Sen. Islam Parkes Sends Letter to Georgia Attorney General Seeking Answers for Georgia Families

ATLANTA (May 16, 2025) — Today, Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Duluth) formally requested a legal opinion from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr on how Georgia’s abortion law applies in circumstances where the mother is deemed medically brain dead.

Sen. Islam Parkes cited recent news reports detailing the case of Adriana Smith, a Georgia woman who was declared brain dead and is being kept on life support due to her pregnancy. The letter raises questions about whether Georgia law requires life support to be continued under such circumstances, even without the consent of the woman’s family.

The full letter is available below.

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Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District including a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached at (404) 463-5263 or by email at nabilah.islam@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Ed Harbison Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Protect Georgia’s Active-Duty Service Members

ATLANTA (May 16, 2025) – Last week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 109 into law—a measure authored by Sen. Harbison (D–Columbus) to safeguard life insurance coverage for Georgia’s active-duty service members.

The new law, written following the death of Sgt. Brandon Tyrese Fraiser, prohibits group life insurance policies from excluding or restricting coverage solely because the insured is serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, unless the death results directly from an act of war or related hazard.

“As a former Marine and a long-time advocate for our veterans and service members, I’ve always believed that those who serve our nation with honor should never face undue barriers—especially when it comes to something as essential as life insurance. It was extraordinarily moving to witness this legislation be signed into law alongside the late Sgt. Fraiser’s father and family members,” said Sen. Harbison. “SB 109 offers critical financial protection to Georgia’s military families and ensures our service members are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve. I want to thank Gov. Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, my senate colleagues, and my fellow servicemen and women for their hard work in getting this legislation signed.”

SB 109 received unanimous passage in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly. Sen. Harbison has consistently aimed to prioritize legislation that honors the service and sacrifices of military families throughout his tenure in the Georgia State Senate.

More information on SB 109 is available here.

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Sen. Ed Harbison serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on State Institutions and Property. He represents the 15th Senate District, which includes Chattahoochee, Macon, Marion, Schley, Talbot and Taylor counties, as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached at (404) 656-0074 or via email at Ed.Harbison@senate.ga.gov.

For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Jason Anavitarte Issues Statement on the Passing of John Dean

ATLANTA (May 14, 2025) — Today, Senator Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) issued a statement on the passing of John Dean:

“Today, Jennifer and I are saddened by the passing of John Dean, a beloved member of our Paulding County community who did so much for our churches, schools, kids and countless citizens. John and I were elected to the Paulding County School Board together in 2018 as outsiders, to fight for kids and teachers across our county. One thing about John Dean is that he always put people first, and in his heart, he did what was best for our community without wavering one day. John was a U.S. Marine and lived those ideals daily as a war veteran who saw the best of America. He always shared those values with my family and countless others across West Georgia. On behalf of Jennifer and I, the Georgia Senate, and the Paulding County Legislative Delegation, we will be praying for his wife Sandra and the entire Dean family in the days to come. God bless.”

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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. Randy Robertson Ranked Among Georgia’s Most Effective Lawmakers During 2023-2024 Biennium

ATLANTA (May 13, 2025) — Majority Whip Sen. Randy Robertson (R–Cataula) was recently recognized as one of the most effective legislators in the Georgia General Assembly during the 2023-2024 Legislative Biennium, according to a nonpartisan evaluation conducted by the Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA). The report assigned Sen. Robertson an effectiveness score of 3.11, more than three times the legislative average of 1.0.

Sen. Robertson reflected on the recognition and reaffirmed his dedication to the constituents of Senate District 29, “I’m proud to see our work acknowledged. But more than just a number, this rating represents my continued commitment to delivering real results for the people I serve. I’m especially proud of the passage and signing of Senate Bill 159, which prohibits wireless communications and stand-alone electronic devices behind guard lines in our correctional institutions. I’m also pleased to have successfully advanced SB 37, SB 63, SB 92, SB 95, SB 332, SB 342, SB 424, and SB 517. Fighting for Georgians and producing tangible outcomes remains my top priority, and I’m honored to work alongside my colleagues in the Senate to make that happen.”

The CLA’s annual effectiveness report assesses all state lawmakers based on key indicators that measure their ability to sponsor, advance and pass legislation through the General Assembly. Criteria include the number of bills a legislator sponsors, how far those bills progress through the legislative process and how many ultimately become law.

More information on the CLA can be found here.

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Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Majority Whip of Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 29, which includes Harris, Meriwether, and Troup Counties and a portion of Muscogee County. He can be reached at 404.656.0045 or at randy.robertson@senate.ga.gov

For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Billy Hickman Applauds Signing of Dignity and Pay Act into Law

ATLANTA (May 6, 2025) — Last week, Senate Bill 55, the “Dignity and Pay Act,” was signed into law by Governor Brian P. Kemp. This measure, sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro), will prevent companies from paying employees with disabilities a subminimum wage and give a timeline for companies currently paying less than minimum wage to follow in phasing out the practice.

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