Greetings from the Gold Dome!

Greetings from the Gold Dome! It is hard to believe that we have already completed nine weeks of the legislative session. Friday, March 10th, brought to a close day 31.

With the Crossover deadline behind us, we began to concentrate on hearing the many Senate bills up for review. The final days of any session are hectic as we work to ensure the passage of sound policy for the benefit of our Georgia citizens.

Agricultural Measures

Last week, agricultural measures were a top priority as we passed two Senate bills for the betterment of our state’s largest industry.

The first measure, Senate Bill 69, would eliminate the double registration requirements for those handling certified organic food products in Georgia. Currently, producers are required to register with both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Under this legislation, certified organic producers would only be required to register with USDA, further streamlining regulation requirements.

The second agricultural bill passed was Senate Bill 78, which works to alleviate costly regulations within the food service industry. This bill would authorize the Ag Commissioner, to issue exceptions or waivers to rules regarding food contamination and misbranding within grocery stores and meat markets making certain food products.

This bill allows the Commissioner to modify all or part of a food safety requirement if the rule creates an obvious hardship, impairing one’s ability to continue business practices. However, the business that is granted the waiver must prove that the rule can be achieved through another method. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already permits this flexibility at the federal level, and SB 78 allows our Commissioner the same flexibility.

Healthcare Measures

Improved access to quality healthcare continues with the passage Senate Bill 102, which works to incentivize statewide health care facility improvements, specific to cardiac care. Sadly, cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 23,000 Georgians each year, making it the leading cause of death in our state. In an effort to provide improved cardiac care, this bill creates the Office of Cardiac Care (OCC) within the Department of Public Health.

The OCC would be responsible for designating qualified hospitals throughout the state as “emergency cardiac care centers.” SB 102 also allows hospitals to apply through the OCC to be designated as an emergency cardiac care center and receive grant funding if needed. We are hopeful that the improvement of cardiac care in our state will grant citizens with the expedited quality care they need while saving lives.

House Rural Development Council

As an advocate for our rural communities, I am pleased with the passage of House Resolution 389, which would create the House Rural Development Council. This Council will be tasked with finding ways to promote our rural communities through economic development. This council, made up of 15 House members, appointed by Speaker Ralston, will work to identify the various challenges facing our less populated areas.

Appointed members will explore legislative solutions in policy areas such as education, infrastructure, health care access and economic growth incentives to revitalize rural areas. The council will begin its two-year study, beginning this April and hold meetings throughout rural Georgia on a regular basis to study relevant issues. Rural local officials, educational and business leaders, healthcare providers, civic groups and individuals are invited to attend meetings and lend their insight. Creating the House Rural Development Council will give legislators the unique opportunity to take data and recommendations directly from our rural communities regarding issues and possible legislative solutions.

Law Enforcement

Appreciation Day

March 6th under the Gold Dome was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day! We took time to give thanks to the 54,000 men and women who put their lives on the line to protect and serve us. Throughout our state’s history we have lost 699 officers in the line of duty, with nine of those occurring in the last year alone. Although our brave officers deserve to be recognized for their courage every day, we were proud to pay special tribute to those we have lost as well as those still serving.

I will be back next week to update you on General Assembly happenings. As we head into the final stretch of this year’s session, please contact me any time with your concerns! I am here to represent you and by doing so, it is important for me to hear from you.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your voice on Capitol Hill. The encouragement and prayers that you have sent helps me get through this demanding time of year and I would not make it without your support!