ATLANTA (Feb. 6, 2024) — Tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 7, Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Atlanta) will hold a press conference with self-advocates, family members and service providers for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to urge the Georgia General Assembly to get the work done to fully support Georgians with IDD.
Continue reading “Sen. Sally Harrell and Advocates to Hold Press Conference to Get the Work Done for the IDD Community”Ginn: Weeks Three & Four Under the Gold Dome
By: Sen. Frank Ginn (R–Athens)
Four weeks have elapsed, marking the completion of one-quarter of the 2024 Legislative Session. While I find encouragement in the progress made by the state legislature, it’s essential to remain mindful that a substantial workload still lies ahead, impacting both Georgians and the constituents of the 47th District.
I proudly presented Senate Bill 435, titled the “Infrastructure and Community Development Act,” to my Senate colleagues. The bill swiftly found its way to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities. My confidence in this bill stems from several factors. First, it promotes community development statewide, and second, it enjoys bipartisan support. I eagerly anticipate continuing my leadership role in the efforts to advance infrastructure initiatives throughout our state.
Additionally, I introduced Senate Resolution 533. This legislation addresses critical concerns related to community development, economic growth and local governance, all of which directly affect our constituents and the overall well-being of our state. It empowers citizens to actively engage in legislative efforts that shape the future of their communities and the state.
During our fourth week, I had the honor of joining Governor Brian P. Kemp and fellow members of the Georgia General Assembly for the signing of House Bill 30. This legislation, championed by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy, represents a significant step forward in providing essential protections for Georgia’s Jewish community. By officially defining antisemitism for purposes including hate crime prosecution and discrimination cases, this bipartisan effort demonstrates the state’s unwavering support for its Jewish population, particularly in the face of a troubling surge in antisemitism nationwide. After three years of dedicated work, it is time for Georgians to celebrate this landmark legislative victory.
I look forward to the continued progress that we, as a district, will make over the next legislative week. With legislation both in committee and prepared for a vote on the Senate floor, I am confident that the 47th Senate District will continue to reap the benefits of this legislative body’s hard work.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Jackson County Leadership Group for visiting me at the Capitol. It was my privilege to recognize all 24 group members in the Senate chamber. There is absolutely nothing more important than recognizing this state’s future leaders.
With that in mind, I want to invite students between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve as a Capitol Page. I encourage any students interested in the legislative process who want to spend a day at our Capitol to apply for our program using the link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/staffing.
Please never hesitate to contact my office regarding any legislative matter. I look forward to assisting you as the 2024 Legislative Session continues.
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Sen. Frank Ginn serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on State and Local Governmental Operations. He represents the 47th Senate District which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson Count. He can be reached at 404.656.4700 or by email at frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov
Senate Passes Bill Revising Public School Employee Retirement System
ATLANTA (Feb. 1, 2024) – On Wednesday, Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) celebrated the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 105, which would revise the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees in the Public-School Employees Retirement System.
With its passage, current and future Public-School retirees will see the minimum monthly retirement payment increase to $17 — multiplied by the “member’s years of credible service.” This increase represents a jump of more than $2 per year worked as Public-School Employees before retirement, contributing a significant take-home financial increase for Georgia Public-School Employees that are currently receiving retirement benefits and those that will in the future.
“Taking charge of the retirement benefits of our Public-School Employees to make sure that those individuals can contribute and save for their futures is a key priority, and having this bill pass is a positive step,” said Sen. Walker. “Georgia school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and maintenance workers have by and large been left behind compared to everything we’ve done for teachers. I am looking forward to seeing the progression of this bill through the remainder of the legislative process and these much-needed changes made for the benefit of one of the most deserving sectors of our state.”
SB 105 passed by a vote of 49 to 1, following its favorable report from the Senate Committee on Retirement.
Read the full text of the legislation here.
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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 all of Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a large portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Jason Anavitarte Introduces Legislation to Ban Foreign Adversaries from Possessing Georgia Land
ATLANTA (Feb. 1, 2024) – This week, Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) introduced Senate Bill 420, which would prohibit foreign adversaries from acquiring through purchase, lease or “any possessory interest” agricultural land or land within 25 miles of a military installation.
The bill was presented, read on the Senate floor, and will now proceed to the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
“Georgia’s military installations are currently vulnerable to foreign adversaries, a crisis that could be exacerbated by a single bad actor at any moment,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “This Bill, its regulations and penalties aims to prevent that scenario by limiting the exposure experienced by Georgia’s agricultural land and these military installations. Alongside the other 33 sponsors of this Bill, I am pleased to see it make progress toward becoming a law.”
SB 420 includes language and regulations regarding currently held interests, residential properties, and the current economic importance of agricultural product testing sites.
Read the full text of the legislation here.
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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.
House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration and Senator Clint Dixon Applaud Senate Passage of Mulberry Cityhood Bill
ATLANTA – House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration (R-Auburn) and Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett) applauded today’s passage by the Senate of SB 333, legislation to create the City of Mulberry in northeastern Gwinnett County. If passed in the House and signed by the Governor, SB 333 would place the question of cityhood on the spring primary ballot for residents in the proposed city.
Continue reading “House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration and Senator Clint Dixon Applaud Senate Passage of Mulberry Cityhood Bill”