Sen. Sonya Halpern

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a Senate Study Committee focused on improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Georgia. It addresses rising pedestrian and cyclist fatalities (with Georgia ranked 6th most dangerous state for pedestrians in 2022), current laws that often treat pedestrian strikes as minor offenses, and gaps in enforcement and reporting. The committee will study these issues and recommend legislative changes to strengthen penalties, improve enforcement, and prioritize safety infrastructure. The committee, composed of five Senate members appointed by the President, must submit findings by December 2025. This is a procedural step to research solutions, not a law that changes policy directly.

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a temporary Senate Study Committee focused on examining unscrupulous companion animal breeding practices, such as puppy mills and backyard breeding operations. The committee, composed of five appointed Senate members, will study issues including animal welfare concerns, enforcement gaps in existing laws, and impacts on shelters and communities. It will issue recommendations by December 1, 2025, but does not enact new laws or directly affect any specific group. As a procedural resolution, it solely establishes a study body with no immediate policy changes.

Maddy summarySR 429 creates a Senate study committee to examine Georgia's felony disenfranchisement laws, which deny voting rights to people with felony convictions even after they've completed prison sentences. The committee, composed of six senators appointed by the Senate President, will study the current constitutional clause, assess its impact on reintegration, and recommend potential reforms by December 1, 2025. It will specifically evaluate whether to allow voting rights restoration for individuals serving community supervision post-incarceration, considering economic, legal, and societal effects. This resolution does not change voting rights directly but sets up a process to review and potentially reform Georgia's approach to felony disenfranchisement.

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a Senate Study Committee to examine unregulated intoxicating cannabinoids (like delta-8 THC) in consumable hemp products sold in Georgia. The committee, composed of five appointed Senate members, will study safety concerns and industry impacts before recommending potential regulations, with a final report due by December 31, 2025. It does not enact new laws but sets the stage for future policy decisions based on the committee’s findings.

Maddy summarySR 444 is a resolution creating the Senate Civil Rights Protections Study Committee to examine Georgia's lack of comprehensive civil rights laws covering employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services. The committee will review existing protections, analyze discrimination data, study other states' laws, and assess enforcement mechanisms to identify gaps and recommend potential legislation. It will operate until December 1, 2025, and must file a report with the Senate based on its findings. This is a procedural step for future policy development, not an immediate law change.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 500) honoring Jamila "Mary Ethel Dozier" Jones, a civil rights activist and community leader. It recognizes her lifelong contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including her early involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, her role in voter registration campaigns, and her work founding community programs in Atlanta. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 31, 2025, and directs the Senate Secretary to provide a copy to her family. As a commemorative measure, it has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents.

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the creation of a Children First Trust Fund; to provide for the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the moneys appropriated into such fund; to provide that returns on such investments shall be used for financial assistance for child care services; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION recognizing and commending Henry Carter on winning the GHSA 4A State Literary Championship in Domestic and International Extemporaneous Speaking; and for other purposes.

A RESOLUTION congratulating Midtown High School for winning the GHSA 4A State Literary Championship in Domestic and International Extemporaneous Speaking; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 499) designates April 20-26, 2025, as "Independent Order of Odd Fellows Week" in Georgia. It formally recognizes the organization's 206th anniversary in North America and 180th anniversary in Georgia, as requested by the Georgia chapter. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment. It was adopted by the Georgia Senate on March 31, 2025.