After twelve weeks of tireless work under the Gold Dome, the 2025 Legislative Session has officially come to a close. Let me be clear: Senate Republicans fought daily to protect your freedoms, defend your wallets and invest in the values that make our communities strong. We passed bold, conservative legislation that prioritizes our rural towns, empowers Georgia families, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively.
Our biggest achievement was the passage of House Bill 68, the balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2026. On Friday, the General Assembly met its constitutional duty by sending Governor Brian Kemp this historic budget. It funds essential services and reflects our Republican commitment to conservative governance. We’re cutting taxes, expanding school choice, and ensuring law and order in our state prisons. We’ve also invested in gang prosecution, human trafficking units, and school safety initiatives that will protect our children from real threats. This budget is more than a spending document. It’s a roadmap of Republican priorities.
This year, Senate Republicans advanced key priorities to benefit every hardworking Georgian. Through HB 112, we secured tax rebates of up to $500 for Georgia families. HB 111 reduces the income tax rate, letting you keep more of what you earn. With SB 1 and SB 17, we defended female athletes and protected our students. With SB 68 and SB 69, we passed long-overdue reforms to rein in abusive lawsuits targeting our job creators. And when disaster struck, the General Assembly passed over $100 million in aid for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Georgia takes care of its own, and Senate Republicans made sure of that.
School safety wasn’t just a priority, it was a mission. House Bill 268, “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” mandates panic alert systems in schools, ensures campus mapping data is available to first responders, and creates real consequences for threats against students, teachers and school personnel. We’re also holding juveniles accountable when they commit acts of violence, because the safety of our schools will never be up for negotiation.
Over half of this year’s budget is dedicated to education. SR 237 pushes for stronger teacher pipelines, better training and real mentorship, while HB 37 ensures our educators understand their retirement benefits. HB 150, the Combating Threats from China Act, brings transparency to foreign influence in our universities. Finally, HB 371 increases capital funding for schools and brings Georgia’s playgrounds up to modern accessibility standards. Every child deserves the chance to play and learn safely.
This session, we fought hard to protect your rights in the courtroom and restore integrity to our judicial system. SB 259, “Ridge’s Law,” allows families to obtain second opinions when child abuse is alleged, a crucial check against unjust state interference. I was especially proud to support HB 582, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act, which gives victims of domestic violence a voice in court when they act in self-defense. Justice should recognize context, and survivors deserve to be supported when they take a stand against abuse.
Senate Republicans stood firmly with veterans, law enforcement and emergency responders. HB 266 eliminates state taxes on military retirement income and incentivizes donations to law enforcement foundations. Additionally, HB 296 authorizes digital driver’s licenses, making compliance easier while maintaining integrity for activities like voting and firearm licenses. We also passed SR 8 and SR 231, renaming intersections to honor fallen officers Deputy Brandon Cunningham and Officer Jeremy Labonte. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
I am proud that we passed two other bills to improve the civil justice system for Georgians of all abilities. I carried House Bill 123 to establish pretrial hearings before death penalty cases so the defense can determine whether the accused may have an intellectual disability. I also sponsored SB 132 to require a hearing before a court orders an evaluation of the accused's mental competency to stand trial. All citizens have a constitutional right to due process, and these bills ensure that we further enshrine those rights in our courts.
I was also honored to carry HB 136, which establishes and increases tax credits to support foster care organizations and child care expenses. Once the Governor signs the bill, we will offer income tax credits for childcare up to 50% of the federal tax credit and create a new tax credit for individuals with dependents under six. HB 136 will also extend to small businesses, with employers able to claim a tax credit for offering their employees child care benefits. Working families will soon feel the impact of these tax credits.
On Sine Die, we also approved several important study committees, including the Senate Study Committee on Inclusive Educational Settings for Students with Disabilities, which I look forward to engaging with during the interim. Inclusive educational settings have increased the likelihood of students with disabilities attending college and living independently as adults. Despite these indicators of future success, these students continue to suffer from misconceptions about their academic capabilities. This study committee will investigate methods and recommendations for improving the educational experiences of students with disabilities statewide, with the ultimate goal of creating a more inclusive society for students of all abilities to thrive.
The 2025 Session may be over, but my service to Senate District 42 continues year-round. Whether it’s legislation, budget priorities or constituent needs, I’m here to serve you.
Sen. Brian Strickland serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. He represents the 42nd Senate District, which includes Morgan County and portions of Henry, Newton and Walton counties. He may be reached at (404) 463-6598 or by email at Brian.Strickland@senate.ga.gov.
