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Updates on Legislation Introduced To Combat Crime and Reduce Employment Barriers

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The General Assembly has been hard at work passing much needed legislation aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of all Georgians. The Senate has already focused heavily on many legislative priorities including reducing crime, combatting human trafficking, supporting law enforcement, and reducing income and property taxes.

This year, I've sponsored several important pieces of legislation that seek to combat crime and gang violence in our state. Crime continues to be an increased concern in Georgia and across the nation. Estimates show that somewhere between 70-90% of all violent crimes in Georgia are committed by a criminal gang. Often, these repeat violent offenders target Georgia's most vulnerable victims including children. Drastic steps must be taken to tackle this ongoing concern.

Senate Bill 11, also known as the "Georgia Fights Terrorism Act," would authorize the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to work both independently or concurrently with other law enforcement agencies on cases involving the identification, investigation, arrest, and prosecution of an individual or groups of individuals for violation of laws concerning domestic, cyber, biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorism.

Senate Bill 12, known as the "Protecting Victims and Dismantling Georgia Street Gangs Act," would revise the punishment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or first offender probationer when the predicate felony was a forcible felony or a felony involving domestic violence. Specifically, SB12 would revise the punishment for the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or a domestic violent felon by increasing the sentence from 1-10 years to 5-10 years. SB12 also establishes a legislative declaration to identify this problem and allow both criminal and civil action to take place to crack down on gangs in Georgia.

Sadly, gang activity has been increasing in our state every year, so SB11 and SB12 will provide much needed criminal justice reform. These bills will prioritize the victims and public safety officials over the criminals, and both measures passed in the Senate with bipartisan support.

In addition to prioritizing public safety within our state, it has been a top priority to streamline the reduction of barriers for Georgians looking to enter the workforce. Senate Bill 3, the "Reducing Barriers to State Employment Act of 2023," seeks to help citizens who are interested in entering the workforce by supplying them with the necessary tools to do so. Specifically, SB3 would require state departments, agencies, boards, bureaus, commissions, public corporations, and authorities to assess education, experiential, and training requirements for jobs and identify ways in which those requirements for employment can be reduced.

Oftentimes, those who are interested in obtaining a salaried position must meet certain education requirements such as a four-year college degree. But, some Georgians don't have the financial means to pursue a degree, making it even more difficult to find good paying jobs. It is my hope that SB3 will provide relief to those looking to enter the workforce.

As you may know, Georgia has been the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business for nine consecutive years. It is thanks to Georgia's hardworking men and women that we are able to maintain this distinction. So, we must do all we can to support those who wish to contribute to such a thriving economy. It was an honor to sponsor SB3 in the Senate, and I'll provide updates as the bill makes its way to the House for consideration.

As always, if I can ever be of assistance to you, please reach out to my office. I am here to serve you. 

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Senator John Albers

Senator John Albers

Senator John Albers
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