Related Practices and Jurisdictions
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Thursday was the third legislative day for the Georgia General Assembly, but that day was all about Governor Brian Kemp and the state’s constitutional officials. Under cloudy skies, the House and Senate came together for a joint session at Georgia State University’s shiny new Convocation Center to inaugurate Georgia’s top leaders and hear the governor’s vision for the future. Despite the somber mood, Kemp laid out his sunnier plans to cut taxes, return excess tax revenues to citizens and implement the priorities he set out during the campaign.
In addition to restating several of his policy goals unveiled over the past few months, the governor announced his intention to make Georgia the Electric Mobility Capital of America. Kemp also gave his first taste of his upcoming state budget proposals, announcing $2,000 pay rises for state employees and teachers and a $150 million grant program to address school safety, learning loss, and education and addressing teacher recruitment. The governor’s full budget proposals are due out Friday, and we’ll have them all in the #GoldDomeReport.
In this report:
Senate announces committee appointments
Late yesterday, members of the State Senate received their “class schedules” (also known as committee assignments) for the 2023-24 Legislative Session. As expected, the powerful Senate Committee on Responsibilities saw a number of changes driven by retirements and new members. Full committee rosters are available online and the committee chairs are as follows:
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Agriculture and Consumer Protection – Senator Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell)
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Medium – Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia)
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Banks and Financial Institutions – Senator Carden Summers (R-Cordele)
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Children and Families – Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta)
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Economic Development and Tourism – Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta)
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Education and Youth Committee – Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett)
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Ethics – Senator Max Burns (R-Sylvania)
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Finance – Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome)
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Government Oversight – Senator Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone)
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Health and Human Services – Senator Ben Watson (R-Savannah)
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Higher Education – Senator Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro)
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Insurance and Labor – Senator Larry Walker (R-Perry)
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Intergovernmental Cooperation – Senator Colton Moore (R-Trenton)
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Justice – Senator Brian Strickland (R-McDonough)
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Natural Resources and Environment – Senator Lee Anderson (R-Grovetown)
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Public Safety – Senator John Albers (R-Alpharetta)
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Reshuffle and Redistribution – Senator Shelly Echols (R-Alto)
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Regulated Industries and Utilities – Senator Bill Cowsert (R-Athens)
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Retired – Sen. Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville)
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Rules – Senator Matt Brass (R-Newnan)
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Science and Technology – Senator Chuck Payne (R-Dalton)
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Government Institutions and Property – Senator Ed Harbison (D-Columbus)
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State and Local Government Operations – Senator Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville)
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Transportation – Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming)
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City Affairs – Senator Donzella James (D-Atlanta)
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Veterans, Military and Homeland Security – Senator Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton)
New legislation
The following legislation of interest was brought into the House:
The following relevant bills have been introduced into the Senate:
What’s next
The General Assembly will reconvene for the 4th Legislative Day on Friday 13 January at 10:00 am.
Copyright ©2023 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLPNational Law Review, Volume XIII, Number 12
