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Sen. Randy Robertson Advances Protections for Victims of Clergy Abuse

ATLANTA (March 6, 2026) — Today, the Georgia State Senate passed Senate Bill 542, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (R–Cataula). The bill would hold religious leadership accountable if convicted of inappropriate sexual behavior and would permit clergy members to be charged with sexual misconduct and, if convicted in the first degree, serve between 10 and 30 years in prison with a fine of up to $100,000.

“Places of worship are the most sacred places we build and gather in,” said Sen. Robertson. “These are places where we should be safe to worship and fully express our most deeply held beliefs. When clergy members weaponize their power to manipulate vulnerable individuals, they should be punished. Today, we are taking a crucial step to punish clergy members who specifically use their position for sexual gain.”

Sen. Robertson added, “Unfortunately, there are some clergy members who have weaponized their position in power to initiate unwanted sexual advances and relationships with members in their congregation. This behavior will now be a violation of Georgia Law, and it will continue to be my mission to keep our places of worship a place where we can freely and openly express our beliefs without worry of manipulation and sexual exploitation.”     

Senate Bill 542 has passed the Georgia State Senate unanimously and will now move on to the House of Representatives.

For more information on the legislation, click here.

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Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 29th Senate District, which includes Harris, Meriwether and Troup counties, as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0045 or by email at Randy.Robertson@senate.ga.gov.

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Ginn: Week Two Under the Gold Dome

As the 2026 Legislative Session moves into its second week, the General Assembly is turning its full attention to its most important responsibility: passing a balanced, thoughtful budget that spends taxpayer dollars wisely.

Budget hearings began on Tuesday, January 20, when the Senate and House Appropriations Committees met jointly to hear budget requests from various departments and agencies. These hearings continued through Thursday, but the work doesn’t stop there. In the coming weeks, I’ll be serving on Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and Transportation. We will further discuss these recommendations and make our own suggestions. Passing a balanced budget is not only our constitutional duty as legislators, but it’s also imperative in creating a responsible government that serves its people.

One of the most impactful budget proposals this legislative session is Governor Brian Kemp’s plan to rebate more than $1 billion in income taxes, giving single filers $250 and joint filers up to $500 in additional savings. Affordability is one of our top priorities this legislative session, and providing tax relief through rebates and income tax cuts is an important first step toward strengthening our economy. These tangible policy decisions are just a further reminder that Senate Republicans’ overarching ideology of fiscal conservatism is to thank for positioning our economy as one of the best in the nation, despite reckless federal economic policy during the Biden Administration.

Gov. Kemp’s proposed budget also outlines numerous higher education investments, including those for the University System of Georgia and, more specifically, the University of Georgia. The faculty, staff and students of UGA make up a significant portion of our district (Go DAWGS!), and as an alumnus myself, I will always support investments in our state’s flagship university. Investments in our education system are often the first step to building an educated workforce and a stronger economy.

The Governor is recommending $9.5 million in formula funding for essential startup costs for the UGA School of Medicine, as well as $5.6 million for the design of a UGA School of Nursing facility. The proposal also includes over $34 million to support the ongoing modernization of Science and Ag Hill. The project promotes continued growth in STEM education and research, two fields that are growing in our workforce.  Gov. Kemp has also allocated more than $31 million to food and farm operations. This is a critical industry in Northeast Georgia, and I’ll be working throughout the legislative session to secure this funding.

As the legislative session begins, I would like to invite students ages 12 to 18 to serve as Senate Pages. This highly informative program allows students to participate in the legislative process at our State Capitol for one day during the legislative session. Interested students may apply for the program by contacting my administrative assistant or me at my office via email. (Frank.Ginn@senate.ga.gov.)

Please don’t hesitate to contact my office regarding any legislative matter as we begin another productive legislative session. I hope you and your family enjoy a successful 2026!

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Sen. Frank Ginn represents the 47th Senate District which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson County. He can be reached at (404) 656-4700 or by email at frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Summers: Week One Under the Gold Dome

Last week marked the beginning of the 2026 Legislative Session, and we have officially finished five days of legislative business. It’s an honor to represent more than eight South Georgia counties under the Gold Dome, and I’m looking forward to the next few months.

Governor Brian Kemp addressed the Senate and House, laying out his vision for the 2026 legislative session in his final State of the State Address. His agenda includes continued tax cuts, state employee and retiree raises, and targeted investments in education and workforce development.

Many families, farmers and small businesses across Georgia are still struggling to make ends meet, thanks to the previous White House administration’s reckless financial policies. Thankfully, Senate Republicans have stepped up and already outlined a comprehensive plan, in line with the Governor, to fully reignite our economy. Our plan ensures that all Georgians who are willing to work will keep more of what they earn.

Instead of living paycheck to paycheck, those who live and work in our state can comfortably save and reinvest in our growing economy. Individual filers will not be taxed on the first $50,000 of earnings, and joint filers will not be taxed on the first $100,000 of earnings. State employees, including our teachers, will also receive a one-time $2000 supplement. This is another tangible investment in the long-term health of our state. Democrats can continue to throw short-sighted pipe dreams at the wall, knowing they will never stick, but we’ll be making changes that move South Georgia families from scarcity to security.

This past week, members of our majority party introduced Senate Resolution 563. This resolution will urge Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to immediately and fully comply with the United States DOJ in producing Georgia’s voter registration list. It’s a simple ask, but our Secretary of State refuses to cooperate and do the right thing. Nobody is above the law, and it is important to uphold integrity at all levels of government. I’ll always make sure that South Georgians have the full truth and all the facts, especially when it comes to our elections.

In the Senate Chamber, we also took action on a measure to regulate firearm storage and further strengthen state gun laws: Senate Bill 204. When the Second Amendment needs to be protected, you can rest assured that I will step up to protect your right to bear arms.

As the legislative session begins, I would like to invite students ages 12 to 18 to serve as Senate Pages. This highly informative program allows students to participate in the legislative process at our State Capitol for one day during the legislative session. Interested students may apply for the program by contacting my administrative assistant or me at my office via email. (Carden.Summers@senate.ga.gov.)

It is a privilege to serve the people of South Georgia, and I look forward to another productive Legislative Session. If you have any concerns, questions, or comments on legislation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Please like and follow my Senate page on Facebook (Carden H. Summers) for continuing updates.

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Sen. Carden Summers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions. He represents the 13th Senate District, which includes Ben Hill, Berrien, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, as well as a portion of Coffee County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-9224 or by email at Carden.Summers@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Majority Whip Randy Robertson Releases Statement Encouraging Cooperation from Georgia’s Secretary of State

ATLANTA (January 16, 2026) — Today, Sen. Randy Robertson (R–Cataula) issued a statement urging Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to produce Georgia’s voter registration list for the United States Department of Justice (DOJ):

“When legislators are working to investigate an issue, you would expect that everyone would be on the same page. Unfortunately, Georgia’s Secretary of State has chosen noncompliance over collaboration. One of the most basic expectations of every public official in Georgia, including the Secretary of State, is working together to serve the people of Georgia. Holding office does not change this obligation to respect lawful investigative processes or to provide information when it is properly requested.

SR 563 reinforces the basic expectation of public service by urging our Secretary of State to comply with the DOJ. When federal authorities issue lawful subpoenas or requests as part of an investigation, compliance is a duty. We have an obligation as legislators to shine a light on any wrongdoing, regardless of where it shines or who it shines on.

I’ve spent more than thirty years in law enforcement, where credibility was earned through actions, not statements. Public trust is maintained when leaders address concerns directly and judiciously, leaving no stone unturned. This resolution is consistent with that experience and with my ongoing commitment to accountability, fairness and the rule of law for all. It is my hope that our Secretary of State will reverse course and choose to work for hardworking Georgians instead of himself.”

SR 563, authored by Sen. Majority Whip Randy Robertson, was assigned to the Senate Committee on Ethics, where it awaits further action. Further information on the resolution is available here.

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Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Majority Whip of Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 29, which includes Harris, Meriwether, and Troup Counties and a portion of Muscogee County. He can be reached at 404.656.0045 or at randy.robertson@senate.ga.gov