Lawmakers at the Georgia State Capitol are facing renewed calls this legislative session to expand healthcare access and lower costs for residents across the state, particularly in rural communities.

With an election year looming, the Georgia legislative session officially began Monday, setting the stage for months of debate on key issues facing the state.

Many organizations, residents, and lobbyists showed up at the State Capitol on Monday as lawmakers returned for the first day of the 2026 legislative session.

Georgia lawmakers return to the State Capitol Monday morning for the start of a new legislative session, with affordability and issues impacting children expected to be major priorities in this election-year session.

The hallowed halls of Georgia’s state Capitol were abuzz Monday as lawmakers, lobbyists and everyday citizens flocked to the Gold Dome for the start of the 2026 legislative session.

Georgia is the latest state to consider eliminating its personal income tax, with Republican leaders in the Senate backing a proposal to phase it out by 2032.

With the Gold Dome as the backdrop, Brian Kemp is set to deliver his eighth and final State of the State address later at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Georgia State Capitol.