The Holland Report - 2026, Week 9

Sara Fuchs

Following the flurry of activity on Crossover Day, things have slowed down under the Gold Dome as Senate bills make their way through the committee process and to the floor of the House for a vote. A few measures passed the chamber this week, most notably HB 974, the "big budget" that funds the state for Fiscal Year 2027. Take a look at our highlights from the $38.5B proposal below. Remember, the budget will still need passage in the Senate. Since the Senate will likely make amendments, the budget will wind up in conference committee so the two chambers can agree on the final document before the end of session. It will then need to be signed by the Governor.

Highlights from the "Big Budget"

Mental Health & Behavioral Health

$2.4 million to expand mobile crisis response teams that respond to mental health emergencies.
$2.9 million to strengthen 988 crisis hotline services and related intervention support.
$1.9 million increase for the Department of Corrections mental health contract to improve staffing levels ($10.2 million more than the governor’s recommendation).

Medicaid & Health Care

$307.9 million added to cover growth in Medicaid enrollment and costs.
$10.6 million for expanded Medicaid dental services.
$3.6 million for increased autism services reimbursements.
$4 million for the Phoebe Health–Morehouse Consortium to develop a regional medical campus and graduate medical education program.

Rural Hospital Support

$3 million for rural hospital stabilization grants.
$3 million for hospital emergency preparedness grants.
$2 million to evaluate the financial health of hospitals statewide.

Pre-K & K-12 Education

$12 million for year three of a four-year plan to reduce Pre-K class sizes from 22 to 20 students.
More than $60 million for literacy initiatives, including:
- $31 million to place literacy coaches in every elementary school.
$2.5 million for after-school and summer learning programs.
$1.4 million for college preparatory exams.
$1 million for summer nutrition programs.

Celebrating the approval of House Resolution 1007, making Georgia the first state in the nation to formally recognize the arts as a resource for mental health treatment.

Senate Bills To Watch

We're keeping a close eye on these bills that have already passed the Senate as they make their way through House committees.

SB 74Harmful Materials to Minors; exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103; repeal
SB 74 passed out of the Rules committee weeks ago but has not been called to the floor of the House for a vote yet. This bill repeals the exemption that protects libraries and librarians from prosecution under Georgia’s “harmful materials to minors” law, potentially exposing librarians to criminal charges for unknowingly providing books that someone later claims are obscene.

SB 443Offenses Against Public Order; the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; increase
This bill would increase penalties for obstructing roadways, making it a high and aggravated misdemeanor and increasing the maximum fine to $5000 from $1000. The Supreme Court has ruled that these spontaneous protests are protected under the first Amendment.

SB 177Government Transparency and Campaign Finance; transparency in foreign funded political activities within the state; provide
This bill is meant to capture foreign interference in state politics, but its framework is so overbroad that it would be extremely difficult for legitimate organizations to avoid falling into this net.

SB 116DNA Sampling; the collection of DNA samples from any individual in a detention facility charged with a misdemeanor or felony who is subject to an immigration detainer notice; require
This bill would expand DNA collection in one of the most troubling ways possible: by targeting people who are merely charged with an offense and are subject to an immigration detainer. That is not a narrow public-safety measure. It is an anti-immigrant expansion of government surveillance.

Join Me for a Pre–Sine Die Listening Session!

Join me as I predict which bills we'll hear on the last day of session! I’ll also be there to listen to your concerns, answer questions, and hear what matters most to you.

Pre-register for the Zoom link here:
March 29th, 4 - 5 pm

If you haven’t already, please browse my website, betsyforgeorgia.com.

As your Representative, your concerns are important to me. Please contact me at betsy.holland@house.ga.gov or 404-656-0116 with questions, concerns, or solutions you may have regarding legislation or other happenings in District 54.

To stay updated, follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and follow the Georgia House of Representatives @GAHouseHub on Twitter. Additionally, in-depth information regarding current bills, Georgia's annual and supplemental budgets, committee meetings, and livestreams from the General Assembly can be accessed via www.legis.ga.gov.

I encourage you and your family to visit our State Capitol and my office, where all constituents are welcome. I look forward to connecting with you!

My office is located at:
18 Capitol Square, SW
409-B Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.