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Senator Shelly Echols Announces Retirement from Georgia State Senate

ATLANTA (March 8, 2024) — Sen. Shelly Echols (R–Gainesville) of Hall County announced today she will retire from service as a member of the Georgia State Senate.

“Serving the constituents of State Senate District 49 has been a tremendous experience and a true honor. Drew and I are blessed to have two children, Chloe, and Cohen,” said Sen. Echols. “While Chloe is off at college, Cohen is a high schooler with Down Syndrome and still at home; and although I feel called to public service, I have realized over the past two years that my highest calling is being a mother to two of the most important people in my life. For the past sixteen years my duty as a mom has been to provide the structure Cohen needs to live a successful and productive life. I am looking forward to having more time available to spend with my children and family once I fulfill my term in the Senate. Drew has done a phenomenal job maintaining the structure in our home in my absence; but it is time for me to let someone else take the reins in Senate District 49 so that I can be home and focus on being a mom.”

Sen. Echols looks forward to serving out the remainder of her term in the State Senate where she serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2022.

In addition, she serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and a member of the Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism, Finance, Health and Human Services, and Administrative Affairs.

Sen. Echols, a Gainesville native, attended Gainesville College and North Georgia College & State University (currently UNG), obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. Sen. Echols began her career as a high school social studies teacher before joining her father’s business, Daniel’s Charters, where she served as the Director of Human Services. In 2007, she began her own business planning education-based field trips for schools across the state, Daniel’s Educational Tours. In 2018, Sen. Echols was elected as the Hall County Commissioner representing District 3. During her tenure, she worked to increase worker pay and benefits along with upgrading parks in the community.

Sen. Echols is active in her community, serving on the board of Choices Pregnancy Care Center in Gainesville as well as the Avita Community Partners Board of Directors. She is married to Drew Echols, local businessman and farmer. They have two children: Chloe and Cohen.

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Sen. Shelly Echols serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting. She represents the 49th Senate District which includes Hall County. She can be reached by phone at 404.463.1317 or by email at shelly.echols@senate.ga.gov.

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Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon to Hold Press Conference on the “School Supplies for Teachers Act”

ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) — Tomorrow, March 7, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) will be holding a press conference alongside Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth Sen. Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett), Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robbins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council on Literacy Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.”

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Sen. Sally Harrell Files “Georgia Good Faith Grant Act” Comprehensive Needs-Based Scholarship to Expand Access to Higher Education

ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) – Today, Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) announced a bipartisan effort to expand access to post-secondary education for Georgia students. Senate Bill 526, the “Good Faith Grant Act,” co-sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta), creates a comprehensive needs-based scholarship program for Georgia students that qualify for college admissions, but might not qualify for the Hope Scholarship. Georgia is one of just a few states that does not have a needs-based scholarship program.

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Hatchett: Week Eight Under the Gold Dome

By: Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia)

As the week progressed, the Senate achieved a significant milestone with the completion of “Crossover Day” on February 29th. This day marks the deadline for all Senate bills to cross over to the House chamber and vice versa. Throughout the 2024 Legislative Session, Senate Republicans have experienced considerable success, advancing every priority defined by our caucus on to the House of Representatives. Despite this achievement, our dedication to serving Georgians never waned as we passed several additional bills to further our work for the benefit of this state.

I had the privilege of standing alongside my fellow majority caucus members to support various pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Georgians from domestic swatting, foreign threats and human trafficking. Notably, Senate Bill 421, which enhances penalties for false public alarms, commonly known as swatting, received unanimous approval from the Senate this week. This bipartisan effort underscores our commitment to holding swatters accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I commend my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their dedication to defending the interests of Georgians. Next, the bill will undergo further consideration by the House.

The Georgia Senate also took decisive action to safeguard Georgians from foreign adversaries, with a particular focus on protecting our farmers. I proudly supported Senate Bill 420, which prohibits certain foreign individuals and entities from acquiring possessory interests in specific land. Georgia’s agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, generating $83.6 billion annually and sustaining countless livelihoods. Given the threats posed by foreign actors, it’s imperative that we take proactive measures to safeguard our farmlands and critical areas, such as military bases. I was pleased to join Governor Brian P. Kemp in celebrating the vital contributions of Georgia’s farmers at the State Capitol this week. They work tirelessly to put food on our tables, shelter over our heads and fuel our economy.

In addition to advocating for our majority caucus’ priorities, I continued working on my individual legislative priorities. Specifically, I am proud to have sponsored multiple pieces of legislation that all focus on enhancing Georgians’ protections against criminal actions — most specifically for our children and families. Senate Bill 466 and Senate Bill 493 both address the criminal codes regarding the limitations provided to defenses in sexual exploitation of children criminal cases, and registered sexual offenders.

Our week began on a somber note following the tragic passing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia. Laken’s untimely departure has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends and the Athens community. What’s even more heartbreaking is that she was taken from us by someone here illegally who had been arrested and released back into our society multiple times. It’s alarming to think that, in Joe Biden’s America, every state has become vulnerable to crime, illegal substances and a lack of direction from federal leadership. Here in Georgia, Senate Republicans are working tirelessly to ensure that every legal citizen feels safe. I will continue the fight against careless and dangerous immigration policies in the days ahead.

Please never hesitate to contact my office if I can assist with legislative matters. I hope to see you under the Gold Dome soon as the 2024 Legislative Session continues.

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Sen. Bo Hatchett serves as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens and Towns County and portions of Hall, Jackson, and White counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.651.7745 or by email at bo.hatchett@senate.ga.gov.