‘Lawmakers’ Day 11: Apalachee shooting survivors support safety legislation; More girls' sports laws

Tuesday at the Capitol, lawmakers hit on school safety and girls’ sports — and also recognized an important community in Georgia.

In the morning, Rep. Michelle Au held a press conference to promote her safe gun storage bill, which would criminalize unsafe firearm storage around a child. She was joined by students and families affected by a school shooting at Apalachee High School in September.

“Months later, I still wrestle with the questions that haunt me,” Isabelle Trejo, a senior at Apalachee High School, said. “Did that really happen? Why was he allowed access to that weapon? What if another child gains access to an unsecured firearm? What if this happens again? It does not have to happen again.

“In the wake of our shooting, our community showed up for us and their support has been essential for so many students and teachers. Now it's time for our state legislators to show up,” she added.

Au says that her bill aims to prevent more tragedies.

Later in the morning, Rep. Rey Martinez (R-Loganville) hosted Latino Day at the Capitol.

“As I stand here before you on behalf of the state of Georgia, I'm reminded of the power of the Hispanic community and the contributions our community has made throughout Georgia throughout the history of Georgia,” he said. “Latinos now account for over 1 million residents in the state of Georgia, and it's growing every year. Folks, we are not going anywhere. You better take us seriously because we're here to stay.”

In other news, Speaker of the House Jon Burns explained the House's version of legislation that would prohibit schools from allowing transgender girls to compete in female sports.

“In 2022, the House championed legislation that enabled the Georgia High School Association to ensure fairness in girls’ competitions at the high school level across the state of Georgia,” Burns said. “The Riley Gaines Act ensures that that same standard of fairness is applied in every competitive level from kindergarten to college. It also protects the dignity and integrity of women's spaces by requiring separate locker rooms, bathrooms and changing facilities for male and female athletes.”

A similar bill is making its way through the Senate.

The topic of tort reform came up in the Senate, with Democrats questioning the Republican-penned Senate Bill 69's lack of accountability for insurance companies.

“Show me in the bill where it addresses premiums being lowered; somebody show me,” Sen. Nikki Merritt (D-Grayson) said. “Where in this bill does it address the practice of unacceptable denial of claims? Where in this bill can I find language requiring insurance companies to write policies? Where does it address the unfair cancellation and non-renewal of policies?”

Sen. Randal Mangham spoke about another insurance practice that specifically affects African Americans, with Black communities paying auto rates that can be as much as 63% higher than others.

“The methodology behind these numbers involves insurers taking into account ZIP codes, which, although not explicitly race-based, often correspond to certain racial demographics,” he said. “Companies justify the price differences through arguments ranging from higher claim rates to increased rates in these neighborhoods — factors that cannot be decoupled from socioeconomic realities.

“As a result, according to the research, the insurance industry is risk assessment is designed with an unconscious bias that evidently impacts Black communities financially,” he said.

SB 69 is part of the governor's push for tort reform this session.

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Georgia state representatives wore pink to show their support to fellow colleague Rep. Patty Stinson.

Credit: Georgia House of Representatives

In the House was a touching tribute to Rep. Patty Stinson. Stinson (D-Butler) is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Members wore pink to show their support.

“We want you to know that you are not alone,” Rep. Sharon Henderson (D-Covington) said. “And this entire House of Representatives want to say to you, we love you, we appreciate you, and we know that God is with you all the way. He said 'I'll never leave nor forsake you.' So, we want to present these flowers to you, because you're beautiful just like these flowers, inside and out.”

Also in the House, members acknowledged Girl Scout Day at the Capitol.

Later in the day: It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's a drone. A wing drone delivery service demonstrated its product for spectators outside the Capitol at Liberty Plaza. Operators showed off the package delivery system that is currently being used in other states.

On Wednesday, another Latino Day celebration is planned by a collection of Latino groups.

Watch Lawmakers tonight to see new lawmakers Sen. RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta), Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville), and Rep. Bryce Berry (D-Atlanta) discuss the latest on the legislative session.