WILLIAMS: Week 4 Under the Gold Dome

Published 1:36 pm Tuesday, February 11, 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 25th 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.

During his State of the State address, Gov. Brian P. Kemp outlined his top priority for this session: tort reform. Too often, small businesses get dragged down by frivolous lawsuits, and it’s time we put an end to jackpot justice in Georgia. I’m proud to report that two bills aimed at doing just that — Senate Bill 68 and Senate Bill 69 — have already been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB 68 takes a deep dive into tort law, revising rules on civil practice, evidence, damages and liability, all with one goal in mind: to reduce excessive payouts and curb the kind of lawsuit abuse that hurts local businesses.

Meanwhile, SB 69, the “Georgia Courts Access and Consumer Protection Act,” takes on third-party litigation financing, increasing transparency and protecting consumers from shady contract practices. These bills are just the beginning of our efforts to make Georgia’s legal system fairer, more transparent, and less prone to abuse.

Another key legislative priority that moved swiftly through the Senate this week is SB 1, the “Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act,” authored by state Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming). 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. It’s 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 priority legislation, the Senate has been hard at work maintaining a full committee schedule and hearing testimony on a range of important issues — including public safety, AI-driven scams, and synthetic drug testing. Committees play a crucial role in the legislative process, and I was proud to recommend SB 23 for advancement to the Senate floor from the Senate Committee on Retirement. Sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), SB 23 would increase the percentage of funds that the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA) may invest in alternative investments. By diversifying its portfolio, ERSGA can better navigate shifting financial markets, potentially increasing returns and strengthening long-term retirement security for Georgia’s public employees. I look forward to supporting Sen. Albers’ legislation when it comes before the full Senate.

This week, I also had the honor of sponsoring Senate Resolution 71 to recognize ERSGA on its 75th anniversary. ERSGA administers five defined benefit pension plans, two life insurance plans, and three defined contribution plans, including the Peach State Reserves 401(k) and 457 plans. Their commitment to serving Georgia’s retirees is invaluable. As the Senate continues to prioritize retirement security, I want to acknowledge their achievements and express our gratitude for their dedication and hard work.

Finally, 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.

I am incredibly grateful to continue representing the 25h Senate District. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

—Sen. Rick Williams serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement. He represents the 25th Senate District, which includes Baldwin, Butts, Jasper, Jones and Putnam County, as well as portions of Henry County and a small portion of Bibb County. He may be reached by phone at 404-656-0052 or by email at Rick.Williams@senate.ga.gov.