Senator Albers: Week Nine Under the Gold Dome
Friday, March 08, 2024
Following the conclusion of Crossover Day, which marked the final opportunity for Senate and House Bills to proceed through their respective chambers, the Senate is now dedicated to refining House bills as they advance through Senate committees. It has been a busy week in committees as we’ve deliberated legislation that seeks to amplify the voices and concerns of all Georgians.
Alongside the standing committees, we also dove back into Appropriations subcommittees to further discuss the budgetary needs of various state agencies. I was proud to participate in Appropriations Subcommittees on Criminal Justice & Public Safety and the Judiciary. Through these presentations and discussions, we were able to assist in the creation of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget. The FY 2025 budget was passed by the House on Thursday of this week and is one step closer to being signed by Gov. Brian P. Kemp.
While our focus this week has primarily been on vetting House legislation, I am proud to note the advancement of my legislative priorities within the House chamber. I am proud to report Senate Bill 334, the Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act passed the House and is now off to Governor Kemp to sign and become law. Senate Bill 473, known as the “Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act,” is working through the process. This bill straightforwardly aims to safeguard personal privacy. Lastly, Senate Bill 417, which aims to enhance the reporting of accidents involving elevators, escalators, and similar mechanisms, has successfully cleared the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Each of these bills has undergone extensive discussion in both chambers, and I remain committed to ensuring they receive a vote on the House floor.
On another significant note, this week saw the Georgia Senate exercise its subpoena powers to uncover crucial information pertaining to the allegations directed at the potential misconduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the Georgia Senate took proactive measures to investigate these claims by listening to testimony before the Senate Special Committee on Investigations. I have full confidence in the leadership of committee chairman, Sen. Bill Cowsert, and I am proud of the valuable information we were able to glean this week for the benefit of the people of Georgia. As a legislative body, we are committed to utilizing every available resource to uncover the truth.
I’d also like to briefly highlight our Senate Page Program and make sure that your children don’t miss out on this great educational opportunity. This experience allows students to witness the legislative process firsthand. If you are or know of a student interested in becoming a Senate page during this year’s Legislative Session, you can sign up via this link.
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.
# # # #
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]