Concerns over PFAS contamination — often called “forever chemicals” — continue to affect communities across Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, as lawmakers debate legislation that could change how pollution cases are handled in the state.
State Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), who represents Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, says the Georgia House completed a busy seventh week of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers approach the important Crossover Day deadline. The week included extensive committee work and the final passage of the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, which totals about $43.6 billion and includes billions in surplus funding. According to Lumsden, the budget prioritizes taxpayer relief, transportation improvements, expanded mental health services, and investments in the state’s prison system, along with a one-time $2,000 salary supplement for educators and state employees.
The Georgia Association of Educators says a House subcommittee has passed HB 1244, legislation aimed at protecting educators’ right to a duty-free lunch and a planning period during the school day.
According to the GAE, the bill would prohibit school districts from waiving duty-free lunch and planning periods except in “extreme emergencies” or when a teacher voluntarily agrees to give up that time in exchange for additional compensation.
Supporters say the measure is intended to reinforce professional working conditions and ensure educators have dedicated time to prepare lessons and recharge during the school day. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Akbar Ali.
GAE President Lisa Morgan, a kindergarten teacher, addressed the subcommittee in support of the proposal prior to the vote. The association noted that another educators’ organization urged the committee to send the bill to a study committee shortly before the measure was approved.
HB 1244 now moves forward in the legislative process as lawmakers continue debate under the Gold Dome.
AARP Georgia recently recognized 21 members of the Georgia General Assembly who are also family caregivers, highlighting the personal responsibilities many lawmakers carry while shaping policy at the Capitol.
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), who represents all of Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, says the Georgia House has passed the halfway point of the 2026 legislative session after completing Legislative Day 22. Lawmakers returned to the Capitol following the President’s Day holiday and moved several bills forward during a busy week.
Lumsden highlighted passage of House Bill 1063, which would prevent electric utilities from shifting certain costs tied to large data centers onto residential and small business customers, while codifying Public Service Commission cost-allocation rules into state law. He noted Georgia’s rapid data center growth is driving increased energy demand statewide.
The House also approved legislation to increase access to naloxone on college and technical campuses, expand protections for foster placement caregivers, support autism screenings for children in foster care, strengthen student-athlete health requirements, and improve roadside safety during traffic stops as work continues toward Crossover Day.
See Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below:
A Georgia Senate committee has rewritten legislation meant to protect consumers from higher electricity costs tied to the state’s fast-growing data center industry, advancing a version that supporters say is less explicit about shielding residential customers. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the revamped proposal after rejecting language that would have clearly barred utilities from passing certain data center-related costs onto regular ratepayers.
Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader joined fellow sheriffs at the State Capitol to support proposed state budget funding for a new 300-bed mental health hospital, a move aimed at addressing Georgia’s long-standing shortage of inpatient psychiatric beds.
Mental health advocates in Georgia are urging lawmakers to strengthen and enforce the state’s Mental Health Parity Act, arguing that too many people still face denials, delays, or limited access when trying to get behavioral health care covered by insurance.
Georgia drivers may finally be seeing a break after years of rising insurance premiums.
This month, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King announced more than $25 million in auto insurance rate reductions, led by major carriers including Allstate and Country Mutual. State officials say the filings signal a potentially more stable and competitive auto insurance market—welcome news for families who’ve watched monthly bills climb.
A bill aimed at expanding access to HIV prevention medication has cleared the Georgia House, moving the state one step closer to allowing pharmacists to play a larger role in preventing new HIV infections.
