Protecting Our Neighbors and Recognizing Our Colleagues

Friends,

At the State Capitol in recent days, the House of Representatives has passed several pieces of legislation meant to protect our neighbors in various ways - whether fighting the scourge of gang violence or protecting our elders from those who seek to take advantage of them. 

Protecting Georgians

SB 90 carried in the House by Representative Clint Crowe of Jackson, includes important legislation to protect Georgians from being targeted by unscrupulous and predatory solicitations that seek to target their homes and hold their property hostage.  

The Georgia Door-to-Door Sales Act, SB 149 carried in the House by Representative Robert Dickey of Musella, simply requires door to door sellers to provide buyers with a notice of cancellation.  Too often homeowners feel pressured to agree to a predatory sale or contract just to get a salesman to leave their home - this gives them the chance to cancel a purchase after the fact.  

On March 23, we passed SB 73, which gives Georgians the right to sue those who solicit them by phone despite their inclusion on the no call list. This legislation carried in the House by Representative Tyler Paul Smith of Bremen.

Just as important as protecting elderly Georgians, we passed legislation designed to keep Georgia’s young and vulnerable safe.  

SB 42 increases the penalty for businesses that refuse to post signage about our human trafficking hotline. This legislation was carried in the House by Representative Will Wade of Dawsonville, and includes provisions for notification and allows businesses to come into compliance before a fine is imposed. Ultimately however, businesses required to post this signage are those at high risk for human trafficking - just the places we need this important information available. 

We also passed SB 44 carried in the House by Representative Soo Hong of Lawrenceville. This legislation, which passed 99 - 74, takes on the threat of street gangs head on by targeting those who recruit Georgia’s children into these heinous organizations.  Our children should be free to enjoy their childhood - not groomed and pulled into the criminal underworld. 

On March 21, we passed SB 47, to amend Georgia’s Smokefree Air Act to include vaping in its restrictions. This legislation was carried in the House by Representative Sharon Cooper of Marietta.  While vaping can provide a safer alternative for adult smokers, too often today our young people view it as safe and risk free - this legislation will make clear that’s not the case, and reduce opportunities for Georgians to be exposed to the health risks of vaping in public.  

And to protect the rights of all Georgians, we passed SB 1, which simply protects the rights of all Georgians to access government services. As our communities and national economy continue to recover, we must ensure that local governments don’t impose vaccine mandates or other requirements that are designed to limit your access to services provided by our government. This legislation carried in the House by Representative Todd Jones of Forsyth County, passed the House with a vote of 99 - 69.  

Mourning a Colleague

Over the weekend, House members, including myself and Minority Leader James Beverly of Macon, gathered to mourn the loss of our colleague Representative Tish Naghise after a short illness. I often describe the House of Representatives as a family - this is no truer than when we gather to mourn a loss together.  While Tish only served briefly, she ran for office for the same reason I did - to help her friends and neighbors with her service at the State Capitol.  

I hope you’ll join Dayle and me in praying for Tish, her family, and her entire Fayetteville community after this tragic loss.   

In coming days, as the House wraps up our session, remember that should you have questions about my work as your Representative or as Speaker of the House both before or after the conclusion of the session on March 29, 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.