Representative Doreen Carter
State House District 92
News From Under The Gold Dome
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The Georgia General Assembly resumed its legislative business on Monday, March 21. Now that we have completed Crossover Day last week, my colleagues and I went back to work in our House committees to examine Senate bills. As a result, the House Rules Committee scheduled several Senate bills for a vote on the House floor last week. Meanwhile, our Senate counterparts gave final passage to some House bills that are now eligible to be signed into law by the Governor.
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We unanimously passed Senate Bill 358 on the House floor to encourage those who serve in the U.S. military to live and work in our state as they transition to civilian life. This legislation would allow the Georgia Public Safety Training Center to reimburse the specific training costs incurred when active duty, retired or honorably discharged members of the U.S. military participate in basic law enforcement training.
This bill would not authorize reimbursements for travel, lodging or supplemental salaries and would solely supplement costs of tuition incurred for training. If implemented, this funding would be subject to appropriations by the Georgia General Assembly. By making it easier for interested veterans to participate in basic law enforcement training, we can provide a pathway to good paying jobs for these veterans and help fill vacancies within our law enforcement agencies across the state.
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The House also passed Senate Bill 396 . Named the Georgia Grown Farm to Food Bank (F2FB), this bipartisan legislation would help food banks purchase fresh, affordable produce from Georgia farmers. Food banks estimate that they are offered approximately 14 million pounds of food products each year, but they are forced to turn away four to five million pounds due to a lack of funding to purchase these fresh foods. Consequently, the House and Senate are working together to ensure that state funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to match federal funds for F2FB to address unused agricultural products and fresh produce shortages in regional food banks. With SB 396 and an increase in state funding, our state could provide fresh food to those struggling with food insecurity, while also helping local farmers across the state find a new customer base for their surplus products so they don’t go to waste.
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Many Georgians living with chronic illnesses, along with their doctors, typically have to jump through hoops to get certain medications covered by insurance. The House passed Senate Bill 341 to help lessen this burden for doctors and their patients and provide a better pathway for obtaining treatment. Oftentimes, patients with chronic illnesses must submit prior authorization forms to their insurance provider every few months for medications used to treat chronic conditions, but SB 341 would allow these patients to go through a single authorization process that would last for a minimum of one year. SB 341 would allow Georgians living with chronic illnesses to get these necessary medications with minimal disruption to their daily lives, as well as allow doctors to focus on treating patients instead of navigating government red tape.
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Several House bills also moved along in the Senate this week. The Senate passed an updated version of House Bill 911, or the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, and the House and Senate will continue to work towards a final version of FY 2023 budget before it receives final passage.
The Senate gave final passage to House Bill 385, which would allow retired educators to return to teaching in the classroom while still receiving their state retirement benefits; this teacher workforce initiative will head to the governor’s desk for his consideration. House Bill 1064 also received final passage and will create tax exemptions for military retirement income for both working and fully retired service members once it is signed into law.
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There are only five legislative days left in the 2022 legislative session, and the House will be busier than ever during these final days to ensure that we pass sound policies for all Georgia residents. As we continue to work with the Senate to secure the final passage of legislation this year, please do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts you may have about bills being considered at your State Capitol during these final days of the session. Your input will help guide my decisions during this crucial time, and I always appreciate your feedback.
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It was a great day when the entire House helped me wish my son a Happy 21 Birthday! You can watch HERE
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Celebrating the Retirement of the
Dean of the House
Representative Calvin Smyre
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It was great to see Stacey Abrams at the reception
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You can watch our latest Town Hall Meeting HERE
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Voting Dates and Information
First day to apply for an absentee ballot: March 7, 2022
Last Day to Register to Vote: April 25, 2022
Early Voting Begins: May 2, 2022
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline: May 13, 2022
Last day of Early Voting / Last Day to Access Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes: May 20, 2022
Primary Election Day: May 24, 2022
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President Biden has selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his Supreme Court nominee to fill the seat left when Judge Stephen Breyer retires this summer.
At a White House event introducing Jackson, Biden described her as a consensus-builder with a "pragmatic understanding that the law must work for the American people."
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We would like to spotlight constituents in District 92 doing amazing things to support our community and those who have accomplished great achievements. Please click HERE to submit recommendations.
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I remain dedicated to serving your interests as your State Representative, and I hope that you will contact me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the legislative session or with any proposals or recommendations for future legislation.
You can also stay in touch by visiting the Georgia General Assembly website to watch a live stream of the House in action, as well as archived committee meetings, and review legislation that we are considering.
I am honored to serve House District 92. Thank you for allowing me to be your Representative.
Sincerely,
Doreen
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Capitol Address
509-F Coverdell Legislative Office Bldg.
Atlanta, GA 30334
District Address
PO Box 2186
Lithonia, GA 30058
My Committees
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