Last Friday was Crossover Day and arguably one of the busiest times during the session for legislators. Crossover Day signifies the last day Senate bills can be passed out of the Senate this year. The countdown is on as we have only 11 legislative days left to vet and vote on legislation before Sine Die, which signifies the end of the 2017 legislative session.

Last week we saw over 50 bills on the Senate floor. Because we heard so much legislation, I will break down a few things I think are important to our district. However, if you have any questions about anything that happened this week, please let me know.

SB 29 would require that drinking water outlets used in schools and child care centers be tested for lead contamination by June 30, 2019. Under this bill, any lead contamination identified should be addressed and requires the school to submit a plan of corrective action to the Department of Public Health. This bill protects our children and ensures their safety under the roof of the place they should be most safe, school. I am happy to support this bill and hope it receives support across our state in an effort to further protect our children.

SB 30 would require the Department of Education to make grants available for eligible schools that demonstrate a need for community school programming. This would help to make sure our communities invest in positive change. Supporting our schools on a more local level allows the community to be involved in making a difference in how their schools perform.

SB 149 would require the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to develop a course designed to train School Resource Officers appointed to elementary and secondary schools. School resource officers are the people on the front lines in our schools and the ones who recognize things like violence and drug use, among other things. This bill would give them the training they need to deal with this type of activity. It’s important that we give these men and women the resources they need to be able to properly deal with this behavior and stop it before it begins.

This past Saturday, I held two town hall meetings at the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library in Conyers and at Newton County High School. It was wonderful to hear your concerns and to be able to share with you all what is happening here at the Capitol. While town hall meetings are a great way to inform you on what is happening, I love to hear what is important to you any time, because it is your interests that I represent under the Gold Dome.

I am happy to be serving you at the state Capitol and enjoy updating you on what is happening under the Gold Dome. If you are ever concerned about legislation, have questions, or would like to visit the Capitol, please call me office at (404) 463-2598 or email me at tonya.anderson@senate.ga.gov. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Senator Tonya Anderson represents the 43rd Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties. She may be reached by email at tonya.anderson@senate.ga.gov