ATLANTA (February 10, 2016) | On Tuesday, the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 297. Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah), Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs Committee, sponsored SB 297 to give adoptive parents, who are state employees, the option and right to use their accrued leave to care for an adopted child. Continue reading “Sen. Lester Jackson Commends Senate Committee for Passing Senate Bill 297”
Sen. Vincent Fort Presents SR 809 to Senate Committee
ATLANTA (February 9, 2016) | Sen. Vincent Fort (D – Atlanta) presented Senate Resolution 809, which prohibits city and county governments from contracting third party parking enforcement companies, to the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee Tuesday. Continue reading “Sen. Vincent Fort Presents SR 809 to Senate Committee”
Sen. Nan Orrock Appointed to Georgia World Congress Center Authority Overview Committee
ATLANTA (February 8, 2016) | Sen. Nan Orrock (D–Atlanta) was appointed to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority Overview Committee, along with five Senate colleagues, by the Senate Committee on Assignments.
Continue reading “Sen. Nan Orrock Appointed to Georgia World Congress Center Authority Overview Committee”
Update from the Gold Dome
By: Sen. Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga)
The Georgia Senate crossed legislative day 16 off the calendar this week as we completed the fourth legislative week. Several bills received Senate approval this week, and it is likely that the amended FY 2016 budget will be presented on the floor within the next couple of weeks. The Georgia General Assembly has only one constitutionally required task, and that is to pass a balanced budget each year. Our duty to carefully vet and approve legislation remains important; however, one of our most critical responsibilities is the fiscally responsible allocation of Georgia’s tax dollars. Continue reading “Update from the Gold Dome”
Senate Committees Review College Campus Public Safety Measures
ATLANTA (February 5, 2016) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) and Sen. Fran Miller (R – Atlanta) held a joint meeting of the Senate Health and Human Services and Higher Education committees on Wednesday, February 3. The senators serve as the respective chairs of the two committees. During the joint meeting, representatives from the University System of Georgia presented information about new and continuing public safety initiatives on state college campuses.
“We must remain vigilant about upholding the highest standards of safety for Georgia’s college campuses,” said Sen. Unterman. “I am pleased to see our schools working closely with local law enforcement and community groups to ensure the protection and well-being of those who work and study at these institutions.”
Members of the two Senate committees were presented information about how overall safety has improved among all campuses within the University of Georgia System and Georgia’s independent colleges. New public safety polices have recently been implemented on the 29 educational campuses within the system, and all are subject to further review, development or revision at any time. The University System of Georgia is also currently developing core curriculums and training processes for the continued improvement of safety. Many of the new procedures were put into effect in order to remain Title IX compliant, with recommendations coming from Title IX coordinators working within the University System of Georgia.
The Senate Health and Human Services and Higher Education Committees will continue to monitor public safety practices on Georgia’s college and university campuses throughout 2016. Legislation may be considered in the future to ensure the continued safety of students and employees.
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For Immediate Release:
February 5, 2016
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028