[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6322540,"mediaKeyId","2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b","parentId",2347280,"title","Senate commends DBHDD and local co-responder programs for crisis response","audioSeconds",298,"startMs",3600000,"endMs",3898000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b&start=3600&end=3898","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322540/Georgia/Senate-commends-DBHDD-and-local-co-responder-programs-for-crisis-response","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322540-e7a6c1f273c0db95f418c6a315ed3806/orig.mp4?Expires=1771216531&Signature=FHwzG9NAcUSBdnG1eAq4VOQKLppfeD1NUuKt3zaiReBw9WJcLMCb9UX5Ih0e~AG2J4ZXNIDLrCNARC7m6lZn5TVuEsUYnpiCl63ObKV32SaGcpt8BtpuUnS1PmnbzxU9eRquiSnF-trL4pUNNFo15jaUIose1r3C5pGjRsutcSZYVTsSquCw2NuuS56hsLOtsiKvlTP76ptGZAIGyshQL634t5dg~fAIgYExJXLYKimH2E8eYYrlGpXLR7hc7mUkaKffRVefmc-0u~cuCCwn9EdFZTxJXd1VZlEu4LxOpX5ypzOfpVrg~p4ztHOdEKjoXfzVy7x5vAt8ZmpQL-jy6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate on Feb. 19 adopted a resolution commending the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and local co-responder programs that pair behavioral health professionals with law enforcement to respond to mental-health crises.

Senate Resolution 182 cites the 2022 law (Senate Bill 403, the Georgia Behavioral Health and Peace Officer Co-Responder Act) as the framework for local co-responder programs and recognizes Feb. 19, 2025 as Co-Responder Day at the State Capitol. The resolution was adopted without objection.

DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner and program representatives joined the Senate on the floor. Tanner described the co-responder model as a partnership \"that brings together a law enforcement officer and a mental health professional to respond and ensure that those individuals in crisis is able to get the help that they need in the most desperate times of their lives.\" Program staff said the model helps keep people out of jail and connect them to treatment and follow-up care. \"They don't need jail. They need resources, they need a doctor, they may need a hospital,\" a program representative said.

The resolution and floor recognition highlighted local programs'work in counties including Gwinnett and noted community-service boards and first responders who collaborate with DBHDD. Senators thanked program staff and first responders for their work and successful crisis de-escalation efforts.

Ending: The Senate adopted the resolution and commended DBHDD and local partners; officials and local co-responder staff were acknowledged on the chamber floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Day 19 | 2025 Legislative Session | 02/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate adopted a resolution commending the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and local co-responder programs for their work responding to mental health crises following the 2022 co-responder law; officials and program leaders attended the floor ceremony.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322545,"Senate honors late Sen. Vincent D. Fort with resolution, family accepts tribute",722,4470000,5192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b&start=4470&end=5192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b/thumbnail_4470000.jpg","/articles/6322545/Georgia/Senate-honors-late-Sen-Vincent-D-Fort-with-resolution-family-accepts-tribute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322545-a4d2efce957a61db49620e36b1293820/orig.mp4?Expires=1771216531&Signature=kngogYghCiRfUuR3eYuiAOe4rReg6vRLDs03YDxtRhq3bz2XSga9WznZzWJIKpOhdnYYuIbfYk0wNLKF48bI9ErODuD6H-foUhqcm8c74P~A8VtO~pMlVtGbjQz-BDryylIUt2SAbEu52HQzLu6F~A2UB40Io6yy-mbeIQyJqCpXTuck6N4Q9GlXJBVDxE9NfiMNkcc4cjmqFzczFGg6P9jUw-70WzgeDm9TJK-bTFLveg4I6ZWbxwKf1-jWZFo4GLBUgAL2wNxACPCXTKC6HVnILxV~FKdKq4TIHvAKgWsgCoTxlI36xH4BRJyBQKjA81LHiDJC78agswHHJBldcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate on Feb. 19 adopted a resolution honoring the life and public service of the late state Senator Vincent D. Fort and presented the resolution to his family on the floor.

Senate Resolution 100, sponsored by Senator Orrick (36th) and others, memorialized Fort's career, noting his years in the Senate (1996'2017), roles including minority whip (2011'2017), and his advocacy on consumer protection, landfills, and economic and racial equality. The Senate adopted the resolution by unanimous consent.

Members offered personal remarks on the Senate floor about Fort's combination of fierce advocacy and personal warmth. Lieutenant Governor Jones recalled Fort's mentorship to younger legislators; other senators highlighted Fort's work on predatory lending and consumer-protection legislation and his grassroots focus. Zan Ford, the senator's son, accepted the resolution and spoke briefly about his father's commitment and tenacity: \"His energy to throw one more punch, to push back and hold the line when nobody else is willing,\" Zan Ford said, describing what he learned from his father.

The resolution notes Fort's earlier career as a historian and educator at Morehouse College and Morris Brown College and his national recognition for consumer-protection work. The family and colleagues gathered on the chamber floor as senators remembered Fort's service and presented the formal resolution.

Ending: The measure was adopted by the Senate and copies were presented to Fort's son Zan and family during a floor ceremony.","The Georgia Senate adopted a resolution honoring the life and service of the late Senator Vincent D. Fort and presented the family with the resolution on the chamber floor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322550,"Senate passes bill expanding child-care tax credits and employer childcare incentives",487,9551000,10038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b&start=9551&end=10038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b/thumbnail_9551000.jpg","/articles/6322550/Georgia/Senate-passes-bill-expanding-child-care-tax-credits-and-employer-childcare-incentives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322550-855b24bd17871de27b654f231fe3abc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771216531&Signature=S5NsElwldM-IhaIIdLXey5u016ljLV6dc6BePGT0KlNNN6GlQFn79hdGaXVCfZuP1THdO5KQR-pn89NrxquTGhPERdfn3bnK2vsK1lBAuxakZ5WdFejNt87~NPxzZq4cxhV0HU8q3QSBmdvganNWxn7zEqFv~k4lpVFBS2-huDp9SRfrqCi8nkE7Bn61fB0JPFs77hi5vmdULZJuckTNoFZm69Lb2nLjf0G2rGH5DWtSsPegvCcGBjNWBsm~vvFGqiEOVXzeHLroKEfPqyOmqWtoVUMgG4lFo6jNtXChm~qp9xV5L0NVfCXCjR074P3D-b0e41ydAoyFGobUy6ipXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate on Feb. 19 passed Senate Bill 89, a measure that expands state tax credits aimed at reducing child-care costs for families and increasing incentives for employers who provide childcare for employees.

Sponsor Senator Strickland (40th/2nd) told the chamber the bill grew from a Senate study committee on access to affordable childcare and that it aims to ease the financial burden on working parents. \"Families shouldn't have to choose between having a career and being a parent,\" Strickland said on the floor.

Strickland and committee members cited several statistics during debate: about 732,000 children in Georgia are under age 6; roughly 60.8% of those children have a working single parent or two working parents; infant center-based costs average more than $11,000 per year and rose about 20% from 2022 to 2023; family care costs for infants average more than $8,000 per year and rose roughly 15% in the same period. Sponsors said these increases force some parents to reduce work hours or exit the workforce entirely.

The bill does three principal things on its face: it creates a new refundable or nonrefundable tax credit for families with children under age 7 to help cover care costs; it increases a state tax credit tied to the federal child-and-dependent care tax credit to 40% of the federal credit; and it expands an employer tax credit to encourage businesses to provide childcare or partner with facilities for employees. The bill also revises eligibility rules and credit amounts for the employer credit.

Floor debate included lighthearted exchanges: Strickland introduced his young children and urged colleagues to support the measure. After committee and floor consideration, the bill passed by roll call (49-0) and will move next to the House.

Clarifying details: Sponsors emphasized the bill is not a complete solution but a substantial step to reduce costs and encourage employer-supported care. The measure draws from study committee testimony from business leaders, childcare providers and advocates.

Ending: The bill's passage sends SB89 to the House for further action; sponsors and advocates said additional policy work will be needed to address childcare supply and workforce issues fully.","Senate Bill 89 passed the Georgia Senate to expand tax credits that offset child care costs for families and employers; sponsor framed the measure as a step to help working parents amid sharply rising child-care costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6322555,"Senate approves constitutional amendment question, bills to raise CUVA acreage cap from 2,000 to 4,000",293,8664000,8957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b&start=8664&end=8957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2347280-fce841a29570102e4b1f0fab47cc492b/thumbnail_8664000.jpg","/articles/6322555/Georgia/Senate-approves-constitutional-amendment-question-bills-to-raise-CUVA-acreage-cap-from-2000-to-4000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322555-faf60ed3a03edebf21419c4e5affa3ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771216531&Signature=HhKpOovZiY2RPqBX3MHZ8lawgkH7EaP17uIjNLz7zVJ-bdv2ksEKz2HVtITKXmArmaUavBAqAzkt~wkL3DPfn519ELOoBD5vNjQEOWC5c41VIVXhCBTJWeJpo0Xee4XwobF83WIGGhAUzUtZlQEUE7~VCJKReX8UPQgM8pwfblKjWNVs2rnNQ7QrN2tHenwBg62Iwoz5xH6nzdMUm7wi6vqaolWx7Z4vS6PileqfmE-WK4wN-~JgXQ32~jZ~Oe0oyuzw94AbQwVdjcG1Z--0ghITq5pve92ahEiu3e5CRLLxSQnbn-AItTSGiVQdrMTxklmsy~aHjXo2Njdn~Fe14Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate on Feb. 19 voted to send voters a constitutional amendment and passed two companion bills that would change the state's conservation-use property rules.

Senate Resolution 56, which proposes amending the Georgia Constitution to raise the maximum acreage eligible for preferential assessment and taxation as bona fide conservation-use property from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres, was adopted by roll call (51-1). Senators also passed Senate Bill 45, the implementing statutory change, and Senate Bill 59, which removes a limitation on leased property for certain family farm entities; those measures passed by recorded votes (SB45: 51-1; SB59: 50-1).

The measures respond to a farmland study committee's recommendations and aim to update the state's Conservation Use Valuation Assessment (CUVA) program, which has not been substantially revised since 1991. Senator Watson (11th District), the bill sponsor, told colleagues the increase reflects larger modern farm operations and would allow an individual to place up to 4,000 acres in a sole name without losing CUVA benefits.

Watson said the package also clarifies treatment of family farm entities and allows family farm LLCs to lease land without triggering a breach of covenant that would end preferential assessment. \"Today we're wanting to ask the voters to allow us to increase the amount of land that one individual can own from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres,\" Watson said on the Senate floor.

Senators who served on the bipartisan farmland study committee were thanked for statewide hearings. Senate committee reports noted the Finance Committee recommended passage. The resolution requires voter approval to take effect; SB45 contains contingent, implementing statutory language that would go into force only if voters ratify the constitutional amendment.

Votes and next steps: SR56 passed the Senate by a two-thirds margin required for constitutional amendments (51-1) and will be placed on the ballot if the legislative process continues; SB45 and SB59 passed and will be transmitted to the House for consideration.

Context and details: Under current law an individual may place up to 2,000 acres in CUVA in their sole name and additional acreage through spouse or child ownership; the bills would permit up to 4,000 acres in a sole name. Testimony and sponsor remarks cited changing farm sizes and instances in which family farm LLCs lost benefits after leasing land.

The measures were part of a broader farmland-preservation effort led by a study committee that included senators from multiple districts and traveled statewide to solicit input from farmers and local officials. The Senate proceeded with the measures after committee reports and floor debate.

Ending: If voters approve the amendment, the statutory changes in SB45 and SB59 will take effect as written; if voters reject the amendment, the statutory changes tied to the amendment would not apply, per the bills' contingency language.","The Georgia Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment and companion bills to raise the acreage cap for conservation-use preferential tax assessment (CUVA) from 2,000 to 4,000 acres and to clarify leased-land rules for family farm entities; votes were 51-1 and 50-1 on final measures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate commends DBHDD and local co-responder programs for crisis response

Senate honors late Sen. Vincent D. Fort with resolution, family accepts tribute

Senate passes bill expanding child-care tax credits and employer childcare incentives

Senate approves constitutional amendment question, bills to raise CUVA acreage cap from 2,000 to 4,000