ATLANTA (May 5, 2023) | Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed the FY 2024 budget and House Bill 408 into law at the Hyundai EV factory site in Ellabell, Georgia. HB 19, sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Representative Jon Burns (R – Newington), is the state budget for Fiscal Year 2024 which will begin on July 1, 2023, and end on June 30, 2024. The budget provides funding for government operations in all state departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, and institutions. HB 408, sponsored by Representative Bruce Williamson (R – Monroe), will change the applicable end date of a tax exemption for competitive projects of regional significance to December 31, 2026.
Continue reading “Governor Brian Kemp Signs Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and the Competitive Projects of Regional Significance Act”Governor Brian Kemp Signs Legislation to Establish Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission
ATLANTA (May 8, 2023) | On May 5, 2023, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 92 into law. This measure, sponsored by Majority Whip Senator Randy Robertson (R – Cataula), will create the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission, which would have the power to investigate and discipline or remove elected district attorneys or solicitors-general in specific instances, including if they are consistently not fulfilling their duties as such. SB 92 also clarifies the duties of prosecuting attorneys, specifically including language that they must review every case where there is probable cause for prosecution.
Continue reading “Governor Brian Kemp Signs Legislation to Establish Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission”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
Legislation to Address Primary and Election Funds Signed by Governor Brian Kemp
ATLANTA (May 4, 2023) | Yesterday, Senate Bill 222, sponsored by Senator Max Burns (R – Sylvania) was signed by Governor Brian Kemp. This measure ensures that all costs and expenses related to election administration are allocated through lawfully appropriate public funds
Continue reading “Legislation to Address Primary and Election Funds Signed by Governor Brian Kemp”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