Senate President Pro Tempore Returns with Georgia Delegation from Trade Mission to Israel

ATLANTA (May 31, 2023) | President Pro Tempore Senator John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) recently joined Governor Brian P. Kemp, Speaker Burns and key Georgia economic development representatives on an international trade mission to the nation of Israel, our state’s 30th largest trade partner. The eight-day mission aimed to bolster economic ties between the nations and promote Georgia as a state primed for economic development and growth.

“America has always treasured its diplomatic ties with the nation of Israel. It is imperative that our state leadership does our part to continue to nurture future opportunities for economic development and tell Georgia’s story as the number one state to do business.” said President Pro Tempore Kennedy. “Georgia continues to be the focal point of a national conversation around economic opportunity and good governance. I was happy to share Georgia’s story with Israel’s top diplomats and begin a conversation about how our nations can work together to yield opportunity for our state throughout multiple sectors of our economy. I appreciate Governor Kemp for the invitation to join him on this key diplomatic endeavor and I look forward to seeing the Georgia Senate continue lead the way in courting economic opportunity for our state.”

Israel continues be among the nations leading the world with significant developments in its robust technological, military and intelligence industries. Georgia’s trade with Israel totaled $1.2 billion in 2022, growing 26.2% since 2021. Israel is also home to roughly 8 Georgia companies headquartered within its borders and 21 Israeli companies have operations in our state. Georgia currently exports $280 million in goods and services to Israel and Israeli companies employ more than 1000 Georgians statewide.

The economic development mission laid out a comprehensive itinerary including tours of world-class cyber security centers at Ben-Gurion University, in-person meetings and discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, and strategic meetings with many Georgia Companies in headquartered the region. The trip also included a visit to Yad Vashem, the Jewish people’s memorial to the Holocaust. There, President Pro Tempore Kennedy joined others in reflecting on the impact that the Holocaust had on Jewish Israelis and Georgians alike. The delegation also visited key historical areas, touring and meeting with Israeli business leaders at locations such as the Mount of Olives, Nazareth, and Tel Aviv before returning to Georgia.

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

May 5, 2023

Governor Kemp Signs Legislation to Expand Early Voting Opportunities

ATLANTA (May 5, 2023) | Yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Senator Rick Williams (R – Milledgeville), into law. Currently, individuals are able to request time off of work to vote on Election Day only, and this measure extends the window of opportunity for employees to request two hours off to vote in Georgia elections.

“This bill would further empower Georgians to participate in one of the most important civic duties,” said Sen. Williams. “I am grateful to Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and my Senate colleagues for their support of this legislation. I look forward to supporting the rights of Georgia voters for many years to come.”

“I am thankful for Sen. Rick Williams’ leadership on this important measure,” said Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics Senator Max Burns (R – Sylvania). “SB 129 will promote participation in elections on a local, state and national level. I look forward to continue working with Sen. Williams and the Georgia General Assembly in crafting and passing legislation that ensures our hardworking Georgia citizens are able to easily practice this necessary civic duty.”

The full text of SB 129 can be found here.

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Sen. Rick Williams serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Baldwin, Butts, Jasper, Jones, and Putnam County as well as portions of Henry and a small portion of Bibb County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0082 or by email at rick.williams@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Max Burns serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. He represents the 23rd Senate District, which includes Burke, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro, and Warren County as well as portions of Columbia and Richmond County. He may be reached by email at max.burns@senate.state.gov

May 4, 2023

Governor Kemp Signs “Healthy Babies Act”

ATLANTA (May 4, 2023) | This week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 106, also known as the “Healthy Babies Act.” This legislation, sponsored by Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus Senator Larry Walker III (R – Perry), establishes a three-year pilot program administered through the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH).

“I am proud of the progress that has been made concerning the healthcare of Georgians through the passage of SB 106,” said Senator Walker. “This legislation will improve healthy birth outcomes for both mothers and their children and I am thankful to Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Chairman Senator Ben Watson (R – Savannah) for his support of this measure. I have worked closely with the Department of Community Health to craft this bill, and appreciate their efforts to provide care to Georgians through every season of life.”

The program will begin in Fiscal Year 2024, and will aim to provide remote patient monitoring for pregnant women under Medicaid. The expansion of these benefits is an effort to encourage expecting mothers to utilize prenatal care with the hope of avoiding pre-term labor. SB 106 was also a legislative priority of the Senate Majority Caucus during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session.

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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 Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen, and Wilcox Counties and a portion of Houston County. He can be reached at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov

March 21, 2023

Gov. Brian Kemp Signs Rep. Lynn Smith’s Legislation for Disaster Property Tax Relief

ATLANTA – State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), chair of the House Natural Resources & Environment Committee, along with Senate Rules Chairman Matt Brass (R-Newnan), today announced that Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 311 into law on Thursday, March 16. HB 311 will create an optional temporary tax relief mechanism for buildings damaged by a natural disaster that may be utilized by local governments. An assessment of the damaged property would be required before being eligible for temporary tax relief.

March 17, 2023

Senator Sonya Halpern to Host Third Annual HBCU Heritage Day at the State Capitol

ATLANTA (March 17, 2023) | On Monday, March 20, 2023, Senator Sonya Halpern (D – Atlanta) and Governor Brian Kemp will host the Presidents of Georgia’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the third annual HBCU Heritage Day at the State Capitol. The event is open to the public and will feature a short program to celebrate the impact and importance of Georgia’s 10 HBCUs.