Note: the following item was submitted by State Senator Jason Anavitarte. – KtE
We have now completed 31 Legislative Days under the Gold Dome. As week nine comes to a close, I am proud of what this legislative body has accomplished.
Crossover Day occurred on Monday last week. As Crossover Day is the last day the Senate Bills can pass the Senate, and House Bills can pass the House, we voted on numerous pieces of legislation on the Senate floor and committees spent hours leading up to this day vetting and voting on bills. I am eager to give you the highlights from the last couple of weeks.
Last week, Senate Bill 66, my first bill, was voted on and passed the Senate. As a reminder, SB 66 would merge the Innovation Fund Foundation and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. Both organizations have similar missions and purposes, so merging them into one is a sensible, financially prudent decision. Under SB 66, the Georgia Foundation for Public Education would take ownership of the Innovation Fund Foundation.
A second bill I sponsored passed on the Senate Floor as well last week. Senate Bill 200 would allow businesses and religious institutions that comply with health and safety guidelines during states of emergency to resume operations. I believe this bill will help protect businesses and places of worship during unprecedented times like what we experienced during this pandemic.
The Senate passed other bills last week that would benefit the education system and students in Georgia. I co-sponsored and passed Senate Bill 204 which would allow the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to award high school diplomas to students 16 years old or older through a pilot program. I am confident this will enhance the education system in Georgia, and I will keep you updated on their progress as they move through the remainder of the legislative session.
On Crossover Day this week, the Senate passed another one of my bills. Senate Bill 226 would help prevent K-12 students from acquiring and reading obscene materials. SB 226 creates and complaint resolution policy that would allow parents to alert their child’s school that material is available to their minor child or has been assigned as part of the curriculum is harmful to them.
The bill will help keep our children safe and protect them from damaging exposure to obscene materials. Graphic materials should not be made available to students, especially without parental knowledge or consent. While there is still more to be done, this legislation is a step in the right direction to protecting our vulnerable youth.
Notably, the Senate passed a few election reform bills this week as well. Senate Bill 241, a bill I co-sponsored, would create a voter intimidation and election fraud hotline, require voters to have an authorized excuse to vote absentee, allow the State Election Board to recommend the removal of local election officials and more.
It is imperative that this legislative body helps restore Georgia voters’ confidence in our election system. SB 241, and election reform bills similar to it, strengthen the election process by making it more secure and ensuring every real vote is counted. I will be sure to keep my constituents informed of the status of these bills.
As we are nearing the end of the 2021 Legislative Session, please feel welcome to contact my office if you ever have any questions or concerns. It is my pleasure to represent the 31st Senate District, and I thank you for your continued support of me as I navigate this role.
State Senator Jason Anavitarte represents the 31st Senate District which includes Haralson, Paulding and Polk Counties. He may be reached via e-mail at jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.
