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Sen. Tim Bearden Appointed Chairman of Senate Committee on Government Oversight

ATLANTA (January 15, 2026) — This week, Sen. Tim Bearden (R–Carrollton) was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Oversight and Secretary of the Senate Committee on Judiciary by Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Senate Committee on Assignments.

The Senate Committee on Government Oversight addresses state government programs and policies, while the Senate Committee on Judiciary regularly examines legislation affecting judicial proceedings and governmental and constitutional issues.

“I am honored to be appointed Chairman of the Senate’s Government Oversight Committee and secretary of the Judiciary Committee,” said Sen. Bearden. “I want to express my gratitude to Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Committee on Assignments. When I directed the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, our goal was to provide a seamless training experience for our public safety officers across the state. My approach to government oversight and efficiency will be similar, and I believe in using the best possible strategies to bridge any gaps between our state programs and our citizens. I am just as confident that my background in law enforcement has prepared me to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee. I know firsthand the importance of applying the law as an officer in the field and in the courtroom.”

Prior to his service in the Senate, Sen. Bearden served as Executive Director of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Deputy Chief of Staff within the Georgia House, and as a member of the House of Representatives for District 68. Sen. Bearden is also a member of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Education and Youth. Additionally, he serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Senate Committee on Public Safety.

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Sen. Tim Bearden represents the 30th Senate District which includes Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, and Paulding counties. He can be reached at (404) 463-4513 or by email at Tim.Bearden@senate.ga.gov

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Sen. John Albers Introduces Zero-Based Budgeting Act to Protect Taxpayer Dollars

ATLANTA (January 14, 2026) — Today, Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) introduced Senate Bill 392, the Waste Reduction Act of 2026, also known as the Zero-Based Budgeting Act, legislation designed to bring the same common-sense budgeting practices used by Georgia families into state government.

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Tillery: The Case for Ending Georgia’s Income Tax

By: Sen. Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia)

Georgia families need relief.

Gas prices don’t wait on legislation. Neither do groceries, power bills or child care. Families feel those costs every week, and they’ve been clear about what they want from their elected officials: fewer excuses and more money left in their paychecks.

That’s why the Georgia Senate created the Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, which I had the privilege of chairing. Our committee’s job was not to debate whether income tax elimination is a good idea. That debate is largely moot at this point. Our charge was to figure out how to do it responsibly.

Here’s what we found.

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Sen. Donzella James Hosts Community Outreach Event to Distribute Essential Items to People Experiencing Homelessness

ATLANTA (January 13, 2025) — On Sunday, December 7, Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta) hosted a community outreach event to provide blankets, hygiene kits and other essential items to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the metro Atlanta area. At the event, volunteers, community partners and local leaders came together to connect attendees with resources for food, shelter and health services.

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