, education and workforce development. Investments to keep postsecondary institutions affordable are opening doors for students from all backgrounds, while significant investments in healthcare education and medical residencies will strengthen access to care across Georgia, including in Middle Georgia. Governor Kemp’s steady leadership has helped keep Georgia the best state in the nation to do business, and the Senate will work to build on that success.

Affordability is not an abstract policy debate; it’s whether families can pay their bills and still plan for the future. Senate Republicans understand that, and we remain committed to policies that respect hard work, reward responsibility, and keep government accountable.

It remains an honor to serve you under the Gold Dome. As President Pro Tempore, I will continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for Georgians and keep our state on a path of opportunity, stability and growth. As always, I encourage you to reach out to my office with your questions, concerns, or ideas.

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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as President Pro Tempore of the Senate. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties, as well as a portion of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.

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