ATLANTA (April 25, 2024) – Last week, Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming) was awarded ‘Lawmaker of the Year’ by Greater Georgia at their second annual legislative awards ceremony.
Continue reading “Sen. Greg Dolezal Awarded ‘Lawmaker of the Year’ by Greater Georgia”President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Support Georgia Military Families
ATLANTA (April 25, 2024) — This week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed into law House Bill 880, legislation that significantly enhances opportunities for military spouses joining Georgia’s workforce. Authored by Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robins), HB 880 marks a monumental step towards easing the transition for military families assigned to one of Georgia’s premier military installations.
Sen. John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) proudly supported HB 880, emphasizing its critical role in empowering military spouses to utilize existing occupational licenses from other states when seeking employment in Georgia. This legislation aims to address the many employment challenges faced by military families when they receive orders to relocate to Georgia. By cutting red tape, the previsions inside of HB 880 will ensure a smooth transition for military spouses to enter Georgia’s workforce.
“Georgia’s military spouses make tremendous sacrifices for our nation, and it’s imperative that we support them in every way possible,” Sen. Kennedy remarked. “HB 880 not only accelerates their integration into the workforce, but also underscores our commitment to their professional and financial stability.”
“In collaboration with the leadership of Robins Air Force Base, the Georgia Chamber, and the United States Department of Defense, HB 880 was crafted to prioritize the needs of military families,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It’s important to highlight the pivotal role and impact military installations have on many communities around our state. I witnessed this firsthand by working alongside base leadership at Houston County’s own Robins Air Force Base.”
“I want to offer my most sincere praise and gratitude to Rep. Bethany Ballard for her tireless support of this legislation. From the beginning Rep. Ballard, Chairman Larry Walker (R–Perry) and I worked together to craft a streamlined process that will impact roughly 70,000 active-duty personnel and approximately 24,965 active-duty spouses currently on assignment at any of Georgia’s 10 military installations.”
“It is my hope that HB 880 will minimize burdensome delays for military spouses entering the workforce, thereby strengthening our military communities and honoring the sacrifices made by our service members and their families. I applaud Gov. Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly for their support of this much needed legislation,” concluded Sen. Kennedy.
You can find more information about HB 880 here.
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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.
Governor Kemp Signs “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act” into Law
ATLANTA – On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 233, the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” into law. Sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act” creates the Georgia Education Savings Authority and provides its composition, functions, duties and powers in administering the Promise Scholarship Program. The bill also provides for the establishment of promise scholarship accounts to be funded by the state in the amount of $6,500.00 for the first school year and through an adjusted amount each subsequent school year.
Continue reading “Governor Kemp Signs “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act” into Law”Sen. Derek Mallow Statement on 2024 Orange Crush
ATLANTA (April 25, 2024) – Today, Sen. Derek Mallow (D–Savannah) gave the following statement on Orange Crush, a Tybee Island beach party dating back to the 1980s by students from Savannah State University.
Continue reading “Sen. Derek Mallow Statement on 2024 Orange Crush”Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes Celebrates Signage of First Bill Into Law
ATLANTA (Apr. 24, 2024) — This week, Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Lawrenceville), Georgia’s youngest female state Senator, celebrated a legislative landmark following the signage of her first bill, SB 144.
Sen. Islam Parkes celebrated her first signed piece of legislation saying, “I am honored that this is my first measure to be signed into law. My experience on the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military and Homeland Security helped me shape this legislation, which will reduce administrative burdens, save taxpayer dollars and protect commissioned officers. I look forward to continuing my work for the 7th District by championing future legislation to serve Georgians across our state.”
The bill removes the requirement for the state’s adjutant general to include a roster of all commissioned officers in the organized militia in an annual report to the Governor. Additionally, it eliminates the mandate to index, print, bind and distribute laws and regulations of the militia to all militia forces. This is the first bill to pass through both legislative chambers and gain a signature from Gov. Brian P. Kemp under Sen. Islam Parkes’ leadership.
For more information about SB 144, click here.
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Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District, which includes a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5263 or by email at NabilahIslamParkes@senate.ga.gov.