By: Sen. Bill Cowsert (R – Athens)
The first week of the 2025 Legislative Session is officially in the books, and what a start it has been. It’s an honor to be back under the Gold Dome, rolling up my sleeves and working hard to address the issues that matter most to Georgians across our great state. The energy is high, the challenges are real, and the opportunities to make a difference are more significant than ever.
I’m thrilled to introduce “The Cowsert’s Column” to you—a new way to inform you about the latest developments impacting the 46th Senate District and the State of Georgia. The name “The Cowsert Column” has a personal touch: it’s inspired by the very column you’ll often see me leaning on in the Senate chamber. My seat is in the rear of the Senate Chamber, just in front of one of the columns supporting the gallery above the Senate floor. During legislative session, I can often be found standing to stretch my legs and leaning against the column, speaking with colleagues, carefully counting votes and watching the action of the Senate floor.
This column will serve as a resource for you, providing weekly insights into the legislative session and updates on the issues that matter most to our community. I look forward to sharing this journey with you and continuing to serve as your voice under the Gold Dome.
This legislative session is already off to a strong start. The week began with the official swearing-in ceremony on Monday. I was honored to have my mother, Virginia Cowsert, attend the ceremony and hold my Bible. Governor Kemp has laid out a bold vision, focusing on initiatives that include civil justice reform, increasing funding for school safety, enhancing our skilled workforce, providing aid to families impacted by Hurricane Helene and continuing to expand access to affordable healthcare for hardworking Georgians. By investing in high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage career opportunities, we are taking critical steps to secure Georgia’s economic future. Gov. Kemp’s top legislative priority will be to pass legislation concerning civil justice reform to make our court system fair for all involved. I will discuss these initiatives in more detail in future columns.
I am proud to have co-sponsored several bills this week, including Ricky & Alyssa’s Law. This legislation hits especially close to home as my district extends into Barrow County. The bill will require schools to implement mobile panic alert systems, ensuring real-time coordination among multiple state and local first responder agencies in the event of an emergency. As a state, we are committed to keeping our children as safe as possible, and passing this legislation will help protect our students.
While the first week has been productive, much work remains. Among the most pressing issues is supporting recovery efforts for communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many families, farmers, and small businesses are still grappling with the aftermath of this catastrophic storm. Governor Kemp’s announcement of $100 million in initial funding is an essential first step, but we know the road to recovery will be long and require sustained effort.
I’m honored to announce my reappointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities. I’m grateful to Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Senate Committee on Assignments for this opportunity. This session, I will also serve as Secretary for the Senate Committee on Rules, Vice Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Secretary of the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting and as a member of the Senate Committees on Finance, Health and Human Services and Insurance and Labor Committees.
It is a privilege and an honor to serve the people of the 46th Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any legislative concerns, and I look forward to seeing many of you soon under the Gold Dome.
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Sen. Bill Cowsert serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities. He represents the 46th Senate District which includes portions of Clarke, Oconee, and Walton County. He may be reached at (404) 463-1366 or via email at Bill.Cowsert@senate.ga.gov
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.