ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia lawmakers met their one and only constitutional duty in the final hours of their legislative session: They finally agreed on a budget.

The Georgia House passed the 2027 budget around 11:40 p.m. Thursday. The $38.5 billion spending plan came before Sine Die, marking the end of the 2025-2026 session.

2026 LEGISLATURE’S FINAL DAYS | FULL COVERAGE

In the education sector, the budget provides more than $70 million to place a literacy coach in every K-3 elementary school across the state. The measure comes as only about 38% of Georgia students are reading at or above grade level, according to the Georgia Council on Literacy.

Lawmakers also poured almost $15 billion into basic education and $4 million into student mental health support services.

In addition, the budget sets aside $100 million for state employee retirement funding and gives more than $70 million for hundreds of slots in the New Options Waiver and Comprehensive Supports Waiver programs. The waivers help pay for in-home and community-based services such as respite care, support staff and day programs.

The session marked Gov. Brian Kemp’s eighth and final Sine Die since taking office. In his address to both chambers, he touched on some of the state’s successes over the years, like historic tax rebates and the accumulation of a multi-billion dollar surplus.

“I hope you’ll continue to put hardworking Georgians first,” he said. “Because as I’ve said to this body before, while recalling the words of Nehemiah, ‘We must finish the great work that we have started.’”

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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