ATLANTA (May 2, 2025) — Today, Sen. RaShaun Kemp (D–Atlanta) proudly announced that his first piece of legislation, Senate Bill 93, has officially been signed into law by Governor Brian P. Kemp. The law tasks the Georgia Professional Standards Commission with establishing rules requiring evidence-based reading instruction aligned with the science of reading.
Continue reading “Sen. RaShaun Kemp Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Improve Student Literacy”Sen. Jason Anavitarte Applauds Signing of ‘Ricky and Alyssa’s Law’ Into Law, Strengthening School Safety
ATLANTA (April 28, 2025) — Today, Senator Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) applauded Governor Brian P. Kemp’s signing of House Bill 268, a critical measure to enhance emergency response systems and strengthen school safety protections across Georgia.
In addition to the mobile panic alert systems and mapping requirements, HB 268 contains a portion of legislation, known as “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” which tasks the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) with creating uniform guidelines for implementing panic alert technology and coordinating verified threat responses statewide.
The legislation honors Richard “Ricky” William Aspinwall, the defense coordinator at Apalachee High School who was tragically killed during a shooting there in September 2024, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who lost her life during the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Similar legislation bearing Alyssa’s name, known as “Alyssa’s Law,” has already been enacted in New Jersey, Florida, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, and Oklahoma.
“Today, Georgia sends a clear message that we will not wait for another tragedy to act,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “By signing HB 268, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure every school has the tools needed to respond in an emergency and protect the lives of students, teachers, and staff. Moments matter, and this law gives our schools the ability to summon help without delay. I am incredibly grateful to Governor Kemp, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and the families who courageously advocated for this critical reform.”
HB 268, sponsored in the House by Rep. Holt Persinger (R–Winder), passed with overwhelming bipartisan support during the 2025 legislative session. The new law requires every public school in Georgia to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of immediately connecting with local and state emergency services. Schools must also provide digital mapping data to first responders, ensuring faster, more coordinated responses during emergencies. HB 268 also supports mental health programs, suicide prevention and youth violence reduction.
“Protecting Georgia’s children is a sacred responsibility,” Sen. Anavitarte continued. “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law honors two lives lost far too soon and turns heartbreak into action. It is a promise to every family in Georgia that when it comes to the safety of our schools, we will lead with urgency, compassion and resolve.”
HB 268 will officially take effect on July 1, 2025. You can find more information about it here.
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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 31st Senate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County. He may be reached via email at Jason.Anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Larry Walker III Announces Funding to Improve Runway Lighting at Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Airport
ATLANTA (April 29, 2025) — Senator Larry Walker III (R–Perry) today announced that the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Airport will receive more than $165,000 in state funding to rehabilitate its primary runway lighting system. The funding is part of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) FY25 Airport Aid Program.
The project will upgrade the lighting along Runway 10-28, enhancing pilot safety and reliability and improving airport operations. The total project cost is estimated at $221,222.85, with the Department’s contract providing $165,917.14 in state funds. The City of Hawkinsville will contribute a local match of $55,305.71.
“This investment is critical for the future of Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Airport and the entire community it serves,” said Sen. Walker. “Upgrading the runway lighting ensures pilots have access to safe and reliable facilities, which in turn supports local economic development, emergency services and connectivity for our region. I appreciate the continued partnership between state and local leaders to keep our rural airports strong.”
Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood, LLC will conduct construction inspections and testing. GDOT’s District Engineer and Materials Research Engineer teams will support the project, with services charged to the Capital Outlay–Airport Aid Program.
For more information about Georgia’s Airport Aid Program, visit www.dot.ga.gov.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski and Wilcox counties, as well as portions of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-0095 or by email at Larry.Walker@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Greg Dolezal Applauds Signing of ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025’ into Law
ATLANTA (April 28, 2025) — Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 1, the “Riley Gaines Act of 2025,” into law. This measure, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming), requires all public schools, participating private schools and public colleges in Georgia to designate sports teams as male, female or coed based on biological sex. It also prohibits biological males from competing on female teams and restricts access to restrooms, changing areas and overnight accommodations based on biological sex.
Continue reading “Sen. Greg Dolezal Applauds Signing of ‘Riley Gaines Act of 2025’ into Law”Sen. Chuck Payne Applauds Signing of Comprehensive Tort Reform Legislation by Governor Kemp
ATLANTA (April 22, 2025)—Yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bills 68 and 69 into law, marking a major step forward in Georgia’s ongoing effort to strengthen its civil justice system and protect consumers from abusive litigation practices. Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) carried the bills in the Senate on behalf of Governor Kemp, who named tort reform his top legislative priority for the 2025 session.
SB 68 enacts comprehensive tort reform, including changes to negligent security liability, apportionment of fault, and damages in civil cases, to curb “nuclear verdicts” and reduce the burden of frivolous lawsuits on small businesses. Complementing this effort, SB 69, the Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act, targets the growing influence of Third-Party Litigation Financing (TPLF) by requiring these entities to register with the state, banning foreign-affiliated financiers from operating in Georgia, and increasing public transparency through open access to registration records.
“For Dalton and Whitfield County, where manufacturing is not just an industry but a way of life, these reforms mean stability, opportunity and continued investment in our community,” said Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton). “Together, Senate Bills 68 and 69 reinforce Georgia’s standing as the No. 1 state for business by creating a predictable, transparent legal environment that supports job growth. I am proud to have cosponsored these pieces of legislation, and I am thankful for the support of Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy in getting these measures across the finish line.”
For more information about Senate Bill 68, click here. For more information about Senate Bill 69, click here.
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Sen. Chuck Payne serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Whitfield and Murray County as well as part of Gordon County. He may be reached at 404.463.5402 or by email at Chuck.Payne@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.