By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R — Dahlonega)

Sen. Steve Gooch

ATLANTA — After numerous lengthy committee meetings and passing 30 bills and resolutions in chamber, the Senate adjourned on Friday to complete our 25^th legislative day. The days we have left remaining continue to diminish, but we made great progress on a number of important bills this week and set the state for a productive Crossover Day, which will take place next week.

To follow up on an issue that was discussed last week, progress was made on Senate Bill 415, which would enhance Georgia’s civil justice climate. After a few more lengthy hearings on this bill this week, it received favorable passage from the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee. The bill has undergone a few changes, but its core purpose of streamlining how personal injury liability lawsuits are facilitated and evening the playing field between big corporations and main street businesses remains. SB 415 provides a remedy for several urgent, critical issues in our civil justice environment and will be a necessity if Georgia is to remain the number one state in which to do business. While passing committee is a significant accomplishment, more work remains to get SB 415 a vote on the Senate floor.

Over the past few years, the Senate passed several pieces of legislation to increase access to broadband internet connections, particularly in rural parts of the state. Last year, SB 2 was passed which allowed Electric Membership Companies (EMCs) to engage in broadband services and granted them the authority to utilize existing easements to deploy broadband. However, there was a small oversight with how these EMCs could operate along railroad easements. Senate Bill 370, which I sponsored, simply requires EMCs who work along these easements for broadband services to follow standards established by the Federal Railroad Administration. This bill will help further the spread of broadband across Georgia, while also ensuring the safety of those doing the utility work to make it possible.

This week, I also had the opportunity to recognize a distinguished group of passionate military veterans wishing to raise awareness about the growing issues of veteran suicide. I was pleased to welcome the United States Mountain Ranger Association to recognize Veteran’s Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and announce the selection of “safety green” as the official color of their mission. Additionally, I introduced Senate Bill 336, which would create a special license plate for U.S. Army Rangers and recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal. While this small token will never be enough to thank these men and women for all that they do for our country, I hope these license plates will at least raise awareness of some of the urgent issues faced by veterans each day. Army Rangers have a unique connection with our community, due to the close proximity of Camp Merrill where prospective Army Rangers receive their Phase Two training in the North Georgia mountains, and I will never miss an opportunity to show them our appreciation for their service.

Next week, the Senate is scheduled to convene for four legislative days, concluding with Crossover Day on Thursday. As the final day for Senate bills to receive passage and be sent over to the House for consideration, we will likely face a lengthy calendar of legislation to consider. Throughout this process, we will be sure to keep the citizens of Georgia in mind with every vote that we take. If I can ever be of any assistance, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District, which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and White counties, and portions of Forsyth and Pickens counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.9221 or via email at [email protected]

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