Peach Tree Times

Sen. Larry Walker III expressed his gratitude for the signing of three critical pieces of legislation aimed at bolstering Georgia’s workforce. In a statement, he thanked Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Governor Brian Kemp, and his colleagues in the Georgia General Assembly for prioritizing the needs of hardworking Georgians through the passage of this legislation.

Regarding the impact of the legislation, Sen. Walker stated, “As part of the Lt. Governor’s red tape rollback initiative, these measures will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of everyday Georgians by removing unnecessary barriers and streamlining their licensing process.”

The three bills signed into law are Senate Bill 354, Senate Bill 373, and Senate Bill 195, all sponsored by Sen. Walker. SB 354 aims to increase job opportunities and entrepreneurship in the beauty industry by removing the licensure requirement for certain services. SB 373 mandates expedited licensure for marriage and family therapists relocating to Georgia, while SB 195 makes Georgia the third state in the nation to join the Social Work Licensing Compact.

Sen. Walker highlighted the importance of these legislative measures in addressing workforce shortages across various sectors in Georgia, citing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics which reported over ninety thousand job openings in March alone in healthcare, education, and skilled trades.

“These bipartisan efforts are essential steps toward addressing workforce shortages and ensuring that Georgians have access to the opportunities and services they need to thrive,” Sen. Walker emphasized. He expressed pride in his role in advancing these critical initiatives and his anticipation of their positive impact on the state.

Sen. Larry Walker III serves as Secretary of the Senate Majority Caucus and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor. He represents Senate District 20 and can be contacted at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.