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.
For me, it is also a reminder that the work of state government doesn’t stop when the Legislative Session ends. As we celebrate 250 years since the birth of our nation, it is clear that the decisions we make as legislators still directly impact the safety and well-being of Georgia families every day of the year.
Public safety is one of our most important responsibilities as state legislators. During the 2026 Legislative Session, we pledged to prepare first responders for new challenges and make thoughtful investments that protect families before emergencies happen.
One example of that commitment in action is Georgia’s Back the Blue Fund, which is already providing meaningful support for local law enforcement. In 2024, I had the privilege of carrying this legislation in the Senate as a priority because I believed we needed a practical way to support law enforcement officers serving communities across our state.
These men and women work long hours, take on tremendous responsibility and sacrifice time away from their own families to protect ours. I know this is especially true in rural Georgia, where local law enforcement agencies have fewer resources and greater difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified officers. That reality inspired me to work alongside public safety experts across our state to carry and support the Back the Blue Fund.
The fund gives Georgians the option to contribute a voluntary $5 donation when renewing their vehicle registration or obtaining a license plate. Those contributions are distributed to sheriff’s offices in each of Georgia’s 159 counties to assist with retention and provide bonuses to qualifying certified peace officers.
Since the fund was established, Georgians have contributed more than $1 million. That progress is a good example of state government working in partnership with communities. Participation is voluntary, the purpose is clear and the support goes directly to local law enforcement agencies across our state. I’m confident this fund will continue to flourish and change lives for years to come, and I encourage you to donate if you haven’t already.
Public safety doesn’t end at backing the blue. We must also continue to invest in the infrastructure that families and businesses use every day to travel throughout our state. Anyone who regularly drives Interstate 75 knows that Georgia has grown tremendously. It’s brought great opportunity, but it has also placed greater demands on our transportation system. That’s why the General Assembly approved more than $1.68 billion in the amended FY 2026 to reduce congestion on our roadways across Georgia. These investments will make travel safer for the millions of Georgians and visitors who travel on our roadways each year.
For decades, Georgia has also faced a shortage of mental health treatment capacity, creating delays that affect patients, law enforcement officers and our criminal justice system alike. This year, we invested $409 million to construct the first new state forensic mental health hospital in decades. By expanding treatment capacity, we can help Georgians in crisis receive care in the appropriate setting instead of cycling through emergency rooms or in county jails.
Another important step forward came with the passage of Senate Bill 433, better known as Rio’s Law. Every interaction between law enforcement officers and members of the public is unique. For individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities, those encounters can become unnecessarily stressful or confusing for everyone involved.
Rio’s Law requires specialized training for Georgia peace officers beginning in 2027 and creating a voluntary specialized license plate designation for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities, and their families. The law equips officers with additional training to recognize key behavioral characteristics and respond appropriately during emergencies, helping foster more informed interactions with the public.
It is the honor of a lifetime to serve this state and your family. Safe safe as you spend time with your loved ones this summer, and please do not hesitate to reach out if my office can be of help to you.
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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as President Pro Tempore of the Senate. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties, as well as a portion of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.
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