2026 Capitol Update - Week 8
2026 Capitol Update - Week 8
March 2, 2026
Happy Crossover Week! Lawmakers have two committee workdays this week, and will meet for Legislative Days 26, 27, and 28 (Crossover).
Qualifications-Based Selection
SB 51, sponsored by Senator Ed Setzler (R–Acworth) is currently pending in the House Rules Committee, which sets the debate calendar for the floor. This legislation proposes to extend the state’s Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) requirements for design services to local governments. Under current law, the state must use QBS for projects when the professional services fee is estimated at $75,000 or more, or when total construction costs exceed $1 million. SB 51 applies these same thresholds to local governments.
HB 377 is a companion bill to SB 51 and was set for a vote on the Senate floor Thursday. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Senate adjourned early before voting on HB 377, but it has been placed back on the debate calendar for Tuesday. Even if HB 377 passes the Senate, it will still need a final agree from the House
PELS Board Funding
We are assisting the Professional Engineer and Land Surveyors (PELS) Licensing Board with pursuing additional funding to allow the Board to hire an investigator, an attorney, and a staff member focused on workforce initiatives. As a part of this effort, HB 1428 by Representative Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming) was introduced to ensure the PELS Board is statutorily authorized to retain fees from smaller transactions, such as ornamental plaques and ID cards. While most licensing boards have this authority, the PELS Board’s independence from the Secretary of State’s office appears to create ambiguity regarding its ability to retain those specific fees. The bill will receive a hearing today in the Professional Licensing Subcommittee of the House Regulated Industries Committee.
Permitting Reform
HB 812 by Representative Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) passed the House Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday. The bill adjusts the shot clock for an application approval by local governments for land disturbance permits to clarify that the initial permitting review process is 45 days and any subsequent review is limited to 14 days. It also prohibits an issuing authority from denying or deeming an application incomplete due to stylistic preferences. The bill is now pending in the House Rules Committee.
SB 447 by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Mulberry) is the Senate’s version of permitting reform, which accomplishes many of the same objectives HB 812 does. Last week, we reported that the provision providing automatic approval if the local government fails to meet review deadlines had been revised to instead waive a local government’s sovereign immunity in that instance if it fails to meet the deadline. The Senate Rules Committee amended to bill to restore the original automatic approval provision. The bill is set for debate on the Senate floor Tuesday.
The Amended Budget
This past week, the Legislature passed the Conference Committee report, which reconciled differences between the House and Senate versions of the Amended Budget, officially sending it to the Governor. The version heading to the Governor’s desk includes:
$1.68 billion for the Henry County Express Lane Expansion Project
$11 million for Airport Aid
$8.3 Million for Shortline Railroads
$185 million for State Route 316 improvements
The Governor is expected to sign the amended budget in short order.
Upcoming TSPLOST
Henry County is planning to renew its Transportation SPLOST during the general election on November 3 of this year. The educational and advocacy ballot committee has been officially formed and is seeking resources. If you are interested in getting involved in this initiative, please let us know and we will connect you.
Today is a committee workday and the House will convene at 10am tomorrow, while the Senate will convene at 1pm.
LEGISLATION ACEC GEORGIA IS FOLLOWING: 
 
Local Government  
HB 152 by Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth): would extend the existing Mini Brooks Act to local governments. This would require Qualifications-Based Selection for the procurement of A/E services for projects where professional services are estimated to be $75,000 or more or for any project with a total preliminary construction cost of over $1 million. 
Status: Assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee 
Position: SUPPORT 
 
HB 168 by Representative Mitchell Horner (R-Ringgold): would require any local proposal to reimpose a previously passed SPLOST to pass the General Assembly as a local bill (i.e., if a jurisdiction wants to reimpose a SPLOST, they will have to go through the General Assembly to do it.)
Status: Assigned to the Ways & Means Committee; passed the committee last year, but was recommitted; it is currently still pending in Ways & Means
Position: Monitor
 
HB 317 by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah): would create a new option for local governments to help finance essential infrastructure needs called a “Workforce and Residential Infrastructure District” (WRID). If approved by the local government, this would allow landowners within the district to self-impose taxes to fund these public infrastructure projects and improvements. A constitutional amendment would be required for the enactment of the legislation which has been filed as HR 192 by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah). 
Status: Assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee (was originally assigned to Governmental Affairs). It is unlikely that this bill will move this session.
Position: SUPPORT  
HB 531 by Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth): proposes to extend the period for plaintiffs to provide notice (ante litem notice) for an intent to sue a city from six months to twelve months. The legislation also has a provision to limit the liability for cities to $3 million per person and $5 million per occurrence. Read more about cities liability appeal here.
Status: Passed the House Judiciary Committee; Passed the House 161 to 13; Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee; Recommitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee
Position: Monitor 
HB 812 by Representative Mike Cheokas (R-Americus): proposes to reinforce the shot clock on local government plan reviews by limiting the number of rounds an application may undergo. The legislation continues to enforce the 45-day turnaround requirement for local governments but would require a new 14-day turnaround where a local government would then be required to issue or deny the permit. Any comments made by the local government would need a citation for the exact local, state, or federal rule or regulation they violate. The main purpose of this bill is to limit a local government’s ability to perpetually run the clock on a permit issuance or denial and end the practice of unlimited rounds of comments where new items are introduced during subsequent rounds.
Status: Heard in House Governmental Affairs subcommittee on State & Local Government over the interim; passed out of the House Governmental Affairs Committee
Position: Support
  
SB 51 by Senator Ed Setzler (R-Acworth): this legislation would require qualifications-based selection for the procurement of A/E services for local government projects where the professional services cost is estimated to be $75,000 or more, or if the project cost is estimated to be $1 million or more. This is not a prohibition on cost being a factor, this simply shifts the consideration of cost to a second stage of negotiation after the firms have been ranked, rather than cost being an initial evaluation.  This language is also on HB 377.
Status: Passed the Senate State and Local Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously; passed the Senate 54 to 1; passed the House Governmental Affairs Committee; recommitted to the House Governmental Affairs Committee; passed the House Governmental Affairs committee again on 2/18; currently pending in Rules
Position: SUPPORT 
 
SB 151 by Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta): proposes the creation of a “Joint Development Authority of North Fulton Municipalities”. A committee of seven directors would be created with one representative each from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs, with a seventh member being appointed by the committee.  
Status: Passed out of the Senate State and Local Governmental Affairs Committee; passed the Senate 32 to 23. Passed the House Intragovernmental Coordination Committee. The House passed this with a substitute, however the substitute did not receive a final agree on the Senate side in 2025. With Senator Beach’s resignation to serve as US Treasurer, it is unclear what is happening to this measure.
Position: Monitor 
SB 437 by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Mulberry): would clarify that virtual inspections of dwellings are allowed by law, would reduce the timeframe for local governments to determine if an application is complete from 30 days to 15 days, would streamline the private plan review and inspection process. This bill was amended to apply only to single family residences under 3 stories.
Status: Assigned to the Senate State and Local Governmental Affairs Committee; passed SLGO on 2/9; is set for debate on the floor on Tuesday
Position: Monitor
SB 447 by Senator Clint Dixon (R-Mulberry): aims to tighten the timeframe for comments by a local government on a pending application and requires specific citation of the local, state, and federal law that the application violates. The proposal would require local issuing authorities to publish criteria for approval of permits, states that a completed application for any permit must be denied or approved within 45 days and that a comment period may only last 14 days, and states that if the permit is not accepted or denied within 45 days, the application shall be accepted and any fees remitted shall be refunded to the applicant.
Status: Assigned to the Senate State and Local Governmental Affairs Committee; received a hearing on 2/9; passed SLGO; is set for debate on the floor on Tuesday
Position: Support
 
Industry & Professions 
HB 107 by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins): would require all professional licensing boards in the state to adopt a process by which spouses of military members or transitioning service members may obtain a digitally verifiable license.  
Status: Passed the House Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee; recommitted to House Defense & Veterans Affairs
Position: Monitor 
 
SB 28 by Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Forsyth County): this legislation aims to reduce red tape and reconfigure how the regulatory environment operates in Georgia by allowing the legislature to take a more active role in regulatory activities.  
Status: Passed the Senate Economic Development & Tourism Committee; passed the Senate 31 to 23. Passed the Senate Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee; recommitted to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee.
Position: Monitor 
 
SB 207 by Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough): would provide a preclearance process for the licensing of individuals with criminal records who apply for a professional license in the state. 
Status: Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee; passed the Senate 55 to 0. Passed the House Judiciary Committee; Passed the House 170 to 0; Senate agreed to the House version with a Senate floor amendment, so it needs an agree on the House side before it can pass. Still pending an agree.
Position: SUPPORT  
 
Transportation  
HB 76 by Representative Stacey Evans (D-Atlanta): would require the Department of Transportation to host public hearings for local transportation projects of significant impact. 
Status: Assigned to House Transportation Committee 
Position: Monitor
 
HB 387 by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs): would require a service delivery agreement to include a growth boundary agreement component. 
Status: Assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee 
Position: Monitor 
HB 1070 by Representative Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons): would increase the tax credit for Class III railroad maintenance expenditures from $3500 to $5000 and would move the sunset from December 30, 2026 to December 30, 2031.
Status: Passed the House Ways & Means Committee; passed the House 167-2; referred to the Senate Finance Committee
Position: Monitor
HB 1277 by Representative Matt Barton (R-Calhoun): would raise the environmental evaluation threshold exemption from $100 million to $200 million for road and airport projects. The bill also creates a mechanism for inflation adjustments for the threshold, which would be capped at the CPI annual inflation rate. Additionally, the bill repeals the threshold that limits design-build projects to only 50% of the total number of construction projects in a fiscal year and creates a new guidelines for GDOT to sell remnant right-of-way property upon completion of a project.
Status: Passed the House Transportation Committee; passed the House 149-16; assigned to the Senate Transportation Committee
Position: Support
HB 1286 by Representative Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming): would abolish the position of Director of Planning of GDOT, that is appointed by the Governor and would return those duties to the Planning Division within GDOT.
Status: Assigned to the House Transportation Committee; was slated for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Thursday 2/19, but it was pulled from the calendar prior to the meeting.
Position: Reviewing
HB 1287 by Representative Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming): would revise the manner in which the GDOT Commissioner is selected.
Status: Assigned to the House Transportation Committee; was slated for a hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Thursday 2/19, but it was pulled from the calendar prior to the meeting.
Position: Reviewing
HB 1342 by Representative Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming): would revise procedures for the removal of utilities and authorize GDOT to remove utilities if there is a significant delay caused by the utility company.
Status: Assigned to the House Transportation Committee; the bill was heard on 2/19 and there was significant debate. This particular bill will be contentious as the utilities are against the bill, while many transportation advocates are in favor of a legislative solution to the delays caused by utilities.
Position: Reviewing
HB 1377 by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta): would create a time limit on when an election to recall a TSPLOST referendum can be held.
Status: Assigned to the Ways & Means Committee; referred to the House Transportation Committe
Position: Reviewing
 
Water & the Environment 
HB 559 by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta): this legislation would revise the sunset date on the sales tax exemption for the equipment used in data centers from 2031 to 2026.  
Status: Assigned to the House Ways & Means Committee 
Position: Monitor  
HB 1012 by Rep. Ruwa Romman (D-Duluth): places a moratorium on new data centers construction after July 1, 2026.
Status: Assigned to House Governmental Affairs
Position: Monitor
 
HB 1063 by Representative Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs): would codify many of the provisions adopted by the PSC to prevent the recuperation of costs for data center construction onto retail consumers.
Status: Assigned and passed out of the Special Committee on Resource Management; passed the House 159-5; Assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee
Position: Monitor
HB 1381 by Representative Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville): the proposal is aimed at modernizing Georgia’s electric grid planning processes. The bill would require utilities to provide grid modernization assessments, justify new transmission constructions, and allow cost recovery for investments.
Status: Assigned to the Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications Committee
Position: Monitor
SB 34 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome): would prohibit an electrical utility provider from recovering the cost of servicing a data center from ratepayers.  
Status: Assigned to Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee; was placed on the Senate debate calendar, but the Senate adjourned early and it is now back in Senate Rules.
Position: Monitor 
SB 408 by Senator Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta): would change the sunset for the sales and use tax exemption on data centers from January 1, 2032 to January 1, 2027.
Status: Assigned to Senate Finance Committee
Position: Monitor
SB 410 by Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan): proposes to end the sales & use tax exemptions for new data centers, effective upon signature of the governor.
Status: Referred to the Senate Finance Committee
Position: Reviewing
SB 538 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome): proposes to require publicly owned water treatment plants to collect and report information from industrial users about the use or presence of PFAS that may be present in water.
Status: Assigned to the Senate Natural Resources & the Environment Committee
Position: Reviewing