Georgia’s 2023 legislative session ended earlier this month and began with a 40-day period known as the Legislative Review, during which Governor Brian Kemp and his staff review passed legislation and then enact it.
This year’s session was attended by 53 new lawmakers, a new lieutenant governor and speaker of the House of Representatives, and new legislative leaders in both houses.
The legislature considered a total of 2,371 bills, of which 1,026 made it into both chambers. Of these, approximately 121 involved Augusta University, including 96 assigned to the five House and Senate health committees and 25 to the higher education committees.
Augusta University’s Government Relations team worked on a major project in the FY23 Amended Budget to successfully raise $105 million to upgrade the electronic medical record system at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia and provide scholarships for children and adolescents provide psychiatric care ($432,338) and maternal fetal medicine ($150,000). The recommendations of the Health Workers Commission and the continuation of mental health funding were also key points of this session.
“Margie Miller and her Government Relations team are doing an incredible job for Augusta University and our healthcare system throughout the legislature and throughout the year,” said Russell Keen, EdD, executive vice president of administration and chief of staff. “They are among the best on the State Capitol and represent us with the utmost professionalism and integrity as they work with the General Assembly to ensure Augusta University is positioned as a critical investment and resource for the entire state of Georgia and beyond.”
One of the biggest “wins” in higher education during the session was the HOPE scholarship, which was 100% funded.
The AU Government Relations team also worked to support several bills that made it through both houses. SB 246 is a bill that would allow the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce to make student loan repayments for nurses who were faculty members in the nursing program of a post-secondary institution for one year. HB 383 is the Safer Hospital Act, which increases penalties for violence against healthcare workers. SB 56 added wording late in the session that would extend the physician tax incentive program through 2026.
Towards the end of March, the traditional Augusta University Capitol Day returned in almost full force. Trustees of the AU Foundation, Board Members of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia and Dee Mallory, President of the AU Undergraduate Student Government Association, attended the day’s celebrations, which included meetings with lawmakers, staff, the Governor and the First Lady.
“This was a busy session with our government relations staff actively working with our lawmakers to support Augusta University, AU Health and all of our interests,” said Miller, associate vice president of government relations. “I am very proud of our staff for the work they did not only during the session but also in the months leading up to the session. One of my favorite parts of this year’s session was Augusta University Capitol Day, which returned to its previous format. It was really exciting to see so many AU people in the Capitol that day. We look forward to growing on this day as it is a longstanding opportunity to connect with legislators and stakeholders and share the excellent work being done across the state.”
Government Relations is tasked with ensuring that the priorities of Augusta University, the Augusta University healthcare system, and MCG are well represented at all levels of local, state, and federal government. Led by Miller, the Government Relations team includes Monty Philpot Brock, Director of Federal Relations, Ashton Blackwood, Director of State Relations, Luke Ray, Deputy Director of Government Relations, and Meghana Raj, a student intern at the Legislation.
Kemp has begun the bill review process, which is 40 days after the session in which he can sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly. Those that have not been signed or rejected will automatically come into effect. He has already signed the important amended budget for FY23 and vetoed HB 319, which added an amendment that would limit USG tuition increases by more than 3% without Legislative approval.
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