We've officially surpassed the midpoint of the 2024 Legislative Session, and I'm proud to report that we're making significant strides for the people of Georgia. From cutting bureaucratic red tape to putting forward a balanced budget and prioritizing support of our law enforcement officers while standing against hate, I am dedicated to delivering results for middle Georgia.

I'm particularly pleased to announce that one of the bills I authored, Senate Bill 412, has successfully passed the Senate. SB 412 aims to enhance administrative and civil sanctions against unlawful charitable organizations by increasing fines for scammers and others that falsely represent themselves to be charitable organizations. Currently, those operating fake charities face minimal fines, but this bill seeks to hold them accountable by raising fines to $10,000 for a single offense and up to $100,000 for multiple offenses. This measure is crucial for protecting our citizens from exploitation, and I commend my colleagues for their support in passing this bill onto the House. 

Additionally, I proudly stood alongside Governor Brian P. Kemp to announce the deployment of additional troops from the Georgia National Guard to support and fortify our southern border. Failed policies from Washington have brought our southern border to a crisis-point, and Georgia leaders realize that inaction is only exacerbating the situation. The influx of unknown immigrants and dangerous drugs poses a significant threat, affecting not only Border States but also states like ours. We must prioritize border security to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law.

The Senate also passed S.B. 426 this week, which aims to address structural imbalances in Georgia’s civil justice system, by limiting frivolous lawsuits against motor carriers and insurers. These imbalances raise insurance rates for Georgia families, and clog our courts causing delayed justice for those who need it the most. It's essential to consider broad reforms to our civil justice system to promote open access to Georgia’s courts and discourage unnecessary litigation. 

Moreover, each week under the Gold Dome brings opportunities to engage with constituents and celebrate significant milestones. I was honored to recognize Mercer University School of Law's 150th anniversary and introduce a Resolution designating February 13th, 2024, as Mercer Law Day at the Capitol. As an alumnus of Mercer University and parent of a first-year law student there, I deeply value Mercer's contributions to our state and our district.

As always, I want to invite students between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve as a Capitol Page. This program encourages Georgia’s next generation of great leaders to participate in the legislative process by providing a front-row seat to a day’s work in the Georgia Senate. Many of our current legislators participated in this program and first became interested in serving Georgia citizens because of their time spent as a Capitol Page. I encourage any students interested in the legislative process who want to spend a day at our Capitol to apply for our program using the link:https://www.legis.ga.gov/senate/staffing.

While we've accomplished a lot in the first half of the 2024 Legislative Session, I look forward to the meaningful work ahead before we conclude in late March. Serving the 18^th Senate District is not just a responsibility; it's a privilege that I cherish every day.Please never hesitate to contact my office if I can assist with legislative matters. My door is always open!