Atlanta, January 8, 2026
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns has laid out key legislative priorities for the upcoming session, focusing on affordability through property tax reform, enhancing literacy rates in schools, and strengthening the healthcare workforce. With an emphasis on improving the quality of life for families, Burns’ agenda also includes initiatives to address school safety and emerging technologies. The session is set to begin soon, with critical discussions expected around these important topics.
Atlanta
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) recently outlined the legislative priorities for the upcoming 2026 session, emphasizing a steadfast commitment to enhancing affordability and the overall quality of life for families across the state. These significant policy objectives were presented on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as lawmakers prepare to convene at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta for the session’s commencement on Monday, January 12, 2026. The pronouncements come as the House chambers conclude an $82 million renovation project, a detailed refurbishment that included repainting the ceiling and replacing aged carpeting, ensuring the historic space is prepared for the crucial work ahead.
Focus on Economic Well-being and Educational Foundations
At the forefront of Speaker Burns’ agenda is a comprehensive focus on economic relief, particularly through property tax reform to address the rising cost of living for Georgians. This initiative aims to provide meaningful and lasting relief for homeowners experiencing increasing property tax burdens. While the specific details are yet to be fully articulated, proposals such as increasing the homestead exemption are being considered to protect residents from sudden, unaffordable surges in their tax bills. This effort aligns with previous legislative actions, including a one-time special tax refund of over $1 billion to taxpayers and accelerating income tax rate cuts. There is an anticipation of discussions with the Senate regarding tax policy, as the House prioritizes property tax adjustments while the Senate has expressed interest in the potential elimination of the state income tax.
Parallel to economic measures, improving literacy rates across Georgia stands as Speaker Burns’ paramount educational priority. Recognizing that one in three Georgia students currently do not achieve reading proficiency by the third grade, the Speaker advocates for expanding dyslexia testing and implementing a literacy coach in every middle school within the state. This sustained investment in foundational education aims to build a brighter future for Georgia’s children, ensuring they possess the critical skills necessary for academic and life success.
Strengthening Healthcare and Community Safety
The legislative session will also see efforts directed towards fortifying the state’s healthcare infrastructure. Speaker Burns plans to bolster Georgia’s healthcare workforce by expanding medical residency programs and establishing additional training schools, particularly in rural areas. This strategic investment is vital for ensuring that more healthcare professionals are trained and retained within the state, thereby enhancing access to quality medical care for all Georgians.
Furthermore, the agenda includes ongoing commitments to school safety initiatives, aiming to create secure learning environments for students and educators. This involves revisiting reforms concerning school zone safety cameras, an issue that narrowly missed passage in the previous legislative year. The legislative focus also extends to broader public safety, with a continued emphasis on civil justice and tort reform to manage insurance rates across the state.
Forward-Looking Policy Discussions
In addressing emerging societal challenges, Speaker Burns has indicated an intent to confront the inherent dangers associated with artificial intelligence (AI), recognizing the need for thoughtful policy in this rapidly evolving domain. Additionally, lawmakers may reconsider a bill from the previous year that sought to implement a statewide ban on cell phones in all Georgia high schools, reflecting ongoing discussions about technology’s role in educational settings. Other areas of continued attention, though initiated in earlier sessions, include reaffirming protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF), ensuring the protection of gender-specific sports participation, and advocating for improved security and conditions within correctional facilities.
The upcoming 2026 legislative session marks the second year of a biennial term, providing an opportunity for bills that did not achieve final passage in 2025 to be reconsidered. The legislative landscape is also shaped by recent developments, including the departure of two Democratic state representatives, necessitating special elections to fill these vacated seats. As the legislative season begins, these priorities reflect a thoughtful effort to address both immediate concerns and long-term aspirations for the people of Georgia, charting a path forward with careful deliberation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the primary legislative priorities for Georgia’s House Speaker Jon Burns for the 2026 session?
- The primary legislative priorities for Georgia’s House Speaker Jon Burns for the 2026 session include enhancing affordability through property tax reform, improving literacy rates, and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
- When does the Georgia legislative session for 2026 begin?
- The Georgia legislative session for 2026 is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.
- What is the focus of property tax reform in Georgia?
- The focus of property tax reform in Georgia is to provide meaningful and lasting relief for homeowners by addressing rising property tax burdens, potentially through measures like increasing the homestead exemption.
- What initiatives are planned to improve literacy rates in Georgia?
- To improve literacy rates in Georgia, Speaker Burns’ plan includes expanding dyslexia testing and placing a literacy coach in every middle school.
- What renovations were completed in the Georgia House chambers before the 2026 session?
- Before the 2026 session, an $82 million renovation project in the Georgia House chambers was completed, involving repainting the ceiling and replacing the aging carpet.
- What other key issues will be addressed in the Georgia legislative session?
- Other key issues to be addressed include advancing school safety initiatives, addressing the dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), reconsidering a ban on cell phones in high schools, and working to bring down insurance rates through civil justice and tort reform.
Key Legislative Priorities for Georgia’s 2026 Session (State-level)
| Priority Area | Specific Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Affordability & Tax Relief | Property tax reform for homeowners, potential increase in homestead exemption, continuation of income tax rate reduction discussions. |
| Education & Literacy | Increasing Georgia’s literacy rates, expanding dyslexia testing, placing a literacy coach in every middle school, fully funding public schools. |
| Healthcare Workforce | Expanding medical residency programs, opening more training schools, particularly in rural areas. |
| School Safety | Advancing school safety initiatives, revisiting school zone safety camera reform. |
| Emerging Technologies | Addressing dangers associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI). |
| Educational Environment | Reconsidering a bill to ban cell phones in all Georgia high schools. |
| Insurance & Legal Reform | Working to bring down insurance rates, continuing civil justice and tort reform efforts. |
| Social Policy | Protecting gender-specific sports participation, reaffirming IVF protections. |
| Infrastructure & Governance | Advocating for improved prison security and conditions, developing a statewide energy management plan. |
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