By: Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R – Dallas)
This week marked our busiest yet, as our votes on the Senate floor and work in our committee meetings has accelerated in anticipation of Crossover Day, which will fall on March 15.
Though this week brought with it long debates and passionate discussions, the end result was the successful passages of several bills that strengthen our Second Amendment rights, protect the health and safety of pregnant mothers and loosen long overdue restrictions when it comes to the use of masks by our students in schools. Additionally, the Senate passed its version of the amended budget for 2022, completing one-half of our yearly Constitutional obligation.
On Monday, we took the time to consider a number of bills related to gun rights, none more important than Senate Bill 319, which I was proud to sponsor. SB 319 is known as the “Georgia Constitutional Carry Act” and, essentially, would waive the license requirement for any lawful weapons carrier to carry their firearm. Our Constitution makes it as clear as day that there should be no hurdles imposed by the government that inhibit a lawful weapons carrier from having their firearm on them and carrying them in locations where the law allows.
This bill does very little to actually change current law on when and how you can carry a firearm and, instead, simply removes the unneccesary and burdensome permitting process. I will always stand up for the right of Georgians to stand up and exercise their Second Amendment rights and was proud to author this measure.
Along with our Second Amendment rights, I also believe in standing up for the rights of the unborn. Under current law, a pregnant mother has the option to order, through telemedicine, a pill that will effectively terminate her pregnancy. There is currently no need to have an in-person examination by a medical professional and no requirement that a healthcare provider be present before, during or after the ingestion of this pill.
This has the potential to cause irreparable harm to pregnant women and perhaps even endanger her life. Senate Bill 456 would prohibit the delivery of certain forms of abortion pills by mail and require an in-person examination by a health care professional, including an ultrasound, before such a bill may be administered. By going through the proper procedures, we have the potential to protect mothers from any unintended consequences from mail order abortion pills.
Last week, we made significant progress in expanding the rights of our students and parents when it comes to their education. This week, we expanded those rights further though the passage of Senate Bill 514, which would prohibit any local school personnel from requiring a student to wear a face mask while on school property. Under this bill, a student may wear a mask if their parent so chooses; however, any mandate that all student must remain masked at all times is strictly forbidden. Again, our parents know far better than government officials or school administrators on what is best for their child. Blanket mandates serve no useful purpose and the ability to regulate the usage of masks by students should be reserves solely by their parents.
On Thursday, we also passed Senate Bill 403, another measure to assist our law enforcement. A few weeks ago, the Senate Passed the LESS Crime Act and which was designed to offer financial support to our law enforcement community through a tax credit program. One of the items that police foundations are able to use these funds on is a mental health co-responder program, which is authorized through Senate Bill 403.
Under this bill, if an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis, a co-responder team composed of a health care professional and a peace officer can be dispatched in order to bring a safe resolution to the crisis. Innovative public safety solutions like these will be key in reducing crime statewide, but will also bring help to those who need it in order to avoid any tragic outcomes.
Finally, the Senate successfully passed House Bill 910, representing the amended budget for the 2022 fiscal year (AFY22). This budget is based on a revenue estimate of over $30 billion, and while the bulk of that number will go towards education, we are also funding important issues such as expanding nursing capacity and providing our rural main streets with the funds they need to continue to attract opportunities for growth.
Next week will prove to be busier still, as our deadline to report legislation out of committee falls on Wednesday of next week. That being said, there is still ample time for your to contact your legislators and inform them of the issues that matter most to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
Sen. Jason Anavitarte represents the 31st Senate District which includes Haralson, Paulding and Polk County. He may be reached via email at jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov
