ATLANTA (February 17, 2023) | Senate Majority Caucus Chairman, Senator Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) has introduced legislation to close a loophole in Georgia law that allowed trial attorneys to circumvent Georgia’s apportionment statute.
Continue reading “Senator Jason Anavitarte Introduces Legislation to Protect Trucking Companies From Abusive Lawsuits”Leaf Blower Bill Leaves Local Control
ATLANTA (February 16, 2023) |Senator Shawn Still (R – Johns Creek) introduced Senate Bill 145, also known as the “Landscape Equipment and Agricultural Fairness (LEAF) Act,” which would prohibit any regulations that differ gasoline-powered leaf blowers from similar equipment such as battery powered landscape tools.
“Property owners can make their own decisions about what equipment is used and this bill does nothing to change that. Athens-Clarke County recently approved $100,000 to purchase battery operated equipment for use on their properties,” said Sen. Still. “I have worked with industry leaders from across the state to craft legislation that does not discourage the use of battery powered equipment, but ensures that Georgians are still able to utilize gas-powered utilities when battery powered tools cannot get the job done. This bill would prevent government overreach that restricts devices on the property of others and will aide those who work to keep Georgia beautiful.”
This legislation would create a uniform standard for leaf-blowing equipment across the state.
“We are a residential landscape company and have been strong advocates of utilizing battery-powered maintenance equipment. We have seen consistent improvements over the last five years in both power and run time, but we haven’t seen costs go down, and this is a major obstacle for companies,” said Pam Dooley, owner of Plants Creative Landscapes. “Additionally, an eight-hour run time for batteries used in blowers during heavy leaf season falls well short of what landscape professionals require. Because of these two challenges, we continue to use a combination of gas and battery-powered products.”
“Gasoline leaf blowers have the power and run time needed to move large volumes of debris on job sites,” said Teddy Russell, CEO of Russell Landscape Group. “Battery and electrical equipment continue to improve, but simply do not fit our commercial application needs. Additionally, uniform equipment use ordinances are essential for our employees serving clients across the metro region.”
SB 145 has been referred to the Senate Committee on State and Local Governmental Operations.
You can read the full text of SB 145 here.
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Sen. Shawn Still represents the 48th Senate District which includes portions of Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.656.0044 or by email at Shawn.Still@senate.ga.gov.
Senator Brian Strickland Introduces Legislation to Improve Transparency with Workforce Licensure Applications
ATLANTA (February 16, 2023) | Sen. Brian Strickland (R – McDonough) introduced Senate Bill 157, which seeks to standardize the process when it comes to how an individual’s criminal history impacts his or her ability to obtain an occupational license.
Continue reading “Senator Brian Strickland Introduces Legislation to Improve Transparency with Workforce Licensure Applications”Legislation Revising the Anti-Telemarketing Bill Passes in the Senate
ATLANTA (February 15, 2023) | Today, Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia) passed in the Senate with bipartisan support. Senate Bill 73 would revise the current “Anti-Telemarketing” Bill. Under current law, an individual is prohibited from knowingly making or causing telemarketing calls to individuals on the Georgia Do-Not-Call list, SB 73 would remove that “knowing” component in addition to expanding liability for violating the prohibition on unsolicited telemarketing calls.
Continue reading “Legislation Revising the Anti-Telemarketing Bill Passes in the Senate”Capitol Recap: Week Five
By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)
The Senate is quickly approaching Crossover Day as we wrap up week five under the Gold Dome. With less than a month until we reach the final day for bills to pass over to the opposite chamber for consideration, we are operating at a frenetic pace. This week, the Senate passed a number of bills on the floor and had a full week of committee meetings, vetting and perfecting legislation. Perhaps the most significant event of the week took place during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittees as members of each committee had an opportunity to closely analyze each line item of various sections of House Bill 18, the Amended FY 2023 Budget with a fine-tooth comb.
On Thursday, I, once again, chaired the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. The committee had the pleasure of hearing from Georgia’s newly elected Agriculture Commissioner, former State Senator Tyler Harper, in addition to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and the State Forestry Commission Director. With agriculture’s oversized role in Georgia’s economy as our number one industry, I take these hearings very seriously. Each appropriations subcommittee will only meet once to hear additional proposals and budget requests from Georgia’s state agencies and departments therefore, it is crucial that we take this time to ensure all taxpayer dollars are being used to their fullest potential.
I am also pleased to report I have introduced a number of bills to be considered this legislative session. Senate Bill 102 would make it clear that a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is not working under the supervision of the surgeon, when administering anesthesia in an acute care or surgical setting. This is already the established practice at hospitals and is consistent with CRNA’s advanced education and training in the practice of nursing. The men and women of the healthcare profession in Georgia are vital to the state’s workforce. Ensuring all Georgians are receiving the highest level of healthcare services is of the utmost importance. I am proud to sponsor this legislation, requested by many of our rural hospitals, that should help hospitals recruit and retain surgeons and allow rural hospitals to provide surgical services, cost effectively, in our rural communities. In addition, I have the pleasure of sponsoring Senate Bill 105, which would revise the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees in the Public School Employee Retirement System. Our school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, school custodians, and school maintenance workers are essential to the daily operation of our public schools in a manner that is safe, welcoming, nutritious and conducive to learning. With this legislation, we recognize the importance and dedication of these hardworking men and women and seek to do more for them in their retirement.
As I mentioned at the start, our days at the Capitol are full and very busy right now. However, we are here to serve you, and I welcome your questions or concerns. Please contact my office by phone or email, if we can be of service.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus. He also serves as Chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.