Author: Rachel Moore

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

The 2023 Legislative Session has officially come to an end. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, marked Legislative Day 40, Sine Die, and both the Senate and the House worked a little past midnight debating and voting on a number of bills with a large majority of those measures receiving final passage. I am eager to provide you with a brief update on bills of importance that received final passage during the final days of the session.

Throughout the 2023 Legislative Session, the Senate dedicated much of its time to enhancing public safety and security for Georgians. House Bill 188 was one of many efforts to continue that fight. Carried in the Senate by the Senate Committee on Public Safety Chairman, Senator John Albers (R – Roswell), HB 188 seeks to provide harsher punishment for certain persons convicted of kidnapping a minor or trafficking a minor. Known as the “Georgia Dangerous Sexual Predator Prevention Act,” HB 188 would require convicted sexual predators that subsequently kidnap or traffic a minor to potentially serve a sentence of life imprisonment. What is important to note about this legislation is those who are convicted and serving probation would be required to wear a device capable of tracking location by electronic means. Combatting human trafficking has been a longtime priority of First Lady Marty Kemp and this legislation aims strengthen punishment of and the ability to monitor sexual predators, especially those who seek out minors. I was proud to support this legislation and look forward to hopefully seeing it enacting into law in the near future as the legislation now awaits approval and signature by Gov. Kemp.

The Senate also dedicated a large portion of its efforts to improving literacy this legislative session. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, Senator Billy Hickman (R – Statesboro) worked tirelessly to further this effort with the passage of House Bill 538, also known as the “Georgia Early Literacy Act”, which was authored by Houston County’s very own Rep. Bethany Ballard. I’ve often noted that an educated and skilled workforce is key to Georgia’s future economic prosperity. It is imperative that every Georgia elementary school is equipped with the necessary tools to teach its students to read on grade level, and HB 538 works to support that goal. Specifically, HB 538 would require the Department of Early Care and Learning to establish evidence-based literacy instruction training requirements for teachers while also requiring the State Board of Education to establish a uniform standard for measuring literacy, approved high-quality instructional materials for grades K-3, and universal reading screeners for public school students in grades K-3. By implementing training requirements for teachers, Georgia’s education system will have the ability to develop a structured learning environment that will in turn, boost literacy rates across Georgia. And by strengthening literacy rates, we can ensure more students are able to achieve the necessary educational goals to secure employment and economic success in the future. This was much needed legislation and I am immensely grateful to see this measure pass with overwhelming bipartisan support. I anticipate the legislation will be enacted into law by Gov. Kemp in the not so distant future.

Perhaps the most significant achievement of the 2023 Legislative Session was accomplished on Sine Die when both the House and the Senate combined efforts to pass House Bill 19, the Budget for the 2024 Fiscal Year. As you well know, the Georgia General Assembly is tasked with the Constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget each legislative session. The FY 2024 Budget accounts for roughly $32.4 billion, funding all of Georgia’s agencies. Specifically, this budget focused heavily on increasing funding for mental health and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 500 NOW and COMP Waivers were added to this budget and $117 million was appropriated to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development (DBHDD). The Georgia General Assembly continues to dedicate much of its efforts to supporting mental health and Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and this budget reflects that commitment. In reference to education, the FY 2024 Budget fully funds the HOPE Scholarship both at the public and private level. This budget also appropriates a substantial amount of funding to combat the ever present concern of hoteling of Georgia’s foster children and aides child care institutions to ensure these agencies continue to receive federal funding and state employees, officers, educational specialists, and more who are all subject to state funded salaries will receive a cost of living adjustment. Ensuring the passage of a balanced budget is by far the heaviest lift of every legislative session. Taxpayer dollars are your dollars therefore it is prudent that no dollar is spent unfairly. I am extremely proud of the work of Appropriations Chairman Sen. Tillery and his entire staff with the Senate Budget and Evaluations Office this session. I am eager to see this budget signed into law so that these hard earned dollars can be placed back into the pockets of Georgia’s workforce.

This legislative session was historic to say the least. With new leaders in both chambers, I am immensely proud of the work accomplished by all members of the Georgia General Assembly. I want to extend my gratitude to Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, President Pro Tempore Senator John F. Kennedy, the Senate Republican Caucus and all of my colleagues in both chambers for their exceptional dedication this legislative session, working towards the common goal of ensuring Georgia remains the number one state in the nation to not only do business, but to live, work and raise a family. While the 2023 Legislative Session has come to an end, I am always eager to make myself available to best serve you in any way. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns going forward. As always, it is a pleasure to serve you under the Gold Dome.

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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.   

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

Only one week remains in the 2023 Legislative Session. This week, the Senate worked tirelessly, continuing to pass legislation that will best serve the needs of all Georgians. A major milestone passed this week, House Bill 19, the proposed budget for the 2024 Fiscal year. In addition, several measures received final passage with a few bills of note. I am eager to provide you with an update on legislation that will soon head to the Governor’s desk for signature.

As previously mentioned, the House Bill 19 finally made its way to the Senate floor for consideration this week. Carried in the Senate by the Senate Appropriations Chairman Sen. Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia), HB 19 accounts for over $32 billion in total state funds with $27.8 billion of those funds being recognized under the Governor’s state general fund. In terms of education, the Senate version of the FY 2024 budget funds HOPE Scholarships under the Georgia Student Finance Commission at 100% of tuition. In addition, this budget will provide for a $2,000 cost-of-living adjustment to all full-time, benefit-eligible state employees, certified local educators, as well as providing increased funds to higher education. Further, HB 19 would provide an additional $4,000 salary adjustment to specific law enforcement job classes in various state agencies in addition to adding an $846.1 million to fully fund an increase in employer contribution per-member per-month adjusted rate for certified school employees. I am proud of the many weeks of hard work and dedication that went culminating this budget. As you well know, it is our primary responsibility to ensure that all taxpayer dollars are properly and adequately appropriated to address the priorities and needs of all Georgians. While the bill is now in House and Senate Budget Conference Committee, I was proud to see the Senate’s version pass the Senate with bipartisan support, and I anticipate House Bill 19 will soon come back to us for a final agree.

Also this week, a number of priorities of Gov. Brian Kemp were brought to the Senate floor for consideration. House Bill 87, carried by the Governor’s Floor Leader Sen. Bo Hatchett (R – Cornelia), known as the “Nontraditional Special Schools Act,” seeks to establish “completion schools,” which give young students additional options to obtain a high school diploma. For students who are unable to attend school during the traditional hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. due to family matters or work obligations, HB 87 would give those students more flexibility to continue to work towards earning their high school degree. I was proud to support HB 87 as we all know that schools are essential to our communities, our workforce, to Georgia families, and much more. I was pleased to see HB 87 pass with bipartisan support as this necessary legislation will allow Georgia to continue to uphold the standard as the number one state in the nation in which to do business, to live, to work, and raise a family.

Keeping on the theme of the Governor’s priorities, Floor Leader Sen. Mike Hodges (R – Brunswick) brought House Bill 128 to the floor for a vote this week. Aimed at providing revenue and taxation for minorities and veterans, HB 128 is a product of an executive order issued by Gov. Kemp in July of 2022 to the Department of Administrative Services to address certain challenges small businesses face during the state’s procurement process. Small businesses in Georgia are what keep our economy thriving. Therefore, it is prudent that we address all challenges business owners are faced with to ensure each can continue to run their businesses and in turn, allow Georgia’s economy to continue to thrive. I was proud to support this measure and see it pass with bipartisan support.

In other news, I had the pleasure of carrying a few House Bills that came out of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. House Bill 221 and House Bill 222. Both pieces of legislation are aimed at amending certain regulations. Specifically, HB 221 would amend the process for insurance companies to seek rate approval for non-mandatory minimum limits for private passenger motor vehicle insurance while HB 222 would amend certain rules and regulations under the Department of Insurance. As Chairman of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee, I was proud to carry these measures, supported by Georgia’s outstanding Insurance Commissioner, in the Senate and was pleased to see both pass with bipartisan support.

I am also pleased to report Senate Bill 106, known as the “Healthy Babies Act,” passed in the House with bipartisan support. As you know, SB 106 would implement a pilot program administered through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) which would provide remote patient monitoring for expectant mothers under Medicaid. SB 106 seeks to address our ongoing concern with maternal and infant mortality in Georgia. I was proud to sponsor this legislation and look forward to providing you with additional updates on the progression of the bill as it now makes its way to Gov. Kemp’s desk to be enacted into law.

Sine Die, the final day of the 2023 Legislative Session will fall on Wednesday, March 29. With only a few short days left in this legislative session, both the Senate and the House remain hard at work to ensure all necessary legislation is granted final passage before the gavel falls on Legislative Day 40. This week alone, the Senate debated and voted on a total of 26 pieces of legislation from the House. In turn, 30 Senate bills have been granted final passage by the House. With over 60 pieces of legislation up for consideration on Legislative Days 39 and 40, I anticipate next week will be the Senate’s busiest week yet. I look forward to providing you with final updates next week as the 2023 Legislative Session comes to a close. As always, it is a pleasure to serve you in Atlanta.

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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.   

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

As week 10 of the 2023 Legislative Session comes to a close, there are only five legislative days remaining before the Georgia General Assembly will adjourn Sine Die. This week, the Senate worked diligently, continuing to vet and deliberate on measures from across the hall. To date, the Senate has successfully passed over 60 House bills and resolutions since Crossover Day. I am eager to provide you with a brief update on a few key highlights from Legislative Days 32 through 35.

As we inch closer to the end of this legislative session, bills have begun to reach the Governor’s desk for signature. On Wednesday, Gov. Kemp signed a rather significant piece of legislation aimed at granting hard working Georgians much needed financial relief as we continue to struggle with 40-year high inflation. House Bill 162, sponsored by the Governor’s Floor Leader in the House, Representative Lauren McDonald (R – Cumming) and carried in the Senate by my colleague and Floor Leader, Senator Mike Hodges (R – Brunswick), provides a special state income tax refund to Georgians who filed returns in both the 2021 and 2022 taxable years and paid state income tax. This return of surplus was made possible with the passage of the Amended Budget for the remainder of the 2023 Fiscal Year, House Bill 18, which Gov. Kemp also signed into law on March 10. The Amended FY ’23 budget includes funding for this return of income taxes, with over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars now on the way back to the men and women that kept Georgia’s economy running during the pandemic, generating record state revenues. Thanks to conservative budgeting and the support of the members in both chambers, this is the second state income tax refund of its kind in recent years. I was proud to support this measure and see it pass both chambers overwhelmingly. 

Keeping on the theme of addressing Gov. Kemp’s legislative priorities, House Bill 147 made its way to the Senate floor for a vote this week. As you well know, Gov. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp have dedicated much of their tenure to keeping Georgians safe and bolstering education and HB 147 works to do just that. Carried in the Senate by Floor Leader Hodges, HB 147 pursues the establishment of a school safety and anti-gang endorsement for certified professional personnel. Known as the “Safe Schools Act,” HB 147 addresses an area of grave concern that Georgians and communities across the nation are all too familiar with, safety amongst students and faculty in public schools. The nation is no stranger to public safety threats and intruder emergencies in schools. Under HB 147, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency would require specific school safety plans be submitted to the agency on or before December 31, 2023. In addition, HB 147 would require Georgia’s public schools to participate and complete intruder alert drills by October 1 of each school year. By implementing these requirements to practice emergency preparedness, we can guarantee increased safety and security for students, teachers and staff in public schools. I was proud to support this measure and hope to see the bill arrive on Gov. Kemp’s desk in the near future.

One measure that’s particularly important to my district and Robins Air Force Base, Senate Bill 195, continues to move through the legislative process in the House. Last week, I was proud to announce the bill’s passage in the Senate. Known as the “Freedom to Work Act,” SB 195 is a product of the combined efforts of the Georgia Joint Defense Commission, the 21^st Century Partnership and other service member advocates and seeks to address the ongoing concern of occupational licensing for military spouses and those exiting the military. This week, I had the chance to bring the legislation before the House Committee on Regulated Industries. I am pleased to report SB 195 was favorably reported out of its respective committee and also now awaits selection for consideration by the House Rules Committee. I look forward to bringing you additional updates on the progress of this and other bills I’ve sponsored in subsequent columns.

With each passing week, we have the pleasure of welcoming more guests into the Senate chamber. This week, I had the very special honor of recognizing a distinguished group of individuals, the University of Georgia Archway Partnership. Established in 2005, the University of Georgia Archway Partnership works to conduct outreach efforts to rural-underserved communities and supply its residents and community leaders with resources made available by the university. This program has proven to be widely successful and as a result, on November 6, 2022, the University of Georgia Archway Partnership was named the 2022 C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award winner by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. On Monday, it was my honor to welcome members of the organization to the Senate chamber and present the University of Georgia’s President, Jere Morehead with Senate Resolution 218, which congratulates and commends the Archway Partnership for their recent award. I was proud to host these reputable individuals and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

Speaking of hosting guests in the Senate chamber, this week was extremely special for me as I was joined by two young members of my family who got an up close and personal view of the Senate at work. It was such an honor to have my niece, Sophie Walker and my second cousin, Ben Hulbert, serve as Senate Pages on Legislative Day 32. The Senate Page Program offers a unique opportunity for students to get a first-hand experience under the Gold Dome with our state legislature, gain insight into the legislative process, meet Senators from all over the state, and hopefully learn the importance of citizen engagement with elected officials. I love sharing this experience with the youth of Senate District 20, and I encourage those interested to contact my office toward the end of the year to apply for the 2024 Senate Page Program.

Next week, the Senate will convene for Legislative Day 36 on Monday, March 20. I anticipate these next two weeks to be extremely busy as we march towards Sine Die. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns regarding proposed legislation. It is a pleasure to serve you in Atlanta.

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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.