The 2023 Georgia Legislative Session concludes a busy ninth week with a multitude of legislative activities taking place throughout the halls of the State Capitol. The Senate convened for four days this week with a number of bills being heard before the Senate body, with a few measures of note.
Senate Bill 45, sponsored by Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R – Dallas), would implement a plan for the care of students being treated for epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Additionally, it would require the Department of Education to develop training guidelines and model seizure action plans for use by public schools and school systems. Children who struggle with neurological disorders such as epilepsy deserve to be taken care of when they are at school. I appreciate the Senate body for passing this meaningful bipartisan legislation unanimously.
Senate Bill 146, sponsored by Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega), would impose regulation and taxation for the provisions of certain electricity used as a motor fuel in electric vehicles. SB 146 would additionally give regulative authority to the Public Service Commission and provides limitations upon the ownership, operation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations by electric utilities. SB 146 relegates the authority to the Department of Agriculture over electric vehicle charging stations and provides for a collection of a motor fuel excise tax upon the sale and use of certain electricity. New technologies that promote a healthier environment are coming forth every day, but the question of how to recover lost motor fuel tax to maintain Georgia highways and roads has loomed for years. I was proud to support this legislation that will continue to drive Georgia’s transportation sector in the right direction.
In addition, I am happy to report that two items of legislation that I’ve sponsored passed the senate on Crossover Day. This day is the last opportunity for Senate bills to be passed on to the House for consideration during the session. Senate Bill 237, which would provide student loan repayment for peace officers under the Georgia Student Finance Authority, has now been referred to the House Committee on Higher Education. Senate Bill 259, which would allow the Superior Court of Banks County to move from the Piedmont Judicial Circuit to the Mountain Judicial Circuit, has now been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. These two measures will be presented to their respective House committees in the coming days, and I look forward to updating you on their progression through the House legislative process.
As we look to Legislative Days 32 through 35 of the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session, I assure you that my Senate colleagues and I are keeping the interest of Georgia’s citizens and the 50th Senate district in mind. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns about matters relating to the Georgia Senate.
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Sen. Bo Hatchett serves as a Governor’s Administration Floor Leader. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, and Towns County and portions of Hall, Jackson, and White counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.651.7745 or by email at [email protected].
