Sen. Ed Harbison Celebrates Signing of Legislation to Protect Georgia’s Active-Duty Service Members

ATLANTA (May 16, 2025) – Last week, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 109 into law—a measure authored by Sen. Harbison (D–Columbus) to safeguard life insurance coverage for Georgia’s active-duty service members.

The new law, written following the death of Sgt. Brandon Tyrese Fraiser, prohibits group life insurance policies from excluding or restricting coverage solely because the insured is serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, unless the death results directly from an act of war or related hazard.

“As a former Marine and a long-time advocate for our veterans and service members, I’ve always believed that those who serve our nation with honor should never face undue barriers—especially when it comes to something as essential as life insurance. It was extraordinarily moving to witness this legislation be signed into law alongside the late Sgt. Fraiser’s father and family members,” said Sen. Harbison. “SB 109 offers critical financial protection to Georgia’s military families and ensures our service members are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve. I want to thank Gov. Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, my senate colleagues, and my fellow servicemen and women for their hard work in getting this legislation signed.”

SB 109 received unanimous passage in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly. Sen. Harbison has consistently aimed to prioritize legislation that honors the service and sacrifices of military families throughout his tenure in the Georgia State Senate.

More information on SB 109 is available here.

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Sen. Ed Harbison serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on State Institutions and Property. He represents the 15th Senate District, which includes Chattahoochee, Macon, Marion, Schley, Talbot and Taylor counties, as well as a portion of Muscogee County. He may be reached at (404) 656-0074 or via email at Ed.Harbison@senate.ga.gov.

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

Sen. Islam Parkes Elected Chair of Gwinnett County Delegation

ATLANTA (January 30, 2025) — Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Duluth) was elected Chair of  Georgia Senate’s Gwinnett County Delegation this week. Senators representing Gwinnett County include: Sen. Tonya Anderson (D–Lithonia), Sen. Bill Cowsert (R–Athens), Sen. Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett), Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta), Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D–Duluth), Sen. Nikki Merritt (D–Grayson), Sen. Sheikh Rahman (D–Lawrenceville) and Sen. Shawn Still (R–Norcross). 

“Serving as chair of the Senate’s Gwinnett County delegation is a profound honor. Gwinnett County is the fifth most diverse county in the United States and one of the largest in Georgia—a distinction my fellow senators and I fully recognize. Regardless of party affiliation, every member of this delegation remains committed to working collaboratively to serve the entirety of Gwinnett County, not just our constituencies,” said Sen. Islam Parkes. “As a Senator, championing Gwinnett’s diversity and representing residents of all backgrounds has always been my top priority.”

The Gwinnett County Senate Delegation is the second-largest bipartisan county delegation in the Senate. These delegates collaborate to develop and sponsor legislation that serves the best interests of Gwinnett County, the second-most populated county in Georgia.

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Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes represents the 7th Senate District including a portion of Gwinnett County. She may be reached at (404) 463-5263 or by email at nabilah.islam@senate.ga.gov.

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

Sen. Brandon Beach, Sen. John Albers and Sen. Matt Brass Demand Transparency From the Fulton County Board of Elections

ATLANTA (November 2, 2024) — Today, Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism Chairman Brandon Beach (R – Alpharetta), Senate Committee on Public Safety Chairman John Albers (R – Roswell) and Senate Committee on Rules Chairman Matt Brass (R – Newnan) issued statements following the decision by unelected and interim Fulton election bureaucrats on opening four election offices for the purpose of collecting absentee ballots and denying election observers and poll watchers.

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Sen. Donzella James Honored with Pan-African American Leadership Award from African Women in Leadership Organization

ATLANTA (October 21, 2024) On Saturday, October 19,Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta) was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Recognition Award at the Pan-African American Leadership Awards ceremony. The ceremony, held in Atlanta, recognized the Senator for her decades of service to the people of Georgia.

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Sen. Donzella James Praises Fulton County Superior Court Ruling Halting Election Hand-Count Requirement

ATLANTA (October 16, 2024) Today,Sen. Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Chairwoman of the Senate Standing Committee on Urban Affairs, praised Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney’s ruling to stop the State Election Board’s hand-count requirement. The ruling declared the Election Board’s Hand Count Rule to be “too much, too late,” while the Court continues to consider the matter.

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