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
“This measure is an important and necessary step in guaranteeing our elections are not subject to interference from third-party organizations,” said Sen. Burns. “It is vital that all funding for elections is properly allocated from the state level to limit the possibility that our state and local election workers influenced by organizations that operate on their own self-interest. I am grateful to the Georgia General Assembly, Representative Houston Gaines (R – Athens), Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Governor Brian Kemp for their continued support of this legislation.”
“I want to thank Senator Max Burns for all of his work on Senate Bill 222 and Governor Brian Kemp for signing it into law,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “This Senate led priority will ensure that elections in Georgia are supported and paid for by legal public funds, not outside parties interested in influencing our elections.”
“I was proud to support this timely legislation throughout the committee process,” said Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics Senator Rick Williams (R – Milledgeville). “This is a much needed step to ensure that our state’s elections are fair for all Georgians who choose to fulfill their civic duty when casting a ballot in Georgia.”
SB 222 further prohibits certain local governments and individuals from soliciting or accepting donations or other things of value to support election administration. It also requires that all donations from NGOs and other third-party organizations be directed through the State Board of Elections to be allocated to counties as needed.
The full text of SB 222 can be found here.
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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
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 Putman 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.