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Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms to Hold Third Meeting

ATLANTA (October 19, 2026) — The Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms, co-chaired by Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell) and Rep. Robert Dickey (R–Musella), will hold its third meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at South Georgia State College in Douglas, Georgia.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.
  • Location: Engram Hall, Room 220E, South Georgia State College, 100 W. College Park Drive, Douglas, GA 31533
  • Open to the Public: This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

Established by House Resolution 1416 during the 2026 Legislative Session, the Joint Study Committee is examining the economic challenges facing Georgia’s family farms and potential policy solutions to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the state’s agricultural economy.

The committee will consider issues affecting the cost of doing business, market conditions and other factors that influence the ability of family farms to remain economically viable for future generations.

Members of the agricultural community and the public are encouraged to attend.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov. 


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Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents the 8th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce counties, as well as a portion of Ware County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 463-1318 or by email at Russ.Goodman@senate.ga.gov.  

Representative Robert Dickey represents the citizens of District 134, which includes Crawford and Upson counties, as well as portions of Lamar and Peach counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as Chairman of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Banks and Banking, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, Higher Education, Natural Resources and Environment and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia’s Foster Care System to Hold Third Meeting

ATLANTA (October 19, 2026) — On Thursday, October 22, at 9:00 a.m., the Joint Study Committee on Evaluating Escalating Costs in Georgia’s Foster Care System, co-chaired by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta) and Rep. Beth Camp (R–Concord), will hold its third meeting.

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Sen. Blake Tillery Commends Groundbreaking of New Forensic Restoration Facility in Augusta

ATLANTA (October 14, 2026) — Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) recently attended a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) for a new $20.7 million forensic restoration facility in Augusta. The 40-bed facility, located on the campus of East Central Regional Hospital, will expand Georgia’s capacity to provide competency restoration services and help alleviate growing demands on local jails and courts.

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Joint Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee to Hold Fifth Meeting

ATLANTA (October 13, 2026) — On Thursday, October 15, at 9:00 a.m., the Joint Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Max Burns (R–Sylvania) and Rep. Victor Anderson (R–Cornelia), will hold its fifth meeting.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.
  • Location: Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Room 606, 18 Capitol Square SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • Open to the Public: This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Joint Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee, created through Senate Resolution 3EX during the 2026 Special Legislation Session, is tasked with evaluating specifications and requirements for election equipment utilizing hand-marked paper ballots produced through ballot-on-demand printing.

The committee will hear vendor presentations from Civera Election Suite, Clear Ballot, Liberty Vote USA and KNOWiNK, and VotingWorks, followed by questions and comments from committee members and public comment. The meeting will also include demonstrations of election equipment in 403 CAP. More information about the meeting can be found here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov. 


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Sen. Max Burns serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. He represents the 23rd Senate District, which includes Burke, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro and Warren counties, as well as portions of Columbia and Richmond counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 463-1376 or by email at Max.Burns@senate.ga.gov.

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Senate Committee on Urban Affairs to Review the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Georgia

ATLANTA (October 5, 2026) — On Tuesday, October 6, the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs, chaired by Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta), will meet to review the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in Georgia.

MEETING DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Room 307, 18 Capitol Square, SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
  • This event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the Senate website.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Committee on Urban Affairs is holding a series of community forums to connect constituents and stakeholders as AI technologies continue to evolve. Discussions throughout the series will focus on the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, including its impact on government services, education and the workforce, as well as public trust and misinformation. Tuesday’s meeting will begin the committee’s review of AI’s impact across the state and initiate the broader conversation that will continue through the legislative interim.

The meeting agenda can be found here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Donzella James serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs. She represents the 28th Senate District, which includes portions of Cobb, Douglas and Fulton counties.  She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-1379 or by email at Donzella.James@senate.ga.gov.