What have Columbus-area lawmakers been up to during Georgia’s legislative session?
The 155th Georgia General Assembly convened on Jan. 13 and with it began the work of Columbus’s state senator and five area representatives.
Here’s what Columbus lawmakers have been up to since the beginning of the legislative session.
Rep. Richard Smith (R - Columbus)
Smith has been involved in a handful of house resolutions and bills since January, including House Resolution 1051, which would recognize Feb. 10 as Alzheimer’s Awareness Day in the state of Georgia. Smith, along with Rep. Calvin Smyre, are also co-sponsors on House Bill 61, also known as the “Jaida Act.”
HB 61 was first proposed on Jan. 28, 2019 and this amendment to the current bill would offer qualified active duty service members under the age of 25 motor vehicle insurance policies with premium reductions.
To view more of Smith’s current legislation, click here.
Rep. Calvin Smyre (D - Columbus)
Besides HB 61, Smyre also is co-sponsoring another house bill and a house resolution.
HB 820 would create the Georgia Freight Railroad Program, aimed at enhancing investments in freight rail projects for the state.
If passed, the program would have three subprograms:
The Rail Enhancement Plan, which may acquire, lease or improve railways and railroad equipment across the state.
The Rail Preservation Plan, which could lease, acquire or improve short line railways across the state. Short line railways are any carriers that are designated Class III by the Surface Transportation Board, according to the bill’s current version.
The Rail Industrial Plan, which can build, restructure or improve access to railroad tracks and other related facilities.
Smyre is also co-sponsoring House Resolution 935, along with Sen. Ed Harbison, which would continue the Georgia Commission on Freight and Logistics. The commission was established in 2019 and found that more work needed to be done to promote better freight and logistics infrastructure in the state, according to the bill page.
HR 935 was passed and adopted by the Georgia House on Feb. 5, meaning that it was approved formally by the house. The commission will continue into this year.
To view more of Smyre’s current legislation, click here.
Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D - Columbus)
Hugley has been active during this session as well, sponsoring numerous house resolutions to recognize National Red Day (House Resolution 1069), a day where people wear red to raise awareness about heart disease; NAACP day at the state capitol (House Resolution 1058); and House Resolution 1048, recognizing Alpha Kappa Alpha Day at the state capitol.
Hugley is also co-sponsoring House Resolution 1040, which calls for the state of Georgia’s governing institutions to formally apologize for slavery and Jim Crow.
To view more of Hugley’s current legislation, click here.
Sen. Ed Harbison
Harbison has more than five bills or resolutions currently active in the session. They range from recognizing Feb. 18 as Columbus Day at the capitol (Senate Resolution 594) to recognizing Columbus Tech as a “Purple Heart College,” due to its military friendliness.
Other bills and resolutions to note are:
Senate Resolution 595: Recognizing Chuck Leonard at the state capitol and congratulating him on his retirement.
Senate Resolution 679: Recognizing Sept. 11 as a A Day of Prayer and Remembrance for First Responders.
Senate Bill 305: Requires individual registration and license for assault weapons purchases and ban the purchasing of transfer of assault weapons and ammunition unless registered with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
To view more of Harbison’s current legislation, click here.
Rep. Vance Smith (R - Pine Mountain)
Smith has been active during the legislative session, sponsoring or co-sponsoring a few house resolutions. One that has already been adopted by the house is HR 959, which commends both the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Economic Developers Association on their efforts to improve Georgia’s economy.
To view more of Vance Smith’s current legislation, click here.
Rep. Debbie Buckner (D - Junction City)
Buckner has her hand in quite a few bills and resolutions, many of which have been around since previous legislative sessions.
A few of hers to note are:
- HB 8: Wouldn’t tax the purchase menstrual products, which includes pads, tampons and panty liners.
HR 1010: Commends and celebrates the League of Women Voters of Georgia on their 100th anniversary.
HR 844: Urges the United States Congress to pass an act that would help minimize the risk of assault for public transportation workers.
To view more of Buckner’s current legislation, click here.