Sen. Greg Kirk: Week 6 Updates from the Capitol

Your Georgia Desk

Week 6 Updates from the Capitol

Bouts of snow flurries and ice came and went this week, but it didn’t stop the Senate from staying on track and completing Legislative Days 16 through 19. We are right on track and quickly moving through legislation. This week we passed several important bills that will now move on to the House.

On Tuesday, I had the tremendous honor of introducing one of my good friends, Rev. Bud Womack, as Chaplain of the Day. Rev. Womack spoke inspiring words reminding us that while we have important jobs here at the Capitol, it is important to take a step back and enjoy the small things in life.

Under current state law, probate courts and superior courts split the jurisdiction for game and fish violations. Georgia probate courts currently have jurisdiction of misdemeanor game and fish violations, but with the passage of SB 62, certain limitations will be removed granting probate courts full jurisdiction over these violations.

College educations are becoming more and more vital as young people enter the work force, but as they become more expensive, young adults are going straight into the workforce and returning to school later in life. This is why the Senate came together and unanimously passed SB 18, a bill that will allow the Technical College System of Georgia to accept prior work experience and skills learned through the military for academic credit. The brave men and women who serve and protect our country deserve to be credited for the knowledge they acquired through their service.

In addition to helping those who have already served in the United States Military, we passed SB 58, a bill that will support the dreams of high school students who wish to obtain military training while earning a college degree. SB 58 will allow each member of the General Assembly, the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to give a recommendation to one high school senior each year to use for admission to an ROTC program at any institution in the University System of Georgia. This opportunity will provide exceptional students with proven leadership abilities to become involved in a program that will teach them skills they cannot gain from a traditional college program.

Friday we passed SB 72, Tanja’s Law, a bill that establishes new crimes and punishments for individuals found guilty of harming a police animal while it is performing its duties.

A few weeks ago, I sponsored SB 53, a bill that will allow Licensed Professional Counselors (LCP) the authority to perform emergency examinations on individuals who are mentally ill or drug or alcohol dependent. Last week, SB 53, was passed by the Senate and moved on to the House. The bill was assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee where it received a “do pass” recommendation. The House will vote on SB 53 sometime next week.

Being a father to seven children and a grandfather to four grandchildren, it is a huge priority for me that we work to protect the children in Georgia. I sponsored SB 34, the Good Samaritan law, to protect individuals who provide emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency situation from liability of property damage. SB 34 received a “do pass” recommendation from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

This week we had a television star and voice over actor visit us on the Senate floor. John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on Cheers and voiced Hamm from Toy Story, spoke inspiring words about the importance of education in youth. He commended the Senate for our hard work on improving the education system and the policies in place.

It is truly an honor to be a voice for South Georgia at the Capitol. We will pick up the pace as we continue moving closer to the end of the Legislative Session. I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns regarding pending legislation – my phone lines and door are always open!