Crossover Day—the deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber and stay in consideration for this session—is quickly approaching, with committee hearings and legislative debates in full swing.

This week, we passed HB 67, the Senate’s version of the 2025 amended fiscal year budget. With these appropriations, we’re returning hard-earned money to state taxpayers—providing $250 refunds for single filers, $375 for heads of households, and $500 for married joint filers—all made possible by Georgia’s strong conservative financial stewardship. Investments in education and workforce development include $50 million in school security grants, salary increases for Pre-K teachers and funding for college career academies. This budget is a commitment to Georgia’s working families, rural communities and conservative principles—returning money to taxpayers while making targeted investments to keep our state strong and prosperous for future generations.

Most importantly, this budget prioritizes help for those still recovering from Hurricane Helene, a storm that tore through Georgia over 100 days ago. Many of our rural communities—farmers, small businesses and families—are still waiting for relief to repair the damage from this generational storm. The Senate’s budget includes essential funding to help these Georgians get back on their feet by adding $50 million to the Governor’s Emergency Fund to support recovery efforts. These funds will help families, farmers and businesses rebuild, covering debris removal, housing expenses and hazard mitigation efforts. An additional $50 million will support Georgia farmers and timber producers through the Georgia Development Authority, bringing the total investment in agriculture recovery to $300 million. We also included $15 million to support nonprofit organizations aiding storm victims and $15.6 million to help stabilize rural hospitals in disaster-affected areas. We must continue to ensure that when disaster strikes, our citizens aren’t left waiting for relief while bureaucratic red tape slows down recovery, and this carefully crafted amended budget is a testament to those efforts.

We also successfully passed Senate Bill 28, the “Red Tape Rollback Act of 2025.” This legislation takes a hard look at the regulations that have piled up over the years and ensures they still serve their intended purpose. For too long, government overreach has placed an unfair burden on small businesses, farmers, and job creators—the backbone of our economy. SB 28 requires a small business impact analysis for future legislation and economic impact reviews for any new rules costing the state more than $1 million over five years. Simply put, this bill ensures that Georgia remains a low-tax, business-friendly state where people can provide for their families—without being strangled by government bureaucracy.

On Wednesday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 79, the “Fentanyl Eradication and Reduction (FEAR) Act.” This bill strengthens penalties for those who possess, distribute, or manufacture fentanyl, a drug that is devastating communities across Georgia. Fentanyl is not just another illegal drug—it is a lethal poison that is killing our loved ones at an alarming rate. Last year, Austin’s Law increased penalties for fentanyl distribution, and SB 79 builds on that by tightening restrictions and cracking down on traffickers. We must do everything in our power to keep these dangerous substances out of our communities and protect our children from those who would do them harm.

In addition to supporting key legislation, I am proud to have authored SB 143, which allows eligible firefighters to retire and receive benefits from the Georgia Firefighter’s Pension Fund. Georgia faces a critical shortage of first responders, yet current regulations prevent retired firefighters from returning to service. This restriction weakens our fire service and limits experienced leadership in the field. SB 143 would permit qualifying firefighters—age 50 or older with 30 years of service—to draw from the pension fund without further contributions, enabling them to continue serving while mentoring the next generation. The bill has advanced to an actuarial study, and I look forward to reviewing the results.

This week, I also honored two fallen law enforcement officers. I sponsored Senate Resolution 231 to dedicate the interchange of State Route 400 and State Route 140 in Fulton County as the Officer Jeremy Labonte Memorial Interchange in memory of Roswell Police Officer Jeremy Labonte, who was killed in the line of duty.

Additionally, I paid tribute to Alpharetta Police Detective Bryan Smith, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Having served alongside him as a firefighter, I asked the Senate to honor his legacy with a moment of silence. These brave men sacrificed for their communities, and I encourage everyone to join me in remembering them and supporting their families.

As we move into the second half of the legislative session, I encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. I will always fight for the people who get up every morning, put in a hard day’s work, and ask for nothing but a fair shot at the American Dream. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to updating you on our progress in the weeks ahead.

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].

With Legislative Day 20 behind us, we have officially reached the halfway mark of the 2025 Legislative Session.

A major topic this legislative session has been tort reform. Finding solutions that lowers burdens on small businesses, healthcare providers, and consumers is a priority for me and will take numerous steps to combat. Specifically, all Georgians need to lower insurance costs, prevent abusive litigation and ensure that businesses—especially small, family-owned operations—can operate and flourish.  Equally, we need to assure insurance companies and other groups are being honest brokers and not taking advantage of consumers. Together, I am confident we can solve this issue and continue to keep Georgia the #1 place for business as well as live and raise a family.

Senate Republicans have continued to lead the fight for policies that protect Georgia families and uphold the rule of law. Two key bills, both sponsored by Sen. Blake Tillery (R–Vidalia), passed the Senate last week and are now moving to the House for consideration:

• SB 21 ensures local government officials can be held accountable if they violate Georgia’s ban on sanctuary city policies. This is a necessary step to keep our communities safe and enforce immigration laws at the state level.
• SB 39 prevents taxpayer dollars from funding sex change procedures through the state health benefit plan and prohibits state-associated healthcare facilities from offering such services. Our tax dollars should not be used to push radical policies.

Over the last two weeks, two bills I have authored to benefit organ donation also passed the Senate. Last week, the Senate unanimously passed my bill, SB 84, to establish a specialty license plate benefitting the Shepherd Center and the Georgia Transplant Foundation. The Shepherd Center is among the nation’s top rehabilitation hospitals, particularly for neuromuscular conditions, while the Georgia Transplant Foundation plays a vital role in rebuilding lives by educating and financially assisting organ recipients and donors. Purchasing license plates for these organizations is a small way to support them in their honorable mission. Similarly, SB 58, otherwise known as the “Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act,” was also passed unanimously by the Senate this week. This legislation would classify emergency organ transport vehicles as ambulance services to hasten the transport of organs and medical personnel. I look forward to their favorable recommendation from the House as well.

In addition to these major policy advancements, my legislative efforts this week focused on data privacy. I sponsored SB 111, also known as the “Georgia Consumer Privacy Protection Act,” to protect the confidentiality of Georgians’ data and bring our security parameters in line with 20 other states nationwide. The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism referred SB 111 to the Senate Committee on Rules earlier this week, and I hope to see it on the floor in the coming weeks.

As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the 56^th Senate District. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, concerns, or ideas. Your input helps shape the policies that impact our state, and I value your voice in this process.

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56^th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].

The Georgia Senate has passed Senate Bill 58, the “Georgia Transporting Life-Saving Organs and Personnel Act,” with bipartisan support. Sponsored by Sen. John Albers (R–Roswell), the legislation allows emergency organ transport vehicles to operate as ambulance services, expediting the transportation of organs and medical professionals.

“Having donated an organ to my son, I know firsthand the life-changing impact of organ donation,” said Sen. Albers. “These transport vehicles are already equipped with lights and sirens like other emergency vehicles, so it only makes sense to streamline their regulations and training. This bill will ensure medical teams can save lives more efficiently across Georgia.”

SB 58 passed the Senate unanimously with a 53-0 vote and now moves to the House for consideration.

Read more about the bill here.

Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].

We are hard at work at your Georgia Capitol assuring we maintain our best place to live, work, and raise a family.  Important legislation is working through the committee process and I have many important initiatives advancing…

We’re now four weeks into the 2025 Legislative Session, and things are moving quickly under the Gold Dome. It’s been a busy and productive stretch, and I remain fully committed to standing up for the values and priorities of the 56th Senate District.

This week began with a press conference led by President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega), where we unveiled our Republican caucus priorities for the session. Leader Gooch captured it perfectly: Georgia’s success depends on securing our future—whether that’s through protecting our children, safeguarding families, enhancing economic opportunities, or ensuring that Georgia remains the best state in the nation to do business.

A key legislative priority that moved swiftly through the Senate this week is SB 1, the “Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act,” authored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming) and I was a proud sponsor. This commonsense bill ensures that biological males cannot participate in women’s sports at the middle school, high school, or collegiate levels. As a parent and someone who believes in preserving fairness in athletics, I proudly supported this legislation. During the debate I read a letter from my constituent Lisa Blankinship who was present in the gallery with her husband Greg.  The letter involved her daughter Katie who had to deal with this issue as a college swimmer and it was very impactful. Passing this bill is a big win for our daughters, granddaughters, and future generations of female athletes, and I’m optimistic it will receive a warm reception in the House in the coming weeks.

In addition to advancing our priority bills, the Senate has been hard at work, maintaining a regular committee schedule and hearing testimony on issues ranging from public safety to AI-driven scams and synthetic drug testing. Committees serve as the engine of the legislative process, and I was proud to see my bill, SB 7, move forward in the Senate Committee on Public Safety earlier this week. If passed, SB 7 would allow sheriffs to utilize municipal detention facilities or jails when space is available.

I drafted this legislation after serving on the Senate Committee on Public Safety’s Subcommittee on the Fulton County Jail (FCJ), which concluded in its final report that FCJ would benefit greatly from access to the Atlanta City Detention Center. While SB 7 alone will not fully resolve the persistent overcrowding at FCJ, I believe giving officials the ability to separate nonviolent offenders from the general population is a step in the right direction.

The Senate Committee on Public Safety also recommended that the Senate body consider another bill of mine, SB 84. This bill is especially meaningful to me, as it establishes specialty license plates benefiting the Shepherd Center and the Georgia Transplant Foundation. These organizations provide life-saving care and critical support to Georgians facing immense challenges. As an organ donor, I deeply believe in their mission, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting them—even in a small way, such as purchasing a specialty license plate in their honor.

Finally, I sponsored SR 19 to designate February 4th as Firefighters Recognition Day—one of my favorite days of the year. Having served as a firefighter for over three decades, I know firsthand the dedication and sacrifice of firefighters and EMTs across Georgia. These men and women risk their lives daily to provide emergency services, and we can never thank them enough for their bravery. I encourage everyone to visit your local fire station, meet the fire chiefs, and take the time to get to know the firefighters who serve your community.

I encourage students ages 12 to 18 to apply for the Senate Page Program. Spots are limited and filling quickly, so don’t wait to apply! If you know a student who might be interested, they can apply on the Senate website here.

I am incredibly grateful to continue representing the 56th Senate District. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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Sen. John Albers serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Safety. He represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at [email protected].