Official Press Releases
By: Sen. Frank Ginn (R–Danielsville)
Georgia is following through on its promise to support hardworking families and our nation’s heroes in its newest budget. I’m proud to highlight two key bills I supported this session, House Bill 68 and House Bill 266, that ensure Georgia’s gratitude isn’t just spoken, but written into law.
Continue reading “COLUMN: Ginn: Investing in Families, Veterans and the Future of Georgia”
The third week of the 2025 Legislative Session has wrapped up, and we’re staying focused on passing common sense legislation that puts Georgia families, businesses and communities first.
Last week’s snowstorm may have delayed budget hearings for a few days, but it didn’t slow us down. The General Assembly has been hard at work in joint sessions, carefully reviewing budget requests to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Passing a balanced budget is not only our constitutional duty—it’s the foundation of a responsible government that serves its people.
One of the most crucial budget proposals this session is Governor Brian P. Kemp’s plan to return $1 billion in surplus funds directly to taxpayers. Thanks to years of conservative budgeting and fiscal responsibility, we’re in a position to give back to the hardworking Georgians who keep our state running. This is just part of the $2.2 billion in statewide allocations designed to benefit families, businesses, and communities across Georgia. I’m proud to support Gov. Kemp’s efforts to strengthen our economy by putting more money back in your pockets.
Another key priority is ensuring communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene have the necessary resources to rebuild. Gov. Kemp has proposed $614.72 million in recovery funding, including $150 million for the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help with debris removal and housing assistance. Another $300 million will go to the Georgia Department of Transportation to restore roads and infrastructure. Many rural counties are still reeling from this storm, and we’re committed to making sure they get the support they need to recover and move forward.
Back at the Capitol, we hit the ground running this week, advancing legislation that reflects our values and priorities. On Thursday, Gov. Kemp hosted a press conference discussing his (and my) number one priority for the session: tort reform. With the support of leadership officials, I am optimistic about the General Assembly’s ability to pass meaningful and effective tort reform. I know my fellow Senators and I can help achieve better transparency and safeguard our small businesses from being held responsible for criminal acts out of their control. In the words of Gov. Kemp, “Tort reform is not anti-insurance or anti-lawyer, its pro-Georgia consumer.”
As committee meetings pick up, we’re working hard on issues that matter most to our communities, from protecting our schools to strengthening local infrastructure. I’m also excited to share my recent co-sponsorship of several Senate Bills, including the “Freedom of Speech and Belief Act,” which, if signed into law, would ensure that our constitutional First Amendment rights are protected in our state.
Finally, I encourage students ages 12 to 18 to apply for the Senate Page Program. This is an excellent way for young people to see firsthand how the General Assembly works. Interested students may apply for the program by emailing me or my administrative assistant at my office. (Frank.Ginn@senate.ga.gov.)
As always, I’m here to listen. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about our work at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s an honor to serve you, and I appreciate your trust as we work together throughout the remainder of the 2025 legislative session.
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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.
The Senate has accomplished a great deal in just one week under the Gold Dome. Bills have already begun to move through the committee process, and the 2025 Legislative Session is underway.
We began the legislative session by voting on the Senate calendar, holding Senate elections, and establishing the Senate rules by which we operate throughout the session. We also established Senate committees and laid the groundwork for another productive biennium.
I am pleased to warmly welcome Sen. Drew Echols (R–Alto), one of my district neighbors and the newest member of the Republican caucus. His wife, former Sen. Shelly Echols, served with great distinction during the previous biennium. I am confident that Sen. Drew Echols will build on that legacy as a valuable addition to our team.
We have already made significant progress this legislative session. Gov. Brian Kemp has set a strong foundation with initiatives to increase funding for school safety, enhance our state’s skilled workforce, provide necessary aid to Georgia families impacted by Hurricane Helene and continue to provide accessible healthcare for all hardworking Georgians and their families. By expanding opportunities for high-demand, high-skill and high-wage careers, we are taking essential steps to secure Georgia’s economic future.
This week, I was proud to co-sponsor “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” or Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas). This bill will ensure the safety of our school teachers and students by requiring education boards to place mobile panic alert systems in schools that will provide real-time coordination among state and local first responder agencies during any emergency. School safety is a top priority for both the Senate and the Governor’s Office, and we remain committed to ensuring the safety of Georgia’s students. I also introduced Senate Bill 12, which will reform laws related to open records laws in Georgia. This bill will ensure public entities conform with open records requests while protecting private businesses from nuisance interference.
I was proud to serve on Gov. Kemp’s escort committee for the “State of the State” address. (My friend and reporter, Abby Kousouris, snapped the photo above at the event.) During his annual “State of the State” address, Gov. Kemp highlighted the need for tort reform, a cause I have long supported. The American Tort Reform Foundation’s current designation of Georgia as “the #1 judicial hellhole in the country” is unacceptable. We must tackle rising insurance premiums and ensure that frivolous lawsuits or excessive litigation costs do not burden our businesses.
Additionally, we must prioritize recovery efforts for the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Gov. Kemp has announced $100 million in initial funding to address the damage, but we know the road to recovery will be long. The Georgia Senate will continue to work diligently to support local governments and their communities to ensure they have the necessary resources to rebuild.
Committee assignments for the session were released, and I appreciate Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Committee on Assignments for assigning me to serve on various meaningful committees. I am thankful to serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and the Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committees. I look forward to serving as an ex-officio on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources and the Environment and Regulated Industries and Utilities, respectively and as a member of the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Transportation and Rules.
As always, I want to invite students between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve as a Senate Page. This highly informative program allows students to participate in the state legislative process at our State Capitol for a day. Interested students may apply for the program by emailing me or my administrative assistant at my office. (Frank.Ginn@senate.ga.gov.)
I am honored beyond measure to serve the citizens of the 47th Senate District. Please do not hesitate to contact my office for any legislative matters, and I hope to see you soon under the Gold Dome.
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Sen. Frank Ginn represents the 47th Senate District, which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson Counties. 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.
The 2025 Legislative Session officially begins this Monday, January 13, and I am honored to continue serving as your state Senator under the Gold Dome. Yes, it is real gold on the roof and was replaced in 2024, along with countless other amounts of maintenance work. Your trivia question of the day is: how much gold do you think it takes to cover the dome? It is right at 40 ounces and was last replaced about 50 years ago. I want to especially thank Sabastian Cobb with the Georgia State Finance & Investment Commission (GSFIC) for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to access the top of the Gold Dome. I always feel grateful when I re-enter the Capitol before each legislative session begins, and this biennium is no different.
Continue reading “Ginn: Preparations Complete for the 2025 Legislative Session”ATLANTA (May 30, 2024) – Georgia State Senator Frank Ginn (R–Danielsville) has been appointed to serve on the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, in accordance with Senate Resolution 786. The committee – aimed at fortifying Georgia’s leadership in the forestry, timber and forest products industries – will also include Senate President Pro Tempore and Committee Chairman John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry), and Sen. Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta).
Continue reading “Sen. Frank Ginn Appointed to Serve on Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee”