We are over halfway through the Legislative Session! This week ended on Legislative Day 21 of 40. That leaves only 7 Legislative days for bills to cross over been the House and Senate, so we have been voting a lot and we expect to vote on the more controversial bills in the weeks to come.
Votes This Week
HB 223: This bill will provide $200 million in much-needed tax breaks for Hurricane Helene relief, particularly for those in the timber and agricultural industries. I voted yes.
HB 38: This bill would expand eligibility for college completion grants. The program was set to sunset after this year and this bill extends the sunset until 2029. The program provides needs-based financial assistance to students very near the requirements to obtain their diploma or certificate. The expansion ensures that technical college students can make good use of the program, in addition to those at our four year institutions. This legislation is a win-win for Georgia and families. I voted yes.
HB 57: This bill expands the list of service members who may be buried in Veterans’ cemeteries, ensuring that the lives and service of reserve members, National Guard members, and others who received an honorable discharge are recognized. I voted yes.
HB 162: This bill fixes our First Offender Act, giving a true second chance to those who successfully complete a first offender program. Currently, people who complete these programs have their records cleared, but only after their full sentence is served. This means that often, their old records still exist online, making it hard for people to find work and homes, even though they have earned a clean slate. This bill will seal First Offender records at sentencing, unsealing them only if someone fails to properly complete the program.
HB 177: This bill allows judges to add family pets to protective orders in cases of domestic violence. Many survivors are scared to leave abusive situations if they cannot guarantee their pets’ safety. This bill will help alleviate that concern, and help judges educate survivors on their rights through the court process. I voted yes in committee and in the full House vote.
HB 181: This bill allows families who adopt children overseas to obtain a Certificate of Foreign Birth without repeating voluminous and expensive paperwork. Currently, families who have already completed the adoption process must go through a costly “re-adoption.” This removes that burden. I voted yes in committee and in the full House vote.
HB 192: This bill builds on the success of programs including Georgia MATCH and Georgia’s High Demand Career List. It repurposes grant money to help students develop college and career plans, particularly in fields that are on the High Demand Career List. I voted yes.
HB 196: This bill would require health insurers to reimburse a pharmacy for a drug dispensed to a covered person on the State Health Benefit Plan based on the national average drug acquisition cost. Additionally, the bill would require a professional dispensing fee that is not less than the professional dispensing fee paid by the state under the Social Security Act. This bill will level the playing field for our independent pharmacies. I voted yes.
HB 283: This bill would allow individuals the choice of whether or not to sign a traffic citation when pulled over by an officer. Currently, the law states that those who do not sign their citation must post a cash bond. Instead, HB 283 would allow individuals the option to refuse to sign without facing immediate arrest or the need to post bond as long as they agree to appear in court and recognize that refusing to sign may subject them to additional penalties. It was noted that many individuals mistakenly believe that signing a citation is an admission of guilt, but this legislation seeks to clarify that refusing to sign would not affect legal proceedings. The goal of this bill is to reduce negative encounters between citizens and law enforcement, decrease taxpayer costs, free up law enforcement for higher priority tasks, and reduce unnecessary jail occupancy. By allowing drivers the right to refuse to sign without immediate legal consequences, the bill would prioritize individuals’ rights, de-escalate situations, and promote public safety. I voted yes.
Standing Up for People
The House Judiciary Committee reviewed legislation this week that would have prevented victims from suing their local governments to the full extent of their injuries when a city is negligent. This legislation did not come to a vote yet. We asked many questions trying to understand what else our local governments can do to prevent tragedy and how best to balance risks and hardship when cities act negligently. See some of my questions on this bill at the link below.
Standing Against Evil
On Friday, I stood with my friend and colleague Representative Esther Panitch to honor the memories of Kfir and Ariel Bibas and mourn the continued lack of return of Shiri Bibas. I cannot say it better that Representative Panitch, so I share her words below:
Yesterday, from the Georgia State House chamber, I honored the memories of Kfir and Ariel Bibas with colleagues by my side. At the time, their mother, Shiri, was not yet returned back home to Israel.
Hamas terrorists murdered a 9-month old and a 4 year old with their bare hands. Their mother, Shiri, was also murdered in captivity.
Over 500 days since October 7, 2023 and Hamas continues to violate every single moral value. They are evil. They are humans without humanity.
Grief-stricken and heart-broken, we prayed that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir’s memories would be a blessing. We continue to pray for Yarden Bibas, who survived 500 days of torture in Hamas captivity only to find that his wife and children had been murdered.
The Jewish community is not okay. We need all people to condemn this evil. May we eradicate antisemitism and indifference, together.
Save the Date: March 12 Town Hall
Thank you to the over 50 of you who attended our first town hall! Sen. Sonya Halpern and I will be holding our second town hall on March 12 at 7pm. We will discuss the outcomes over Crossover Day and take a look at the big issues that are being addressed this Session. You can register to join us at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SkgLYjUAQHadGDN3mnGf_g
Friends Keep Friends Informed
Thank you for staying involved! Now it’s time to bring your friends along with you. You can invite someone to subscribe to this newsletter via our website. You can get in-depth information on current bills, committee meetings, and watch livestreams of session at https://www.legis.ga.gov/.
Your questions, concerns, and needs are important to me. Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. You can follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more updates. All of my constituents are welcome to visit my office at the Capitol. We encourage you to stop by!
My office is located at:
18 Capitol Square, SW
409-D, Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Thank you for allowing me to continue to serve you,
