A bill known as “Beau’s Law” has passed through the Alabama Legislature, aiming to establish stricter statewide standards for how dogs are treated—particularly those kept outdoors.
Georgia lawmakers have passed a controversial bill that could allow property owners to take legal action against local governments over homeless encampments and immigration enforcement policies.
Georgia lawmakers have approved a plan to cut the state’s income tax rate, but a broader effort to overhaul property taxes fell short before the end of the legislative session.
A proposed bill in Georgia could help return billions of dollars in unclaimed money to residents, but the effort is facing challenges at the State Capitol.
Lawmakers say the state is currently holding more than $3 billion in unclaimed property, which includes things like uncashed checks, old bank accounts, refunds, and other funds that belong to individuals.
The legislation would allow the Georgia Department of Revenue to automatically match records and send checks directly to residents, especially for smaller amounts, without requiring people to file a claim.
Supporters say the goal is to make it easier for Georgians to get their money back faster, cutting down on paperwork and making the process more efficient. However, the proposal has raised concerns among some lawmakers because parts of the bill could allow the state to take ownership of certain funds if they remain unclaimed for long periods of time.
The bill has already passed the State Senate but has stalled in a House committee, leaving its future uncertain as the legislative session continues.
Georgia lawmakers are moving forward with several bills this session aimed at improving child welfare services, supporting foster children with autism and related disorders, and strengthening legal protections for victims of abuse.
State Representative Eddie Lumsden of Armuchee says the Georgia House experienced one of the busiest weeks of the 2026 legislative session as lawmakers worked toward Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber in order to remain eligible for final passage before the session ends. By the end of the week, the House had passed 97 bills and resolutions, sending many measures to the Georgia Senate for further consideration.
Georgia lawmakers worked down to the final hours on Crossover Day, one of the most important deadlines of the legislative session, as they rushed to move bills through the House and Senate before time ran out.
A bipartisan measure moving through the Georgia General Assembly would eliminate the state’s 4% sales tax on diapers, baby formula, and menstrual products, classifying them as essential goods rather than taxable items. Supporters say the change would ease financial pressure on families, noting that while groceries and prescription drugs are already exempt in Georgia, diaper and feminine hygiene products are not.
Advocates point to long-term costs, with estimates showing the average woman spends about $18,000 on period products over her lifetime — plus roughly $1,000 in taxes. Government assistance programs like SNAP and WIC do not cover diapers, and the Georgia Diaper Bank Coalition estimates ending the diaper tax could save families about $80 per child. Diaper banks statewide distribute more than 1.4 million diapers each year to families in need.
The effort is being led this session by Republican State Sen. Randy Robertson, who says the issue is about prioritizing families despite the potential loss of millions in state revenue. The bill must pass committee before heading to the Senate floor ahead of Crossover Day, and supporters say it has bipartisan backing. If approved, Georgia would join a growing number of states that have eliminated sales taxes on menstrual and baby care products.
A group of mostly Republican Georgia state senators is moving quickly to advance legislation that would reduce the state’s personal income tax, marking the first step in a long-term plan to eliminate the tax entirely by 2032.
State Senator Chuck Hufstetler, a Republican from Rome, says lawmakers are taking a closer look at the rapid growth of data centers across Georgia, calling it one of the most pressing economic and infrastructure issues facing the state.