Posted on

Senators Albers and Payne Announce Joint Senate Committee Meeting to Discuss Artificial Intelligence

ATLANTA (August 21, 2023) | Today, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Senator John Albers (R – Roswell), and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Chuck Payne (R – Dalton), announced plans to host a joint committee meeting concerning the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This meeting will take place on November 1, 2023 and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.in room 450 of the State Capitol.

“I want to commend Chairman Albers and Payne for their proactive work on this important issue,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Artificial Intelligence is evolving rapidly and it is important for us to analyze current and future AI practices. We must look at the pros, cons and potential unintended consequences of AI and I look forward to the work of this Senate joint committee.”

“AI may be one of the greatest disruptors in history providing significant advancements and monumental risk,” said Sen. Albers. “We must address this head on to protect our citizens, businesses, and state.”

“As Chairman of the Senate Science and Technology Committee, I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Chairman Albers and the Public Safety Committee, as to best address real concerns related to advances in artificial intelligence and to mitigate any risks facing the citizens of our state,” said Sen. Payne.

This joint committee will bring industry experts to the table with the goal of analyzing current and projected future artificial intelligence practices. The committee aims to pave a path forward as the sector continues to grow throughout a multitude of platforms both in Georgia and across the nation.

More information and an agenda for this meeting will be sent at a later date.

# # # #

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

Sen. Chuck Payne serves as the Chairman for the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. 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.

Posted on

MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate President Pro Tempore to Formally Announce Leader in Me Statewide Pilot Program

ATLANTA (August 18, 2023) | On Wednesday, August 23, Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R – Macon), along with Legislative Leaders and members of the Georgia Board of Education, will formally announce the launch of the Leader in Me statewide pilot program following a student-led tour of one of Macon’s Leader In Me Schools, Vineville Academy of the Arts. The announcement comes after the expansion of the Leader in Me model under the Amended FY2023 Budget.

Leader in Me is an evidence-based Pre-K-12 model, developed in partnership with educators, designed to build resilience and leadership in students, create a high-trust school culture, and help improve academic achievement.

The student-centric curriculum aims to foster leadership skills, character development and personal growth in students and is implemented in schools to empower students with the necessary tools to thrive academically and in their personal lives. It is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and goal-setting skills. Students learn to take responsibility for their actions, set and work towards personal and academic goals, and develop a strong sense of self-confidence and self-efficacy.

The model’s success in Macon-Bibb County began during the 2015-2016 school year when Macon’s Business Education Partnership raised funds to implement the Leader in Me program within two pilot schools. The positive outcomes and transformative impact led to its expansion countywide in 2018 and is the reasoning behind the statewide expansion initiatives announced earlier this month.

WHO:               Senator John F. Kennedy (R – Macon), Representative Robert Dickey (R – Musella), Members of the State Board of Education

WHAT:              Tour of Leader in Me Pilot School, Vineville Academy of the Arts, and formal announcement of Leader in Me Statewide Pilot Program

WHEN:             Tour of Vineville Academy of the Arts

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 1:30PM

Press Conference to be held following the school tour at 2:30PM                       


WHERE:            Vineville Academy of the Arts

2260 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA, 31204

**Members of the media who wish to attend should RSVP to Charlie Barrett by email at Charlie.Barrett@senate.ga.gov

A link to Senator Kennedy’s full statement regarding this initiative can be found here.

# # # #

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, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov

Posted on

Hispanic Legislative Caucus Holds First Official Meeting

ATLANTA (August 18, 2023) | This week, the Georgia General Assembly Hispanic Legislative Caucus held its first official meeting at the Latin American Association (LAA) Atlanta Outreach Center. The LAA is the oldest and largest Latino-serving nonprofit organization. Founded in 1972, the LAA has become the region’s leading agency representing Georgia’s Latino issues. The LAA offers a targeted menu of direct services that helps Latino individuals assimilate and become contributing members of Georgia’s community.  General Assembly members in attendance included: Hispanic Caucus Chairman Senator Jason Anavitarte (R – Dallas), Vice-Chairman Representative Pedro Marin (D – Duluth), Senator Jason Esteves (D – Atlanta), Representative Stephen Sainz (R – St. Marys), Representative Saira Draper (D – Atlanta), Representative Raynaldo Martinez (R – Loganville), and Representative Phil Olaleye (D – Atlanta).

“This meeting was another historic step for the Hispanic legislative caucus as we had our first meeting to discuss issues that impact Georgia’s Hispanic community and elect our Executive Committee,” said Sen. Anavitarte “I look forward to working with this group and the rest of the General Assembly as we collaborate on ideas for the future of Hispanic families across Georgia.”

“Building stronger ties with the Latino community has long been a personal commitment of mine,” said Rep. Marin. “I am very honored and humbled to have been elected Vice-Chair of this Historic Caucus and I look forward to continuing our relationship to create new opportunities for all Georgians.”

The committee aims to build relationships and bring fresh perspectives to General Assembly members with ties to Georgia’s Hispanic community.

####

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

Posted on

Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce to Hold Third Meeting

ATLANTA (August 18, 2023) | On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce, chaired by Senator John Albers (R – Roswell), will be holding its third meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Kia Assembly Plant in West Point, Georgia. The Senate Study Committee was created pursuant to Senate Resolution 275, sponsored by Sen. Albers, which passed during the 2023 Legislative Session with bipartisan support. This committee was established to fulfill one of Lt. Governor Burt Jones priorities for the 2023 session. The committee is comprised of both legislative and non-legislative members: Sen. Albers as Chairman, Sen. Brandon Beach (R – Alpharetta), Sen. Jason Esteves (D – Atlanta), Sen. Sonya Halpern (D – Atlanta), Sen. Billy Hickman (R – Statesboro), Champ Bailey, Joseph McDermott, Ryan Pernice, Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier, Dave Williams, and Daniela Perry. The study committee will hold three more meetings throughout the remainder of the year, with a schedule of meetings located on the committee website listed below.

WHO:               Sen. John Albers, Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce

                        Senate Study Committee Members

                        Representatives from a wide range of Georgia industries

WHAT:              Third meeting of the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce

WHEN:             Tuesday, August 22, 2023

10:00 a.m. 

WHERE:            Kia Georgia Training Center

900 KIA Blvd

West Point, Georgia

WEBSITE URL: https://www.expandinggeorgiasworkforcestudy.com/

# # # #

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

Posted on

First Meeting of the 2023 Senate Study Committee on Foster Care and Adoption to be Held at State Capitol

ATLANTA (August 8, 2023) | On Wednesday, August 9, the Senate Study Committee on Foster Care and Adoption, chaired by Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R – Marietta), will hold its first meeting of the year in room 450 of the State Capitol. This committee will examine current policies and regulations which address the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to the safety and welfare of Georgia’s children.

WHO:               Senate Study Committee on Foster Care and Adoption

WHAT:              First Meeting

WHEN:             Wednesday, August 9

10:00am

WHERE:           206 Washington Street

                        450 State Capitol

                        Atlanta, Georgia 30334

The meeting agenda can be found here. The meeting will be livestreamed here.

# # # #

Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families. She represents Senate District 32 which includes portions of Cobb and Cherokee Counties. She may be reached at 404.656.3932 or at kay.kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov