(The Center Square) – The Georgia Senate and House of Representatives approved an amended fiscal year 2026 budget on Wednesday that includes tax breaks for Georgians and a new $409 million mental health facility.
The details of the amended midyear spending plan were worked out in a conference committee after the two chambers and the governor presented different requests.
Gov. Brian Kemp revised the original revenue estimate of $42.3 million to include $12.49 billion in undesignated surplus funds and $145 million in undesignated lottery reserves, bringing the total to $43.66 billion, said Rep. Matt Hatchett, R-Dublin, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
The amended budget includes tax rebates of up to $500 for married couples and $250 for single filers, recommendations from Kemp that the House removed. It also included $850 million for property tax relief.
“Between the two relief initiatives, this body is returning $2 billion back to the citizens of our state,” Hatchett said. “That means many households could see a return of up to $1,000 in taxpayer funds this year.”
The plan includes the Senate’s proposal for the forensic mental health facility, which will be the state’s first in more than 60 years. Lawmakers said they hoped the facility would ease crowded county jails.
“People in jail with serious mental illness should not need to wait months or longer to start receiving the care they need,” Hatchett said.
Kemp requested $325 million for the state’s first need-based scholarship program. The Senate version reduced the amount to $100 million. The compromise plan restored a $2,000 salary supplement for state employees that the Senate reduced to $1,250.
“The biggest winners of this budget are the taxpayers of Georgia,” said Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This budget returns money to them. It promotes public safety. And it supports the governor’s original recommendations to fully fund many of his priorities.”
The Senate passed the mid-year budget adjustment 49-0. House Republicans Charlice Byrd of Woodstock and Noelle Kahaian of Locust Grove voted against it. The bill was immediately sent to the governor for his consideration.
