With Crossover Day behind us, the Senate is now turning its attention to House legislation and one of our most important responsibilities: crafting a fiscally responsible Fiscal Year 2027 state budget. This week, Senate leaders met with agency heads and stakeholders from across Georgia’s industries to review funding needs and ensure our state remains on a strong financial path.
This process may take time, but it’s one of the reasons Georgia is consistently recognized for responsible financial management. Every dollar we approve is taxpayer money, and we take that responsibility seriously. That means asking tough questions, carefully reviewing requests and making sure we are investing in programs that truly benefit Georgia families.
We are also working to make sure state policies do not place unnecessary burdens on our local communities. This week, I voted to pass House Bill 244, which will allow smaller local governments with annual expenditures under $2.5 million to complete a streamlined audit process. Right now, many small towns are required to conduct full audits every year, which can be expensive and difficult for communities with limited staff and resources. This legislation maintains accountability while giving smaller governments more flexibility so they can spend more time focusing on the services their residents rely on.
Protecting your finances is another priority we addressed this week. The Senate passed House Bill 945, which strengthens protections against financial exploitation. Unfortunately, scams targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals have become more common and increasingly sophisticated. This bill allows banks to place a temporary 15-day hold on transactions if they suspect someone is being financially exploited. Financial institutions are often the first to notice suspicious activity, and this legislation gives them the ability to step in and help prevent someone from losing their hard-earned savings.
We also took an important step toward helping more children find permanent homes. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 771, creating the Senate Study Committee on Adoption and Permanency Affordability. For many loving families, the cost of adoption can be a major barrier. This committee will study ways to make adoption more affordable and accessible so that more children in Georgia have the opportunity to grow up in safe, stable homes.
We also passed several strong education bills out of committee this week that will support our schools, recognize the hard work of Georgia’s students and educators, and strengthen our education system for the future:
• House Bill 1107, the “Excellent Teacher Preparation Act,” will direct the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to conduct stronger evaluations of Georgia’s educator workforce and help identify which schools need the most support. This will help us better retain high-quality teachers and improve outcomes for Georgia’s next generation of leaders.
• House Bill 1164 improves financial accountability for local school systems and state charter schools by refining the auditing process and providing clearer oversight of how taxpayer dollars are spent. Local school systems should use their resources to support student learning, and this bill increases transparency for parents while strengthening fiscal responsibility.
• Finally, House Bill 1284 honors the life of a remarkable young man, Gakobe Milton, who sadly passed away from late-stage cancer at just 15 years old. Gakobe was a bright, passionate student looking forward to walking across the stage and receiving his diploma. This bill allows students in similar circumstances, those who are unable to complete their studies due to serious illness or who pass away before graduation, to still be awarded a diploma in recognition of their dedication and hard work. Every student deserves to have their commitment to learning honored, no matter the circumstances.
Sometimes, the work we do as legislators brings us face-to-face with difficult realities. This week was a reminder of that. But it is through hearing your stories and listening to your concerns that we can pass laws that truly make a difference. Georgia continues to grow and move forward, and I remain optimistic about our state’s future as long as citizens stay engaged, hold us accountable and make their voices heard.
If you have questions, concerns or ideas about issues affecting our community, please do not hesitate to contact my office. It is an honor to serve you under the Gold Dome, and God bless you.
Sen. Billy Hickman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. He represents the 4th Senate District, which includes Bulloch, Candler, Effingham and Evans counties, as well as a portion of Chatham County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 463-1371 or by email at Billy.Hickman@senate.ga.gov.
