Leesa Hagan: 2026 Session Week 1 Update
The Georgia House of Representatives officially convened on January 12 for the first day of the 2026 legislative session. Walking back into the House Chamber always brings a mix of energy, responsibility, and optimism. This year, that feeling was especially strong as we opened a new session focused on strengthening Georgia’s economy, supporting rural communities, and issues that affect all Georgians, particularly your wallet.
We began the day with a beautiful violin performance by Miss Georgia 2025, Audrey Kittila. Her rendition of “Georgia on My Mind” was a reminder of why this work matters. It set a thoughtful tone before we turned to the serious business ahead.
Just as importantly, we also marked the completion of the House Chamber renovation. Over the interim, the Georgia Building Authority restored the chamber with care and attention to detail. From locally produced carpet manufactured in Dalton to gold leaf accents sourced from Dahlonega, the renovation honors the legacy and historical integrity of the Georgia State Capitol. On a personal note, the new USB ports at our desks may be my favorite improvement. I’m thankful I no longer must crawl under my desk to find an outlet so I can charge my phone!
Setting the Session Calendar After opening ceremonies, the House adopted House Resolution 998, which sets the calendar for the full 2026 session. This resolution helps lawmakers, staff, and visitors plan their time under the Gold Dome. This year, the last day is scheduled for Thursday, April 2.
Having a defined calendar allows committees to meet efficiently and gives the public transparency into how the process unfolds. If you ever want to visit the Capitol or follow along, the calendar is a helpful guide.
As session gets underway, committees begin their work immediately. As Chairman of the House Rural Development Committee, I am especially focused on how legislation affects small towns, farmers, and rural employers. Growth in Georgia should never be limited by zip code. State of the State Address and Georgia’s Direction Last Thursday, the House and Senate met jointly to hear Governor Brian Kemp deliver his final State of the State address. It outlines his priorities and frames much of our work ahead.
In his remarks, the governor focused heavily on the cost of living, public safety, education, and workforce development. He began by reviewing Georgia’s financial position. Since 2021, the state has delivered nearly $9.7 billion in tax relief through rebates, fuel tax suspensions, property tax relief, and income tax reductions. These measures matter to families and small businesses that continue to feel pressure from rising costs. This year, the governor proposed another one-time tax rebate. Single filers would receive about $250, while married couples would receive up to $500. He also proposed reducing Georgia’s income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%.
Higher education and healthcare workforce shortages were also addressed. Since the governor took office, Georgia has added hundreds of residency positions. His current budget proposal adds additional funding to expand those slots. Rural communities cannot grow without access to healthcare. Access depends on having trained professionals willing to serve close to home. This is also a major priority of the House.
Public safety was another key theme. The governor proposed changes to retirement benefits for law enforcement officers, increasing the state match and raising the cap. He also discussed ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and gang-related crime. These issues affect rural areas just as much as urban ones, and sometimes more so.
Many of us felt that this last State of the State address was Gov. Kemp’s best. I am thankful for his and his family’s service to this state for the past seven years.
Budget Week and Committee Work This week is known as budget week. The joint House and Senate Appropriations Committees will meet all week to hear from Governor Kemp, constitutional officers, and state agency heads to hear about their budgetary needs. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I spend many hours reviewing agency budgets. This process matters because the budget reflects our priorities in real dollars.
At the same time, standing committees continue meeting. The Rural Development Committee will focus on infrastructure, economic opportunity, and workforce needs outside metro areas. When we talk about roads, forestry management, or access to capital, we are talking about quality of life. Rural Georgia deserves thoughtful investment and long-term planning.
Visitors to the Capitol
Georgia Independent College Association Day at the Capitol brought Dr. Byron Edens, VP of Online Learning at Brewton-Parker Christian University, to Atlanta last week.
Last Thursday was Georgia FLEX Day at the Capitol. FLEX was founded by Melissa Dark in Fitzgerald in 2020. It’s an organization that teaches business and entrepreneurial skills to high school students. Only a few years later, FLEX serves 22 counties in 20 locations around Georgia. I’m excited that Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler County schools have a Georgia FLEX program this year.
Looking Ahead and Staying Connected As the 2026 legislative session continues, I will keep you informed about the issues that matter most to our district. I welcome your feedback and your ideas. Good policy starts with listening.
If you’d like to see videos of Miss Kittila’s rendition of “Georgia on My Mind,” GBA’s renovation of the House Chamber, Gov. Kemp’s State of the State address, or download a copy of the schedule, visit Leesa-Hagan.com and click on the latest post.
Thank you for the honor of serving as your state representative. I look forward to continuing this work together.
By Leesa Hagan R-Vidalia (District 156, Georgia House of Representatives)
