Posted on

Walker: Week Ten Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)

With only five legislative days remaining in the 2024 Legislative Session, Georgia Senate members are diligently working both within their respective committees and on the Senate floor to propel House bills forward.

This week, Senate Republicans attended the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony, paying tribute to Georgia’s veterans for their selfless sacrifices to our nation. Year after year, this profoundly moving ceremony is one of the highlights of session. I am proud to support legislative initiatives that positively impact those who have devoted their lives to protecting freedoms that we often take for granted.

We have also continued our legislative efforts on the Senate floor by passing House Bill 244, a bill which will introduce important rules and regulations across Georgia’s fish and game industries. More specifically, the legislation would take further steps to protect Georgia’s oyster population and aquaculture industry.  Our coastline has unlimited potential, and it is good to see the General Assembly taking steps to better equip our Department of Natural Resources for future success.

I was honored to carry House Bill 880, which furthers our commitment to enhancing Georgia’s workforce development by enabling military spouses to utilize an existing license in good standing from another state to secure employment at a Georgia business. Georgia’s military spouses often lose valuable working time between relocations. This game-changing legislation would expedite their journey into the workforce simultaneously easing their overall transition into our great state. Our military spouses sacrifice a great deal for our nation, and I am delighted to have authored and advocated on behalf of one of the strongest military spouse license bills in the nation.

Senate members also joined Governor Brian P. Kemp on the steps of the Capitol as he signed Senate Bill 332 into law. This legislation empowers the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to begin its crucial task of holding District Attorneys accountable if they fail to uphold the law. I take pride in our collective efforts as members of the General Assembly to advance this bill, confident that it will provide essential oversight.

In regards to our committee work, House Bill 1185 passed favorably out of the Senate Committee on Finance this week. This bill, aims to reduce inflated homestead taxes, thereby easing the burden on working Georgians. It offers our citizens the opportunity to reinvest in our economy now or save for the future.

I was also proud to see my legislative priorities continue to move in the House chamber. Specifically, I am honored to see my “Back the Blue Act” from the 2023 Legislative Session resume its progression through the legislative process. This bill will establish the Back the Blue Fund via voluntary contributions made through motor vehicle insurance policies. Supporting our men and women in law enforcement has and always will be one of my foremost priorities.

Each week under the Gold Dome, constituents, associations, and organizations alike come to the Capitol to speak to legislators and host events with public officials. This week, the Senate Chamber had the honor of welcoming my dad, Larry Walker II, and his good friend Judge Bryant Culpepper, former House member, back to the Senate. My father served in the Georgia General Assembly for 32 consecutive years, and for 16 of those years, he served as House Majority leader. Following his time as a legislator, he served as a Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner and as Regent on the University System of Georgia Board. In 2022, my father retired from his law practice. He now enjoys working on the farm with his wife of 59 years, watching his grandchildren participate in their many and varied extracurricular activities, and following Georgia politics. It was great to have my father and Judge Culpepper in the chamber with us this week as they represent generations of public service. 

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 enters its final weeks.

# # # #

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 portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

Capitol Recap – Week Nine

By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)

Following the conclusion of Crossover Day, which marked the final opportunity for Senate and House Bills to proceed through their respective chambers, the Senate is now dedicated to refining House bills as they advance through Senate committees. With only a few weeks remaining in the 2024 Legislative Session, it has been a busy week in committees as we’ve deliberated legislation that seeks to amplify the voices and concerns of all Georgians.

We also dove back into Appropriations subcommittees to further discuss the budgetary needs of various state agencies. I was proud to chair the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture & Natural Resources. I also served as a member of the Subcommittee on Education & Higher Education. Through these presentations and discussions, we were able to assist in the creation of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget. The FY 2025 Budget was passed by the House on Thursday of this week and is one step closer to being signed by Governor Brian P. Kemp.

While we have spent most of our time vetting House legislation this week, I was proud to see my legislative priorities continue to move in the House chamber. First, I am pleased to announce the passage of Senate Bill 345 through the House of Representatives. This bill will authorize the Probate Court of Dooly County to assess and collect a technology fee, and awaits signage by Gov. Kemp. Additionally, Senate Bill 390 is currently awaiting a hearing by the House Committee on Higher Education. Georgia libraries should no longer accept and use funds from the American Library Association, an organization which has lost its way and has no business providing educational materials to Georgians, especially young Georgians. I will not allow the liberal left’s dangerous agenda to creep into local libraries across our state. These are areas where our citizens, especially our children, should feel comfortable learning and opening their minds. I look forward to updating you further on this bill’s progress as makes its way through the remainder of our legislative process.

On another note, this week saw the Georgia Senate exercise its subpoena powers to uncover crucial information pertaining to the allegations directed at Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The Georgia Senate took proactive measures to investigate these claims by summoning defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant to testify before the Senate Special Committee on Investigations. I have full confidence in the leadership of committee chairman, Sen. Bill Cowsert, and I am proud of the valuable information we were able to glean this week for the benefit of the people of Georgia. As a legislative body, we are committed to utilizing every available resource to uncover the truth.

I enjoyed spending time with a few of Georgia’s Boy Scouts from across the state. There are over 40,000 Boy Scouts currently in our state committed to responsible citizenship, character development and participation in outdoor activities. I look forward to hearing about these young men as they take the mantle and become future leaders in our great state.

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 enters its final weeks.

# # # #

Sen. Larry Walker serves as Chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee and Secretary of the Senate Republican Caucus. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski, and Wilcox counties as well as portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

Senator Shelly Echols Announces Retirement from Georgia State Senate

ATLANTA (March 8, 2024) — Sen. Shelly Echols (R–Gainesville) of Hall County announced today she will retire from service as a member of the Georgia State Senate.

“Serving the constituents of State Senate District 49 has been a tremendous experience and a true honor. Drew and I are blessed to have two children, Chloe, and Cohen,” said Sen. Echols. “While Chloe is off at college, Cohen is a high schooler with Down Syndrome and still at home; and although I feel called to public service, I have realized over the past two years that my highest calling is being a mother to two of the most important people in my life. For the past sixteen years my duty as a mom has been to provide the structure Cohen needs to live a successful and productive life. I am looking forward to having more time available to spend with my children and family once I fulfill my term in the Senate. Drew has done a phenomenal job maintaining the structure in our home in my absence; but it is time for me to let someone else take the reins in Senate District 49 so that I can be home and focus on being a mom.”

Sen. Echols looks forward to serving out the remainder of her term in the State Senate where she serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2022.

In addition, she serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and a member of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism, Finance, Health and Human Services, and Administrative Affairs.

Sen. Echols, a Gainesville native, attended Gainesville College and North Georgia College & State University (currently UNG), obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Sen. Echols began her career as a high school social studies teacher before joining her father’s business, Daniel’s Charters, where she served as the Director of Human Services. In 2007, she began her own business planning education-based field trips for schools across the state, Daniel’s Educational Tours. In 2018, Sen. Echols was elected as the Hall County Commissioner representing District 3. During her tenure, she worked to increase worker pay and benefits along with upgrading parks in the community.

Sen. Echols is active in her community, serving on the board of Choices Pregnancy Care Center in Gainesville as well as the Avita Community Partners Board of Directors. She is married to Drew Echols, local businessman and farmer. They have two children: Chloe and Cohen.

## # # #

Sen. Shelly Echols serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She represents the 49th Senate District which includes Hall County. She can be reached by phone at 404.463.1317 or by email at shelly.echols@senate.ga.gov.

Posted on

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.

# # # #

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.

Posted on

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.

# # # #

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.