Kemp to lawmakers: Tort reform is session's No. 1 priority

Why it matters: Kemp personally doesn't have a vote in either the state House or Senate — he has floor leaders who carry his legislation.

• But he stands at a bully pulpit, holds a veto pen and enjoys enough political capital to decide the agenda.

Here are Kemp's priorities over the 40-day legislative session.

⚖️ Legislation to crack down on "excessive" lawsuit judgments (Kemp has yet to release specific measures)

🔨 State-level relief package for residents and businesses rebuilding after Hurricanes Helene

🤑 Billions of dollars in income tax refunds over the next two years and funding to address road and freight logjams

🚰 Hundreds of millions of dollars to improve Georgia's dangerous prisons and build water infrastructure to accommodate red-hot growth near Savannah

State of play: Kemp is term-limited, and the spotlight during his final legislative session next year will shine on who's jockeying to succeed him.

• There's no better time than now.

Read Kemp's full speech