The Georgia General Assembly has concluded four weeks of legislative work, with each week dedicated to fulfilling our promise of making this state the best place to live, work, and raise a family. It's my pleasure to update you on the Senate's progress this past week.

I'm delighted to report the advancement of several pieces of legislation I haver authored through various stages of the process. Notably, Senate Bill 105, aimed at increasing the minimum and maximum allowable benefit multiplier for members of the Public School Employees Retirement System, passed the Senate chamber on Jan. 31. Investing in all our public school employees, including non-teaching staff such as custodians, cafeteria workers and school bus drivers, is paramount for fostering a conducive learning environment for future leaders and learners.

Similarly, Senate Bill 354, which streamlines the path for shampoo stylers, blow-dry stylers, and makeup artists to operate without the usual extensive training and cost of a full cosmetology license, saw successful passage. Removing burdensome requirements where safe to do so is essential, and this legislation accomplishes just that, providing an additional avenue to entrepreneurship for the working class.

I'm also proud to have authored and spearheaded the adoption of Senate Resolution 512, dedicated to honoring Georgia's Plan-First communities.

Additionally, Senate Bill 373, facilitating the issuance of expedited licenses upon endorsement for marriage and family therapists, received favorable reporting and a second reading on the Senate floor. These professionals play a crucial role in every community, particularly as we advocate for mental health awareness statewide. Furthermore, Senate Bill 419, aimed at amending provisions regarding the administration of anesthesia by certified registered nurse anesthetists, was referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

This week, I had the privilege of joining Gov. Brian P. Kemp and fellow members of the Georgia General Assembly for the signing of House Bill 30. This bill officially defines antisemitism for purposes including hate crime prosecution and cases of discrimination, signaling our unwavering support for our Jewish population in the face of rising antisemitism across the nation.

Looking ahead, next week will be another busy one. We'll first pay tribute to the late House Rules Chairman, Richard Smith, a legend of our General Assembly, whose presence will be sorely missed, particularly in Central Georgia. Then, we'll resume our legislative business, advancing bills through the Senate chamber and respective committees.

As always, I want to invite students between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve 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. 

As the legislative session continues, I encourage you to contact my office for any legislative assistance. It will always remain my privilege to serve the 20^th District.