ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) – Today, Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) announced a bipartisan effort to expand access to post-secondary education for Georgia students. Senate Bill 526, the “Good Faith Grant Act,” co-sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta), creates a comprehensive needs-based scholarship program for Georgia students that qualify for college admissions, but might not qualify for the Hope Scholarship. Georgia is one of just a few states that does not have a needs-based scholarship program.
Continue reading “Sen. Sally Harrell Files “Georgia Good Faith Grant Act” Comprehensive Needs-Based Scholarship to Expand Access to Higher Education”Senate Special Committee on Investigations to Hold Second Hearing
ATLANTA (March 5, 2024) — Tomorrow, March 6, 2024, at 9 a.m., the Senate Special Committee on Investigations, chaired by Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), will hold its second hearing. There will be a press gaggle following the adjournment of the committee.
Hatchett: Week Eight Under the Gold Dome
By: Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia)
As the week progressed, the Senate achieved a significant milestone with the completion of “Crossover Day” on February 29th. This day marks the deadline for all Senate bills to cross over to the House chamber and vice versa. Throughout the 2024 Legislative Session, Senate Republicans have experienced considerable success, advancing every priority defined by our caucus on to the House of Representatives. Despite this achievement, our dedication to serving Georgians never waned as we passed several additional bills to further our work for the benefit of this state.
I had the privilege of standing alongside my fellow majority caucus members to support various pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Georgians from domestic swatting, foreign threats and human trafficking. Notably, Senate Bill 421, which enhances penalties for false public alarms, commonly known as swatting, received unanimous approval from the Senate this week. This bipartisan effort underscores our commitment to holding swatters accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I commend my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their dedication to defending the interests of Georgians. Next, the bill will undergo further consideration by the House.
The Georgia Senate also took decisive action to safeguard Georgians from foreign adversaries, with a particular focus on protecting our farmers. I proudly supported Senate Bill 420, which prohibits certain foreign individuals and entities from acquiring possessory interests in specific land. Georgia’s agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, generating $83.6 billion annually and sustaining countless livelihoods. Given the threats posed by foreign actors, it’s imperative that we take proactive measures to safeguard our farmlands and critical areas, such as military bases. I was pleased to join Governor Brian P. Kemp in celebrating the vital contributions of Georgia’s farmers at the State Capitol this week. They work tirelessly to put food on our tables, shelter over our heads and fuel our economy.
In addition to advocating for our majority caucus’ priorities, I continued working on my individual legislative priorities. Specifically, I am proud to have sponsored multiple pieces of legislation that all focus on enhancing Georgians’ protections against criminal actions — most specifically for our children and families. Senate Bill 466 and Senate Bill 493 both address the criminal codes regarding the limitations provided to defenses in sexual exploitation of children criminal cases, and registered sexual offenders.
Our week began on a somber note following the tragic passing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia. Laken’s untimely departure has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends and the Athens community. What’s even more heartbreaking is that she was taken from us by someone here illegally who had been arrested and released back into our society multiple times. It’s alarming to think that, in Joe Biden’s America, every state has become vulnerable to crime, illegal substances and a lack of direction from federal leadership. Here in Georgia, Senate Republicans are working tirelessly to ensure that every legal citizen feels safe. I will continue the fight against careless and dangerous immigration policies in the days ahead.
Please never hesitate to contact my office if I can assist with legislative matters. I hope to see you under the Gold Dome soon as the 2024 Legislative Session continues.
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Sen. Bo Hatchett serves as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns County and portions of Hall, Jackson, and White counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.651.7745 or by email at bo.hatchett@senate.ga.gov.
Senate Passes “Georgia Development Impact Fee Act”
ATLANTA (March 4, 2024) – Last week, the Georgia State Senate approved Senate Bill 208 and Senate Resolution 189, both measures sponsored by Georgia Senate Transportation Chairman and Chief Deputy Whip Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming). SB 208 introduces development impact fees for education for fast growing counties such as Forsyth, while SR 189 would place a ballot measure on the November ballot, allowing voters to change the Constitution to empower local boards of education to impose, levy, and collect these fees, utilizing the proceeds to contribute to the cost of additional educational facilities.
Continue reading “Senate Passes “Georgia Development Impact Fee Act””Walker: Capitol Recap – Week Eight
By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)
The frenzied pace of this week culminated with a significant milestone, the completion of “Crossover Day” on February 29th. This day marks the deadline for all Senate bills to cross over to the House chamber and vice versa. Throughout the 2024 Legislative Session, Senate Republicans have experienced considerable success, advancing every priority established by our caucus on to the House of Representatives. Despite this achievement, we continued to work diligently for all Georgians, as evidenced by our late-night on the Senate floor Thursday, during which we passed several additional measures to benefit the citizens of this state.
I had the privilege of standing alongside my Senate colleagues to support various pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Georgians from domestic swatting and foreign threats. Notably, Senate Bill 421, which enhances penalties for false public alarms, commonly known as swatting, received unanimous approval from the Senate this week. This bipartisan effort underscores the seriousness of this offense and our commitment to holding swatters fully accountable.
The Georgia Senate also took decisive action to safeguard Georgians from foreign adversaries, with a particular focus on protecting our agriculture lands and national security. I proudly supported Senate Bill 420, which prohibits certain foreign individuals and entities from acquiring possessory interests in specific farmland and land in proximity to our military installations. Georgia’s agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, generating $83.6 billion annually and sustaining countless jobs and communities. Given the threats posed by foreign actors, it’s imperative that we take proactive measures to safeguard our farmlands and military bases. Food security is national security, and I was pleased to join Governor Brian P. Kemp in celebrating the vital contributions of Georgia’s farmers at the State Capitol this week.
In addition to advocating for our majority caucus’ priorities, I continued working on my individual legislative priorities. Specifically, I am proud to announce that Senate Bill 390 gained Senate passage on “Crossover Day” this week. This bill takes important steps to prohibit the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and certain other libraries from using public funds for services offered by the American Library Association. This radically liberal organization, headquartered in Chicago, will no longer be allowed to indoctrinate our children as we strive to provide them with a sanctuary for reading, imagination, inspiration and learning. Literacy is the foundation for success throughout life, and our librarians are on the frontline of our efforts to improve literacy and foster a love of reading. In today’s world of culture wars, we won’t subject our librarians and local library boards to the undue influence of a private entity intent on advancing a socialist, “queer the catalog” agenda. Additionally, this bill would dissolve the Georgia State Board for the Certification of Librarians, transferring its responsibilities to the Georgia Council of Public Libraries.
Our week began on a somber note following the tragic passing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia. Laken’s untimely departure has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends and the Athens community. What’s even more heartbreaking is that she was taken from us by an illegal immigrant who had been arrested and released back into our society multiple times. It’s alarming to think that, in Joe Biden’s America, every state has become a border state, vulnerable to illegal alien criminals and deadly illicit drugs pouring into our communities. Here in Georgia, Senate Republicans are working tirelessly to ensure that every legal citizen feels safe. I personally pledge to continue fighting, at the state level, against the careless and dangerous impact of a failed Federal immigration policy.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee and Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski, and Wilcox counties as well as most of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.