Peach Tree Times

ATLANTA (May 3, 2024) — The Senate Committee on Public Safety’s Fulton County Jail Subcommittee, chaired by Majority Whip Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula), has announced that it will be hearing additional testimony from various officials at its upcoming meeting. This will mark the sixth official subcommittee meeting on the Fulton County Jail.The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 9 a.m. at 450 State Capitol. It is open to the public and will also be live-streamed on the Senate website.Sen. Randy Robertson, who serves as Majority Whip of the...

Rep. Matt Reeves’ Second Chance Workforce Act Signed into Law

Yesterday, State Representative Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) witnessed the signing of the Second Chance Workforce Act into law by Governor Brian Kemp at the State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. The legislation, known as House Bill 926, is a collaborative effort that aims to support individuals with low-level municipal citation and misdemeanor charges in maintaining their driver’s licenses during their cases, ensuring their ability to drive to work is not interrupted."The Second Chance Workforce Act represents a significant stride toward fairness and opportunity for every Georgian,"...

Sen. Randy Robertson Applauds Signage of Bail Bond Legislation

ATLANTA (May 3, 2024) — Majority Whip Sen. Randy Robertson (R–Cataula) stood alongside Governor Brian P. Kemp at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center on Wednesday, May 1, for the signing of public safety legislation, including Senate Bill 63, a measure which he authored. The bill clarifies that no bail schedule, local standing order, official policy, or local ordinance can require the unsecured judicial release of an accused individual before appearing in front of a judge. Furthermore, the legislation adds several additional bail-restricted offenses.Sen. Robertson...

Gov Kemp: Georgia Lands 350 New Jobs in E-mobility Manufacturing

Governor Brian P. Kemp of Georgia has announced that GF Casting Solutions AG (GF Casting Solutions) will be investing over $184 million in a new manufacturing facility in Augusta, creating 350 new jobs for Richmond County. Governor Kemp expressed his excitement about the new investment, stating, “Having met the great team at GF Casting Solutions during our recent mission to Switzerland, we could not be more excited to welcome them to the Peach State. Congratulations to Augusta and Richmond County for securing these jobs of the future for Georgians.”Carlos Vasto, President...

DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation to Hold Post-Session Town Hall Meeting in Stonecrest

DeKalb County House Delegation Chair Karla Drenner and Vice Chair Viola Davis, along with members of the DeKalb County House Legislative Delegation, have announced they will be holding a post-session town hall meeting with state representatives. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest.State representatives will use this platform to recap the 2024 legislative session. For any inquiries regarding the event, individuals are encouraged to reach out to long.tran@house.ga.gov.The event will...

Georgia Governor Signs Legislation to Support Law Enforcement and Dementia Patients

ATLANTA – State Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs) stood alongside Governor Kemp at the State Capitol today as he signed two crucial bills into law aimed at supporting law enforcement and dementia patients in Georgia.House Bill 500, which creates the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle, was hailed by Rep. Silcox as an essential update to the law. She emphasized the importance of prosecuting criminals who engage in such destructive behavior, stating, "HB 500 is a much-needed update to the law to ensure that we have a mechanism to prosecute criminals...

DeKalb State House & Senate Delegation Celebrate Grand Opening of Constituent Services Office

Members of the DeKalb County House and Senate Legislative Delegation recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Constituent Services Office on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the New Black Wall Street in Stonecrest, Georgia. The event was a historic collaboration between the Georgia State House and Senate DeKalb Legislative Delegation and the New Black Wall Street Market as they marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.During the event, the Mayor of Stonecrest, Jazzmin Cobble, welcomed the attendees and expressed her excitement about hosting the office in...

Chairman Robert Dickey Commends Governor Kemp for Signing Legislation to Update REACH Scholarship

State Representative Robert Dickey, also known as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, expressed his gratitude towards Governor Kemp for signing House Bill 970 into law. The bill is set to update the funding mechanisms for the Realizing Education Achievement Can Happen (REACH) scholarship program.Chairman Dickey emphasized the importance of the legislation by stating, "In sponsoring this legislation, my objective was to increase funding for the REACH scholarship in the hopes that it keeps young Georgians in the education pipeline and...

Rep. Devan Seabaugh Applauds Signing of Legislation Providing Immunity from Prosecution for Law Enforcement Officers

ATLANTA – State Representative Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) today stood with Governor Brian Kemp at the State Capitol in Atlanta, Ga. as he signed Senate Bill 517. Carried in the House by Rep. Seabaugh, SB 517 allows for certain uses of force by a law enforcement officer to be considered for immunity from prosecution.“Enhancing public safety in Georgia is crucial for the well-being of our families and communities,” said Rep. Seabaugh. “Partnering with State Senator Randy Robertson to champion this legislation in the House was an honor as it’s essential that we acknowledge...

Rep. Rick Townsend’s Legislation Establishing Regulations for Kratom Products in Georgia Signed into Law

State Representative Rick Townsend's legislation, House Bill 181, aimed at establishing regulations for kratom products in Georgia, has been signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp. The bill, which addresses concerns regarding the sale and composition of kratom in the state, has garnered support for its focus on consumer safety and transparency.House Speaker Jon Burns expressed satisfaction with the new regulations, stating, “Georgia citizens deserve the utmost safety and transparency regarding the products they purchase in our state.” He commended Rep. Townsend for his...

Senate Special Committee on Investigations to Hold Third Hearing

ATLANTA (May 2, 2024) — The Senate Special Committee on Investigations, led by Sen. Bill Cowsert, is set to convene its third hearing on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. The committee aims to address crucial matters surrounding allegations of misconduct and restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.The upcoming meeting will feature sworn testimonies from witnesses Robb Pitts and Sharon Whitmore, along with the submission of documents as per the subpoena. As stated, the committee's primary objective is to delve into the accusations against Fulton County's...

Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Boosting Georgia's Top-Tier Workforce Talent

Columbus, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp, members of the General Assembly, and state and local leaders, signed multiple pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing Georgia's workforce talent pool.The main legislation, HB 982, was sponsored by Representative Matthew Gambill and received bipartisan support. It directs the State Workforce Development Board to create a designated list of high-demand careers, streamlining the process for stakeholders, educators, and agencies. Senator Bo Hatchett, who carried the bill in the Senate, highlighted...

Wife of former U.S. federal agent detained in Nigeria: U.S. government doesn't 'seem to understand our sense of urgency'

Yuki Gambaryan, a resident of Suwanee and the spouse of former U.S. federal agent Tigran Gambaryan, expressed her concerns about the lack of understanding from her contacts in the U.S. Embassy in Abuja regarding their "sense of urgency" to bring Gambaryan home from Nigeria. He has been detained there since February 26. Yuki voiced her concerns during an April 23 episode of the Click Here podcast.

Jon Burns Announces Kayla Roberson as Communications Director

ATLANTA – Today, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) revealed that Kayla Roberson has been appointed as the Communications Director within his office. As the new communications director, Roberson will be responsible for overseeing all external communication, media relations, and strategic messaging for Speaker Burns. Stephen Lawson, who previously held the position of Speaker Burns’ senior communications advisor, will be transitioning back into the private sector.In his statement, Speaker Burns expressed his enthusiasm for the new addition to the team, stating,...

Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Strengthening Public Safety and Supporting First Responders

Forsyth, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, along with various state and local leaders, signed a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at enhancing public safety and offering support to first responders. The highlight of the legislative package was HB 130, which allows for the repayment of up to $20,000 in student loans for full-time peace officers who complete 5 years of service.Governor Kemp emphasized the importance of these legislative efforts, stating, "Georgians have witnessed the disastrous impact lawlessness is having on communities across the country." He further...

Governor Kemp Signs Rep. Jesse Petrea’s Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024