By: Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry)
With only five legislative days remaining in the 2024 Legislative Session, Georgia Senate members are diligently working both within their respective committees and on the Senate floor to propel House bills forward.
This week, Senate Republicans attended the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony, paying tribute to Georgia’s veterans for their selfless sacrifices to our nation. Year after year, this profoundly moving ceremony is one of the highlights of session. I am proud to support legislative initiatives that positively impact those who have devoted their lives to protecting freedoms that we often take for granted.
We have also continued our legislative efforts on the Senate floor by passing House Bill 244, a bill which will introduce important rules and regulations across Georgia’s fish and game industries. More specifically, the legislation would take further steps to protect Georgia’s oyster population and aquaculture industry. Our coastline has unlimited potential, and it is good to see the General Assembly taking steps to better equip our Department of Natural Resources for future success.
I was honored to carry House Bill 880, which furthers our commitment to enhancing Georgia’s workforce development by enabling military spouses to utilize an existing license in good standing from another state to secure employment at a Georgia business. Georgia’s military spouses often lose valuable working time between relocations. This game-changing legislation would expedite their journey into the workforce simultaneously easing their overall transition into our great state. Our military spouses sacrifice a great deal for our nation, and I am delighted to have authored and advocated on behalf of one of the strongest military spouse license bills in the nation.
Senate members also joined Governor Brian P. Kemp on the steps of the Capitol as he signed Senate Bill 332 into law. This legislation empowers the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to begin its crucial task of holding District Attorneys accountable if they fail to uphold the law. I take pride in our collective efforts as members of the General Assembly to advance this bill, confident that it will provide essential oversight.
In regards to our committee work, House Bill 1185 passed favorably out of the Senate Committee on Finance this week. This bill, aims to reduce inflated homestead taxes, thereby easing the burden on working Georgians. It offers our citizens the opportunity to reinvest in our economy now or save for the future.
I was also proud to see my legislative priorities continue to move in the House chamber. Specifically, I am honored to see my “Back the Blue Act” from the 2023 Legislative Session resume its progression through the legislative process. This bill will establish the Back the Blue Fund via voluntary contributions made through motor vehicle insurance policies. Supporting our men and women in law enforcement has and always will be one of my foremost priorities.
Each week under the Gold Dome, constituents, associations, and organizations alike come to the Capitol to speak to legislators and host events with public officials. This week, the Senate Chamber had the honor of welcoming my dad, Larry Walker II, and his good friend Judge Bryant Culpepper, former House member, back to the Senate. My father served in the Georgia General Assembly for 32 consecutive years, and for 16 of those years, he served as House Majority leader. Following his time as a legislator, he served as a Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner and as Regent on the University System of Georgia Board. In 2022, my father retired from his law practice. He now enjoys working on the farm with his wife of 59 years, watching his grandchildren participate in their many and varied extracurricular activities, and following Georgia politics. It was great to have my father and Judge Culpepper in the chamber with us this week as they represent generations of public service.
Please never hesitate to contact my office if I can assist with legislative matters. I hope to see you under the Gold Dome soon as the 2024 Legislative Session enters its final weeks.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee and Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Laurens, Treutlen, Pulaski, and Wilcox counties as well as portions of Houston County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.