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COLUMN: Walker: Week One Capitol Recap

By: Sen. Larry Walker, III (R–Perry)

The first week of the 2025 Legislative Session has officially come to a close. It is a privilege to return to work under the Gold Dome, where I remain steadfast in my commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to Georgians across our great state.

This legislative session is already off to a strong start. Governor Brian P. Kemp has laid out a bold vision, focusing on initiatives that include increasing funding for school safety, enhancing our skilled workforce, providing aid to families impacted by Hurricane Helene, and continuing to expand access to affordable healthcare for hardworking Georgians. By investing in high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage career opportunities, we are taking critical steps to secure Georgia’s economic future.

One of my biggest priorities in this session is to address the occupational licensing processes here in Georgia. During the interim, I served on the Joint Blue-Ribbon Committee on Licensing Issues, where we identified significant challenges within our state’s licensing system. This session, I’m continuing that work as a member of the Special Joint Committee Investigating Licensing Issues. Our goal is to reform outdated non-renewal and inspection policies, paving the way for businesses to open and thrive more easily here in Georgia.

While the first week has been productive, much work remains. Among the most pressing issues is supporting recovery efforts for communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many families, farmers, and small businesses are still grappling with the aftermath of this catastrophic storm. Gov. Kemp’s announcement of $100 million in initial funding is an essential first step, but we know the road to recovery will be long and require sustained effort.

The Senate is committed to ensuring these communities have the necessary tools to rebuild. This includes expediting financial assistance, streamlining permitting processes for rebuilding critical infrastructure and working with federal and local partners to address gaps in relief. The resilience of these communities is a testament to the strength of Georgians, and we will do everything in our power to support those they represent.

During his annual “State of the State” address, Gov. Kemp also highlighted the urgent need for tort litigation reform. Unfortunately, according to the American Tort Reform Foundation, Georgia has earned a reputation as having one of the most challenging legal climates in the country. As the head of my own insurance agency, I wholeheartedly agree with the governor that change is needed to benefit Georgians statewide. We must work to reduce skyrocketing insurance premiums and ensure that businesses are not weighed down by frivolous lawsuits or excessive litigation costs.

Lastly, I am excited to announce I am returning as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor this session. In this role, I aim to help Gov. Kemp’s tort reform legislation proceed swiftly through the Senate. I will also serve as Secretary of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, a member of the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Rules and an Ex-Officio member on the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services and Retirement. Lastly, I have been re-elected as Secretary of the Majority Caucus, where I will support my fellow Republicans as they lead the caucus to craft legislation to benefit all Georgians.  

It is an honor beyond measure to serve the people of the 20th Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any legislative concerns, and I look forward to seeing many of you soon under the Gold Dome.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and Wilcox counties, as well as portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker III Sworn in for Sixth Term, Begins 10th Legislative Session

ATLANTA (January 15, 2025) — Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) proudly announced his sixth swearing-in as Senator for Georgia’s 20th District and began his 10th legislative session under the Gold Dome. Senator Walker, re-elected by his colleagues to serve as Majority Caucus Secretary, will again bring his leadership and dedication to various important committee roles.

Sen. Walker will continue to serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. His committee assignments include membership in the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Appropriations, Retirement, and Rules.

“I’m deeply honored and humbled that the citizens of the 20th District have once again placed their trust in me to represent them under the Gold Dome,” said Sen. Walker. “I also want to thank Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Senate Committee on Assignments for entrusting me with these committee roles and chairmanship, which allow me to work on behalf of Georgia’s families, businesses and communities. Serving as Majority Caucus Secretary is a privilege, and I’m grateful for the support of my Senate colleagues.”

Sen. Walker has strongly advocated for Middle Georgia’s values and priorities, championing policies promoting economic growth, supporting farmers and strengthening local communities. As the 2025 session begins, he remains committed to delivering results for the citizens of the 20th Senate District.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and Wilcox counties, as well as portions of Houston County.  He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker Highlights $2.26 Million Grant for Workforce Housing in Hawkinsville

ATLANTA (December 6, 2024) — This week,Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) proudly announced that the City of Hawkinsville has been awarded $2,260,505 through Governor Brian Kemp’s Rural Workforce Housing Initiative. This transformative grant will fund critical road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements, enabling the construction of 58 new single-family housing units within the 220 McCormick Avenue Subdivision.

“This is a tremendous win for Hawkinsville and the hardworking families who call our community home,” said Sen. Walker. “This funding will expand access to affordable housing and strengthen our local economy by providing workers with the stability they need to thrive. I commend Governor Kemp and the OneGeorgia Authority for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that rural Georgia remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

The new housing development reflects a collaborative effort between the City of Hawkinsville, which is contributing $70,000, and Hive Construction, which is investing an additional $124,000. These partnerships and the state’s commitment represent a total project cost exceeding $2.45 million.

“This project is an example of how public and private collaboration can address critical workforce housing needs,” added Sen. Walker. “By investing in the infrastructure needed to create these homes, we’re investing in the long-term success of our community.”

First introduced in Governor Kemp’s 2023 State of the State Address, the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative addresses the pressing need for housing in rapidly growing rural areas. Backed by funding from the Georgia General Assembly, the initiative is a key component of the state’s broader strategy to sustain its economic momentum.

The 220 McCormick Avenue Subdivision is expected to significantly benefit Hawkinsville’s workforce by offering high-quality, affordable housing options for local families and employees. These improvements align with Georgia’s commitment to fostering vibrant and sustainable communities across the state.

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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He also serves as a member of the OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee. He represents Senate District 20, including Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a large portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker Applauds Dodge County’s $2 Million Grant for Eastman Aerospace Park Development

ATLANTA (December 5, 2024) —Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) today celebrated the announcement that Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority has been awarded $2 million through Governor Brian Kemp’s new Rural Site Development Initiative. The grant will fund critical water and sewer infrastructure improvements at the Eastman Aerospace Park, enhancing its readiness for industrial development and positioning Dodge County for sustained economic growth.

“As a lifelong advocate for rural development, I’m thrilled to see Dodge County receive this significant investment through the Rural Site Development Initiative,” said Sen. Walker. “This grant represents a major step forward in leveraging Dodge County’s unique assets, like the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation, to attract strategic industries such as aerospace and defense. The improvements at Eastman Aerospace Park will create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen our local economy for years to come.”

The Eastman Aerospace Park, a “GRAD Select” certified site, is ideally located to attract businesses in high-demand sectors. The site’s proximity to key resources such as the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation makes it attractive for industries that rely on state-of-the-art infrastructure and access to a skilled workforce. The Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority is contributing to the project, with the total cost expected to exceed $2.2 million.

Sen. Walker also commended the leadership of Governor Kemp, the Georgia General Assembly, and the OneGeorgia Authority for their continued focus on rural economic development.

“Through strategic initiatives like this, Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business, ensuring our communities have the tools to compete on a global scale,” added Sen. Walker. “I look forward to seeing this project’s long-term benefits to Dodge County and the entire middle Georgia region.”

The Rural Site Development Initiative is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. It aims to help communities identify, assess, and develop new industrial sites to maintain Georgia’s competitive edge in economic development.

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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He also serves as a member of the OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee. He represents Senate District 20, including Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a large portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Senator Larry Walker Elected to NCOIL Executive Committee

ATLANTA (August 8, 2024) — Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) recently attended the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) 2024 Summer Meeting in Costa Mesa, California. The event, which gathered 344 participants, including 66 legislators from 30 states, featured robust discussions on a variety of insurance-related topics and saw the development and continuation of several model laws.  In addition, Sen. Walker was elected to the organization’s Executive Committee.

Sen. Walker highlighted the importance of these gatherings, stating, “NCOIL meetings provide a crucial platform for legislators to collaborate on significant insurance issues that affect all states, share best practices and develop effective model legislation that benefits both consumers and the insurance market. I’m proud to contribute to these important discussions and to play a role in crafting insurance legislation for consideration by state legislative bodies across the nation.”

Key topics covered included insurers’ use of aerial images when underwriting properties, regulation of third-party litigation financing, preventive medicine, earned wage access providers, value-based purchasing agreements, and health care facility site-neutral payment reforms. Additionally, discussions on the NCOIL Mental Health Parity Model Act and the establishment of Catastrophe Savings Accounts were continued.

NCOIL is a national legislative organization composed of legislators from all 50 states, principally those serving on their states’ insurance and financial institutions committees. Founded in 1969, NCOIL aims to create model laws in insurance and financial services, preserve state jurisdiction over insurance as established by the McCarran-Ferguson Act, and serve as an educational forum for public policymakers and interested parties. The organization works to assert the prerogative of legislators in making state policy on insurance and educate state legislators on current and longstanding insurance issues.

**Attached is a photo for your use.**

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents Senate District 20 which includes all of Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a large portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.