The 2024 Georgia General Assembly Senate Study Committees are in session starting this week.
Study committees, like bills, are proposed during the legislative session, but the sponsor believes the resolutions need closer scrutiny during the offseason.
If the respective chamber votes yes to the study committee, Georgia lawmakers and representatives will discuss and study various Georgia-related issues for a few months to determine whether a lawmaker can turn those issues into a bill before next year’s legislative session. .
This year’s study committees will look at several topics, including gun safety, artificial intelligence, affordable child care and more.
Senate Study Committee on Safe Storage of Firearms (Senate Resolution 203)
The Study Committee on Safe Firearm Storage will determine whether Georgia should make changes to laws related to firearm storage and children’s access to firearms. The committee will also decide whether Georgia should set aside funds for grants or pilot programs that promote safe firearm storage.
This committee notes that approximately 5.4 American children live in households with access to at least one loaded and unlocked firearm and that “safely storing firearms is one way to decrease gun violence and accidental death.” ”, according to the resolution.
In Georgia, pediatricians regularly use a questionnaire when screening parents or guardians about home access to firearms, among other dangerous items.
“I am former military and have received training in firearms safety and care,” Sen. Emanuel Jones of Henry County said at a Jan. 22 committee meeting. “The only thing I’m looking for is to support the work done by pediatricians to expand that body of work and see if there is anything that the state of Georgia can do to improve the work that they are already doing and see if there is a possibility that a change will be necessary. or modify some law to see if there is a way to reduce the number of injuries that children suffer.”
Senate Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiver Services (SR 323)
The Study Committee on Improving Family Caregiving Services will address policy objectives and identify legislative actions to improve the family caregiving industry.
The study committee notes that “Georgia’s senior population is growing rapidly” and “there are more than 1 million Georgians who are family caregivers providing more than one billion hours of care annually,” according to the resolution.
“This is to see how we can improve services for caregivers,” Sen. Harold Jones of Augusta said at a Jan. 23 committee meeting. “Something that a lot of us are going to have to deal with, and that’s basically looking at how the state can improve the delivery of those services to help family caregivers when someone gets seriously ill (catastrophic illness) and they have to go home and be cared for.”
The committee emphasizes the importance of family caregiving to the health care system, the economic impact on family caregivers in the workforce, and the difficulties they face caring for loved ones while working.
Senate Study Committee on Georgia Farmland Preservation (SR 470)
The Georgia Farmland Preservation Study Committee will evaluate farmland protection measures followed by other states to consider appropriate measures for Georgia to protect Georgia’s primary industry: agriculture.
The study committee comes after the Georgia Conservancy Now and Forever initiative found that between 1974 and 2016, Georgia lost about 2.6 million acres in crops, hay and pasture and continues to do so today.
With the loss, Georgia farmers “face numerous economic pressures, including the threat of bonding, cost inflation with respect to supplies and equipment, volatile prices for their crops, and ever-increasing property taxes,” according to the resolution.
Farmers also face water shortage issues and pressure to sell their farmland to convert it to other uses, such as solar farms.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Georgia’s economy,” said Sen. Billy Hickman of Statesboro, chairman of the study committee, in a news release. “Our committee will evaluate other agricultural states’ farmland protection measures and seek expert advice to develop additional strategies that support and preserve our farmland for future generations.”
Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Child Care (SR 471)
The Access to Affordable Child Care Study Committee will determine what actions are needed to increase access to affordable child care in Georgia.
The study committee notes that “many Georgians struggle to find affordable child care options” for preschool and school-aged children, and the pandemic exacerbated this problem, forcing many child care centers in Georgia to close, “forcing many child care to seek alternative employment.” ”, according to the resolution.
Other issues facing child care include:
- The expiration of appropriated funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 put more child care centers, children, parents, and caregivers at risk;
- The effects of inflation on the economy caused child care costs to rise;
- Parents without affordable child care options potentially faced about $218 million in lost wages due to a cut in their work hours or being forced out of the workforce.
Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence (SR 476)
The Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence will investigate AI technology and its present and future in Georgia, as “more products and services are using AI in fields such as healthcare, financial services, education, housing and transportation” , depending on the resolution.
In 2023, at least 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia introduced AI legislation, and 18 states and Puerto Ricans adopted resolutions and passed legislation.
Georgia seeks to launch “policies and procedures related to the development, acquisition, implementation, utilization, and ongoing evaluation of systems employing AI and used by state agencies.”
The study committee will also address concerns about the potential for misuse of AI, displacement of specific jobs and fields of employment, and more.
Senate Study Committee on Mental Health and Housing for Veterans (SR 527)
The Veterans Mental Health and Housing Study Committee will discuss issues facing Georgia veterans in terms of mental health support and access to housing.
Veterans experience various crises, including injuries, disabilities, addictions and mental illnesses, which, in turn, affect their ability to work and obtain housing, according to the resolution.
The study committee highlights the federal Housing Assistance Council study, which estimated that up to 40,000 Georgia veterans live in poverty and nearly 700 are homeless.
The committee will also examine the value of public and private programs available to Georgia veterans, stating that promoting services available to veterans is a key step in ensuring they and their families “have the resources and support they need to thrive.” in the years after his death. military service.”
“While there is no doubt that we will never be able to repay Georgia’s veterans for their sacrifices, we will strive to ensure they receive the support and resources they deserve through the work of this committee,” said Sen. Chuck Payne of Dalton, committee president, in a statement.
Senate supporting the safety and well-being of all people in the Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee (SR 570)
The Supporting the Safety and Well-being of All Persons in the Department of Correctional Facilities Study Committee would analyze issues affecting the Department of Corrections in managing secure facilities and ensuring the well-being of staff and detainees.
“From fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2022, the total number of Department of Corrections employees (per full-time equivalent) was reduced from 8,158 to 6,169, and the number of employees in the facilities division was reduced from 7,527 to 5,546 ”, highlights the committee. in the resolution.
The study committee shares that it is in Georgia’s best interest to examine how the Department of Corrections can improve the safety and well-being of those in the facilities, “ensuring policies are humane and effective,” according to a news release. .
Senate Study Committee to Advance Forestry Innovation in Georgia (SR 786)
The Senate Study Committee on Advancing Forestry Innovation in Georgia will study how Georgia, a leading state in the forestry, timber and forest products industries, can help other industries while continuing to invest in forestry.
The study committee will investigate the possibilities for Georgia to take advantage of “the forest products present in abundance in our state to meet critical needs in aviation fuel, power generation, manufacturing and other areas,” according to the resolution.
“This is simply a study committee that looks at sustainable aviation fuel and looks at different ways that we can take this industry and help this industry evolve here in Georgia,” said committee chairman Sen. John F. Kennedy of Macon, at a committee meeting on March 20. meeting.
He added: “One issue we need to look at is that we have a lot of big forestry interests and a lot of forests and the largest airport in the world, one of the busiest airlines, all here. “It’s a great place to do it.”
This story comes to The Current GA through a journalism partnership with GPB News, a nonprofit newsroom covering the state of Georgia.
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