The Crossover Dust Settles

GA Legislative Watch

By Howard Franklin ● March 9, 2026
Smart Brevity™ count: 2.5 mins…706 words

The Big Picture: The Georgia General Assembly entered a frantic “sprint” last week as lawmakers race toward Crossover Day, Friday March 6 of this week. This is the drop-dead deadline for a bill to pass its chamber of origin to remain viable this session.

What’s happening: The floor is dominated by tax relief, AI regulation, and a major push to limit digital distractions in schools.

1 Big Thing: The Crossover Dust Settles

The Georgia General Assembly reached the critical Crossover Day milestone on Friday, March 6. This self-imposed deadline determines which bills remain viable for the 2026 session.

Why it matters: The Capitol saw a flurry of activity as lawmakers moved on high-stakes tax and election policy. Legislation that failed to clear its originating chamber by the midnight deadline is effectively dead, though bills sometimes find new life as amendments to surviving measures in the session’s final weeks.

The House worked right up to the literal midnight deadline.
The Senate adjourned earlier in the evening.

2. What Passed

These bills include some of the hottest topics underneath the Gold Dome, which are still “live” to make it through the other chamber and onto the Governor’s desk.

Property Tax Caps: The House passed a scaled-back property tax reform bill (HB 1116), capping annual property tax increases at the greater of 3% or the rate of inflation. The measure now heads to the Senate.
Income Tax Cuts: Momentum continues for a further acceleration of the state’s flat tax reduction, with the House signaling support for lowering the rate to 3.99% ahead of the original schedule.
Campaign Finance: The Senate passed a bill (SB 530) that would restrict candidates from raising more than half of their campaign funds from out-of-state donors. Democrats argue this unfairly targets their national fundraising networks.
Data Center Tax Exemption: SB 410 would eliminate sales tax exemptions on new data center equipment. Proponents argue this will protect ratepayers from rising utility costs associated with the industry’s high energy consumption. Critics say the bill doesn’t go far enough to mandate centers cover infrastructure upgrades.
Public Safety: The senate passed SB 572 broadening “stand your ground” self-defense protections and another measure adding new reasons for a commission to discipline or remove local prosecutors.

3. What Failed

These bills are considered dead, though “zombie bills” can be resurrected if they’re successfully attached to active legislation in the remaining weeks of the session.

Voting Overhaul: A controversial bill to eliminate QR codes in favor of hand-marked paper ballots was shot down in the Senate after fierce debate over implementation costs and security.
Voter Citizenship Proof: A controversial Senate resolution that would have required voters to provide proof of citizenship also failed.
Sports Betting: A major sports betting bill (HR 450) ultimately failed in the House with less than five minutes to spare before the clock struck twelve.
Police Footage Access: A proposal to restrict public access to police body and dash camera footage depicting a death (HB 1223) failed in the House.

4. Qualifying Week: Surprises on the May Primary Ballot

Crossover Day wasn’t the only excitement underneath the gold dome last week. Qualifying for state races shared the spotlight, and there were several surprises en route to the May primary elections.

14th Congressional District Shakeup: Republican Trey Kelley dropped out of the race to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene after Donald Trump endorsed Clay Fuller.
Democrat Nabilah Parkes’ Switch: Senator Parkes dropped out of the Insurance Commissioner race and opted to run for lieutenant governor.
Brad Raffensperger’s Smooth Filing: Despite the Georgia GOP passing a resolution to deny him qualification, the Secretary of State signed his paperwork “without a hitch” on Wednesday.

5. Retirements

Three Democrats announced they would not seek re-election including Rep. Mack Jackson (elected in 2008), Senators Ed Harbison (elected in 1993) and Elena Parent (elected in 2014). Parent endorsed Rep. Saira Draper to replace her in the upper chamber.
Veteran GOP Rep. Lynn Smith announced her retirement after three decades in the legislature.

Why it matters: Many retirements and contested races lead to change next year. As of the close of Georgia’s qualifying period the 2027 session of the Georgia General Assembly is guaranteed to have at least 24 new lawmakers, a new Governor, Lt. Gov, Secretary of State and Attorney General. Georgia’s congressional delegation will have at least 4 new members.

6. World Cup Readiness

With the FIFA World Cup 100 days away, the Mayor’s office announced a final surge in public safety and “clean-and-close” initiatives to prepare the city for global scrutiny.