Senator Albers: Week Six Under the Gold Dome
Monday, February 19, 2024
We are officially more than halfway through the 2024 Legislative Session. I am proud to share that we are delivering for Georgians by cutting red tape, maintaining our stellar budget, protecting law enforcement officers and pushing back against hate. While we have enjoyed a robust first half of legislative work, plenty of meaningful work lies ahead before the conclusion of the legislative session. Serving the 56th Senate District remains my greatest honor.
I continued my hard work throughout this past week, drafting and advocating on behalf of numerous pieces of legislation designed to benefit you. I’m delighted to report progress on several pieces of legislation I’ve authored. Senate Bill 334, known as the “Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act,” received unanimous approval on the Senate floor earlier this week. This crucial bill takes tangible steps to support of my fellow firefighters who have selflessly served our communities for generations. Given their heightened risk of cancer diagnosis, it’s imperative that they have access to top-notch insurance coverage. I extend my sincere gratitude to my senate colleagues for their unwavering support.
Additionally, I’m pleased to share that two more bills I’ve championed are advancing through the legislative process. Senate Bill 472, aimed at implementing the “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act,” passed the Senate Committee on Public Safety. With the escalating threat of organized retail crime affecting more Georgians, this legislation is vital. Similarly, Senate Bill 473, the Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. In an age where technology and personal data are increasingly vulnerable, this bill takes significant strides in safeguarding the personal data of Georgia consumers.
My colleagues and I proudly joined Governor Brian P. Kemp on the North Steps of the State Capitol to officially announce that the Georgia National Guard would be sending additional troops to help fortify our country’s southern border. Under the leadership of our current President, our southern border is a growing disaster. Our federal lawmakers continue to look the other way and take no action, while southern states are further inundated by illegal immigrants. At the same time, lethal drugs are pouring across our border every day, leading to drug overdoses and eternally broken families. Many who come across our border illegally are small children which directly affects Georgia’s foster care system. While Georgia does not touch our nation’s northern or southern borders, every state under Joe Biden’s America is now what I would consider a border state. Your State Senate does not support the continuation of these actions, and I am thankful that our body chose to stand for further border control across the United States.
This week, I was proud to support a few pieces of bipartisan Senate legislation, such as Senate Bill 426. This measure addresses an aspect of tort reform by limiting the ability of plaintiffs to sue motor carriers and their insurers simultaneously. As we continue to prioritize workforce development, it’s essential that we prioritize tort reform. Too many current laws make it easy to file frivolous lawsuits that increase costs for insurance companies and, in turn, needlessly limit economic opportunity across our state. By limiting certain lawsuits, we incentivize future entrepreneurs to open their own small business.
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. I had the personal honor of acknowledging the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office in the company of Senators Kay Kirkpatrick, Ed Setzler, and Michael Rhett. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office stands out as one of the few nationwide and only five in Georgia to have received a triple crown award for their exceptional service to the county. Additionally, I took pride in standing alongside my son and others later in the week as we commemorated Organ Donor Day. This day holds significant meaning for me, as I had the privilege of donating a kidney to my son, ultimately saving his life in 2021.
As always, I want to invite students between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve as a Capitol Page. This program encourages Georgia’s next generation of great leaders to participate in the legislative process by providing a front-row seat to a day’s work in the Georgia Senate. Many of our current legislators participated in this program and first became interested in serving Georgia citizens because of their time spent as a Capitol Page. I encourage any students interested in the legislative process who want to spend a day at our Capitol to apply for our program using the link: https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/staffing.
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 continues.
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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]
