(The Center Square) – The Georgia Senate will study higher education affordability and chronic absenteeism in the schools, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said.
The studies are two of seven approved by Senate resolutions.
Sen. Drew Echols, R-Alto, will chair a study on making Georgia the number one state for tourism.
“Clearly, agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Georgia,” Echols told the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism in March. “It’s debatable whether tourism is number one or number two but it’s a big industry supporting over 400,000 jobs. In 2023, there was about $5 billion in state and local taxes that come from tourism.”
Sen. Sally Harrell, D-Atlanta, will chair the Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee. Other studies will focus on additional services and resources for transition-age youth in foster care, recovery residences and improving family caregiver services.
The committee will make recommendations for the 2026 session of the General Assembly.
“Each Senator will bring their unique experience and knowledge to these study committees, and I look forward to their expertise contributing to the work of the Senate on critical issues facing constituents across Georgia,” Jones said.
The House of Representatives will have 16 study committees. One of them will look at legalized gaming. Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, who introduced a measure during this year’s session of the General Assembly that would have put legalized sports betting before voters in November 2026, will chair that committee.
