Senator Albers: Week Ten Under the Gold Dome
Friday, March 15, 2024
Senate members are diligently working both within their respective committees and on the Senate floor to propel House bills forward.
This week, Senate Republicans attended the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Unveiling Ceremony, paying tribute to Georgia’s veterans for their selfless sacrifices to our nation. Year after year, this profoundly moving ceremony is one of the highlights of session. I am proud to support legislative initiatives that positively impact those who have devoted their lives to protecting freedoms that we often take for granted.
I was honored to support House Bill 880, which furthers our commitment to enhancing Georgia’s workforce development by enabling military spouses to utilize an existing license in good standing from another state to secure employment at a Georgia business. Georgia’s military spouses often lose valuable working time between relocations. This game-changing legislation would expedite their journey into the workforce simultaneously easing their overall transition into our great state. Our military spouses sacrifice a great deal for our nation, and I am delighted to be in support of one of the strongest military spouse license bills in the nation.
Senate members also joined Governor Brian P. Kemp on the steps of the Capitol as he signed Senate Bill 332 into law. This legislation empowers the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to begin its crucial task of holding District Attorneys accountable if they fail to uphold the law. I take pride in our collective efforts as members of the General Assembly to advance this bill, confident that it will provide essential oversight.
In regards to our committee work, House Bill 1185 passed favorably out of the Senate Committee on Finance this week. This bill, aims to reduce inflated homestead taxes, thereby easing the burden on working Georgians. It offers our citizens the opportunity to reinvest in our economy now or save for the future.
I was also proud to see my legislative priorities continue to move in the House chamber. I am especially grateful to my House colleagues for their passage of Senate Bills 334 and 335. Titled the “Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act” and the “Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act” respectively, these pieces of legislation will go to the Governor’s desk. I am proud to have authored and advocated for these bills, designed to protect our firefighters and some of our state’s most vulnerable – adopted children.
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. This week, the Senate Chamber had the honor of receiving Irish Minister Peter Burke. I was also personally honored to recognize pastor Jamie Dickens, as one of our Senate Chaplains of the Day. Mr. Dickens is the lead pastor at East Cobb Church and has touched the lives of many in the East Cobb community. I was thankful to have him in the Senate chamber this past Thursday.
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.
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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]