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Williams: Week One Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Rick Williams (R–Milledgeville)

The 2024 Legislative Session is underway, marking the beginning of my renewed commitment to serving the 25th Senate District. Each session brings its own set of opportunities and challenges, but I want to assure you that your needs and concerns will always be my top priority beneath the Gold Dome.

Convening on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, the Second Session of the 157th Georgia General Assembly promises to be a busy and productive season. I am eager to champion and support various pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing the quality of life in our district and making Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family.

A noteworthy event this week was the joint session of the Georgia Senate and the House of Representatives in the House chamber. We gathered to listen to Governor Brian P. Kemp’s annual State of the State Address, where he outlined his priorities for the upcoming legislative session. As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement, I am pleased with the increased allocation of funds to state retirees. I commend the Governor for prioritizing workforce funding, pay raises for law enforcement and state employees, and crucial updates to state technology.

In my role as a funeral director, I consistently prioritize authoring and supporting positive legislation for the funeral industry. Senate Bill 205, heard and unanimously passed in the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities this week, is a significant step. This bill allows funeral directors with lapsed licenses to apply for reinstatement, and its next hurdle is the Senate Committee on Rules.

Looking ahead, the focus shifts to budget hearings next week. The Senate and House will devote their time to discussions on the Fiscal Year 2024 amended budget and the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Recognized as the most critical week of the session, Budget Week is our constitutional obligation under the Georgia State Constitution.

These upcoming months promise to be both busy and eventful as we strive for a better and brighter Georgia. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions, comments, or concerns throughout this session. Together, let’s work towards a thriving future for our state.

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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.

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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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WILLIAMS: An Update From Under the Gold Dome – Week Twelve

By: Senator Rick Williams (R – Milledgeville)

The 2023 Georgia Legislative Session has finally concluded 40 Legislative Days under the Gold Dome with many late nights and topics up for debate on the Senate floor. There were a multitude of measures passed during our final two days of session, with a few items of note.

This week, the Georgia General Assembly fulfilled our constitutional obligation by adopting the Conference Committee report for House Bill 19, passing the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. This balanced $32.4 billion dollar budget funds 100% of the HOPE scholarship, offers raises to state employees, and further supports the needs of our vital state agencies. Both chambers worked hard to carefully craft this budget and reconcile differences. I am appreciative of the hard work by the entire Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office.

House Bill 121, which was carried by Sen. John Kennedy (R – Macon) also passed this week. This legislation would prohibit wakeboarding or wake surfing on certain Georgia waters between sunset and sunrise within 200 feet of any moored vessel. These activities would not be permitted within 200 feet of docks, piers, or public swimming areas. In addition, this measure would not apply to intracoastal waterways, rivers, or private lakes. I was glad to see the Senate promote safety for Georgians should they choose to partake in these adventurous activities.

Further, my legislation, Senate Bill 129 reached final passage and has been sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature. This bill would make it easier for people to take time off work to participate in early voting by extending the window of opportunity for employees to request two hours off to vote. I appreciate the General Assembly for coming together to further empower Georgians to participate in one of the most important civic duties.

As I head back to the 25th Senate District upon our adjournment of the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, I cannot help but to reflect on the thankfulness I feel to have the privilege to serve the people of Georgia. I look forward to continuing to push for positive change across the state and I am honored to have your trust. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about matters relating to the Georgia Senate, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office as my door is always open.  

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Sen. Rick Williams serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents Senate District 25, which includes Jasper, Jones, Putnam, and Baldwin Counties and portions of Henry and Bibb Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.0082 or rick.williams@senate.ga.gov.

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WILLIAMS: An Update From Under the Gold Dome – Week Ten

By: Sen. Rick Williams (R – Milledgeville)
The 2023 Georgia Legislative Session enters its final stretch, with five legislative days left under the Gold Dome. There were 18 measures passed after meticulous consideration by the Georgia State Senate during our tenth week of session, with a few bills of note that pertain to the wellbeing of children and families.

House Bill 460, carried by Sen. Matt Brass (R – Newnan) would guarantee dependent children who are represented by court appointed counsel be represented in legitimation matters in which the child is the subject of the case. Children deserve to have every opportunity for success in cases such as this, and I appreciate the Senate for coming together to pass this bipartisan legislation unanimously on Thursday.

In addition, House Bill 147, carried by Sen. Mike Hodges (R – Brunswick), is also known as the “Safe Schools Act.” This bill would require school safety plans to be submitted to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency by December 31, 2023. Additionally, it also requires that public schools participate and complete intruder alert drills by October 1, of each year. Furthermore, it would allow parents or guardians to opt their child out of such drills should they decide to do so. With criminal activity targeting school systems on the rise, it is important that we take steps such as this to keep the state’s most vulnerable safe as they work towards an education.

Further, I am happy to report that my legislation regarding primaries and elections in the state, Senate Bill 129, has been favorably reported by substitute out of the House Committee on Governmental Affairs. This legislation would require that employers allow two hours of time off for their employees to advance vote during election season. Currently, individuals can take this time on Election Day only, and this bill aims to broaden the opportunities for those who choose to participate in one of the most important civic duties we are tasked with in the United States. SB 129 has been sent to the House Committee on Rules for the opportunity to go to the House floor for a vote and I look forward to updating you on its progress in the coming days.

As we approach Legislative Days 36 through 38 of the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, I assure you that we are keeping the interest of Georgia’s citizens in mind through each decision that is made. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about matters relating to the Georgia Senate, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.

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Sen. Rick Williams serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents Senate District 25, which includes Jasper, Jones, Putnam, and Baldwin Counties and portions of Henry and Bibb Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.0082 or rick.williams@senate.ga.gov.