ATLANTA (April 23, 2019) | On Thursday, April 18, Senate Bill 158, or the “Anti-Human Trafficking Protective Response Act,” sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R – McDonough) received Gov. Kemp’s signature. Continue reading ““Anti-Human Trafficking Protective Response Act” Signed into Law”
Sen. Brian Strickland to Host Town Hall Meeting
ATLANTA (April 23, 2019) | Sen. Brian Strickland (R – McDonough) will host a town hall meeting at the Hampton Recreation Center on Thursday, April 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sen. Strickland will provide an update on issues addressed during the 2019 legislative session and answer questions from constituents. Continue reading “Sen. Brian Strickland to Host Town Hall Meeting”
“Georgia’s Hope Act” Signed into Law
ATLANTA (April 19, 2019) | House Bill 324, also known as “Georgia’s Hope Act” was signed into law on Wednesday. Sen. Matt Brass (R – Newnan) carried the bill in the Senate and was present for the bill signing.
“This day has been years in the making and would not have been possible without the efforts of those who served before us who paved the way for access to low THC oil,” said Sen. Brass. “With the signing of this bill, we are sending a strong message that we will not let fear get in the way of doing what is right. I have heard countless hours of testimony first-hand as to how the passage of this bill will improve the lives of citizens throughout our state. Georgia’s parents now have more flexibility in how they provide medical care for their children and patients now have access to treatment methods to ease their suffering previously unavailable to them. Without the hard work and attention of Gov. Kemp, Lt. Governor Duncan, my colleagues in the Senate and the House, and countless other individuals who took the time to discuss this issue with us, this bill might not have been signed today. I look forward to witnessing the benefits this bill will bring to patients across our state.”
HB 324 would create a five-member Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the sale of low-THC cannabis oil to Georgians who are registered patients suffering from designated diagnoses. The proposed commission would be in charge of obtaining the oil, issuing licenses for the production, growing, manufacturing and dispensing of the low THC oil. Under HB 324, The University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University would be able to apply for federal licenses to grow marijuana for the purpose of converting it into cannabis oil for research. Additionally, the state Board of Pharmacy would be allowed to license pharmacies interested in selling oil to registered patients.
Sen. Brass served as a Co-Chairman of the Joint Study Commission on Access to Low THC Medical Oil which met throughout the interim to hear from doctors, patients, parents and other stakeholders involved in the low THC oil industry.
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For Immediate Release:
April 19, 2019
Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028
Sen. Lester Jackson Leads Effort to Rename “Freedom Creek”
ATLANTA (April 18, 2019) | This week, it was announced that the United States Board of Geographic Names approved to change the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” near Savannah to “Freedom Creek.” Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah) sponsored Senate Resolution 685 last year encouraging the Board of Geographic Names to rename the creek.
“After years of work with my colleagues in the General Assembly, the citizens of Savannah and our partners at the federal level, I am pleased that we have finally accomplished our goal of changing the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” to “Freedom Creek”, said Sen. Jackson. “For years, we have heard complaints about this culturally insensitive name and I am proud that its new name is more reflective of what this creek actually meant for so many: freedom. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this change possible and I look forward to seeing the effect this new name will have on the community.”
The move to rename “Runaway Negro Creek” began after a public interest meeting during the summer of 2017. Residents in Senate District 2 shared concerns that its current name is culturally insensitive and suggested changing the name to Freedom Creek to more accurately depict the history of the area.
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For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2019
Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028
Resolution Creating Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders Adopted in Senate
ATLANTA (April 4, 2019) |Senate Resolution 153, sponsored by Sen. Harold Jones II (D – Augusta) was adopted in the Senate this week. The resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders. Continue reading “Resolution Creating Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders Adopted in Senate”