As the General Assembly met for arguably its busiest week yet, it was a prominent reminder of our service to the state and our commitment to the values and ideals that we hold dear. Thursday, in fact, was Crossover Day, which is the final deadline in which Senate bills are able to “crossover” to the House to be given adequate time to be considered. Leading up to crossover and during the day of crossover, our body was able to pass some promising legislation.
- The first bill is Senate Bill 362, which revises the fees associated with impounding and disposing of animals, serving notice and caring for and feeding animals. Rather than establishing a set price for each service, this bill will take into account the actual costs for individuals to adequately take care of the animal. After speaking to one of the local county commissioners in Senate District 50, I am confident this update to current law will help members of our community maintain the health and security of their livestock in a way that is financially manageable for them.
- Senate Resolution 825, which supports Georgia’s education program for gifted and talented students. This portion of Georgia’s youth represents some exemplary and innovative thinkers, who have demonstrated profound leadership and knowledge in the different tasks and organizations that they surround themselves with. These creative students deserve recognition for their hard work and determination. This bill is a measure to help future generations in Georgia succeed.
- Senate Bill 396 would designate the pecan as the official state nut of Georgia. Georgia, as a whole, is one of the top producers in the nation for a number of consumer goods, including peanuts, poultry, and forestry; and with that, the pecan has accounted for a significant percentage of acreage in the state. As our district is aware though, Hurricane Michael created a significant setback for our local farmers and depleted millions of dollars’ worth of goods. This bill will help our industries by generating greater demand and promoting agritourism.
At the latter end of this week, the Senate also decided to indefinitely suspend the legislative session in response to escalating concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). While we continue to serve you in every capacity that we can, this decision allows the state to move forward with an abundance of caution. Guaranteeing an appropriate allocation of time and funding towards prevention and response efforts allows for the continued safety of our state, especially in regards to more vulnerable populations. Your needs and concerns are our priority at the moment and I am confident in the leadership of the Governor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Public Health. Assuredly, this suspension will not eliminate our oath to serve, but rather allows us to reorient our efforts towards maximizing the safety and health of all Georgians. If you have any concerns or questions about District 50 and the progression of the legislative session, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
Sen. John Wilkinson serves as Chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, and Towns counties and portions of Hall and Jackson counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at [email protected].
