Yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Senate Bill 3 into law. Sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R – Roswell), this measure requires the Department of Administrative Services to frequently assess a number of educational and experience requirements necessary for employment for state entities.

“Georgia remains the number one state in the nation in which to do business. However, we would not have been able to uphold this standard for nine consecutive years if it weren’t for the hardworking men and women of Georgia’s workforce. This legislation aims to provide additional support for individuals seeking employment in the workforce because every Georgian should have the ability earn a living to support themselves, their children, and their families. Georgia’s state departments have seen a high turnover rate, losing employees to the private sector for quite some time,” said Sen. Albers. “With this statute, we can best determine if current practices are consistent with the needs of the position and don’t prevent the best and brightest from entering the workforce.”

SB 3 was a legislative priority for Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and the Senate Republican caucus voted to make it a caucus priority with the goal of understanding these challenges.

“I want to thank Senator Albers for his leadership on this priority,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Expanding Georgia’s workforce across all industries is critical and will remain a top priority for the foreseeable future. Senate Bill 3 is a key first step to increase Georgia’s workforce by removing barriers and enabling willing and able Georgians to gain employment.”

“Strengthening Georgia’s workforce is a top priority for Senate leadership,” said Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega). “Lt. Governor Burt Jones has consistently led on this issue, and I’m proud of the work we have accomplished here. I want to thank Sen. Albers for his dedication to ensuring our state is equipped with the proper resources and personnel to be successful while expanding opportunities for Georgia’s citizens.”

The bill received bipartisan support from both chambers throughout the legislative process during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session.

You can read the full text of SB 3 here.

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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]

The 2023 legislative session has been adjourned, Sine Die! I am proud of our work this year. While everything did not pass, this is the first of a two year process. All bills currently in process will still be active when we return in January of 2024. 

djourned, Sine Die! I am proud of our work this year. While everything did not pass, this is the first of a two year process. All bills currently in process will still be active when we return in January of 2024. 

On Wednesday, March 29, the Georgia General Assembly closed out the 2023 Legislative Session on Sine Die. Not only did we have a productive Legislative Day 40, but we had an incredibly productive session and I want to extend my gratitude to Governor Brian Kemp and Lt. Governor Burt Jones and the Republican Majority Caucus for such a successful session. This past week the Senate passed a substantial amount of bills that will continue to uphold Georgia’s standard as the number one state in the nation to not only do business but to live, work and raise a family. Here are a few bills of note:

On Wednesday, the Senate took up House Bill 188, legislation I had the privilege of carrying in the Senate.  Representative Steven Sainz (R – St. Marys) and I, along with others, worked tirelessly to pass this important piece of legislation. Known as “Mariam’s Law,” HB 188 ensures Georgians are protected from the most dangerous predators. This well-crafted legislation increases prison sentences for certain sexual offenses and requires repeat offenders to wear a device capable of tracking, amongst other requirements. The need for “Mariam’s Law” comes after the 2019 Supreme Court decision in the United States vs. Haymond, and the murder of 27-year-old Mariam Abdulrab in 2021. After coming home from work, Mariam was kidnapped from her very own doorstep and murdered. The alleged murderer, who is awaiting trial, has multiple prior sexual felonies. HB 188 passed with bipartisan support and awaits Governor Kemp’s signature to enact this legislation into law. I want to express my gratitude to Mariam’s brother Ali and her best friend Irene for their amazing work through advocacy and honoring her memory.

On Monday, the House took up Senate Bill 11, legislation I authored. I am pleased to report SB passed with bipartisan support now and awaits approval by Gov. Kemp. As you recall, SB 11, the “Georgia Fights Terrorism Act,” would allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to work independently or coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to aggressively investigate and arrest those involved in domestic, nuclear, chemical, biological, or cyber terrorism. SB 11 was the first bill on the Senate floor in 2023 and I hopeful this measure will soon be signed into law as it protects our hardworking, self-sacrificing law enforcement officers.

Also on Monday, I brought Senate Resolution 275 to the Senate floor, which calls for the creation of the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia’s Workforce. The study committee will examine its current practices, pilot programs, and public-private partnerships and initiatives regarding workforce development across Georgia. The Republican Majority Caucus firmly believes developing a modern and experienced workforce as well as a flexible labor market is important, which is why it has been an honor to spearhead this initiative. I was proud to see this measure pass with bipartisan support and I look forward to working alongside my Senate colleagues in the near future to bolster Georgia’s economy and expand our workforce.

This legislative session has been tremendously successful. The Majority Caucus maintained our goals on strengthening opportunity and innovation in Georgia’s economy, cultivating an educated workforce and create safer communities. I look forward to continuing our hard work through Senate Study Committees and continuing to make Georgia the best state to live, work and raise a family in. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

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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]