Thursday, April 17, 2025–7:25 a.m.
-Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R–Rome)-
After twelve weeks of tireless work under the Gold Dome, the 2025 Legislative Session has officially ended. Senate Republicans fought daily to protect your freedoms, defend your financial security, and invest in the values that make our communities strong and safe.
Our most significant achievement was the passage of House Bill 68, the balanced Fiscal Year 2026 budget. 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 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 your earnings. Our work passing SB 1 and SB 17 defended female athletes and protected our students. And with SB 68 and SB 69, we passed long-overdue reforms to rein in abusive lawsuits targeting our job creators. When disaster struck, we stepped up. The General Assembly passed over $100 million in aid for those affected by Hurricane Helene.
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. HB 268 also supports mental health programs, suicide prevention, and youth violence reduction. We’re backing our schools with real resources, not just talk. Senate Bill 1, the “Riley Gaines Act,” is a defining victory. Named after a courageous advocate for women’s sports, SB 1 ensures biological males cannot compete in female divisions. It mandates separate locker rooms, changing areas, and overnight accommodations — because safety and fairness should never be sacrificed for woke politics.
Senate Republicans stood firmly with law enforcement and emergency responders. HB 154 designates ambulance services as essential, particularly for rural communities that rely on fast, dependable care. HB 296 allows 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.
Our conservative principles shine through in our tax policy. HB 134 makes it more affordable for families to purchase and convert manufactured homes, a win for rural Georgia. HB 79, the Firearm Safe Handling and Secure Storage Tax Credit Act, encourages responsible gun ownership by offering tax credits for training and safes. It also creates a tax holiday for gun-related purchases. HB 266 eliminates state taxes on military retirement income and incentivizes donations to law enforcement foundations. Georgia’s veterans and officers have earned more than just our gratitude; they’ve earned our support.
I was proud to sponsor two pieces of legislation now on their way to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bills 77 and 83 would establish a homestead exemption from local ad valorem taxes in Bartow County and the City of Cartersville. If signed into law, these measures will change how property is assessed for taxation, ultimately lowering property taxes for hardworking Georgians.
Two of my other bills, Senate Bills 162 and 195, were withdrawn and recommitted in the House. SB 162 would significantly reduce the time it takes to place new physicians in the workforce—from several months to just two weeks, bringing much-needed physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses into service more quickly. SB 195 aims to help reduce Georgia’s HIV infection rate. Atlanta currently has the third-highest rate of new HIV infections in the nation. In addition to improving public health, this legislation would save the state tens of millions of dollars.
These bills passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, by votes of 53-0 and 55-0, respectively. It was extremely disappointing to see the House attach controversial legislation to my bills and effectively kill this good legislation for this year. I am committed to getting these passed early in the next session.
On Sine Die, we also approved several important study committees, including the Senate Study Committee on Franchise Fees, which I introduced. If appointed, this committee would examine the substantial growth of large-load electricity customers in unincorporated areas of Georgia and the potential economic benefits for Georgia residents.
The 2025 Session may be over, but my service to Senate District 52 continues year-round. Whether it’s legislation, budget priorities, or constituent needs, I’m here to serve you. Let’s keep Georgia strong, safe, and free.
Sen. Chuck Hufstetler serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. He represents the 52nd Senate District which includes portions of Bartow, Floyd, and Gordon counties. He can be reached at (404) 656-0034 or via email at chuck.hufstetler@senate.ga.gov.
