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Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee to Hold First Meeting

ATLANTA (August 7, 2024) — On Tuesday, August 13,2024, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, chaired by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon), will hold its first hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
  • Time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Location: Georgia Forestry Association Headquarters, 551 North Frontage Road, Forsyth, GA 31029
  • This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the Georgia General Assembly website here.

ABOUT THE MEETING:         

The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee will examine how public policy can encourage investment in facilities that create sustainable manufacturing components, practices, and energy derived from Georgia-grown products. The first meeting of this committee will include a market overview and discussion of challenges currently facing the forestry industry in our state.

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

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Sen. Larry Walker – Interim Committee Work

ATLANTA (July 30, 2024) – As summer progresses and the Georgia Senate remains out of session, much of our work continues behind the scenes through various study committees. These committees play a crucial role in addressing key issues and developing informed policy recommendations that can significantly impact our work when we reconvene in January. I’m honored to serve on two of these important committees: the Joint Senate and House Blue Ribbon Study Committee on Investigating Licensing Issues and the Senate Study Committee on Advancing Forest Innovation.

The Joint Senate and House Blue Ribbon Study Committee, chaired by Sen. Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) and Rep. Matt Hatchett (R–Dublin), has been diligently working to evaluate and improve the state’s licensing processes. Our first meeting took place on June 26 at Middle Georgia State University, where we received an in-depth presentation from the Secretary of State’s office on our current licensing process. This presentation provided a foundational understanding and helped us identify areas needing improvement to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic red tape.

Our second meeting, held on July 25 at the Georgia State Capitol, was equally insightful. We heard from several licensing boards, including those for nursing, residential and general contractors, private detectives and security agencies, massage therapy, cosmetology and barbers, and funeral directors. Each board offered valuable insights into their specific challenges and opportunities, and their input will be instrumental in shaping our recommendations. Moving forward, the Joint Blue-Ribbon Committee will continue to gather information and feedback from various stakeholders. Our goal is to create a more efficient and effective licensing system that meets the needs of professionals while ensuring the highest standards of service and safety for all Georgians.

In addition to my work on the Joint Blue-Ribbon Committee, I am also a member of the Senate Study Committee on Advancing Forest Innovation, chaired by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon). Our first meeting is scheduled for August 13 at the Georgia Forestry Association Headquarters in Forsyth, GA. I look forward to beginning discussions on leveraging Georgia’s rich forest resources to drive sustainable economic growth.

Forestry has long been a cornerstone of Georgia’s economy, providing jobs and supporting our communities. However, to remain competitive in the face of changing environmental and economic conditions, we must continuously innovate. This committee will explore new technologies, best practices, and policies that can advance our forest industry while preserving our natural resources for future generations.

The work of these committees is vital to our state’s continued progress. Your input and support are invaluable as we strive to create policies that benefit all Georgians. Thank you for your continued trust and for allowing me to serve you in the Georgia Senate.

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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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Senators Kennedy, Robertson Call on Plaintiffs to Drop Case Challenging the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission After Latest Loss in Court

ATLANTA (July 24, 2024) — Today, Fulton County Superior Court released an order once again denying the plaintiff-prosecutors’ request to enjoin the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission. Senator John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) and Senator Randy Robertson (R–Cataula) are calling on the three district attorneys challenging the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to drop their case Sherry Boston v. State of Georgia after their second significant loss in court.

“To continue this challenge is an injustice to crime victims in our communities as well as to Georgia taxpayers having to shoulder the expense of this frivolous case,” said Sen. Kennedy, who also serves as the Chairman of the Judicial Appropriations Subcommittee. “This is the second time these plaintiff-prosecutors have failed in court to block the law. Maybe it’s time to realize that they have a losing argument.”

In response to demands from Georgians for accountability, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 92 in 2023 creating the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to independently investigate complaints and discipline prosecutors found in violation of their duties. The law creating the Commission was challenged in court by four of Georgia’s district attorneys. That lawsuit failed to block the Commission from carrying out its work and was eventually voluntarily dismissed.

“I authored this legislation based on Georgia’s Constitution and existing models for other commissions in this state,” said Sen. Robertson, who authored SB 92. “There are several duties for prosecutors that were already in state law but there was no mechanism for enforcement. As a career law enforcement officer, I understand how important it is for officials to exercise discretion but that does not mean they can simply ignore the law and allow crime to run rampant. These DAs should drop their lawsuit immediately.”

The General Assembly doubled down on its commitment to hold rogue and ineffective prosecutors accountable by passing SB 332 in 2024, also authored by Sen. Robertson, allowing the Commission to continue its work. Shortly after the enactment of SB 332, three of the four district attorneys who originally challenged the law in 2023 filed another lawsuit trying to prohibit the Commission from moving forward. Today, the court once again denied the district attorneys’ attempt to block the Commission from operating.

Sen. Kennedy added: “Reporting by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, and other local news sources have exposed the terrible impacts of prosecutors going rogue. It is time for this small group of district attorneys to stop listening to the pro-crime organization directing their lawsuit from Oakland, California, and start listening to the voices in their own communities who simply ask to be safe.”


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

Sen. Randy Robertson serves as Majority Whip of the 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

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Joint House and Senate Committee on Licensing Issues to Hold Second Meeting

ATLANTA (July 23, 2024) — On Thursday, July 25,2024, at 9:00 a.m., the Joint House and Senate Committee on Licensing Issues, co-chaired by Senator Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia) and Representative Matt Hatchett (R–Dublin), will hold its second hearing.

EVENT DETAILS:                      

  • Date: Thursday, July 25, 2024
  • Time:  9:00 a.m.
  • Location: Georgia State Capitol, Room 341, 206 Washington St., 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 are tasked with investigating licensing issues within the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division. This committee will recommend measures to regulate professional licensing further while providing much-needed clarity surrounding licensing issues in Georgia. The meeting agenda can be found here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Emily Leonard at Emily.Leonard@senate.ga.gov.

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Sen. Blake Tillery serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Telfair, Toombs, Wayne, and Wheeler counties and a portion of Coffee County. He can be reached by email at blake.tillery@senate.ga.gov.