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.