Georgia House Approves Amended Mid-Year Budget

Lawmakers trim some of Kemp's proposals, prioritize property tax relief over income tax rebates

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Georgia House of Representatives has approved an amended version of the current fiscal year's $42.3 billion budget, making several changes to Governor Brian Kemp's original spending plan. The House trimmed $80 million from Kemp's $1.8 billion project to add express lanes to I-75 south of Atlanta and cut $25 million from the governor's $325 million proposal to establish a college scholarship fund. Instead, the House allocated funds to various other projects including prisons, mental health facilities, rural infrastructure, and medical education. One major change was redirecting $150 million from Kemp's proposed $1 billion in one-time income tax rebates to instead provide $850 million in property tax relief grants for homeowners.

Why it matters

The Georgia legislature's amendments to the mid-year budget reflect differing priorities between the House and the governor, with the House favoring property tax relief over income tax rebates. This budget process sets the stage for the upcoming full fiscal year 2027 budget negotiations between the House and Senate.

The details

The House's amended $42.3 billion mid-year budget passed with a 167-5 vote. Key changes include trimming $80 million from Kemp's $1.8 billion I-75 express lane project and $25 million from his $325 million college scholarship fund proposal. Instead, the House allocated funds to other initiatives like a new private prison, a new optometry college, and rural infrastructure projects. The House also redirected $150 million from Kemp's proposed $1 billion in income tax rebates to provide $850 million in property tax relief grants for homeowners.

  • The state House completed its proposed adjustments to the current year budget on February 6, 2026.
  • The amended fiscal year budget was approved by the House on February 6, 2026.

The players

Brian Kemp

The Governor of Georgia who proposed the original $42.3 billion mid-year budget.

Matt Hatchett

The Republican chairman of the House Appropriations committee who said the property tax relief grant will reduce next year's tax bills for homeowners.

Jon Burns

The Republican Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives who has prioritized gradually reducing and eventually eliminating homeowner property taxes by 2032.

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What they’re saying

“This grant will reduce next year's tax bills for homeowners, and we will continue to eliminate property taxes on your home.”

— Matt Hatchett, Chairman, House Appropriations Committee (roughdraftatlanta.com)

What’s next

The amended mid-year budget will now go to the Georgia Senate, which can make its own changes before the final version is approved. The House will then turn its attention to crafting the full fiscal year 2027 budget, which will fund state government starting in July 2026.

The takeaway

The Georgia House's amendments to the mid-year budget reflect a shift in priorities from the governor's plan, with the House favoring property tax relief over income tax rebates. This budget process sets up negotiations between the House and Senate ahead of the upcoming full fiscal year 2027 budget.