Category: Jason Anavitarte

ATLANTA (Mar. 26, 2024) – Legislation aimed at safeguarding Georgia’s agricultural interests, food supply and national security has been forwarded to Governor Brian P. Kemp for signage into law. Sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), Senate Bill 420 aims to prohibit perilous foreign adversaries from owning agricultural land or land within a 10-mile radius of a military base, installation, or airport in Georgia.

Senator Anavitarte, reflecting on the passage of this pivotal legislation, stated, “the Chinese government essentially validated our longstanding suspicions of their willingness to undermine our national security, as evidenced by their deployment of spy balloons over military installations just last year. I take great pride in authoring this legislation, and I am confident that it will shield all Georgians while prioritizing homeland security.”

SB 420, was crafted in response to a 2021 Department of Agriculture report revealing that China possessed 384,000 acres of American agricultural land, marking a 30% surge from 2019 to 2020. An illustrative instance of China’s strategic land acquisition emerged in 2022 when Fufeng Group, a Chinese entity linked to the Chinese Communist Party, sought to purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. Apart from jeopardizing economic stability and overall security at both state and national levels, foreign dominion over such assets imperils the nation’s food supply and the livelihoods of Georgia farmers.

SB 420 complies with federal fair housing regulations by exempting primary residences from its purview and stipulates timeframes for covered nonresident aliens to divest agricultural properties they presently own or may acquire in the future through debt settlement or inheritance.

# # # #

Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.

ATLANTA (Feb. 15, 2023) — Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the investment of $344 million to SOLARCYCLE, a manufacturing facility in Cedartown. The City of Cedartown is in Polk County, represented by Georgia Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas).

Grateful for Gov. Kemp’s historic announcement, Sen. Anavitarte commented, “It is great to witness the investment in this first-of-its-kind solar panel glass manufacturing facility located in my district. I am grateful for the work of state partners, the city of Cedartown and Polk County.”

“The economic impact of this facility will be immeasurable and highlight the pro-business focus of this state. This facility will provide 600+ quality jobs, clean tech and prove helpful for the U.S. supply chain. Additionally, it will strengthen opportunities in housing and retail development both of which will help support my district’s healthy and thriving community. I am excited to see the partnership between Polk County Leaders, the city of Cedartown and the SOLARCYCLE as it will deliver a significant regional impact to the district and set Georgia apart from its competitors,” said Sen. Anavitarte.

The SOLARCYCLE facility in Cedartown will be the first of SOLARCYCLE’s facilities to manufacture glass along with recycling solar panels. Construction of the facility will begin in 2024 with the expectation to be operational in 2026.

Progress and updates on the Cedartown plant will be available here. 

# # # #

Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov

ATLANTA (Feb. 1, 2024) – This week, Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) introduced Senate Bill 420, which would prohibit foreign adversaries from acquiring through purchase, lease or “any possessory interest” agricultural land or land within 25 miles of a military installation.

The bill was presented, read on the Senate floor, and will now proceed to the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

“Georgia’s military installations are currently vulnerable to foreign adversaries, a crisis that could be exacerbated by a single bad actor at any moment,” said Sen. Anavitarte.  “This Bill, its regulations and penalties aims to prevent that scenario by limiting the exposure experienced by Georgia’s agricultural land and these military installations. Alongside the other 33 sponsors of this Bill, I am pleased to see it make progress toward becoming a law.”

SB 420 includes language and regulations regarding currently held interests, residential properties, and the current economic importance of agricultural product testing sites.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

# # # #

Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.

ATLANTA (January 23, 2024) — Today, Chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus, Senator Jason Anavitarte (R – Dallas) announced his intention to introduce the “Second Amendment Lawsuit Protection Act.” This legislation aims to provide liability protection to property owners and gun manufacturers against frivolous lawsuits. Anavitarte issued the following statement: 

“When Georgia passed my Constitutional Carry legislation last session, I promised Georgians that the only permit they’ll need to carry a weapon in the State of Georgia is the 2^nd Amendment.  To make that promise a reality, we must ensure Georgia businesses and property owners can allow citizens to exercise their 2^nd Amendment rights without fear of being sued solely because they permitted individuals to exercise those rights. With the increasing number of liberal local and state governments trying to roll back the immunity protections for gun companies, it is also important to send a strong message to gun manufacturers that Georgia is the right place to do business.  To that end, The Second Amendment Lawsuit Protection Act aims to protect gun manufactures domiciled in Georgia so they can continue to build these constitutionally protected tools unmolested by trial lawyers.  This legislation will provide strict immunity protection under state law to protect against changes in federal law or out of state lawyers looking to harm Georgia’s businesses. I don’t believe you need a permit to exercise your 2^nd Amendment rights and business owners and gun manufacturers certainly shouldn’t have to have a special insurance policy.  The 2^nd Amendment is nonnegotiable, and we are going to make sure Georgia is the best place in the country to exercise your God given right to build, sell and carry a weapon.”

Anavitarte plans to introduce the Second Amendment Lawsuit Preservation Act in early February.  The 2024 Georgia Legislative Session ends March 28, 2024.

# # # #

Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov