Week 4 update from  the Capitol
Activity at the Gold Dome continues to RISE UP as more and more legislation goes through the committee process. We’ve now completed legislative day 12 and I look forward to keeping you updated as we move through the session.
When I haven’t been at the Capitol I have been spending time in Senate District 13 helping with the recovery efforts there. We’ve made good progress rebuilding the communities that the storms devastated there last month, but we still have a lot of work to do.
Both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) have contributed to the recovery effort, so I’d like to discuss the difference between these two agencies. First and foremost, FEMA operates at a national level while our own GEMA only operates within our state lines. Furthermore, GEMA is combined with our homeland security agency, so they’re prepared for natural as well as man-made disasters. Both agencies work toward full preparedness, a quick response and an efficient recovery for states of emergency. Both FEMA and GEMA will have a presence in South Georgia until their work is completed which they are predicting to be two years.
This week, I introduced two pieces of legislation. On Wednesday, I introduced Senate Resolution 140, which would encourage district attorneys to seek the death penalty against defendants who have committed murder against a law enforcement officer in the line of duty. Our local law enforcement is there to protect and serve the citizens of Georgia, so their murderers should be brought to justice with the fullest power of law.
I also introduced Senate Bill 106 on Thursday, which would mandate that no controlled substance may be distributed or prescribed at a pain management clinic unless a certified medical official is present at the clinic. The object of this bill is to curb the drug abuse plaguing our communities.
As always, I am humbled to represent you in Atlanta. If you have any questions or concerns about happenings at the Capitol, please reach out to my office. I’d be happy to talk to you.

Sen. Greg Kirk represents the 13th Senate District which includes Crisp, Dooly, Lee, Tift, Turner, and Worth counties, and portions of Sumter and Wilcox counties. He may be reached at 229.854.9706 or by email at greg.kirk@senate.ga.gov.