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COLUMN: Senator Davenport: A Warm Welcome to the 2025 Legislative Session

By: Sen. Gail Davenport (D – Jonesboro)

The 2025 Legislative Session is officially underway! On Monday, January 13, the Georgia General Assembly reconvened under the Gold Dome, marking the start of this year’s legislative session and the beginning of a new biennium. This legislative session, I am once again fighting for policies that create a more equitable and inclusive Georgia. 

I am honored to now serve the residents of Senate District 17 after previously serving the residents of Senate District 44. I want to extend a warm greeting to my new constituents in Henry County and my longstanding constituents in Clayton County. It is my privilege to serve as your senator, and I am committed to addressing the issues and concerns of our communities at the state level.  

I am pleased to continue serving on the Senate Committees on Appropriations, State Institutions and Property, Natural Resources and the Environment, Retirement and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee this legislative session. 

The first week of a new biennium is always filled with important events and meaningful connections. This year was no exception, with highlights including the annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast and Governor Kemp’s ‘State of the State’ address, where we accounted for the perspectives of our local businesses and citizens. These gatherings remind us of the collaborative spirit needed to address our communities’ challenges. 

On Thursday, January 16, Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Senate and House chambers. While I welcome some of his proposals, including pay raises for teachers, state employees, and first responders and efforts to strengthen our healthcare workforce, I believe we must go further. We must ensure every Georgian has access to affordable healthcare, expand opportunities for quality public education, invest in renewable energy solutions and tackle the growing need for affordable housing across the state. These priorities are essential for creating a Georgia where every family can thrive.

I am proud to have co-sponsored several resolutions and bills during our first week, including Senate Bill 19, sponsored by Senator David Lucas (D–Macon). The Brady Law Regulations would create a ten-day waiting period for the purchase or transfer of firearms and address the gun violence epidemic in recent legislation.  

The second week of our Legislative Session was quite unconventional due to a winter storm that halted operations across our entire state for nearly the entire week. Leaders from state agencies will instead present their budgetary needs to legislators in the weeks to come before our House and Senate Appropriations Chairmen help lead the decision-making process on how funding is allocated for the next year. 

Budget Week is not just about providing funding; it’s about best serving the state of Georgia through state programs like public education, health services, and infrastructure repairs.  This is our chance to advocate for funding that reflects the needs of working families, invests in underserved communities and ensures every Georgian has the resources they need to build a better future. 

Speaking of our future, I want to invite students between 12 and 18 to serve as Senate Page. This opportunity allows students to participate in the state legislative process at our State Capitol for a day. Interested students may apply for the program by following the link here.  

Thank you for trusting me to represent you under the Gold Dome. Your voice matters, and I encourage you to share your ideas and concerns as we work together to build a stronger, fairer Georgia. 

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Sen. Gail Davenport represents the 17th Senate District which includes portions of Clayton and Henry County.  She may be reached by phone at 404.463.5260 or by email at Gail.Davenport@senate.ga.gov

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov

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Minority Leader Sen. Harold Jones II to Hold Press Conference on 2025 Senate Democratic Caucus Priorities

ATLANTA (January 27, 2025) — On Tuesday, January 28, at 1:30 p.m., Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harold Jones II (D–Augusta) will hold a press conference on the Democratic Caucus’ legislative priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.

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Sen. Greg Dolezal Introduces the ‘Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities’ Act

ATLANTA (January 27, 2025) — On Monday, January 13, Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 1, the “Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities” Act, which would provide competitively fair and safe student participation in sports. The bill would require athletes to participate on teams that align with their biological sex at birth.

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The Cowsert Column: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Bill Cowsert (R – Athens)

The first week of the 2025 Legislative Session is officially in the books, and what a start it has been. It’s an honor to be back under the Gold Dome, rolling up my sleeves and working hard to address the issues that matter most to Georgians across our great state. The energy is high, the challenges are real, and the opportunities to make a difference are more significant than ever.

I’m thrilled to introduce “The Cowsert’s Column” to you—a new way to inform you about the latest developments impacting the 46th Senate District and the State of Georgia. The name “The Cowsert Column” has a personal touch: it’s inspired by the very column you’ll often see me leaning on in the Senate chamber. My seat is in the rear of the Senate Chamber, just in front of one of the columns supporting the gallery above the Senate floor. During legislative session, I can often be found standing to stretch my legs and leaning against the column, speaking with colleagues, carefully counting votes and watching the action of the Senate floor.

This column will serve as a resource for you, providing weekly insights into the legislative session and updates on the issues that matter most to our community. I look forward to sharing this journey with you and continuing to serve as your voice under the Gold Dome.

This legislative session is already off to a strong start. The week began with the official swearing-in ceremony on Monday. I was honored to have my mother, Virginia Cowsert, attend the ceremony and hold my Bible. Governor Kemp has laid out a bold vision, focusing on initiatives that include civil justice reform, increasing funding for school safety, enhancing our skilled workforce, providing aid to families impacted by Hurricane Helene and continuing to expand access to affordable healthcare for hardworking Georgians. By investing in high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage career opportunities, we are taking critical steps to secure Georgia’s economic future. Gov. Kemp’s top legislative priority will be to pass legislation concerning civil justice reform to make our court system fair for all involved. I will discuss these initiatives in more detail in future columns.

I am proud to have co-sponsored several bills this week, including Ricky & Alyssa’s Law. This legislation hits especially close to home as my district extends into Barrow County. The bill will require schools to implement mobile panic alert systems, ensuring real-time coordination among multiple state and local first responder agencies in the event of an emergency. As a state, we are committed to keeping our children as safe as possible, and passing this legislation will help protect our students.

While the first week has been productive, much work remains. Among the most pressing issues is supporting recovery efforts for communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many families, farmers, and small businesses are still grappling with the aftermath of this catastrophic storm. Governor Kemp’s announcement of $100 million in initial funding is an essential first step, but we know the road to recovery will be long and require sustained effort.

I’m honored to announce my reappointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities. I’m grateful to Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Senate Committee on Assignments for this opportunity. This session, I will also serve as Secretary for the Senate Committee on Rules, Vice Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Secretary of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting and as a member of the Senate Committees on Finance, Health and Human Services and Insurance and Labor Committees.

It is a privilege and an honor to serve the people of the 46th Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any legislative concerns, and I look forward to seeing many of you soon under the Gold Dome.

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Sen. Bill Cowsert serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities. He represents the 46th Senate District which includes portions of Clarke, Oconee, and Walton County. He may be reached at (404) 463-1366 or via email at Bill.Cowsert@senate.ga.gov

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.