As Georgia’s 2026 legislative session officially gets underway, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson met virtually Monday with members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation to outline the county’s priorities for the months ahead and identify areas where state partnership will be critical.

The start of the legislative session marks the beginning of Georgia’s lawmaking period, when state leaders convene to introduce, review, and vote on legislation impacting communities across the state, including DeKalb County. The session is led by elected members of the Georgia General Assembly, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate, supported by legislative leadership, committees, and professional staff who guide bills through the legislative process.

The meeting marked the first formal engagement between county leadership and the delegation since the annual legislative dinner and coincides with the launch of a constitutionally mandated 40 legislative-day session, spread over several months and scheduled to conclude on April 2.

During this time, hundreds of bills will be introduced, debated in committee, and voted on by lawmakers, with final legislation sent to the Governor for approval.

Against this backdrop, the CEO emphasized three core objectives: reaffirming alignment between the County’s executive leadership and Board of Commissioners, sharing updates on issues that have evolved since the last meeting, and identifying areas where collaboration with state lawmakers will be essential throughout the session.

DeKalb County’s top legislative priorities for the 2026 session are highlighted in the accompanying presentation and graphic, reflecting a unified approach to housing, infrastructure, environmental enforcement, governance, and long-term sustainability.

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WHO SPEAKS FOR DEKALB

DeKalb County is represented at the Georgia Capitol by a delegation of elected officials who serve in the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate. Together, these lawmakers advocate for their districts, participate in committee work, and vote on legislation that impacts communities across DeKalb County and the state.

House Members and Senate Members

Members of DeKalb County’s legislative delegation:



• Introduce and sponsor legislation
• Serve on committees that review and shape bills
• Debate proposed laws
• Vote on legislation during the legislative session

Their work helps determine which bills move forward, how laws are written, and how state policies affect local services and residents.

March 6

Crossover Day

Crossover Day is the deadline for most bills to pass out of the chamber where they were originally introduced, either the House or the Senate.

Why it matters:

If a bill does not pass its original chamber by Crossover Day, it typically will not move forward this session. While parts of stalled bills can sometimes be added to other legislation, Crossover Day is often viewed as the point when the legislative field narrows and priorities become clear.

March 23

DeKalb Day

DeKalb Day at the Capitol is an opportunity for county leadership, partners, and community stakeholders to engage directly with state lawmakers and highlight the priorities, progress, and impact of DeKalb County.

Why it matters:



This event allows DeKalb County to share its story, strengthen relationships with legislators, and advocate for policies that support residents, infrastructure, and services across the county.

April 2

Sine Die

Sine Die is the final day of the legislative session. It marks the official end of lawmaking for the year.

Why it matters:

All legislation that will move forward must pass by this date. After Sine Die, approved bills are sent to the Governor for consideration, and any bills that have not passed are no longer active for the session.

FROM THE OFFICE OF CEO LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON

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