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Democratic Members of House and Senate Education Committees Hold Hearing to Discuss AP African American Studies Course

ATLANTA — Last week, Democratic members of the House and Senate Education committees convened a hearing at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building to discuss the ongoing debate surrounding the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course. These members released the following statement:

“Our hearing offered a vital platform for a diverse range of voices, including students, parents and advocacy groups, to present their perspectives on the initial denial and subsequent approval of the AP African American Studies course. Central to the discussion were concerns about the timing of the decision and the impact of legislative measures enacted in 2022. Notably, House bills 1084 and 1178, alongside Senate Bill 226, were raised as concerns for their influence on educational content.

“House bills 1084 and 1178 and Senate Bill 226, which passed along party lines in 2022, address issues related to the teaching of ‘divisive concepts’ and establish a process for the removal of books and other educational resources. The connection between these legislative actions and the recent approval of the AP African American Studies course were focal points of much of the testimony.”

The meeting included an update from the Georgia Department of Education and the College Board on the recent approval process for the African American Studies course and the surrounding issues. In response to the testimony and concerns raised, these committee members pledged to investigate the issues discussed and collaborate with the General Assembly to address any underlying problems. The committee members are committed to ensuring that educational policies are fair and equitable, ensuring that all students have access to a diverse and comprehensive curriculum. These committee members will continue to review the testimony and evidence presented during the hearing and will provide updates on their findings and any subsequent actions taken.

Democratic Members of the House and Senate Education committees who participated in the meeting include: Representatives Segun Adeyina (D-Grayson), Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia), Becky Evans (D-Atlanta), Lydia Glaize (D-Fairburn), Karlton Howard (D-Augusta), Miriam Paris (D-Macon), David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs) and Senators Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta), Donzella James (D-Atlanta), Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) and Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta).

To watch a video archive of this meeting, please click here.

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Sen. Sonya Halpern serves as Democratic Caucus Vice Chair. She represents the 39th Senate District in Fulton County which includes many neighborhoods in Atlanta, City of South Fulton, College Park, East Point and Union City. She may be reached at (494) 656-9644 or via email at sonya.halpern@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Donzella James serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs. She represents the 35th Senate District, which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties.  She may be reached by phone at 404.463.1379 or by email at donzella.james@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Elena Parent serves as Chair for the Senate Democratic Caucus. She represents the 42nd Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb County. She may be reached at her office at 404.656.5109 or by email at elena.parent@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Horacena Tate represents the 38th Senate District which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton County. She may be reached at 404.463.8053 or by email at horacena.tate@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Bo Hatchett Announces Second Meeting of Senate Study Committee on Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands in Clarkesville, Georgia

ATLANTA (August 13, 2024) — Sen. Bo Hatchett (R–Cornelia) is pleased to announce that the Senate Study Committee on Preservation of Georgia’s Farmlands will hold its second meeting at Habersham EMC in Clarkesville, Georgia, on Friday, August 30th, 2024. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and bring together state leaders, agricultural experts, and local stakeholders to discuss key issues affecting Georgia’s farming industries and land conservation efforts.

The agenda will feature updates on the state’s farming industries, discussions on the Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) Program, and the role of local governments in development and growth planning. The meeting will also include opportunities for public comment, allowing residents to share their perspectives on farmland preservation.

Sen. Hatchett, who will welcome attendees and lead the invocation, emphasized the importance of this committee’s work:

“Georgia’s farmland is not just a vital part of our economy; it’s the backbone of our communities and heritage. This study committee has the critical task of exploring ways to protect these lands for future generations while balancing growth and development needs. Bringing this meeting to Clarkesville highlights our work’s local impact and statewide significance.”

Bryan Ferguson, President and CEO of Habersham EMC, will host the meeting, including presentations from representatives of the Georgia Poultry Federation, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), among others.

You can find more information regarding this study committee here.

An updated agenda and media advisory will be sent out at a later date.

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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.

For all media inquiries, please email SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

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Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence to Hold Third Meeting

ATLANTA (August 12, 2024) — On Wednesday, August 14th,2024, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence, chaired by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell), will hold its third hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Trilith Studios, Roam at Trilith, 210 Trilith Pkwy Suite 100, Fayatteville, GA 30214
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The committee is tasked with promoting responsible innovation, competition, and collaboration in public and private sectors, which will allow Georgia to be a leader in ensuring that such technology will advance in a way that enforces the existing consumer protection laws and principles for its citizens while enacting any additional appropriate safeguards against, fraud, unintended bias, discrimination, infringements on privacy, and other potential harms from AI.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at senatepressinquiries@senate.ga.gov. 

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb, and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

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Senator Larry Walker Elected to NCOIL Executive Committee

ATLANTA (August 8, 2024) — Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) recently attended the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) 2024 Summer Meeting in Costa Mesa, California. The event, which gathered 344 participants, including 66 legislators from 30 states, featured robust discussions on a variety of insurance-related topics and saw the development and continuation of several model laws.  In addition, Sen. Walker was elected to the organization’s Executive Committee.

Sen. Walker highlighted the importance of these gatherings, stating, “NCOIL meetings provide a crucial platform for legislators to collaborate on significant insurance issues that affect all states, share best practices and develop effective model legislation that benefits both consumers and the insurance market. I’m proud to contribute to these important discussions and to play a role in crafting insurance legislation for consideration by state legislative bodies across the nation.”

Key topics covered included insurers’ use of aerial images when underwriting properties, regulation of third-party litigation financing, preventive medicine, earned wage access providers, value-based purchasing agreements, and health care facility site-neutral payment reforms. Additionally, discussions on the NCOIL Mental Health Parity Model Act and the establishment of Catastrophe Savings Accounts were continued.

NCOIL is a national legislative organization composed of legislators from all 50 states, principally those serving on their states’ insurance and financial institutions committees. Founded in 1969, NCOIL aims to create model laws in insurance and financial services, preserve state jurisdiction over insurance as established by the McCarran-Ferguson Act, and serve as an educational forum for public policymakers and interested parties. The organization works to assert the prerogative of legislators in making state policy on insurance and educate state legislators on current and longstanding insurance issues.

**Attached is a photo for your use.**

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and 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.

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Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (August 7, 2024) — On Tuesday, August 13,2024, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, chaired by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Georgia Forestry Association Headquarters, 551 North Frontage Road, Forsyth, GA 31029
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee will examine how public policy can encourage investment in facilities that create sustainable manufacturing components, practices, and energy derived from Georgia-grown products. The first meeting of this committee will include a market overview and discussion of challenges currently facing the forestry industry in our state.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at senatepressinquiries@senate.ga.gov.  

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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.