Dear Friends and Neighbors of House District 143,
As we completed Week 3 of the 2026 Legislative Session, the Georgia House passed several measures focused on strengthening infrastructure, improving access to healthcare, and ensuring our court system keeps pace with growth across the state. While some of these bills affect specific regions, each reflects broader priorities that impact families, seniors, businesses, and local governments here in Macon-Bibb, Houston County, and throughout Georgia.
My focus remains clear: responsible governance, smart long-term planning, and policies that protect and serve our communities. Below is a summary of the key measures passed this week and what they mean for you.
HR 1008 – Updating Georgia’s Statewide Water Management Plan
The House ratified updates to Georgia’s comprehensive statewide water management plan.
What this means for you:
• Supports long-term water supply planning as our communities grow
• Protects water quality for families and businesses
• Helps prevent costly infrastructure emergencies in the future
Water planning may not always make headlines, but it directly impacts economic development, public health, and utility costs across Middle Georgia.
HB 659 – Expanding Rural Healthcare Incentives to Include Optometrists
This legislation expands Georgia’s service-cancelable loan program to include optometrists, helping attract and retain eye care providers in underserved areas.
What this means for you:
• Strengthens access to vision care in rural and surrounding communities
• Supports seniors, students, and individuals managing chronic conditions
• Reduces long-term health disparities across the state
Improving provider access strengthens the entire healthcare ecosystem in Central Georgia.
HB 557 & HB 960 – Adding Superior Court Judges
These bills add additional superior court judges in high-growth judicial circuits to address caseload backlogs.
What this means for you:
• Reduces delays in criminal, civil, and family court cases
• Helps lower jail overcrowding and associated taxpayer costs
• Improves efficiency in Georgia’s justice system
A court system that moves benefits families, victims, businesses, and public safety statewide.
HB 896 – Local Hotel-Motel Tax Authority (Hall County)
HB 1029 – City Charter Updates (Holly Springs)
These local bills provide tools for communities to manage growth, update governance structures, and responsibly fund local services.
What this means for you:
• Reflects the General Assembly’s role in maintaining clear and accountable local governance
• Demonstrates how communities across Georgia are planning for growth
• Reinforces responsible use of targeted local revenue tools
As we continue through the legislative session, I remain committed to advocating for policies that support economic growth, protect seniors and families, strengthen healthcare access, and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
If you have questions about these bills or any issue affecting House District 143, please do not hesitate to contact my office. It is an honor to serve you at the Capitol.