State Senator John Albers (R–Roswell) has recently introduced Senate Bill (SB) 392, the Waste Reduction Act of 2026, also known as the Zero-Based Budgeting Act.
This legislation is designed to implement the same common-sense budgeting practices used by Georgia families in state government.
This bill is based on the idea that in homes across Georgia, families do not build their household budgets by simply repeating last year’s spending. Instead, they sit down, examine their earnings, and make thoughtful decisions about what they truly need and where they can cut back.
Under zero-based budgeting, every dollar of government spending must be justified from the ground up during each budget cycle. Rather than assuming prior-year spending automatically continues, agencies must clearly demonstrate why programs are needed and how taxpayer dollars will be used.
The goal is simple: to ensure that every dollar in the state budget serves a clear, essential, and accountable purpose. SB 392 has only recently been introduced, so its full text is not yet available. Albers, however, did elaborate on the bill with some recent comments.
Sen Albers explained how every Georgia family is familiar with adjusting budgets, especially during an economic downturn. They don’t get to spend money without thoughtful consideration and have to cut down on superfluous costs. To Albers, the State of Georgia should follow suit.
“Georgia has earned a reputation as one of the most fiscally responsible states in the nation, but that kind of stewardship requires constant commitment,” Albers explained. “If families are forced to account for every dollar at the kitchen table, taxpayers deserve a government that does the same.”
“Fiscal responsibility isn’t something you do once and forget about. It’s something you recommit to year after year,” Albers continued. “Our history of sound budgeting will only endure if we continue to ask hard questions, eliminate waste, and prioritize what truly matters.”
