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Sen. Greg Dolezal to Introduce Legislation to Reinstate Senate Special Committee on Investigations

ATLANTA (December 20, 2024) — Today, Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming) announced his intent to file a resolution at the beginning of the 2025 Legislative Session to re-establish the Senate Special Committee on Investigations. Current committee chairman, Sen. Bill Cowsert (R–Athens), has been a key player in addressing concerns about prosecutorial misconduct, with strong support from Lt. Governor Burt Jones, who has prioritized transparency and accountability in state government. This decision follows the Georgia Court of Appeals’ ruling to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney (DA) Fani Willis from prosecuting the election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump and others.

Sen. Dolezal spoke on the proposed legislation, stating, “Yesterday’s ruling by the Georgia Court of Appeals citing the ‘significant appearance of impropriety’ in removing DA Fani Willis from the election interference case, only further validates our body’s justified concerns about the potential need to legislatively address such conduct and decision-making. In addition to Judge Scott McAfee’s earlier reference to the ‘odor of mendacity,’ these developments confirm the pressing need for continued legislative action.

Despite our committee’s lawful subpoena, DA Willis has refused to testify. This, coupled with troubling revelations of apparent violations of Georgia’s open records laws, paints a disturbing picture of an office operating as though it is above the law. This behavior undermines public trust and raises serious questions about the integrity of her office.

In January, I will refile legislation to establish the Senate Special Committee on Investigations to ensure that we continue our efforts to get to the bottom of this and prevent similar abuses of power in the future. The people of this great state deserve a justice system that operates with integrity, transparency and respect for the rule of law.”

Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Sen. Bill Cowsert echoed their support for Sen. Dolezal’s resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative action to restore public trust and hold public officials accountable. Both leaders underscored the significance of the court’s ruling and reaffirmed the importance of the committee’s work in ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in Georgia’s justice system.

“The Senate will not back down in its fight for accountability of taxpayer dollars,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “The appeals court decision to disqualify DA Willis from the case based on a ‘significant appearance of impropriety’ was the right decision. The Senate will continue to fight for transparency and accountability. DA Willis’s refusal to come before the committee is unacceptable and addressing these issues to require accountability will be a priority for the Senate. I want to thank Chairman Dolezal for continuing the work on this important issue.”

“The ruling from the court of appeals is not surprising given the misconduct of District Attorney Willis,” said Sen. Bill Cowsert (R–Athens), current Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Investigations. “I applaud Sen. Dolezal for extending the committee so we can complete our work. Our hearings have revealed serious prosecutorial misconduct and legislative remedies are needed. I look forward to finishing our investigation and passing legislation that restores confidence in the criminal justice system.”

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Sen. Greg Dolezal serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Transportation. He represents the 27th Senate District, which includes a large part of Forsyth County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0040 or via email at greg.dolezal@senate.ga.gov.

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

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Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare to Hold Fourth Meeting

ATLANTA (December 11, 2024) — On Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Childcare, chaired by Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough), will hold its fourth hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Location: 307 CLOB, 18 Capitol Sq. SW, Atlanta GA 30334
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

Members will recommend measures to increase access to affordable child care in Georgia. This committee was created pursuant to Senate Resolution 471 during the 2024 Legislative Session. You can find more information about this study committee here.

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. Brian Strickland serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all of Morgan and portions of Henry, Newton and Walton County. Sen. Strickland may be reached by phone at 404.463.6598 or by email at Brian.Strickland@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Larry Walker Highlights $2.26 Million Grant for Workforce Housing in Hawkinsville

ATLANTA (December 6, 2024) — This week,Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) proudly announced that the City of Hawkinsville has been awarded $2,260,505 through Governor Brian Kemp’s Rural Workforce Housing Initiative. This transformative grant will fund critical road, water, and sewer infrastructure improvements, enabling the construction of 58 new single-family housing units within the 220 McCormick Avenue Subdivision.

“This is a tremendous win for Hawkinsville and the hardworking families who call our community home,” said Sen. Walker. “This funding will expand access to affordable housing and strengthen our local economy by providing workers with the stability they need to thrive. I commend Governor Kemp and the OneGeorgia Authority for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that rural Georgia remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

The new housing development reflects a collaborative effort between the City of Hawkinsville, which is contributing $70,000, and Hive Construction, which is investing an additional $124,000. These partnerships and the state’s commitment represent a total project cost exceeding $2.45 million.

“This project is an example of how public and private collaboration can address critical workforce housing needs,” added Sen. Walker. “By investing in the infrastructure needed to create these homes, we’re investing in the long-term success of our community.”

First introduced in Governor Kemp’s 2023 State of the State Address, the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative addresses the pressing need for housing in rapidly growing rural areas. Backed by funding from the Georgia General Assembly, the initiative is a key component of the state’s broader strategy to sustain its economic momentum.

The 220 McCormick Avenue Subdivision is expected to significantly benefit Hawkinsville’s workforce by offering high-quality, affordable housing options for local families and employees. These improvements align with Georgia’s commitment to fostering vibrant and sustainable communities across the state.

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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He also serves as a member of the OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee. He represents Senate District 20, including 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.

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

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Sen. Larry Walker Applauds Dodge County’s $2 Million Grant for Eastman Aerospace Park Development

ATLANTA (December 5, 2024) —Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) today celebrated the announcement that Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority has been awarded $2 million through Governor Brian Kemp’s new Rural Site Development Initiative. The grant will fund critical water and sewer infrastructure improvements at the Eastman Aerospace Park, enhancing its readiness for industrial development and positioning Dodge County for sustained economic growth.

“As a lifelong advocate for rural development, I’m thrilled to see Dodge County receive this significant investment through the Rural Site Development Initiative,” said Sen. Walker. “This grant represents a major step forward in leveraging Dodge County’s unique assets, like the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation, to attract strategic industries such as aerospace and defense. The improvements at Eastman Aerospace Park will create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen our local economy for years to come.”

The Eastman Aerospace Park, a “GRAD Select” certified site, is ideally located to attract businesses in high-demand sectors. The site’s proximity to key resources such as the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport and Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation makes it attractive for industries that rely on state-of-the-art infrastructure and access to a skilled workforce. The Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority is contributing to the project, with the total cost expected to exceed $2.2 million.

Sen. Walker also commended the leadership of Governor Kemp, the Georgia General Assembly, and the OneGeorgia Authority for their continued focus on rural economic development.

“Through strategic initiatives like this, Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business, ensuring our communities have the tools to compete on a global scale,” added Sen. Walker. “I look forward to seeing this project’s long-term benefits to Dodge County and the entire middle Georgia region.”

The Rural Site Development Initiative is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. It aims to help communities identify, assess, and develop new industrial sites to maintain Georgia’s competitive edge in economic development.

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Sen. Larry Walker III serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He also serves as a member of the OneGeorgia Authority Overview Committee. He represents Senate District 20, including 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.

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

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Sen. John Albers Announces Completion of Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence

ATLANTA (December 3, 2024) —Today, Senator John Albers (R–Roswell), Chairman of the Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI), announced the unanimous adoption of the committee’s final report during its concluding meeting at the State Capitol. The committee, created under Senate Resolution 476, has spent months examining AI technology’s transformative potential and implications across key sectors including education, public safety, healthcare, agriculture and entertainment.

“Artificial intelligence represents one of the most dynamic and complex advancements of our time,” said Sen. Albers. “This committee worked diligently to ensure Georgia is not only prepared for the opportunities AI offers but also vigilant in addressing its challenges, from ethical concerns to workforce implications.”

The report details findings and recommendations to guide Georgia’s approach to AI implementation. Key highlights include:

Comprehensive AI Policies for Public Entities: The committee recommends every state agency and local government develop policies addressing ethical use, data privacy, and human oversight in AI applications.

Support for Education and Workforce Development: Initiatives include AI-focused pathways in K-12 schools, expanded upskilling programs for Georgia’s workforce, and the development of AI integration plans for higher education systems.

Public Safety and Healthcare Enhancements: The report emphasizes AI’s role in improving emergency response efficiency and healthcare outcomes, particularly in underserved areas.

Promoting Responsible Innovation: Measures include encouraging transparency in AI systems, establishing liability standards for AI products, and ensuring protections against the misuse of deepfake technology.

“From addressing food security through precision agriculture to enhancing emergency response and advancing personalized education, AI has the potential to improve every Georgian’s quality of life,” said Sen. Albers. “However, we must balance innovation with safeguards to protect privacy, fairness, and transparency.”

The committee, comprised of bipartisan legislators, industry leaders, and academic experts, held eight meetings statewide to gather stakeholder testimony and explore AI’s applications and risks. The report also calls for the creation of a state board on Artificial Intelligence and continued legislative oversight to ensure Georgia remains a leader in responsible AI adoption.

“I’m proud of the collaborative effort that shaped this report,” said Sen. Albers. “We look forward to turning these recommendations into actionable policies that will keep Georgia safe and at the forefront of technological innovation.”

The full report is available on the Georgia General Assembly website here.


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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

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