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 56^th 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 56^th 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]

 Today, Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) Today, Senator John Albers stood before the Georgia Senate to honor Donate Life Georgia in recognition of National Donor Day. As an organ donor himself, Senator Albers understands the profound impact of organ and tissue donation firsthand, having donated one of his kidneys to save his son’s life.

Sen. Albers emphasized the importance of organ and tissue donation, stating, “Organ and tissue donation is a gift of life and a testament to the power of compassion and generosity. By registering as donors, individuals have the opportunity to save and heal lives, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness. I will always work towards the mission of giving hope to the nearly 3,000 Georgians currently awaiting an organ transplant.”

Donate Life Georgia advocates for organ, eye, and tissue donation, urging Georgians to register their decision to save lives through various channels, including driver’s license offices, online registration at www.DonateLifeGeorgia.org, and when obtaining hunting or fishing licenses through the Department of Natural Resources.

Sen. Albers’ recognition of Donor Day at the state capitol underscores the critical need for organ donation and honors the selfless individuals and their families who make donation possible.

The members of the Senate body commended the dedication of Donate Life Georgia and its member organizations in educating Georgians about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Feb. 15, 2024, is officially recognized as Donor Day at the state capitol, a testament to the collective efforts to save lives through donation.

Sen. Albers also recognized Sierra Pape with Senate Resolution 483 to applaud her work worked with the Georgia Department of Education to have the curriculum to teach Georgia students about organ donation and transplantation across our state.

For more information on SR 560, click here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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]

On Monday, Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) introduced Senate Resolution 484, which applauds and commends the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office for earning its ‘Triple Crown’ rating last month by attaining accreditation from the top three law enforcement credentialing authorities in the country.

Sen. Albers stood in alongside fellow Senate Cobb Caucus members Sen. Ed Setlzer (R–Acworth), Sen. Michael ‘Doc’ Rhett (D–Marietta), Sen. Jason Esteves (D–Atlanta), and Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R–Marietta).

Cobb County Sheriff Craig D. Owens, Sr., also recognized during the presentation, took office on Jan. 1, 2021, and led the agency to this elite level in a span of less than four years.

“It was my privilege and honor to recognize this extraordinary achievement by our Cobb County Sheriff’s Office,” Sen. Albers said. “Only about 100 sheriff’s offices nationwide — out of thousands — and only five offices in Georgia have earned this distinguished honor, and we are proud of Sheriff Owens and his staff. This recognition demonstrates the level of professionalism, leadership, and teamwork by the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office..”

The three national law enforcement credentialing authorities include the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), American Correctional Association (ACA), and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).

Currently there are 13 facilities in the U.S. that hold the NCCHC Mental Health Accreditation, including the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office will be the second agency in the country to have partnered with Wellpath, which currently holds this particular accreditation.

“I am incredibly proud of our command staff and rank-and-file employees for their leadership and commitment to excellence in public safety,” said Cobb County Sheriff Craig D. Owens, Sr. “Earning the Triple Crown Award isn’t the destination; it’s part of our ongoing journey to become one of the best law enforcement agencies in the country.”

You can find more information on SR 484 here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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]

We have officially completed five weeks of legislative business under the Gold Dome, and it’s hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through the 2024 Legislative Session. While I am proud of the legislative progress we have made as a Senate body, we have plenty of work left to do for both the 56^th Senate District and our state. I am excited to work with my fellow senators and Republican caucus members to continue our mission of passing meaningful legislation for Georgia. As a majority, we have enjoyed a highly effective session and biennium, and it’s important that we finish the drill.

Since the start of the legislative session, I have been drafting and advocating for conservative legislation in all facets of the legislative process. In regards to my legislation, Senate Bill 328, crafted to update and provide additional benefits to the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund, passed out of the House Retirement Committee.  I also was pleased to see Senate Bill 334 pass out of the Senate Committee on Insurance & Labor. This bill, titled the “Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act” is good legislation dedicated to protecting another important branch of first responders. Similarly, I was proud to adopt Senate Resolution 550, honoring Feb. 6 as Firefighters Recognition Day. It was an honor to stand with firefighters from across our great state on the south steps of the Capitol. One of my greatest priorities as your state senator is protecting the men and women who safeguard our communities.

In additional news, I’m happy to share that Senate Bill 335, the Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act, has moved to the House and passed through the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. We must do all that we can to protect some of Georgia’s most vulnerable individuals.

Additionally, my colleagues and I joined members of the House to hear from Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs as he delivered the State of the Judiciary address. During the address, Chief Justice Boggs updated the Georgia General Assembly on several meaningful judicial efforts, including judicial security and retention. As lawmakers, we must protect our law enforcers both in the line of duty and on the bench. By protecting our law enforcers, we can play a key role in retaining judges who are committed to preserving justice in our great state.

This week, Senators took part in their respective appropriations subcommittees. In these hearings, members listened to budget requests from state agencies related to the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget. As I mentioned in our week two update when legislators participated in “Budget Week,” these meetings are essential as we continue to maintain our AAA bond rating and $16 billion surplus – all thanks to practical fiscal conservatism. Unlike the Washington elite, we manage our money responsibly and practice diligence at every level: from subcommittees, to committees and on the Senate floor. Georgia’s working class families deserve legislators dedicated to balancing dollars and cents, and the Senate’s Republican majority is proud to continue leading this charge.

I was honored to welcome Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to the Capitol on Feb. 7 as a part of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.  CHOA is an exceptional institution and leads the largest cardiac program in the Southeast and is a hub for good-paying Georgia jobs. Many of their workers make tremendous sacrifices and save countless lives. I will always be thankful for their work. It’s certainly no accident that they are one of the most renowned healthcare facilities in our country.

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 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 56^th 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]

Today, Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) announced the creation of bipartisan and collaborative Senate Cobb County Delegation. This delegation will be co-chaired by Sen. Ed Setzler (R–Acworth) and Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett (D–Marietta). The Senate delegation will continue working toward legislation and resolutions that support the county’s judiciary, educational, budgetary, infrastructural, oversight and regulatory needs. “I was honored to nominate Senators Setzler and Rhett for their respective positions within this delegation.

This bipartisan collaboration will enhance and improve the lives of the many Georgians that call Cobb
County home,” said Sen. Albers. “I know that my colleagues will work to obtain tangible results for our
constituents, neighbors and friends within Cobb County.” Cobb County includes the cities of Marietta, Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Mableton, Powder Springs, and Smyrna with a population of more than 766,000.

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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].

January has concluded and we have completed a significant amount of work under the Gold Dome. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been hard at work introducing various public policy initiatives for Georgia citizens and members of the 56th District…

With January now officially in the books, the Georgia General Assembly has nearly completed a month of legislative work. January proved to be a productive time for Georgians, and the fourth week under the Gold Dome was no exception. I’m eager to share what I’ve been diligently working on for Georgia’s 56^th Senate District.

This week, I was pleased to witness the adoption of two pieces of legislation I sponsored on the Senate floor. Senate Bill 328, crafted to update and provide additional benefits to the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund, garnered unanimous support. This crucial legislation aims to bolster the retention of our peace officers, particularly during a period where prioritizing those who safeguard our communities is paramount. In alignment with this priority, I took pride in leading the effort to draft and adopt Senate Resolution 495, which designated January 31, 2024, as Police Chiefs and Heads of Law Enforcement Agencies Recognition Day.

Furthermore, I was delighted to see the passage of Senate Bill 335, dedicated to safeguarding some of Georgia’s most vulnerable individuals: adopted children. I remain steadfast in my commitment to defending those who cannot defend themselves.

Moreover, I was pleased to witness several of my bills referred to various Senate committees. Senate Bill 363, aimed at supporting our law enforcement personnel by establishing the critical Georgia Public Safety Training Center, passed out of committee.  Additionally, SB 334, the Helping Firefighters Beat Cancer Act. Also passed unanimously out of committee.

I had the privilege of joining Gov. Brian P. Kemp and fellow members of the Georgia General Assembly for the signing of House Bill 30. This bill, officially defining antisemitism for purposes including hate crime prosecution and cases of discrimination, marks a significant step in the state’s support for its Jewish population amidst a troubling rise in antisemitism nationwide. As I’ve stated before, there is unequivocally no place for hate in Georgia.

Looking ahead, I anticipate continued progress for our district in the coming legislative week. With an array of legislation in committee and poised for a vote on the Senate floor, I’m confident that the 56^th Senate District will continue to benefit from measures aimed at enhancing the lives of all residents.

As always, I want to invite students between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve 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 regarding any legislative matter. I look forward to assisting you as the 2024 Legislative Session continues on.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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]

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 335, sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) passed by a unanimous, bipartisan vote through the Senate.

“This is an important step taken by the Senate toward protecting Georgia’s children,” Sen. Albers said. “While it’s unfortunate that this sort of legislation is needed, it is critical to continue fighting for every child in our state. I look forward to my colleagues in the House continuing forward with this bill so it will become law.”

With a vote of 49 to 0, the “Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act” will provide that sexual intercourse or sodomy between certain family members related by adoption be regarded as incest. Incest is already illegal under Georgia law, and this legislation will now include adoptive families.

Sen. Albers worked closely with Susan K. Treadaway, District Attorney of Cherokee County on this bill.

“While it’s unfortunate that this sort of legislation is needed, it is critical to continue fighting for every child in our state. I look forward to my colleagues in the House continuing forward with this bill so it will become law.  Thanks to great leaders like District Attorney Susan Treadaway, we are going to further protect children,” said Sen. Albers.

“I am deeply grateful to Sen. John Albers for his quick action in addressing much-needed revision of Georgia’s incest law.  All children deserve to be protected from sexual assault.  The steps taken by Sen. Albers and the Senate body are paving the path for prosecutors to ensure that these offenders are held accountable,” said Susan K. Treadaway.

You can find more information on SB 335 here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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]

eek three under the Gold Dome has come to a close, and the 2024 Legislative Session is now a quarter of the way complete. The Georgia State Senate resumed legislative business this week in the Senate chamber, passing numerous bills, exchanging ideas in committee and holding meaningful debate on a number of important topics.

Safety for all Georgians has always been a critical priority for me as a legislator, and this week I introduced multiple pieces of legislation this week to promote such safety. The “Protecting Georgians Act” will amend the definition of racketeering to include felonies and certain misdemeanors. Similarly, it’s crucial that we formally establish the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. There should be absolutely zero question that the Georgia General Assembly stands with public safety officers and the communities they serve. I am proud to be authoring legislation that enables proper facilities and training. There’s no doubt this will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow and much-needed progress for our public safety.

I also sponsored legislation relating to property taxes and artificial intelligence. Senate Bill 364 regarding property taxes would lower property taxes for and straighten out the tax system for Georgians. Additionally, SB 392 would proactively address the use of artificial intelligence in election interference. It is fundamental that we anticipate potential challenges when preparing for elections. I continue to be dedicated to ensuring the upcoming election cycle is secure.

Moreover, I was pleased to witness Senate Bill 328 pass out of the Senate Committee on Retirement this week. This legislation would increase benefits for members of the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund and would provide additional definitions for members of the fund, helping streamline the application process for future members. I am confident that this bill will assist in our efforts to retain our State’s finest law enforcement officers.

The Senate body also passed a deeply meaningful piece of legislation on the Senate floor on Thursday, House Bill 30, which provides an official definition for antisemitism. This bill has been three years in the making and will finally go to Governor Brian P. Kemp’s desk for his signature now that it has received final passage in both the Senate and House. There is absolutely no place for antisemitic hate in the state of Georgia. This definition will further reinforce our legislative support for Georgia’s Jewish population and I appreciate Lt. Governor Burt Jones for making this issue a priority.

As the legislative session continues, I encourage you to contact my office for any legislative assistance. It will always remain my honor to serve Georgia’s 56^th District.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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]

This week, Senate Bill 335, sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell) passed by a unanimous, bipartisan vote through the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Also known as the “Safeguarding Adopted Children from Sexual Violence Act”, SB 335 would provide that sexual intercourse or sodomy between certain family members related by adoption be regarded as incest. Incest is already illegal under Georgia law, and this legislation will now include adoptive families. Sen. Albers worked closely with Susan K. Treadaway, District Attorney of Cherokee County on this bill.

“I am grateful to DA Susan K. Treadaway for sharing this important loophole in the law with me and working together to protect our children. Cherokee County is so fortunate to have a District Attorney fighting every day to protect citizens and victims while prosecuting dangerous criminals,” said Sen. Albers.

“As prosecutors, we serve as the ‘boots on the ground’ in the courtroom, directly positioned to identify opportunities for positive change in the law. I am proud to work with Sen. John Albers, a true champion for justice, as we partner together to make Georgia a safer place for children and families,” said Susan K. Treadaway.

You can find more information on SB 335 here.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th 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]

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