Focusing on Healthcare, Education and Crime

Friends,

As we begin to near the end of our legislative session in Atlanta, the House sent several important bills to the Senate during our last full week of session before Crossover Day - the day by which legislation must be sent from one body to the other in order to be enacted into law. 

Our efforts addressed some of the most important things facing Georgians - healthcare, education, and crime.  

Healthcare

On March 2nd, we passed HB 520 by a vote of 163 - 3.  This legislation, offered by Representative Todd Jones of Forsyth County and Mary Margaret Oliver of Decatur, follows up on last session’s groundbreaking mental health legislation by ensuring we have accurate data to address mental health needs and workforce gaps statewide. 

To address some of the specific healthcare needs of Georgia’s servicemembers, veterans, and their families, we passed HB 414.  This legislation, introduced by Representative Shaw Blackmon of Bonaire, passed the House by a vote of 167 - 0 on February 28th.  

Education

One of Georgia’s greatest resources is and will always be our young people.  That’s why addressing the educational needs of all Georgians is so important.

We passed two pieces of legislation last week designed to ensure that disabled Georgians have every opportunity to succeed.  

On February 27th, we passed HB 122 by a vote of 167 - 0. This legislation, introduced by Representative Lee Hawkins of Gainesville, improves the governance of Georgia’s ABLE program.  This program, which allows Georgians to contribute to special tax-advantaged accounts for the care of their disabled loved ones, has benefited many of our neighbors since its launch.  This legislation brings the ABLE program under the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan, aligning its governance with our tax advantaged college savings programs.  

On March 1st, we passed HB 185. This legislation, authored by Representative Houston Gaines of Athens, passed by a vote of 165 - 0 and establishes Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) grants to assist students enrolled in these important programs. IPSE programs at many of Georgia’s institutions of higher learning are designed to allow Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to succeed in career and life.  Programs such as Georgia Southern University’s Eagle Academy may benefit because of legislation such as this.

Crime

To do our best to assist local and state law enforcement in keeping crime under control, we passed HB 268, HB 500, HB 505, and HB 227.  

HB 268, introduced by Representative John Corbett of Lake Park and passed by a vote of 162 - 7, establishes a grant program to provide funds to local law enforcement agencies and multi-jurisdictional task forces for the prevention, reduction, investigation, and prosecution of motor vehicle crimes.

HB 500 and 505 are two pieces of legislation that seek to prevent the type of destructive rioting - often committed by perpetrators from outside of Georgia - that has made residents of our capital city fear for their safety.  HB 500, introduced by Representative Deborah Silcox of Sandy Springs, passed by a vote of 100 - 69 and makes burning a law enforcement vehicle a felony offense.  HB 505, introduced by Representative Mike Cheokas of Americus, passed by a vote of 98 - 73 and strengthens the penalties for rioting.  

HB 227, introduced by Representative Rob Leverett of Elberton and passed by a vote of 174 - 0, strengthens enforcement for crimes against critical infrastructure including public utilities, and for criminal damage to property - whether committed directly or through electronic means. 

And to show our thanks for our first responders every year, we passed legislation introduced by Representative Sheila Jones of Atlanta by a vote of 173 - 0, which designates September 11th as “First Responders Appreciation Day” in Georgia.   

As we continue to work through the bills before us and send deserving legislation to the Governor’s desk before the end of our session, remember that should you have questions about my work as your Representative or as Speaker of the House, you can always reach out to me at 404.656.5020, Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov, or on Facebook at www.FB.com/JonBurnsGA.  If you wish to sign up for my weekly emailed newsletter, visit https://www.friendsofjonburns.com/home to sign up.