Augusta University enjoys a successful 2026 legislative session

For the 40-day legislative session spanning from January until the final day – referred to as Sine Die – on April 2, the Augusta University Government Relations team closely tracked more than 415 bills that could impact AU, its operations, programming and instruction.

“Augusta University is exceptionally well represented at the State Capitol by the Office of Government Relations,” Augusta University President Russell T. Keen said. “Under the leadership of Margie Miller, vice president of Government Relations, their advocacy helps ensure we have the support needed to deliver an outstanding student experience, advance research, and serve the people of Georgia.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of the governor, lieutenant governor, Speaker of the House, legislative leadership, and members of the Georgia General Assembly,” Keen added. “Their partnership helps Augusta University expand opportunity for students, strengthen research, and improve health care for communities across our state.”

Keen also wanted to personally thank the Board of Regents and University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue for their commitment to higher education.

“We are especially grateful to Chancellor Sonny Perdue for his leadership and steadfast support of Augusta University during his time leading the University System of Georgia,” Keen said. “His commitment to higher education and to expanding opportunity for students across our state has made a lasting impact, and we thank him for his service.”

During the legislative session the Government Relations team had several priorities including the passage of strategic reserves and university funding needs to include a capital project and formula funding. 

In partnership with the chancellor and USG institutions, Senate Bill 432 received final passage, which allows the state’s university and technical college systems the ability to retain funds needed for infrastructure improvements, new technology and other major ticket items using their strategic reserves. This bill, sponsored by State Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III, R-Perry, extended the sunset of strategic reserves for the state’s university and technical school systems an additional five years to July 2031.

Keen said these reserves are crucial for sustaining business operations and responding to opportunities or challenges outside of state budget cycles.

“Strong strategic reserves are important because they give us the flexibility to meet needs, invest in priorities, and respond when unexpected challenges arise,” Keen said. “They help us keep momentum, remain responsible stewards of public resources, and stay focused on serving our students, faculty, staff, and patients.”

Over the past several years, Augusta University’s reserve balance has been used for a variety of essential needs such as updating outdated equipment; replacing dental sterilization equipment; helping fund research start-ups and covering new researchers’ salaries; bridging funding for those researchers in between grants; and supporting classroom technology upgrades, expanded support services and essential contracts.

On the final day of the session, legislators approved a $38.5 billion fiscal year 2027 budget that reflected the state’s strong commitment to education affordability, cancer research, literacy and strategic investment in public higher education.

In the fiscal year 2027 budget, the Georgia General Assembly included an additional $8.33 million at the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University to strengthen cancer research efforts, advance innovation and improve treatment outcomes for patients across the state.

“Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in our state, with persistent disparities in access to care, particularly in rural and underserved communities,” Miller said. “This strategic investment will strengthen research infrastructure, expand clinical trial capacity, recruit and retain top-tier physician-scientists and enhance community outreach throughout Georgia.”

In addition, the budget included an investment of $1.92 million to provide for 13 new medical fellowship positions across the state, strengthening Georgia’s graduate medical education pipeline and supporting the development of highly trained specialists. The new fellowship positions specifically include two hematology-oncology fellows for the Medical College of Georgia.

Keen said such fellowships at Augusta University are crucial for specialized medical training, offering advanced knowledge and skills.

“These fellowship positions are a direct investment in the health of Georgians,” Keen said. “They help train highly skilled specialists, strengthen our health care workforce, and expand access to care in the communities that need it most. We are grateful to the governor and Georgia General Assembly for recognizing the importance of this investment.”

Augusta University also received $4.4 million for small capital projects to support campus infrastructure improvements and continued institutional growth.

House Bill 1413 secured $325 million in funding for the DREAMS Scholarship program – the first need-based scholarship of its kind in the state’s history. This unprecedented initiative, announced earlier this year by the governor, is intended to complement the HOPE Scholarship’s merit-based and Georgia MATCH program.

The bill specifically added medical student scholarships in the final days of the session, which will help to reduce financial barriers for students pursuing higher education and health care careers.

Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp has until May 12 to review this year’s passed bills, during which time he can sign, veto or take no action on them. A bill that the governor provides no action on will still become law on the effective date specified in the bill or on July 1 of this year.

The Office of Government Relations at Augusta University works diligently year-round to build and maintain strategic relationships with government stakeholders and to monitor and analyze legislation that impacts the university’s academic, research and health care missions.