Posted on

Broadband Expansion Among Bills to be Signed Today

ATLANTA (April 26, 2019) | Today, April 26, Governor Kemp will sign Senate Bills 2, 17, 66 and 79, sponsored by Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega), as well as House Bill 454 which was carried in the Senate by Sen. Gooch. Senate Bills 2, 17 and 66 address expanding access to broadband, SB 79 removes the word “mechanical” from the phrase “mechanical multiple message signs” in current law regarding messaging signs on Georgia roads to reduce distractions for drivers and HB 454 outlines restrictions on and use of electric assisted bicycles.

WHAT:             Signing of Senate Bills 2, 17, 66, 79 and House Bill 454

WHO:               Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

WHEN:             Friday, April 26, 2019

1:30 p.m.

WHERE:         The University of North Georgia – Library Technology Center, Third Floor

122 Thompson Cir SW

Dahlonega, GA 30597

For the full text of Senate Bill 2, follow this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/SB/2

For the full text of Senate Bill 17, follow this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/SB/17

For the full text of Senate Bill 66, follow this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/SB/66

For the full text of Senate Bill 79, follow this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20192020/SB/79

For the full text of House Bill 454, follow this link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20192020/HB/454

# ###

For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2019

Annie Wimbush, Communications Associate
annie.wimbush@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

 

 

Posted on

“Georgia’s Hope Act” Signed into Law

ATLANTA (April 19, 2019) | House Bill 324, also known as “Georgia’s Hope Act” was signed into law on Wednesday. Sen. Matt Brass (R – Newnan) carried the bill in the Senate and was present for the bill signing.

“This day has been years in the making and would not have been possible without the efforts of those who served before us who paved the way for access to low THC oil,” said Sen. Brass. “With the signing of this bill, we are sending a strong message that we will not let fear get in the way of doing what is right. I have heard countless hours of testimony first-hand as to how the passage of this bill will improve the lives of citizens throughout our state. Georgia’s parents now have more flexibility in how they provide medical care for their children and patients now have access to treatment methods to ease their suffering previously unavailable to them. Without the hard work and attention of Gov. Kemp, Lt. Governor Duncan, my colleagues in the Senate and the House, and countless other individuals who took the time to discuss this issue with us, this bill might not have been signed today. I look forward to witnessing the benefits this bill will bring to patients across our state.”

HB 324 would create a five-member Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the sale of low-THC cannabis oil to Georgians who are registered patients suffering from designated diagnoses. The proposed commission would be in charge of obtaining the oil, issuing licenses for the production, growing, manufacturing and dispensing of the low THC oil. Under HB 324, The University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University would be able to apply for federal licenses to grow marijuana for the purpose of converting it into cannabis oil for research. Additionally, the state Board of Pharmacy would be allowed to license pharmacies interested in selling oil to registered patients.

Sen. Brass served as a Co-Chairman of the Joint Study Commission on Access to Low THC Medical Oil which met throughout the interim to hear from doctors, patients, parents and other stakeholders involved in the low THC oil industry.

# # # #

For Immediate Release:
April 19, 2019

Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

 

Posted on

Sen. Lester Jackson Leads Effort to Rename “Freedom Creek”

 

ATLANTA (April 18, 2019) | This week, it was announced that the United States Board of Geographic Names approved to change the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” near Savannah to “Freedom Creek.” Sen. Lester Jackson (D – Savannah) sponsored Senate Resolution 685 last year encouraging the Board of Geographic Names to rename the creek.

“After years of work with my colleagues in the General Assembly, the citizens of Savannah and our partners at the federal level, I am pleased that we have finally accomplished our goal of changing the name of “Runaway Negro Creek” to “Freedom Creek”, said Sen. Jackson. “For years, we have heard complaints about this culturally insensitive name and I am proud that its new name is more reflective of what this creek actually meant for so many: freedom. I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making this change possible and I look forward to seeing the effect this new name will have on the community.”

The move to rename “Runaway Negro Creek” began after a public interest meeting during the summer of 2017. Residents in Senate District 2 shared concerns that its current name is culturally insensitive and suggested changing the name to Freedom Creek to more accurately depict the history of the area.

 

# # # #

For Immediate Release:
April 18, 2019

Andrew Allison, Broadcast Specialist
andrew.allison@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028