Atlanta, GA – In case you missed it, Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp have traveled across the state fulfilling legislative promises made to hardworking Georgians. Over the past month, Governor Kemp has signed several bills into law to ensure that Georgia continues to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
On Wednesday, April 6th, Governor Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Lucy, and Amy Porter were on the ground in Bryan County to assess the severe weather damages caused by Tuesday's tornado. Governor Kemp issued a state of emergency in response to the damage caused by the severe storm system and tornadoes.
On Thursday, April 7th, Governor Kemp visited Kubota's new $90 million facility in Gainesville to support Georgia's agriculture industry.
On Friday, April 8th, Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp attended the 112th Trooper School Graduation ceremony to honor Georgia's brave new public safety officials.
On Monday, April 11th, Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp visited the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Georgia's economic leadership in the Great Recovery and the return of $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers.
Also on April 11th, Governor Kemp announced that Norma Precision Ammunition, a subsidiary of the leading European ammunition manufacturer RUAG Ammotec, established its U.S. headquarters, manufacturing site, and warehousing and distribution operations in Chatham County. The company is currently hiring.
On Tuesday, April 12th, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp were joined by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) to unveil a new children’s book. The book, "Hey Georgia" was inspired by First Lady Marty Kemp and authored by former NFL and University of Georgia wide receiver Malcom Mitchell who made a special appearance for the event.
Later that afternoon, Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp and two of his daughters, state constitutional officers, legislators, and other special guests, signed the Georgia Constitutional Carry Act (SB 319) and a license reciprocity measure (HB 218) into law. Photos from the bill signing may be viewed here, and the full signing ceremony can be found here.
Also on April 12th, Governor Kemp announced that sustainability-focused Ecopol, a European leader in the production of biodegradable PVA film, will invest more than $38 million and create 130 new jobs at the company’s first North American facility in Spalding County.
On Wednesday, April 13th, Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, legislators, and other special guests, signed his administration's Georgia Grown Farm to Food Bank legislation (SB 396), the Freedom to Farm Act (HB 1150), and a bill to expand the elementary agriculture education program (HB 1303). The photos from the bill signing may be viewed here.
On Monday, April 18th, Governor Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp and local, state, and federal leaders, signed the first military retirement income tax exemption in Georgia history (HB 1064); a bill that expedites licenses for military spouses, insuring they are issued within 90 days of applying (HB 884); a bill that allows veterans to use their Veterans Health Identification Card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs when they seek the service of a public notary (SB 96); and a bill to honor the late Senator Jack Hill by providing taxpayers an opportunity to donate all or a portion of their annual tax refund to scholarships for disabled veterans (SB 87). The photos from the bill signing may be viewed here.
On Tuesday, April 19th, Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp traveled to Quitman County to celebrate the opening of its new public library.
Also on April 19th, Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that he has joined the American Governors' Border Strike Task Force. In the absence of federal leadership, states are partnering together to create the American Governors’ Border Strike Force to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations by increasing collaboration, improving intelligence, investing in analysis, combating human smuggling, and stopping drug flow in our states.
On Wednesday, April 20th, Governor Kemp announced that Boehringer Ingelheim, a global research-driven pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company based in Germany, will expand its Animal Health Global Innovation center in Athens, Georgia. The $57 million investment will increase laboratory space and bring additional research and development capabilities and activities, including 55 new positions, to the site.
On Thursday, April 21st, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the establishment of a Healthcare Workforce Commission to address challenges in the hiring and retention of healthcare workers, including nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, emergency medical personnel, and other clinical and nonclinical personnel.
Also on April 21st, Governor Kemp announced that sustainability-focused East Jordan Plastics, one of the largest horticultural container manufacturers in North America, will invest more than $44 million in a new facility in Lyons. The project is expected to create 80 new jobs in Toombs County.
On Monday, April 25th, Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Attorney General Chris Carr, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and local, state, and federal law enforcement officials, signed seven pieces of legislation to further public safety efforts in Georgia. Photos from the public safety bill signing may be viewed here, and the full signing ceremony can be found here.
On Tuesday, April 26th, Governor Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, other members of the Georgia General Assembly, and more, signed the largest income tax cut in state history into law (HB 1437). Photos from the income tax cut bill signing may be viewed here, and the full ceremony can be found here.
Later that afternoon, Governor Kemp announced that Jack Link’s, the global leader in meat snacks, will create 800 jobs and invest $450 million as the company expands to Georgia with a new manufacturing facility in Perry. The announcement was made with company, state, and local officials at an event at the future home of Jack Link’s.
On Wednesday, April 27th, Governor Kemp signed a bill that takes further steps to ensure secure and fair elections and enhances criminal case data exchanges to reduce criminal case backlogs (SB 441).
On Thursday, April 28th, Governor Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, parents and students, education leaders, members of the General Assembly, and state and local elected officials, signed legislation that empowers students and parents when it comes to the education of their children, as well as Georgia's hardworking teachers. There were seven bills signed during a ceremony at the Forsyth County Arts and Learning Center. The photos from the education bill signing may be viewed here, and the full ceremony can be found here.
On Friday, April 29th, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed four bills designed to strengthen and enhance Georgia's robust workforce. The legislation includes HB 1435, which provides needs-based financial aid to eligible higher education students who experience a "gap" in their tuition funding; SB 397, which recognizes all other state approved high school equivalency programs in Georgia and extends a voucher to cover all associated test fees; HB 1331, which streamlines employment services funded by Title III of the Federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act to remove duplication and better assist unemployed Georgians in finding a job or starting a new career; and SB 379, which enables the Technical College System of Georgia to create and expand a registered employee apprenticeship program.
On Monday, May 2nd, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed major opioid legislation to secure $636 million for state and local governments to bolster critical treatment and prevention efforts (SB 500). The funds are made available by the $26 billion multistate opioid settlement with Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen – the nation's three major pharmaceutical distributors – and opioid manufacturer and marketer Johnson & Johnson.
On Tuesday, May 3rd, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed HB 1 (the Forming Open and Robust University Minds Act) into law, which secures freedom of speech on Georgia's university and technical college system campuses by preventing the creation or elimination of any existing "Free Speech Zones" and designating all unrestricted outdoor areas of campus as public forums.
On Wednesday, May 4th, Governor Kemp signed SB 116, a bill allowing nonprofits to offer free maternity supportive housing residences and resources for pregnant and postpartum women.
Later that day, Governor Kemp announced that MANA Nutrition, a Georgia-based nonprofit that produces ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to fight global malnutrition, celebrated breaking ground on an expansion of their Ben Hill County facility. With more than $36 million in investment, this is the company’s largest expansion investment to date. MANA will also add 10 new jobs, bringing the company’s employment in the county to 80.
Also on May 4th, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed SB 332, also known as the Inform Consumers Act, which prevents criminals from selling goods stolen from retail stores on any online marketplace platform. The legislation establishes financial and contact information requirements for high-volume sellers to online marketplaces and requires that such platforms establish an option for consumers to report suspicious activity. It also requires sellers to provide their contact information to consumers when their annual revenue on the marketplace exceeds $20,000. Sellers who do not comply will be prohibited from using the online marketplaces further, and the Attorney General is now empowered to enforce compliance with these disclosure requirements.
On Thursday, May 5th, during Georgia Small Business Week, Governor Kemp signed SB 331, HB 1058, and HB 1443 into law to help cut red tape and ensure Georgia has a stable, pro-business environment that hardworking Georgians and Georgia companies can count on.
On May 6th, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed seven bills designed to benefit patients in Georgia and strengthen the state's healthcare system.
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