529 Savings Plans. HB 962 by Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) remove the fixed $235,000 maximum contribution limit for Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan (529) accounts. Authorizes Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan Board of Directors to set reasonable maximum contribution amounts based on current and anticipated education expenses. Expands Georgia tax deductions starting in 2026 to include contributions to any state's qualified Section 529 education savings plan. Maintains existing deduction limits of $4,000 per beneficiary for individual filers and $8,000 for joint filers.
Bankruptcy Exemptions. HB 1024 by Rep. Soo Hong (Lawrenceville) increases the homestead exemption from $21,500 to $50,000 for individual debtors in bankruptcy and insolvent estate proceedings. It raises the exemption from $43,000 to $100,000 when property is the primary residence of both spouses.
Data Centers. HB 1059 by Rep. Derrick Jackson (D-Tyrone) prohibits construction or development of new data centers in Georgia from July 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028. It creates a 14-member Data Center Impact Assessment Commission to study data center impacts and develop zoning recommendations by Oct. 2029.
HB 1063 by Rep. Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs) requires electric utilities to include contract terms that protect residential and retail customers from electricity costs tied to data centers. It also sets minimum billing, performance, and termination requirements for contracts with large data centers that use 100+ megawatt-hours of electricity per year.
Financial Literacy. HB 1114 by Rep. Bill Yearta (R-Sylvester) allows ninth- and tenth-grade students to complete the state’s required high school graduation financial literacy course, expanding the current law, which limits the requirement to eleventh- and twelfth-grade students only.
Financial Transaction Fraud. HB 1034 by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex) requires all financial institutions to provide free account safety locks that customers can activate to block new payees and transfers. It establishes the Georgia Financial Fraud Victims Relief Fund to reimburse fraud victims up to $10,000 per incident. The bill mandates emergency holds on suspicious transactions for up to 72 hours when fraud indicators are detected. Additionally, the Attorney General must create public awareness campaigns and training programs for law enforcement.
Foreclosure Notices. HB 948 by Rep. Beth Camp (R-Concord) would require foreclosure notices to include contact information for entities authorized to negotiate mortgage terms with debtors. It would mandate that notices clearly disclose debtors’ rights to surplus funds following a foreclosure sale, and require deadlines for claiming excess funds to be prominently displayed in bold type and accompanied by the necessary claim forms. It would also extend these notice requirements to tax sale proceedings.
Georgia Investment Act Pilot Fund. HB 1098 by Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) creates the Georgia Investment Act Pilot Fund to provide economic development funding to counties meeting specific eligibility criteria based on income, unemployment, and poverty metrics. It establishes a 14-member Joint Legislative Oversight Commission to monitor the fund's administration and operations.
Gold and Silver. SB 424 by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) aims to recognize gold and silver specie as legal tender in the state. The bill proposes amendments to the state code governing the Office of the State Treasurer to allow gold and silver to serve as legal tender for transactions. It would also establish a bullion depository, create an electronic payment system tied to specie, set regulatory guidelines, provide for insured deposits through private insurance coverage, and prohibit taxation of transactions involving gold and silver legal tender.
Institutional Real Estate Investors. HB 1017 by Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) prohibits business enterprises that own 100+ single-family rental properties from purchasing additional single-family residential properties starting Jan. 1, 2027. It requires such business enterprises to pay property taxes on 100% of fair market value rather than standard assessment rates.
HB 1055 by Rep. El-Mahdi Holly (D-Stockbridge) prohibits business entities and their affiliates from purchasing single-family homes in counties over 150,000 population if they already own 25 or more rental homes. It requires detailed annual reporting to the Secretary of State including financing sources, property counts, eviction data, and property inspection results.
HB 1115 by Rep. Derrick McCollum (R-Chestnut Mountain) prohibits institutional investors from owning more than 2,000 single-family residences in Georgia starting Jan. 1, 2027. It creates private lawsuits allowing individuals to sue violators for $15,000 per property plus attorney fees
Local Government Investment Pools. SB 441 by Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) requires pooled investments involving two or more local governments to be approved by the State Depository Board and exempts certain pooled investments from such approval.
Property Owners Associations. SB 406 by Sen. Matt Brass (R–Newnan) requires annual registration with Secretary of State for all property owners' associations with $100 fee and financial disclosure requirements. It creates a State Board for Review of Complaints to investigate association violations within 90 days of receipt. The bill establishes 17 specific rights for community association owners including record access, meeting attendance, and display privileges. Additionally, it prohibits associations from bidding at foreclosure sales and raises minimum foreclosure threshold from $2,000 to $4,000. The Secretary of State is also authorized to deny, suspend, or revoke registrations for violations and limit association powers.
HB 1035 by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex) prohibits foreclosure sales of owner-occupied homes for unpaid utility bills, HOA fees, and other non-tax service charges. Establishes civil remedies and penalties for violations while allowing collection through unsecured debt actions.
HB 1036 by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex) establishes a binding referendum process allowing homeowners to vote on dissolving their homeowners' associations with a 20% petition threshold. It prohibits associations from foreclosing on owner-occupied homes for unpaid assessments, dues, or fees.
Property Tax Relief Plan. HR 1114 by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), would gradually expand the state’s homestead tax exemption until property taxes on primary residences are fully eliminated by 2032. The plan also would cap revenue growth for non-homestead property taxes at 3% annually and allow local governments to use existing sales taxes or assessments for services in place of property taxes. HR 1114 proposes a constitutional amendment, meaning it would require a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, followed by approval from voters in a statewide referendum. The enabling legislation is HB 1116 by Rep. Blackmon.
Real Estate Transactions. HB 1042 by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) allows holders of foreclosed security instruments to submit credit bids instead of cash or certified checks at judicial sales. It requires government entities to indicate on official record indices when personally identifiable information has been restricted. The bill provides procedures for protected persons to authorize release of restricted information to themselves or third parties.
Rent Control. HB 1019 by Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) establishes rent increase limits of 10% for senior citizens aged 62 and older whose primary income is Social Security. It applies to rental agreements existing on June 30, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2028.
HB 1031 by Rep. El-Mahdi Holly (D-Stockbridge) establishes a 5% cap on rent increases when landlords renew existing residential leases in Georgia. It allows landlords to set market rates for new tenants when no previous tenant remains in possession.
Residential Property Insurance. SB 409 by Sen. Larry Walker (R-Perry) regulates how insurance companies use aerial and satellite images for residential property coverage, underwriting, and pricing decisions. It establishes homeowner protections by requiring insurers to provide date-stamped images and specific corrective steps for adverse underwriting decisions, such as cancellations or premium increases. Homeowners must be given at least 60 days to address issues, with an appeal process and the opportunity to submit proof of corrections. The bill also mandates that insurers offer policy renewals or rescind adverse decisions if the conditions are resolved.
Securities and Commodities Regulation. HB 934 by Rep. Noel Williams (R-Cordele) would transfer regulatory authority over securities and commodities from the Secretary of State to the Department of Banking and Finance. It would establish an advisory board of up to 12 members with expertise in securities and commodities to advise the Banking Commissioner. All existing rules, regulations, and contracts related to securities regulation would be continued under the Department of Banking and Finance, and employees of the Secretary of State currently engaged in securities regulation would be transferred to the Department.
Squatters. HB 1016 by Rep. Dar'shun Kendrick (R-Lithonia) increases the timeframe for squatters to present proof of legal possession or submit a counteraffidavit from 3 business days to 30 calendar days. It expands magistrate court jurisdiction and allows third parties, such as neighboring property owners, to request law enforcement assistance for the removal of unauthorized occupants.
State Agency Rules. HB 1078 by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) establishes a mandatory four-year review cycle for all Georgia state agency rules with automatic sunset provisions. It requires agencies to analyze regulatory costs, benefits, and alternatives while soliciting public input before rules can be continued.
Statewide Homestead Exemption. SB 382 by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) establishes a mandatory, statewide base-year homestead exemption for all counties and municipalities that levy property taxes. It would remove the requirement that municipalities offer a homestead exemption before calling special district sales tax referendums and permit automatic renewal of homestead exemptions for 2025 for property owners who received an exemption in 2024 and remain eligible.
Tax Rate Reduction. HB 1001 by Rep. Will Wade (R-Dawsonville) reduces the 2026 state income tax rate from 5.19 percent to 4.99 percent for businesses and individuals.
Timber. HR 1000 by Rep. Chuck Efstration (R-Mulberry) would eliminate ad valorem taxation on standing timber harvested from forest land designated for conservation use. It would require property owners to enter into a 10-year covenant to maintain forest land conservation use. Imposes recapture of prior tax savings, plus penalties, if the covenant is breached within the 10-year period.
Transaction Rounding. HB 1112 by Rep. Carter Barrett (R- Cumming) requires merchants to round cash transaction totals to the nearest five cents when customers pay with coins or currency. It exempts rounding gains or losses from taxation and applies only to in-person sales exceeding four cents.
Unclaimed Virtual Currency. SB 403 by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) amends unclaimed property laws to address new categories like virtual currency. It defines key terms, establishes conditions for when property is considered abandoned and outlines procedures for liquidations, claims and payments.
Veteran’s Housing. SB 429 by Sen. Jason Dickerson (R-Canton) prohibits landlords from requiring disabled veterans to have monthly income exceeding twice the monthly rent to qualify as tenants. It applies an income definition as the federal adjusted gross income from all sources under IRS Code.
Voluntary Portable Benefit Plans. HB 987 by Rep. Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) establishes portable benefit plans and accounts for independent contractors. Banks, along with other financial institutions and entities, have the option to serve as portable benefit account providers if they meet certain qualifications.