An Update From Under the Gold Dome: Week 11
Friday, March 24, 2023
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 56th 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]
