Georgia Senate Press Office – Official Press Releases

July 31, 2026

President Pro Tempore Larry Walker Accepts Host State Gavel for 2027 NCSL Legislative Summit in Atlanta

ATLANTA (July 31, 2026) — This week, Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III (R–Perry) attended the 2026 National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago, where he joined Representative Beth Camp (R–Concord) onstage during NCSL’s closing general session to accept NCSL’s host state gavel from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Illinois House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr. The ceremonial gavel signifies the transition to Georgia as the next host state for the Legislative Summit, which will be held in Atlanta from August 9–11, 2027.

July 29, 2026

GUEST EDITORIAL: Walker: Public Safety Means Planning Ahead

By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)

Summer is one of my favorite times of year in Georgia.

Families pack up and head to our beautiful Golden Isles, agritourism destinations like the Georgia National Fairgrounds for a livestock show or to a mountain getaway up in northeast Georgia. Communities come together for local festivals, sports tournaments, and backyard cookouts. Children spend more time outdoors, and neighbors reconnect after another busy school year. It’s a season that reminds us of what makes Georgia great and why we have prioritized public safety.

July 28, 2026July 28, 2026

Joint Agriculture Chairmen Announce 2026 Ag Issues Summit, Launch Family Farms Study Committee

ATLANTA (July 28, 2026) — Senator Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Representative Robert Dickey (R–Musella), Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, will host the annual Joint Ag Issues Summit on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Perry, Georgia. The summit will also serve as the inaugural meeting of the Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms.

July 28, 2026

State Leaders Announce Appointments to Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee

ATLANTA (July 28, 2026) — Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp, the Senate Committee on Assignments and Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives Jon Burns (R–Newington) announced appointments to the Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee. The bipartisan legislative panel was established by Senate Bill 3EX, authored by Sen. Max Burns, during the 2026 Special Legislative Session to develop recommendations for Georgia’s next uniform election system.

July 23, 2026

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick Elected to National Leadership Role with the National Conference of State Legislatures

ATLANTA (July 23, 2026) — Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta) has been elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the bipartisan organization representing the nation’s state legislatures.