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Sen. Chuck Payne Appointed to Interim Committees and State Commissions

ATLANTA (May 22, 2025)—Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has appointed Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton) to serve on the following committees and commissions:

  • Career and Technical Education Advisory Commission (Co-Chairperson)
  • Education Commission of the States
  • Georgia Commission on Civics Education
  • High School Athletics Overview Committee
  • Joint Georgia Hall of Fame Authority Overview Committee
  • Joint Recreational Authorities Overview Committee
  • Southern States Energy Board

Sen. Chuck Payne spoke on the appointments, saying, “I’m grateful to Lt. Governor Burt Jones for these appointments and for his trust in me to serve. Promoting education, advancing student athletics and supporting Georgia’s parks and recreational spaces are issues I look forward to seeing reflected through these committees and commissions. These are areas where thoughtful policy can make a difference in people’s lives, and I’m honored to continue this important work on behalf of my district and the people of Georgia.”

Each appointment is effective immediately and will extend for two years, aligning with the remainder of Sen. Payne’s term in the Georgia Senate.

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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.

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Sen. Matt Brass to Tour Central Education Center with British Consul General

ATLANTA (May 19, 2025)—On Tuesday, May 20, Senate Rules Chairman Matt Brass (R–Newnan) will participate in a tour of the Central Education Center (CEC) with British Consul General Rachel Galloway. The tour will take place at the CEC’s headquarters, where CEO Mark Whitlock will provide an overview of workforce development supporting industries throughout the State of Georgia.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
  • Time: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
  • Where: 160 M.L.K. Jr. Drive, Newnan, GA 30263
  • This event is open to members of the media ONLY.

Biographies for British Consul General Rachel Galloway and CEC CEO Mark Whitlock can be found below.

Rachel Galloway – British Consul GeneralDownload
Mark Whitlock – BiographyDownload

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. Matt Brass serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules. Sen. Brass represents the 6th Senate District, which includes Coweta and Heard, as well as parts of Carroll County. He can be reached at (404) 656-0057 or by email at matt.brass@senate.ga.gov.

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

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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.

Letter_to_Attorney_General_Chris_CarrDownload

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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.

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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.

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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.