Senator Albers: Week Eight Under the Gold Dome
Friday, March 07, 2025
We’ve officially reached one of the biggest milestones of the legislative session—Crossover Day. This marks the final opportunity for bills to pass out of their original chamber and remain eligible to become law before the session ends. It’s a fast-paced, high-stakes time under the Gold Dome, and this week was no exception. With the session winding down, our focus now shifts to working with the House to finalize these bills. Below is a look at some of the key measures we’ve passed that will have a real impact on our communities.
Every parent deserves peace of mind knowing their child is safe at school. That’s why Senate Republicans have made school safety a major priority this session. We’ve passed three proactive measures to keep our students and educators secure. SB 17 requires all schools to install mobile panic alert systems and provide school mapping data to law enforcement. In an emergency, every second counts. We can prevent tragedies and protect lives by reducing response times and giving first responders better information. SB 61 ensures that juveniles charged with attempted murder or terroristic threats against a school will be prosecuted as adults. We cannot afford to treat these serious crimes lightly. This bill sends a strong message—schools are places of learning, not places of fear.
SB 179 requires that students send their academic and disciplinary records within ten days of transferring to a new school and notify their parents or guardians within five days. This helps ensure that schools know of any past behavior concerns and can provide the necessary support and oversight. These common-sense policies strengthen our schools’ ability to keep students safe while ensuring we remain vigilant against potential threats.
In Georgia, we back the blue and stand with those who put their lives on the line to protect us. Whether it’s law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency responders, we recognize their service and sacrifice. This year, we passed key bills to provide them with financial and retirement security.
SB 56 expands the Georgia Indemnification Fund to provide financial support to the families of public safety officers who lost their lives due to COVID-19. This is about doing what’s right for the families of those who gave everything for their communities. SB 31 eliminates state taxes on military retirement income. While Georgia already offers some tax exemptions, this bill makes us fully competitive with neighboring states that don’t tax military pensions at all. This is about honoring our veterans and making Georgia a more attractive place for retired servicemen and women to live and work.
SB 129, the “Georgia Supporting Those Who Sacrificed for Service Act,” expands the homestead exemption for totally disabled veterans and introduces new exemptions for partially disabled veterans and first responders. I sponsored this bill to recognize their sacrifices.
The Senate also passed my bill, SB 111, the “Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act,” which strengthens online data security. This legislation, stemming from the 2024 Senate Study Committee on AI, empowers consumers to control their personal data and limits how it is collected and stored, helping protect Georgians from identity theft and financial fraud.
Additionally, SB 9, the “Ensuring Accountability for Illegal AI Activities Act,” targets AI-driven crimes, such as obscene imagery harming minors and fraudulent impersonations of seniors. This bill deters bad actors while safeguarding AI’s positive applications.
With SB 27, the “Georgia Anti-Doxxing Act,” we criminalize doxxing as a stalking-related offense. Posting personal information without consent can cause severe harm, and this bipartisan measure reinforces our commitment to online safety. I sponsored this bill to keep Georgians safe.
Lastly, I was honored to recognize law enforcement leaders at the State Capitol for Police Chiefs and Heads of Law Enforcement Agencies Recognition Day. The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police exemplifies outstanding leadership, and Senate Resolution 60 commends their dedication to public safety. Georgia will always stand with those who protect and serve.
As we enter the final stretch of the legislative session, I encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or input. I look forward to pushing for legislation that strengthens our communities, upholds our values, and ensures a brighter future for all Georgians.
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].