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. The job doesn’t end upon adjournment, however. Serving the 31st Senate District is a full-time job; and the job remains my greatest honor.
Throughout the past week, I remained dedicated to drafting and advocating for numerous pieces of legislation aimed at benefiting our community. I was particularly pleased to engage in discussions about Senate Bill 420 during the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries & Utilities. This bill aims to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring possessory interests in agricultural land.
We’ve observed a concerning trend of companies with ties to questionable countries purchasing land near military bases and other critical areas affecting our national security. In Georgia, we are steadfast in our commitment to preventing such occurrences, and I eagerly anticipate voting in favor of this legislation once it reaches the Senate floor.
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 was personally honored to recognize the Cedartown High School cheerleaders this week. These athletes make tremendous contributions to their school, and I was honored to welcome them to their State Capitol in Atlanta.
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.
Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.9221 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov
