ATLANTA (November 25, 2025) — Today, Sen. Derek Mallow (D–Savannah) released the following statement on the dispute between Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) and the Chatham County Board of Commissioners:
Continue reading “Sen. Derek Mallow Issues Statement on the Dispute Between Chatham Area Transit and Chatham County Board of Commissioners”Sen. Randal Mangham to Hold Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Georgia’s Education System
ATLANTA (November 10, 2025) — On November 13, 2025, Sen. Randal Mangham (D–Stone Mountain) will hold a virtual town hall meeting to discuss the impact of the Trump administration on Georgia’s education system. Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D–Dawson), Rep. Segun Adeyina (D–Grayson), Joseph T. Fleming from the Georgia Association of Educators and Former Georgia State Representative Alisha Thomas Searcy will also serve as panelists.
Continue reading “Sen. Randal Mangham to Hold Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Georgia’s Education System”Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee to Hold Fourth Hearing
ATLANTA (November 7, 2025) — On Wednesday, November 12, the Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) and Sen. Shawn Still (R–Suwanee), will hold its fourth hearing. During the meeting, senators will evaluate the impact of phone-free schools and school AI policy.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: November 12, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Where: 450 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
- Open to the Public: The event is open to the public. The committee meeting will be live-streamed on the Senate website here.
ABOUT THE MEETING:
The bipartisan Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, created through Senate Resolution 431, will evaluate online platforms’ (i.e., social media, gaming, AI, etc.) impact on children. The study committee will also make formal recommendations for state action at its final meeting. The study committee will partner with parents, policy experts, representatives from state agencies and private organizations to determine how online protections may be improved and strengthened to ensure safer online experiences.
The study committee’s first three meetings examined how online platforms can be addictive and harmful to young people, as well as specific state policies that can result in safer online experiences. Senators also further examined the potential dangers related to the use of AI-driven chatbots in online platforms by minors.
Georgia’s “Distraction-Free Education Act” (HB 340), which passed during the 2025 legislative session, bans smartphones for public school students grades kindergarten through eight. Out of respect for these students, attendees and members of the Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee are being asked to voluntarily go without their phones for the duration of the meeting.
You can watch the replay of the study committee’s meetings on the Georgia State Senate YouTube page here.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 or by email at Sally.Harrell@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Shawn Still serves as Majority Caucus Chair. He represents the 48th Senate District, which includes portions of Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7127 or by email at Shawn.Still@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Nikki Merritt Holds GLBC Press Conference on Impacts of Federal Government Shutdown
ATLANTA (October 29, 2025) — This week, Sen. Nikki Merritt (D–Grayson), Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), held a press conference with fellow caucus members and legislative colleagues to discuss impacts of the government shutdown on the state of Georgia.
“The federal government shutdown continues to force dire consequences on our marginalized communities,” said Sen. Merritt. “As Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, I will continue to advocate for Georgia’s minority populations and lobby Congress to act with urgency. Behind every budget line item is a human being impacted by decisions made in Washington. SNAP benefits are set to expire, and Georgia’s K-12 meal program hangs in the balance, leaving our most vulnerable citizens hanging in the balance.
I want to thank the members of Georgia’s congressional delegation for standing by my side to bring attention to this situation. Georgia Democrats stand ready to act and call on Governor Brian Kemp to call a special session. Until that time comes, however, I want to remind Georgians that the power belongs to the people. Call your members of Congress to push for an end to this government shutdown.”
Congressional representatives Hank Johnson (GA-4) and Lucy McBath (GA-6) also attended the event. The federal government has remained shut down since October 1. The United States Department of Agriculture announced last week that no federal SNAP benefits will be issued after October 31, due to the ongoing shutdown.
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Sen. Nikki Merritt represents the 9th Senate District which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She may be reached at (404) 463-2260 or via email at nikki.merritt@senate.ga.gov
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Senate Committee on Urban Affairs to Hold Second Meeting on HOAs
ATLANTA (October 28, 2025) — On Wednesday, October 29,at 11:00 a.m., the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs, chaired by Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta), will hold a second meeting to evaluate current homeowners’ associations (HOAs) regulations.
MEETING DETAILS:
- Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Location: 450 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334
- Open to the Public: This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Donzella James serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs. She represents the 28th Senate District, which includes portions of Cobb, Douglas and Fulton counties. She may be reached at (404) 463-1379 or by email at donzella.james@senate.ga.gov.