Hatchett: A Strong End to the 2025 Legislative Session

By: Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia)

After twelve weeks of tireless work under the Gold Dome, the 2025 Legislative Session has officially come to a close. Let me be clear: Senate Republicans fought daily to protect your freedoms, defend your wallets and invest in the values that make our communities strong. We passed bold, conservative legislation that prioritizes our rural towns, empowers Georgia families, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively.

Our biggest 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 also 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 what you earn. And when disaster struck, the General Assembly passed over $100 million in aid for those affected by Hurricane Helene. Georgia takes care of its own, and the Senate made sure of that.

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, because the safety of our schools will never be up for negotiation.

We didn’t stop there. 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.

Over half of this year’s budget is dedicated to education. SR 237 pushes for stronger teacher pipelines, better training and real mentorship, while HB 37 ensures our educators understand their retirement benefits. HB 150, the Combating Threats from China Act, brings transparency to foreign influence in our universities. Finally, HB 371 increases capital funding for schools and brings Georgia’s playgrounds up to modern accessibility standards. Every child deserves the chance to play and learn safely.

This session, we fought hard to protect your rights in the courtroom and restore integrity to our judicial system. SB 259, “Ridge’s Law,” allows families to obtain second opinions when child abuse is alleged, a crucial check against unjust state interference. I’m especially proud to have carried HB 582, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act, and give victims of domestic violence a voice in court when they act in self-defense. Justice should recognize context, and survivors deserve to be supported when they take a stand against abuse.

Senate Republicans stood firmly with veterans, law enforcement and emergency responders. HB 266 eliminates state taxes on military retirement income and incentivizes donations to law enforcement foundations. Additionally, HB 296 authorizes 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.

I also carried HB 113 to protect the state and citizens from becoming economically dependent on foreign adversaries. This legislation directs the Georgia Technology Authority to maintain a list of concerned goods from foreign companies or countries who are considered foreign adversaries. In this way, HB 113 addresses a vital safety threat to preserve the honest use of taxpayer dollars.

The 2025 Session may be over, but my service to Senate District 50 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. Bo Hatchett serves as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. He represents the 50th Senate District, which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns counties, as well as portions of Hall, Jackson and White counties. He can be reached by phone at (404) 651-7745 or by email at [email protected].