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Sen. John Albers Applauds Senate’s Passage of HB 808

ATLANTA (Mar. 27, 2024) — On Tuesday, Mar. 26th, House Bill 808 garnered unanimous approval from members of the Georgia Senate. Carried in the Senate by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell), the bill aims to alleviate tax burdens on small businesses in Georgia. Specifically, it seeks to reduce taxes on tangible personal property, items that have traditionally been subjected to annual taxation, posing financial strains on businesses across the state.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Georgia economy,” said Sen. Albers. “I was so proud to work with NFIB and Rep. Cheokas to pass House Bill 808. This legislation lowers the tax burden, allowing our businesses to grow and thrive.”

Rep. Mike Cheokas (R–Americus), the bill’s sponsor, said, “This is a great day for business in Georgia. I want to thank Shaw Blackmon, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, for his continued support and guidance in getting this measure passed in the Georgia House of Representatives. I am equally grateful to the hard work of Sen. John Albers for navigating H.B. 808 through the Senate. This was a team effort. I hope this will be the first step in reducing the burden of high taxes and prohibitive regulations that adversely affect businesses in Georgia.”

The timing of the legislation is noteworthy, coinciding with record levels of inflation and government expenditure. Sen. Albers underscored the bill’s relevance in addressing the escalating costs associated with business ownership and operation, attributing these challenges to federal fiscal policies.

NFIB State Director Hunter Loggins released the following statement yesterday on HB 808.

“House Bill 808 raises the threshold for paying this onerous tax,” Loggins said. “Small businesses already pay sale taxes on equipment, desks, and other property. The tangible personal property tax means they’re paying taxes on the same items year after year. Raising the threshold for paying this tax would ease the financial pressure on employers struggling with inflation that continues to drive up the cost of owning and operating a small business.

With the bill awaiting Governor Brian P. Kemp’s signature, its journey is far from over. Given its implications for the State’s Constitution, the measure will undergo scrutiny from Georgia citizens in November, as it necessitates a constitutional amendment for enactment.

You can find more information on HB 808 here.

Quotes sourced from the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

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Sen. John Albers Applauds Passage of SB 335 Through Committee

ATLANTA (Jan. 26, 2024) — This week, Senate Bill 335, sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) passed by a unanimous, bipartisan vote through the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Also known as the “Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act”, SB 335 would provide that sexual intercourse or sodomy between certain family members related by adoption be regarded as incest. Incest is already illegal under Georgia law, and this legislation will now include adoptive families. Sen. Albers worked closely with Susan K. Treadaway, District Attorney of Cherokee County on this bill.

“I am grateful to DA Susan K. Treadaway for sharing this important loophole in the law with me and working together to protect our children.  Cherokee County is so fortunate to have a District Attorney fighting every day to protect citizens and victims while prosecuting dangerous criminals,” said Sen. Albers.

“As prosecutors, we serve as the ‘boots on the ground’ in the courtroom, directly positioned to identify opportunities for positive change in the law. I am proud to work with Sen. John Albers, a true champion for justice, as we partner together to make Georgia a safer place for children and families,” said Susan K. Treadaway.

You can find more information on SB 335 here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

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Sen. John Albers to Recognize High School Student Sierra Pape on National Donor Day

ATLANTA (Jan. 16, 2024) — In August of 2023, Midtown High School sophomore Sierra Pape reached out to Sen. John Albers (R—Roswell) for advice on proposing legislation that would implement information about organ donation and transplantation within school curriculums.

“When Sierra approached me with this life-changing initiative, I knew I needed to help in any way that I can. In 2021, I donated my left kidney to help save my son’s life. Organ donation is a cause that is extremely important and heartfelt to my family, and I’m overjoyed that this life-saving matter will be implemented in the state’s curriculum,” said Sen. Albers. 

The Georgia Board of Education met on Wednesday, Jan. 10 to present the proposed changes to their health standards in grades 8-12 to reflect the importance of organ and tissue donation and the statewide organ donation registry system at their State Board Committee Meeting. State School Superintendent Richard Woods and the rest of the Board of Education members met to hear Sen. Albers and Sierra Pape present the initiative. They passed the “Teaching Organ Donation and Saving Lives” to be implemented into the curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Sierra has worked tirelessly with several individuals to gain information and support for this initiative. Along with being an impressive student, Sierra serves on the Fulton County Youth Commission, Metro Atlanta Regional Commission, as well as Midtown High School’s “My Votes” chapter. Sen. Albers will recognize Sierra and her impressive efforts at the Georgia State Capitol on Feb. 15, 2024, which is also National Donor Day.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

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Joint Meeting of Senate Committees on Public Safety, Science and Technology and House Committee on Technology Innovation Regarding Artificial Intelligence

ATLANTA (Nov. 30, 2023) | On Monday, Dec. 4, the Senate Committee on Public Safety, chaired by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell), the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton), and the House Committee on Technology Innovation, chaired by Rep. Todd Jones (R–South Forsyth) and co-chaired by Rep. Brad Thomas (R–Holly Springs) will hold a joint meeting on the topic of Artificial Intelligence.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Monday, Dec. 4, 2023
  • Time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Location: Georgia State Capitol, Room 450, 206 Washington St, Atlanta GA 30334
  • Open to the Public: The event welcomes the public. The streaming link and meeting agenda can be found on the Senate schedule here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The meeting will include presentations from industry experts with the goal of analyzing current and projected future use of artificial intelligence. The House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation will also be joining this meeting.

Media Opportunities:

We kindly request members of the media to confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Emily Leonard at the Senate Press Office (Emily.Leonard@senate.ga.gov).

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

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Editorial: Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

By Senator John Albers (R-Roswell)

ATLANTA (Nov. 16, 2023) — As the Senate Chairman of Public Safety, I work daily with dedicated city, county, school, state, and federal professionals whose noble career path requires them to prioritize saving lives, upholding the peace, and preserving our most cherished freedoms and liberties.  For these courageous individuals, those critical imperatives guide their duties as they face incredible demands and challenges on any given day.  Please take a moment to thank all those who serve us on the front lines in our community and put their lives on the line for you and me.

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