WILLIAMS: Update from the Capitol

Published 11:48 am Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The 2023 Georgia Legislative Session enters its final weeks under the Gold Dome, with 50 bills passing through the Georgia State Senate body this week. Crossover Day for the General Assembly was Monday, March 6, and was the point at which bills must pass to the House or Senate in order to have a chance of finishing the legislative process. Many items of legislation came before the Georgia State Senate for consideration, with a few bills of note. 

Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), would introduce an insurance premium discount or rate reduction for property owners who build a new residential or commercial property located in this state that better resists tornado, hurricane, or other catastrophic windstorm events. The measure would also include those owners who retrofit an existing residential or commercial property. As more natural disasters occur in our state, I applaud the Senate for passing this bipartisan legislation with a unanimous vote to ensure Georgians are better prepared for inclement weather.

We are also beginning to consider House Bills that have made it through the Senate committee process as the session progresses. House Bill 129, carried by Sen. Mike Hodges (R-Brunswick), would allow for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to be eligible for pregnant women regardless of whether or not they have a minor child. It would also repeal current Georgia law that eliminates increment benefits under TANF for families who have an additional child born during a TANF eligibility period. This bipartisan legislation passed with ease through the Senate and has now been sent to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature.

Further, I’d like to take a moment to provide an update on a couple of the measures I have authored so far this session. Senate Bill 68, which would include dogfighting under Georgia’s RICO statute and define the act as a racketeering offense, has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil. This measure will be heard before the committee in the coming days.

In addition, Senate Bill 138 has been referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. This legislation aims to revise the procedure for filling vacancies of the office of the sheriff. Easing the transition of power for our law enforcement sector is important and will give these offices more time to focus on protecting our communities. I look forward to presenting this measure before its assigned committee during the remainder of the House legislative process.

Senate Bill 168, passed through the Senate on Crossover Day. This bill would allow chiropractic practices that pertain to hospitals and nursing homes to have a lien on a cause of action accruing to an injured person. It has now been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary to be heard during the remainder of session.

As we approach Legislative Days 32 through 35 of the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, I assure you that we are keeping the interest of Georgia’s citizens in mind through each decision that we make. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about matters relating to the Georgia Senate, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. 

State Sen. Rick Williams serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents Senate District 25, which includes Jasper, Jones, Putnam and Baldwin counties and portions of Henry and Bibb Counties. He may be reached at 404-656-0082 or rick.williams@senate.ga.gov.