SINE DIE!

Sine Die has come and gone. The 2026 legislative session is officially in the books, and I'm headed back to District 25 with a lot to show for it.

This was one of the most productive sessions since you’ve elected me to represent our community. We cut taxes, secured major wins for working Georgians, passed legislation that puts our district ahead of the curve on the issues that matter most — and we did it while the national media was busy looking everywhere else.

Here's the full picture.

✅ BILLS I SPONSORED

HB 987 — The Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act This is the bill I'm most proud of this session. Hundreds of thousands of Georgians work as independent contractors, gig workers, and freelancers — and for too long, they've had no path to health insurance, retirement savings, or paid time off. HB 987 fixes that. It creates portable benefit accounts that workers own and control, where companies can voluntarily contribute to their coverage. No government mandate. No bureaucratic strings. Just a free-market solution that puts working Georgians in charge of their own future. It passed with strong bipartisan support and is headed to the Governor's desk.

HB 1272 — The Georgia Payment Stablecoin Act Georgia is now one of the first states in the nation to establish a real regulatory framework for digital currency. This bill creates a licensing process for stablecoin issuers, requires dollar-for-dollar reserves backing every coin in circulation, and holds issuers to the same anti-money laundering standards as traditional banks. No government ban on crypto. No wild west. Just smart, free-market rules that protect consumers and position Georgia as a leader in the new economy. Proud to carry this alongside my fellow Forsyth County legislator, Senator Greg Dolezal, in the Senate.

HB 1230 — Prison Drone Security Criminals have been using drones to smuggle drugs, phones, and weapons into Georgia prisons. This bill gives law enforcement the tools to detect, intercept, disable, and seize those drones. Anyone caught using a drone to smuggle contraband into a prison is now looking at a felony with serious prison time. Common sense. Long overdue.

HB 986 — Personal Delivery Device Safety Sidewalk delivery robots are already on Georgia's streets — and they're only going to become more common. This bill sets sensible speed limits and requires robots to emit an audible warning when approaching pedestrians, wheelchairs, or vehicles. The kind of forward-thinking legislation that keeps Georgia ahead of the curve on emerging technology.

HB 414 — Protecting Georgia Elections from Outside Interference Out-of-state donors, consultants, and political organizations have been able to meddle in Georgia elections with virtually no accountability — until now. This bill empowers the Georgia Ethics Commission to investigate and subpoena outside entities trying to buy influence in our elections. It passed with strong bipartisan support. Georgia's elections should be decided by Georgians.

HB 1206 (via SB 396) — Total Cost of Ownership for School Tech Purchases When school districts buy technology, they often focus only on the sticker price — ignoring maintenance, training, licensing, and replacement costs down the road. This bill requires school districts to evaluate the total cost of ownership on technology purchases over $100. Smarter spending, better outcomes for students.

HR 1007 — Arts-Based Mental Health & Veterans I sponsored and passed a resolution recognizing the proven impact of arts-based programs in treating PTSD, depression, and other mental health conditions — particularly for veterans and service members. Georgia's heroes deserve every tool available.

🏛️ BIG WINS FOR EVERY GEORGIAN

Gas Tax Suspended — 33 Cents a Gallon Back in Your Pocket For 60 days, Georgia's gas tax is suspended. That's real money back in your wallet every time you fill up — no red tape, no means testing, no bureaucracy. Just immediate relief at the pump for every Georgian who drives to work.

HB 463 — Income Tax Cut Georgia continued its march toward being one of the most tax-competitive states in the nation. HB 463 reduces the flat income tax rate from 4.99% to 3.99% over time. It also raises the standard deduction to $36,000 for married couples and $18,000 for single filers, increases the dependent exemption, exempts the first $1,750 in tips and the first $1,750 in overtime pay, and raises the income exclusion for retirees to $70,000. If you work, save, or retire in Georgia, this bill puts money back in your pocket.

HB 1193 — Georgia Early Literacy Act Every public school with kindergarten through third grade students will now have access to a school-based literacy coach. This landmark bill builds a statewide framework to ensure Georgia's youngest learners develop strong reading skills from day one. As a parent and an educator, this one hits close to home.

HB 974 — $38.5 Billion State Budget The House passed a responsible budget that fully funds our schools at $14.9 billion, increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals, adds funding for foster care services, invests in graduate medical education, and supports local infrastructure across the state. Georgia is growing, and this budget reflects that growth responsibly.

HB 1118 — Paid Maternal Leave for State Employees New mothers who work for the state of Georgia will now receive 120 hours of paid maternal leave in the first three weeks following birth. Families matter. This is a long overdue recognition of that.

HB 350 — Baby Boxes Fire stations, police stations, and medical facilities can now install newborn safety devices — secured, monitored receptacles that allow mothers in crisis to safely surrender a newborn without prosecution. This bill saves infant lives. Simple as that.

🔄 FIGHTS WORTH FINISHING

Not every good bill makes it across the finish line in 40 days. Here are a few I'm bringing back next session.

HB 991 — Healthcare Worker Flexibility This bill would have given nurses and other healthcare professionals the freedom to pick up contract shifts at other facilities on their own terms. The need is real, the bill is ready, and I'll be reintroducing it next session.

HR 1023 — Parental Bill of Rights Constitutional Amendment Parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. This resolution would enshrine that right in Georgia's Constitution — not just statute, where it can be weakened or reversed. It didn't make it across the finish line this session, but this fight is too important to walk away from.

HB 1396 — Homeless Services Coordination This bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate. It would require organizations operating shelters and outreach programs near schools and parks to participate in Georgia's tracking system — better coordination, less waste, real accountability. Back next session.

LOOKING AHEAD

Every session I learn something new about how this state works — and more importantly, about what the people of Forsyth and Fulton Counties need from their representative. This year's Coffee with Todd conversations, constituent emails, and feedback from neighbors across the district shaped every vote I cast.

Governor Kemp has 40 days to sign or veto the legislation that passed this session. I'll keep you updated as bills become law.

In the meantime, I'm home. If you see me around the district, come say hello. And if you have a question, concern, or idea — my door is always open.

Thank you for the honor of serving you.



— Todd Jones State Representative, District 25 Proudly serving Forsyth and Fulton Counties

Call or text anytime: 770-203-9230

Coffee with Todd: FINISHED FOR THE YEAR

Reminder that are weekly Coffee with Todd, which takes place every Saturday during session, is finished for the year. Thank you to all who joined us this year to hear legislative updates and share your ideas, questions, and concerns.