Hickman: Week five Under the Gold Dome

We have officially completed five weeks of legislative business under the Gold Dome, and it’s hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through the 2024 Legislative Session. I’m deeply grateful for your ongoing support and for following my updates as we navigate through the 2024 Legislative Session. These past weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, but I’m proud to report that we’ve been making significant strides for the great state of Georgia.

A considerable portion of my time this week was dedicated to the Subcommittee hearings of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. It’s crucial work, ensuring that our state’s re-sources are allocated wisely to benefit all Georgians. I have the honor of serving as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and Higher Education. During this subcommittee hearing, we heard from several agencies, including the Department of Ed-ucation and the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia. Continuing to fund vital sectors of our state, such as education, will ensure the prosperity of our state for years to come.

This week also brought significant legislative progress. One highlight was the passage of a resolution out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, aimed at protecting farmland while simultaneously fostering the growth of the industry. As Georgia’s number one industry, agri-culture plays a pivotal role in our region, and I’m honored to advocate for our hardworking farmers.

Shifting focus to education, we addressed a bill in The Senate Committee on Education and Youth aimed at expanding capital expenditures for Pre-K. Additionally, we introduced a constitutional amendment bill that would allocate up to 15% of ESPLOST funds specifically for classroom supplies, teacher mentors, student tutors, and classroom technology. It’s essen-tial to emphasize that these funds are used solely for the benefit of our students, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive academically.

On the front of public safety, the Senate established the Special Committee on Investigations. The committee will convene its inaugural meeting on Friday, February 9th, to address allega-tions of misconduct within the Fulton County District Attorney’s office. Restoring public confidence in our criminal justice system is paramount, and we’re taking decisive steps to uphold integrity and accountability.

Furthermore, the Senate passed two significant public safety bills: Senate Bill 332, which em-powers the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to hold rogue prosecutors ac-countable, and Senate Bill 63, aimed at enhancing community safety by abolishing no-cash bail for violent offenders. These measures are integral to our mission of keeping Georgia safe for all its residents, ensuring that violent criminals and repeat offenders are kept off our streets.

Please remember, I’m here to serve you. If there’s anything I can do to assist you or address your concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sen. Billy Hickman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. He represents the 4th Senate District which includes Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, and a small portion of Chatham County. He may be reached at 404.463.1371 or via email at [email protected].