February 9, 2021
ATLANTA, GA February 5, 2021 Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced the roll out of House Bill 304, the Georgia Made Medical Manufacturing Act, carried by Representative Jodi Lott (R – Evans). One of the Kemp Administration’s key initiatives for the 2021 Legislative Session, this bill will incentivize the production of medicines and medical devices in Georgia, limiting the state’s need to compete with other states or foreign nations for critical supplies.
“One of the lessons we learned early on in the pandemic is that we cannot waste time in bidding wars with others for life-saving supplies,” Governor Kemp said. “Last session, we incentivized the production of PPE in the Peach State to alleviate that problem, build up our stockpile, and make it easier to stay in business in the era of COVID-19. HB 304 is a natural next step to that program and will help us build on Georgia’s momentum to become a leader in all sectors of the health care industry.
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Rep. Philip Singleton said his bill doesnât discriminate. But the measure is supported by lawmakers and groups with anti-LGBTQ track records. (Photo by Matt Hennie)
When Republican lawmakers stood in the Georgia Capitol last week to introduce a bill targeting transgender women, they framed it as an effort to âsave girlsâ sportsâ and argued it doesnât discriminate. None of the nine speakers even mentioned âtransgender.â
But the legislation â House Bill 276 from state Rep. Philip Singleton â is part of an orchestrated national effort to ban trans athletes from womenâs sports. Supporters of the legislation in Georgia include powerful allies like Gov. Brian Kemp, and they have a long history of opposing LGBTQ equality efforts and supporting anti-LGBTQ bills. Several voted against an LGBTQ-inclusive hate crimes law that passed with bipartisan support in 2020.
Georgia House committee approves bill to add John Lewis statue to U.S. Capitol
The first steps to honor the late Rep. John Lewis in the U.S. Capitol are being made.
ATLANTA - The effort to place a statue of the late Congressman John Lewis inside the U.S. Capitol took a step forward Wednesday afternoon.
The House State Properties Committee approved the measure by State Representative Al Williams, D-Midway, with only one dissenting vote. He speaks for what Georgia has become and is very diverse, very welcoming state, said Rep. Williams of Lewis.
The resolution would establish a National Statuary Hall Collection Replacement Committee. The group would be made up of eight members, including four appointed by the governor, two appointed by the lieutenant governor, and two by the speaker of the House.
Newly elected state Sen. Bo Hatchett will be one of Gov. Brian Kemp s floor leaders when the General Assembly is gaveled into session on Jan. 11.
Hatchett, a Republican from Demorest, was elected in November to the District 50 seat that includes a portion of East Hall County. He replaced former Sen. John Wilkinson, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress this year. Our partnership with the General Assembly has been critical in the fight against COVID-19 as we have worked every day to protect lives and livelihoods, Kemp said in a news release. I am confident these outstanding legislators will carry that important work forward, and I appreciate their commitment to the people of Georgia.
Gov. Brian Kemp Thursday, Dec. 31, named four returning members of the Georgia House of Representatives and three new state senators to his roster of floor leaders for the 2021-2022 General Assembly term.
Republican Reps. Bert Reeves of Marietta, Jodi Lott of Evans, Dominic LaRiccia of Douglas and Josh Bonner of Fayetteville will serve as the GOP governorâs House floor leaders.
Lott, LaRiccia and Reeves were all elected to the House in 2014, while Bonner was elected in 2016.
Kempâs three Senate floor leaders â Republicans Clint Dixon of Buford, Russ Goodman of Valdosta and Bo Hatchett of Cornelia â were all elected in November.