UNDER THE GOLD DOME

WEEK 3

THE 2024 SESSION BEGINS

The Georgia House of Representatives returned to the Gold Dome for the third week of the 2024 legislative session on Monday, January 22. It was an action-packed week as the House Rules Committee held its first meeting, we voted on our first set of bills of the session, and several House committees held meetings. As we are now in the second session of the 157^th Georgia General Assembly, or the second year of the biennial, any bills that did not receive passage during the 2023 legislative session are still eligible for consideration. As such, we also gave final passage this week to an important measure that carried over from last session. House Bill 30 addresses antisemitism in our state and would add antisemitism as a category covered by our hate crimes law. Under HB 30, the internationally recognized definition of “antisemitism,” as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), would become part of state law. The final passage of this bill is a victory for our friends in the Jewish community and was especially timely given the rise in antisemitic acts in our state and across the country. I was proud to vote in favor of this legislation and proud of the House for leading on this vital effort. HB 30 now heads to Governor Kemp’s desk to be signed into law.

SPONSORED LEGISLATION

I am proud to be sponsoring the following legislation. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly on other bills that will support our communities and will make Georgia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

HOUSE BILL 880 -- This bill will allow military spouses in Georgia to get to work immediately in their chosen field using their existing professional license from another state. This will free our military spouses from cumbersome regulatory burdens and red tape.

HOUSE BILL 1027 -- This bill would require all Georgia high school students to take a computer science class as a half credit course for graduation. This is literacy for the 21st century and will equip our state's children with the knowledge to enter into our increasingly high tech workforce.

You can click the button below to follow legislation as each bill makes its way through the House and Senate.

THE CONTINUED PUSH FOR LITERACY

I got a visit this week from the ladies from Decoding Dyslexia. This group is committed to making sure all our children, including those with dyslexia, become proficient at reading. They are fierce advocates for children and were instrumental in helping me get HB 538, The Georgia Early Literacy Act, over the finish line in 2023. I also got to meet Kareem Weaver from the powerful film The Right to Read. Mr. Weaver is an NAACP activist from Oakland, California who is a champion of the nationwide structured literacy effort. It was an honor to meet with him at the Capitol.

NATIONAL GUARD DAY AT THE CAPITOL

We honored National Guard Day in the House with a special invitation resolution recognizing January 25 as National Guard Day at the State Capitol. Members of Georgia’s National Guard joined us on the floor of the House Chamber and were honored for their heroic acts and selfless service to our state and nation.  

HOUSE PAGE PROGRAM

If your child is interested in becoming a House Page, please contact my administrative assistant at alana.lund@house.ga.gov and she will help you with your request.

LINKS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Thank you for allowing me to represent you in the General Assembly. Below are some links you may find helpful and informative as well as my contact information. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or requests for assistance.