There is only one week left in the 2023 Legislative Session as we close out Week 11.  With Sine Die on March 29, the Senate has wasted no time vetting House bills in Senate Committees and passing them upon the Senate floor. This week, the Senate has successfully passed 30 House Bills. I am delighted to bring you an update on a few bills of note that received final passage this week.

House Bill 120, legislation I had the distinct pleasure of carrying to the Senate floor, simply provides agency clean-ups. If someone is past-due on child support, this bill will allow them to get a temporary driving permit. While an individual may be past-due on their child support payments, the last thing we want to do is limit their resources to earn a paycheck. The court system has policies in place to ensure that child support payments will be restored, this revision gives individuals the opportunity to get back on track. Additionally, the bill rectifies an error made in 2000 with House Bill 799 related to DUI’s. HB 799 removed language that prohibited an individual who has been charged with a DUI or drug charges from having the opportunity to reapply for reinstatement. House Bill 120 passed unanimously and awaits Governor Kemp’s signature to enact it into law.

The House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs offered amendments to Senate Bill 149, a bill I had the privilege to sponsor. SB 149, known as the “Door-to-Door Sales Act,” ensures that consumers are protected from unfair business practices, especially in the place they should feel the most secure, in their homes. As I have previously mentioned, SB 149 is designed to implement comment sense protections against deceptive or misleading business dealing from door-to-door sales. Without objection, I agreed to the House substitute and SB 149 passed with bipartisan support.

Also on Monday, I was honored to recognize Rome Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney with Senate Resolution 180. Each one of our districts has police departments throughout, and these are Georgia’s finest. It was an honor to recognize Chief Downer-McKinney. She’s been with the department since 1981 and has excelled in her career, creating a safer and more secure Rome. During turbulent times, Chief Downer-McKinney sought out to speak to her community, creating trust and building strong relationships with her community. It was a privilege to stand beside my friend and colleague, Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R – Rome) to recognize a deserving member of law enforcement.

The Senate Committee on Public Safety will continue to meet and vet House Bills before they make their way to the Senate floor to be voted upon. With Sine Die quickly approaching, the Senate body will continue to work diligently. As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is an honor to serve you here in Atlanta.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected]

With week 10 of the 2023 Legislative Session coming to an end, we are quickly approaching Sine Die on March 29, the final day of session. This week, the Senate has worked diligently and effectively. Since the gavel fell on Legislative Day 28, Crossover Day, the Senate has successfully passed over 60 House Bills. I am eager to bring you an update on a few bills of note that received final passage this week.

The week began with taking action on legislation endorsed by Governor Kemp. Carried in the Senate by the Governor’s Administrative Floor Leader, Senator Mike Hodges (R – Brunswick), HB 147 seeks to establish a school safety and anti-gang endorsement for eligible certified professional personnel issued by the Professional Standards Commission. Known as the “Safe Schools Act,” HB 147 addresses an area of concern that we are all too familiar with, school safety. As you well know, emergencies in schools have become all too prevalent not only within the borders of our state, but across the nation. Gov. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp have devoted much of their service to Georgia ensuring schools and teaching facilities are safe and secure for all students, teachers and educational staff. Under HB 147, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency would require specific school safety plans to be submitted to the agency on or before December 31, 2023. In addition, HB 147 would require public schools to participate and complete intruder alert drills by October 1 of each school year. By implementing these requirements for emergency preparedness, we can guarantee increased public safety and security for students and teachers in Georgia’s public schools. I was proud to support this measure.

Also on Monday, I had the distinct pleasure of bringing House Bill 155 to the Senate floor for a vote. HB 155 is a continuation of the Georgia General Assembly’s efforts to address the ever-present concern of occupational licensing for incoming Georgia residents. However, while programs previously implemented to support incoming residents like military spouses have proven to be widely successful, a large percentage of Georgia’s population continues to struggle with efficiently obtaining an occupational license. Under current law, licensing boards are required to issue expedited licenses by endorsement to spouses of active or transitioning service members stationed in Georgia. HB 155 seeks to revise that requirement by extending the prerequisite to any individual in Georgia seeking an occupational license with the exception of firefighters, healthcare providers, or law enforcement officers or those who are the subject of investigation or disciplinary proceeding. It is important to note that the previously mentioned three fields usually have national certifications or specific venues in order to test and credential in our great state which explains the aforementioned exemption. I was proud to support this measure alongside my friend and colleague from across the hall, Representative Chuck Martin (R – Alpharetta) and I am pleased to see this legislation receive final passage with bipartisan support.  

Later in the week, I carried two additional House Bills that bolster public safety across Georgia. House Bill 242 reinstates “Joshua’s Law,” a program implemented following the 2005 Legislative Session that requires all Georgians to complete an approved driver education course and log a total of 40 hours of supervised driving in order to apply for a Class D driver’s license. HB 242 revises the penalties related to traffic violations under “Joshua’s Law” by adding an additional penalty equal to 3% of any original fine to be imposed in the case of any violation of the traffic laws in Georgia. The fees collected from such fines fund driver’s education, scholarships to first responders and children of military members who lost their lives in the line of duty or those under foster care. This helps ensure Georgians remain safe. HB 242 passed through the Senate bipartisan support on Wednesday and now awaits Gov. Kemp’s signature. On a similar note, House Bill 268 also seeks to strengthen public safety by establishing the Georgia Motor-Vehicle Crime Prevention Advisory Board, a grant program to support local law enforcement agencies and multi-jurisdictional task force relative to motor vehicle related crime prevention initiatives. Through multi-jurisdictional work, agencies can create better ways to prevent auto-theft and other crimes related to motor vehicles. This legislation does not require state funding, bringing safety without an added expense to state taxpayers. HB 268 also received final passage with bipartisan support and now awaits signature from Gov. Kemp.

The Senate Committee on Public Safety will continue to meet and vet House Bills before they make their way to the Senate floor to be voted upon. On Wednesday, the committee met and discussed two bills, one of which was House Bill 119. House Bill 119 would prohibit the act of booting motor-vehicles in the state of Georgia. Senate Freshman Senator Josh McLaurin carried the bill and explained the concerns behind this practice. While protecting private and personal property is a priority, the act of booting can result in unjust booting, violence, and negligence. This issue is complex and removing the practice of booting from Georgia is just one step in solving the solution of how to protect private property, I look forward to hearing alternative solutions for this issue. The Majority Caucus will continue to prioritize public safety as we move closer to the end of session.

With Sine Die approaching, I anticipate the Senate body will continue to work diligently. As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is an honor to serve you here in Atlanta.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected]

We are the final weeks of the 2023 Legislative Session moving one step closer to Sine Die on March 29, the final day of session. My Senate colleagues and I remain studious in our endeavors to ensure all legislation is properly vetted and voted upon to improve the life of Georgians…

With week nine of the 2023 Legislative Session coming to an end, we move one step closer to Sine Die on March 29, the final day of session. My Senate colleagues and I remain studious in our endeavors to ensure all legislation is properly vetted and voted upon to improve the life of Georgians. Monday, March 6 marked the infamous Legislative Day 28, Crossover Day, which symbolizes the deadline to have legislation pass through the Senate Chamber in order to be voted upon in the House. On Crossover Day alone, we passed 50 measures to be voted upon in the House. In total, 54 measures were passed this week. I am pleased to provide you with updates on a few bills of note.

On Crossover Day, Senate Bill 217, passed in the Senate with bipartisan support. It was an honor to sponsor SB 217, which creates penalties for individuals who ‘ghost’ their license plates. I would like to give credit to my Senate Intern Shaun Cunningham who came up with this bill, spoke to the respective parties, worked diligently alongside Legislative Counsel to draft the bill and even testified on its behalf during the committee process. I always ask my interns to come up with great ideas and Cunningham did a phenomenal job every step of the way. SB 217 creates stiffer penalties for individuals who hide their license plate by adding a dark film or reflectors, making it harder for law enforcement to identify who the car belongs to. This can be incredibly dangerous and puts the safety of law enforcement and citizens at risk. Penalties will reflect the same standards as the penalties for DUI’s, sending a strong message to criminals that their antics will not be tolerated in our great state. On a similar note, Senate Bill 97, sponsored by Republican Caucus Chair Senator Jason Anavitarte (R – Dallas), was brought to the floor for a vote. This bill creates an agency that oversees the strategic planning, facilitation and coordination of information security in this state. The agency will have the ability to establish policies and standards for state agencies to submit information security plans to the division. Public safety is a priority and ensuring that Georgia’s information is secure is vital for our growth and the Republican Caucus’s promise to keep Georgia the best state to live in.

Additionally, House Bill 18, the revised 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget was renegotiated in the House and now awaits Governor Brian Kemp’s signature to codify it into law. Senate Appropriations Subcommittees are ramping up again to analyze House Bill 19, the Budget for the 2024 Fiscal Year. This week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety met to receive testimony from a number of state agencies and officials as each presented their recommendations and requests to the committee. I have the distinct pleasure of chairing this committee and look forward to ensuring all taxpayer dollars are properly allocated to best fit the needs of all Georgians.

This week I felt as though it was important to address the violent outbursts coming from the new Atlanta Public Safety Training Center location. I utilized my point of personal privilege on Monday to condemn such violence. Over the weekend peaceful protests turned into riots. A group of people came out to seemingly protest peacefully before changing their clothes and storming the center to damage equipment and supplies. This cannot stand, this is not a Republican or Democrat issue. I certainly hope my friends from across the aisle share the same passion and conviction as I do on this issue. We must all condemn these heinous actions that are direct attacks on our police, and on the property that will allow additional training for our police, our fire, EMS and 911 operators. I know we can come together as a body and support law enforcement and put an end to this foolishness. Events like this are why bills such as Senate Bill 63 are so vital. My colleague and friend Senator Randy Robertson (R – Cataula), sponsored SB 63 which identifies domestic terrorism as a violent felony and creates strong setting of bonds and schedules of bails. SB 63 will be heard in the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil before it’s voted upon in the House chamber and makes its way to Governor Kemps’ desk to be codified into law.

As we quickly approach the home stretch to Sine Die I anticipate the Senate body will be diligently working and incredibly busy. Regardless, if I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is an honor to serve you here in Metro Atlanta.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].

As the Senate concludes week eight of the 2023 Legislative Session, my Senate colleagues and I remain diligent in our efforts to ensure all legislation is properly vetted as we descend upon Crossover Day. Monday. March 6 marks the infamous Legislative Day 28 and the deadline is quickly approaching to have legislation passed through the Senate Chamber in order to be voted upon in the House. This week, the Senate took up a number of significant measures to continue to better the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians. 33 measures received passage in the Senate this past week and I am pleased to provide you with updates on a few bills of note.

The most eventful legislative day of the week fell on Thursday, as the Senate debated and passed a total of 15 pieces of legislation with a few bills of note aimed at protecting Georgia’s citizens and communities. I had the pleasure of bringing Senate Bill 170, the “Students and Teachers SPEAK Act,” before the Senate floor for a vote. As I previously outlined, this legislation is a product of concerns brought to my attention by my constituents in Senate District 56. SB 170 aims to allow both teachers and students to serve as ex officio advisors to the State Board of Education. Simultaneously, SB 170 seeks to encourage local school boards to invite student representatives to serve as advisors to the boards. SB 170 passed with bipartisan support and will now make its way to the House for consideration. I am eager to provide you with additional updates on this legislation in the near future.

On a similar note, Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Sen. Carden Summers (R – Cordele), was brought to the floor for a vote. Intended to enforce certain standards for public camping and sleeping, SB 62 is a product of the Senate Study Committee on Unsheltered Homelessness, chaired by Sen. Summers and established pursuant to Senate Resolution 659, which passed during the 2022 Legislative Session. Specifically, SB 62 would prohibit camping or sleeping in unauthorized areas and thus, establish sanctioned camping areas for the homeless. This measure seeks to combat a rising concern across all counties in our state. I was pleased to see this legislation receive passage as it is my hope that with this legislation, we will be able to alleviate this issue and provide the necessary resources to support unsheltered individuals.

In addition, Senate Bill 128, legislation I also sponsored, was brought to the floor for a vote. SB 128 is a fairly simple bill, it increases the percentage of funds that the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund may invest in alternative investments. The pension fund for law enforcement officers in Georgia does not include state appropriations and has been managed fairly well. It is funded by those who serve in law enforcement through dues and fees therefore it is only fair to give them the opportunity to grow their portfolio. I was grateful to see this measure pass with bipartisan support.

As you well know, the past week was incredibly busy as we worked diligently to deliberate and pass legislation, but it was an honor to take a step back and honor my colleague Senator Michael ‘Doc’ Rhett as I took a point of personal privilege from the Well to commend his leadership and service to the state of Georgia during Black History Month. With over 25 years of dedicated service to the United States Air Force, Sen. Rhett embodies the true meaning of a dedicated public servant who has given the ultimate sacrifice to his country. It was an honor and a privilege to recognize such a distinguished individual who serves the citizens of Senate District 32 with wisdom and courage.

I would also like to take the time to provide you with an update on the progression of certain legislation in the House. Senate Bill 11, the “Georgia Fights Terrorism Act,” has been assigned to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. As you well know, Public Safety has been a priority for the Majority Caucus and we will continue to work diligently to ensure the streets across Georgia are safe. Additionally, Senate Bill 12, the “Protecting Victims and Dismantling Georgia Street Gangs Act” has been assigned to the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil. I have high hopes that both bills will pass through their assigned committees in the coming days. Additionally, Senate Bill 3, the “Reducing Barriers to State Employment Act of 2023,” was assigned to the House Committee on Governmental Affairs, making its way one step closer into becoming law. Georgia flourishes with talent that often goes unrecognized, SB 3 provides greater opportunities for our workers and for the state of Georgia.

We have a full week of committee meetings and floor sessions ahead of us. I look forward to continuing to work alongside my fellow Senators as we quickly approach the home stretch to Sine Die. As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to reach out. It is an honor to serve you here in Atlanta.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and North Fulton counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected]