Sen. John Albers Applauds Passage of SB 335 Through Committee

ATLANTA (Jan. 26, 2024) — This week, Senate Bill 335, sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) passed by a unanimous, bipartisan vote through the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Also known as the “Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act”, SB 335 would provide that sexual intercourse or sodomy between certain family members related by adoption be regarded as incest. Incest is already illegal under Georgia law, and this legislation will now include adoptive families. Sen. Albers worked closely with Susan K. Treadaway, District Attorney of Cherokee County on this bill.

“I am grateful to DA Susan K. Treadaway for sharing this important loophole in the law with me and working together to protect our children.  Cherokee County is so fortunate to have a District Attorney fighting every day to protect citizens and victims while prosecuting dangerous criminals,” said Sen. Albers.

“As prosecutors, we serve as the ‘boots on the ground’ in the courtroom, directly positioned to identify opportunities for positive change in the law. I am proud to work with Sen. John Albers, a true champion for justice, as we partner together to make Georgia a safer place for children and families,” said Susan K. Treadaway.

You can find more information on SB 335 here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

Sen. John Albers to Recognize High School Student Sierra Pape on National Donor Day

ATLANTA (Jan. 16, 2024)  In August of 2023, Midtown High School sophomore Sierra Pape reached out to Sen. John Albers (R—Roswell) for advice on proposing legislation that would implement information about organ donation and transplantation within school curriculums.

“When Sierra approached me with this life-changing initiative, I knew I needed to help in any way that I can. In 2021, I donated my left kidney to help save my son’s life. Organ donation is a cause that is extremely important and heartfelt to my family, and I’m overjoyed that this life-saving matter will be implemented in the state’s curriculum,” said Sen. Albers. 

The Georgia Board of Education met on Wednesday, Jan. 10 to present the proposed changes to their health standards in grades 8-12 to reflect the importance of organ and tissue donation and the statewide organ donation registry system at their State Board Committee Meeting. State School Superintendent Richard Woods and the rest of the Board of Education members met to hear Sen. Albers and Sierra Pape present the initiative. They passed the “Teaching Organ Donation and Saving Lives” to be implemented into the curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Sierra has worked tirelessly with several individuals to gain information and support for this initiative. Along with being an impressive student, Sierra serves on the Fulton County Youth Commission, Metro Atlanta Regional Commission, as well as Midtown High School’s “My Votes” chapter. Sen. Albers will recognize Sierra and her impressive efforts at the Georgia State Capitol on Feb. 15, 2024, which is also National Donor Day.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

Joint Meeting of Senate Committees on Public Safety, Science and Technology and House Committee on Technology Innovation Regarding Artificial Intelligence

ATLANTA (Nov. 30, 2023) | On Monday, Dec. 4, the Senate Committee on Public Safety, chaired by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell), the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton), and the House Committee on Technology Innovation, chaired by Rep. Todd Jones (R–South Forsyth) and co-chaired by Rep. Brad Thomas (R–Holly Springs) will hold a joint meeting on the topic of Artificial Intelligence.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Monday, Dec. 4, 2023
  • Time: 4:00 p.m.
  • Location: Georgia State Capitol, Room 450, 206 Washington St, Atlanta GA 30334
  • Open to the Public: The event welcomes the public. The streaming link and meeting agenda can be found on the Senate schedule here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The meeting will include presentations from industry experts with the goal of analyzing current and projected future use of artificial intelligence. The House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation will also be joining this meeting.

Media Opportunities:

We kindly request members of the media to confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Emily Leonard at the Senate Press Office (Emily.Leonard@senate.ga.gov).

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov

Editorial: Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

By Senator John Albers (R-Roswell)

ATLANTA (Nov. 16, 2023) — As the Senate Chairman of Public Safety, I work daily with dedicated city, county, school, state, and federal professionals whose noble career path requires them to prioritize saving lives, upholding the peace, and preserving our most cherished freedoms and liberties.  For these courageous individuals, those critical imperatives guide their duties as they face incredible demands and challenges on any given day.  Please take a moment to thank all those who serve us on the front lines in our community and put their lives on the line for you and me.

Continue reading “Editorial: Atlanta Public Safety Training Center”

Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce Concludes Final Meeting

ATLANTA (Nov. 15, 2023) | The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce concluded its sixth and final meeting on November 14, 2023, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. The committee, established via Senate Resolution 275 during the 2023 Legislative Session with bipartisan support and chaired by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), comprised both legislative and non-legislative members.

Committee membership included Sen. Brandon Beach (R–Alpharetta), Sen. Jason Esteves (D–Atlanta), Sen. Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta), Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro), Champ Bailey on behalf of Team Bailey Holdings, Joseph McDermott on behalf of Delta Airlines, Ryan Pernice on behalf of RO Hospitality, Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier, Dave Williams on behalf of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and Daniela Perry on behalf of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

The agenda for the final meeting featured remarks from Lt. Governor Burt Jones, who stressed the pivotal role of workforce development in Georgia. The committee also reviewed and voted on the final committee report, set to guide legislation brought forth during the 2024 Georgia Legislative Session. The report, a culmination of the committee’s comprehensive study, aims to shape policies promoting workforce development, ensuring Georgia’s continued leadership in economic prosperity and job opportunities.

Sen. Albers expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort and dedication exhibited by committee members, stating, “Our focus on expanding Georgia’s workforce is not just a policy initiative; it’s an investment in our state’s future. By harnessing the talents and skills of our citizens, we are not only ensuring economic growth but also creating a vibrant and sustainable community for generations of Georgians to come.”

The committee’s report will be publicly available on the Georgia General Assembly website, providing transparency and insight into the research and deliberations conducted.

For more information on this Senate Study Committee, click here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov