Albers: Week Four Under the Gold Dome
Friday, February 07, 2025
We’re now four weeks into the 2025 Legislative Session, and things are moving quickly under the Gold Dome. It’s been a busy and productive stretch, and I remain fully committed to standing up for the values and priorities of the 56th Senate District.
This week began with a press conference led by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), where we unveiled our Republican caucus priorities for the session. Leader Gooch captured it perfectly: Georgia’s success depends on securing our future—whether that’s through protecting our children, safeguarding families, enhancing economic opportunities, or ensuring that Georgia remains the best state in the nation to do business.
A key legislative priority that moved swiftly through the Senate this week is SB 1, the “Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act,” authored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming) and I was a proud sponsor. This commonsense bill ensures that biological males cannot participate in women’s sports at the middle school, high school, or collegiate levels. As a parent and someone who believes in preserving fairness in athletics, I proudly supported this legislation. During the debate I read a letter from my constituent Lisa Blankinship who was present in the gallery with her husband Greg. The letter involved her daughter Katie who had to deal with this issue as a college swimmer and it was very impactful. Passing this bill is a big win for our daughters, granddaughters, and future generations of female athletes, and I’m optimistic it will receive a warm reception in the House in the coming weeks.
In addition to advancing our priority bills, the Senate has been hard at work, maintaining a regular committee schedule and hearing testimony on issues ranging from public safety to AI-driven scams and synthetic drug testing. Committees serve as the engine of the legislative process, and I was proud to see my bill, SB 7, move forward in the Senate Committee on Public Safety earlier this week. If passed, SB 7 would allow sheriffs to utilize municipal detention facilities or jails when space is available.
I drafted this legislation after serving on the Senate Committee on Public Safety’s Subcommittee on the Fulton County Jail (FCJ), which concluded in its final report that FCJ would benefit greatly from access to the Atlanta City Detention Center. While SB 7 alone will not fully resolve the persistent overcrowding at FCJ, I believe giving officials the ability to separate nonviolent offenders from the general population is a step in the right direction.
The Senate Committee on Public Safety also recommended that the Senate body consider another bill of mine, SB 84. This bill is especially meaningful to me, as it establishes specialty license plates benefiting the Shepherd Center and the Georgia Transplant Foundation. These organizations provide life-saving care and critical support to Georgians facing immense challenges. As an organ donor, I deeply believe in their mission, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting them—even in a small way, such as purchasing a specialty license plate in their honor.
Finally, I sponsored SR 19 to designate February 4th as Firefighters Recognition Day—one of my favorite days of the year. Having served as a firefighter for over three decades, I know firsthand the dedication and sacrifice of firefighters and EMTs across Georgia. These men and women risk their lives daily to provide emergency services, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery. I encourage everyone to visit your local fire station, meet the fire chiefs, and take the time to get to know the firefighters who serve your community.
I encourage students ages 12 to 18 to apply for the Senate Page Program. Spots are limited and filling quickly, so don’t wait to apply! If you know a student who might be interested, they can apply on the Senate website here.
I am incredibly grateful to continue representing the 56th Senate District. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, 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 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].