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Governor Kemp Signs Legislation to Expand Early Voting Opportunities

ATLANTA (May 5, 2023) | Yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Senator Rick Williams (R – Milledgeville), into law. Currently, individuals are able to request time off of work to vote on Election Day only, and this measure extends the window of opportunity for employees to request two hours off to vote in Georgia elections.

“This bill would further empower Georgians to participate in one of the most important civic duties,” said Sen. Williams. “I am grateful to Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and my Senate colleagues for their support of this legislation. I look forward to supporting the rights of Georgia voters for many years to come.”

“I am thankful for Sen. Rick Williams’ leadership on this important measure,” said Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics Senator Max Burns (R – Sylvania). “SB 129 will promote participation in elections on a local, state and national level. I look forward to continue working with Sen. Williams and the Georgia General Assembly in crafting and passing legislation that ensures our hardworking Georgia citizens are able to easily practice this necessary civic duty.”

The full text of SB 129 can be found here.

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Sen. Rick Williams serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Baldwin, Butts, Jasper, Jones, and Putnam County as well as portions of Henry and a small portion of Bibb County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0082 or by email at rick.williams@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Max Burns serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. He represents the 23rd Senate District, which includes Burke, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro, and Warren County as well as portions of Columbia and Richmond County. He may be reached by email at max.burns@senate.state.gov

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Governor Kemp Signs “Healthy Babies Act”

ATLANTA (May 4, 2023) | This week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 106, also known as the “Healthy Babies Act.” This legislation, sponsored by Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus Senator Larry Walker III (R – Perry), establishes a three-year pilot program administered through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH).

“I am proud of the progress that has been made concerning the healthcare of Georgians through the passage of SB 106,” said Senator Walker. “This legislation will improve healthy birth outcomes for both mothers and their children and I am thankful to Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Chairman Senator Ben Watson (R – Savannah) for his support of this measure. I have worked closely with the Department of Community Health to craft this bill, and appreciate their efforts to provide care to Georgians through every season of life.”

The program will begin in Fiscal Year 2024, and will aim to provide remote patient monitoring for pregnant women under Medicaid. The expansion of these benefits is an effort to encourage expecting mothers to utilize prenatal care with the hope of avoiding pre-term labor. SB 106 was also a legislative priority of the Senate Majority Caucus during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session.

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

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Governor Brian Kemp Signs Izzy’s Law

ATLANTA (May 4, 2023) | Yesterday, Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 107, also known as Izzy’s Law, in the north wing of the Georgia State Capitol, surrounded by the family of Israel “Izzy” Scott. Izzy’s Law, sponsored by Sen. Max Burns (R – Sylvania), will require the Department of Public Health to develop a widely-accessible safety plan for aquatic activities based on the standards for nationally-accredited swim instructors.

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Governor Brian Kemp Signs Lemonade Stand Act

ATLANTA (May 3, 2023) | Today, Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 55 into law. SB 55, the Lemonade Stand Act, sponsored by Senator Elena Parent (D – Atlanta), will allow those under the age of 18 to sell non-consumable goods, pre-packaged food items and non-alcoholic beverages on private property without requiring permits or licenses or incurring tax, as long as the revenue totals $5,000 or less in a calendar year.

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