News & Updates

Week 4: The Long Train Runnin'

Week 4: The Long Train Runnin'

February 12, 2026 | Taylor Schindler, Georgia Director

The long train keeps runnin’ from Week Four into Week Five of the Georgia General Assembly, as both chambers are diligently working on their committee priorities before the March 6 Crossover Day deadline.

 

Data Center Decisions

The data center debate continues to roil, as there were more committee hearings on current proposals. We also heard an emphatic introduction of a constitutional amendment, Senate Resolution 668 from Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) (candidate for Lt. Governor), which would allow for counties and cities to raise the millage rate on data centers while lowering them for other taxpaying residents. 

This is the latest measure aimed at further regulating Georgia’s exploding data center industry. It is likely that both chambers will come together on a compromise at some point, but there is still much deliberation to be had.

 

Innovation Station 

We also saw last week the introduction of House Bill 1133, from House Agriculture Chairman Robert Dickey (R-Musella), which would empower the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) to finance solar developments on ‘closed landfills.’ This bill largely came out of findings from the 2024 Preservation of Georgia Farmlands study committee. HB 1133 is in the House Governmental Affairs Committee where it was heard Wednesday, February 11. You can view that committee video HERE (to find the Government Affairs Committee video, hover over the top left drop down of the player to access this room's video archives, then scroll down to the Government Affairs Committee).


Political Football 

In the biggest political news of the week, the race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination was jolted with the entry of billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson, who will use his extremely deep pockets to try and chip away at Lt. Governor Burt Jones’ early lead. Jackson has long been active in the political arena utilizing his fortune to support conservative candidates, and he has already made a $40 million advertising buy in an attempt to “introduce” his rags to riches story to primary voters. The Georgia gubernatorial race is shaping up to be the most expensive in state history. 

 

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Georgia Legislature

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