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Senate Passes Bill Revising Public School Employee Retirement System

ATLANTA (Feb. 1, 2024) – On Wednesday, Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry) celebrated the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 105, which would revise the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for current and future retirees in the Public-School Employees Retirement System.

With its passage, current and future Public-School retirees will see the minimum monthly retirement payment increase to $17 — multiplied by the “member’s years of credible service.” This increase represents a jump of more than $2 per year worked as Public-School Employees before retirement, contributing a significant take-home financial increase for Georgia Public-School Employees that are currently receiving retirement benefits and those that will in the future.

“Taking charge of the retirement benefits of our Public-School Employees to make sure that those individuals can contribute and save for their futures is a key priority, and having this bill pass is a positive step,” said Sen. Walker. “Georgia school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and maintenance workers have by and large been left behind compared to everything we’ve done for teachers. I am looking forward to seeing the progression of this bill through the remainder of the legislative process and these much-needed changes made for the benefit of one of the most deserving sectors of our state.”

SB 105 passed by a vote of 49 to 1, following its favorable report from the Senate Committee on Retirement.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus. He also serves as 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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Sen. Jason Anavitarte Introduces Legislation to Ban Foreign Adversaries from Possessing Georgia Land

ATLANTA (Feb. 1, 2024) – This week, Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) introduced Senate Bill 420, which would prohibit foreign adversaries from acquiring through purchase, lease or “any possessory interest” agricultural land or land within 25 miles of a military installation.

The bill was presented, read on the Senate floor, and will now proceed to the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.

“Georgia’s military installations are currently vulnerable to foreign adversaries, a crisis that could be exacerbated by a single bad actor at any moment,” said Sen. Anavitarte.  “This Bill, its regulations and penalties aims to prevent that scenario by limiting the exposure experienced by Georgia’s agricultural land and these military installations. Alongside the other 33 sponsors of this Bill, I am pleased to see it make progress toward becoming a law.”

SB 420 includes language and regulations regarding currently held interests, residential properties, and the current economic importance of agricultural product testing sites.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

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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.

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Georgia Senate Republicans Announce 2024 Caucus Priorities

ATLANTA (Jan. 29, 2024) — Today the Senate Majority Caucus held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol to announce the Senate Majority Caucus’s priorities for the 2024 Legislative Session. Majority Leader Steve Gooch was joined by Lt. Governor Burt Jones and President Pro Tempore of the Senate John F. Kennedy, as well as members of the Senate Majority Caucus.

“Here we are in 2024, the second year of our two-year session, and we are looking for a big finish.  We have several momentous efforts that, in one form or another, began a year ago, and Senate Republicans are determined to finish the drill,” said Majority Leader Gooch. “Big Ideas, Big Wins, and a Big Finish to this 2023-2024 convening of the Georgia General Assembly – that’s what Senate Republicans are delivering for everyday Georgians. And that’s why Senate Republicans are committed to finishing the drill.” 

“Senate Republicans have an ambitious agenda to tackle what matters to Georgians by addressing kitchen table issues with an aim to keep Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family,” said President Pro Tempore Kennedy. “We are committed to delivering on expanding economic opportunity and innovation, cultivating an educated workforce, increasing the safety of our communities and ensuring the well-being of our most vulnerable in 2024.”

The Majority Leader announced that the caucus would focus on building upon the work of the 2023 Legislative Session to improve the fundamentals that make Georgia the best state to live, work, and raise a family. Georgia Senate Republicans are committed to finishing the drill on the following five priorities.

TAX RELIEF

After delivering $2 billion in tax relief for state income taxpayers and homeowners, we are now accelerating the reduction of the state income tax.  Additionally, Senate Republicans are prioritizing SB 349 by Senator Chuck Hufstetler, a statewide floating homestead exemption.

TORT REFORM

Last year, Senate Republicans tested the waters looking for consensus opportunities to improve Georgia’s troublesome litigation environment.  This year, at a minimum, we will pass legislation to limit direct-action lawsuits carried by Senator Blake Tillery.

EDUCATION

Senate Republicans unanimously support Senator Greg Dolezal’s SB 233, which provides

school choice for students trapped in underperforming public schools. SB 233 is the product of

thoughtful discussion and compromise within our caucus and should be passed by the House.

WORKFORCE

Recently, three Senate study committees addressed deficiencies in our workforce. As a result, our caucus has prioritized improving career and credentialing pathways for veterans and military spouses seeking employment in Georgia’s healthcare system under the leadership of Senator Larry Walker.

PUBLIC SAFETY

In 2023, Senate Republicans led the crackdown on gangs, violent criminals, and rogue prosecutors. In one piece of unfinished business, we will keep more dangerous criminals off the streets by eliminating no-cash bail for violent offenders under the leadership of Senator Randy Robertson.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

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Sen. John Albers Applauds Passage of SB 335 Through Committee

ATLANTA (Jan. 26, 2024) — This week, Senate Bill 335, sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) passed by a unanimous, bipartisan vote through the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Also known as the “Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act”, SB 335 would provide that sexual intercourse or sodomy between certain family members related by adoption be regarded as incest. Incest is already illegal under Georgia law, and this legislation will now include adoptive families. Sen. Albers worked closely with Susan K. Treadaway, District Attorney of Cherokee County on this bill.

“I am grateful to DA Susan K. Treadaway for sharing this important loophole in the law with me and working together to protect our children.  Cherokee County is so fortunate to have a District Attorney fighting every day to protect citizens and victims while prosecuting dangerous criminals,” said Sen. Albers.

“As prosecutors, we serve as the ‘boots on the ground’ in the courtroom, directly positioned to identify opportunities for positive change in the law. I am proud to work with Sen. John Albers, a true champion for justice, as we partner together to make Georgia a safer place for children and families,” said Susan K. Treadaway.

You can find more information on SB 335 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

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Majority Caucus to Hold Press Conference Announcing 2024 Legislative Priorities

ATLANTA (January 26, 2024) — On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., the Georgia Senate Majority Caucus will hold a press conference to announce  their 2024 legislative priorities.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Monday, Jan. 29, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Location: South Steps of the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington St, Atlanta GA 30334

ABOUT THE PRESS CONFERENCE:         

The press conference will include remarks from Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), and Senate President Pro-Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) on the 2024 Majority Caucus priorities.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request members of the media to confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Emily Leonard at the Senate Press Office (Emily.Leonard@senate.ga.gov).

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens counties and a portion of White County. He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov