Sen. Ben Watson

Columnist

Last week marked a major milestone for our region as over 500 members of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and Coastal Georgia leadership converged on the state capital for the 2026 Savannah-Chatham Day on Wednesday. This annual event provided a critical platform for our delegation to be briefed on the latest legislative developments and, more importantly, to pitch ideas and regional priorities directly to state lawmakers.

Our local leaders and business representatives focused on a range of essential issues, from securing infrastructure funding for our ports to addressing affordability as well as regional economic growth. It was an invaluable opportunity to advocate for the specific needs of Savannah and Chatham County while ensuring our community’s voice remains at the forefront of the state’s legislative agenda.

One issue that has become a priority of the Senate is an issue being pushed by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and myself is the passage of three legislative initiatives addressing the need in providing resources and services to all of Georgia’s children, including those in and aging out of the foster care system. The Senate is working to ensure Georgia is delivering on behalf of some of Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens: foster children and families. We are working to ensure that children in foster care receive the proper care, support, and resources at every stage of life. Included in our recommendations is the passage of Senate Bill 402, which will continue current pilot programs to screen foster youth for autism spectrum disorder. The program also collects additional data for the pilot by implementing screening in two additional DFCS regions.

Senate Bill 431 will help ensure school districts are in compliance with enrollment requirements for children in the foster care system, and Senate Resolution 622 will help make it easier to evaluate escalating costs in Georgia’s foster care system.

I introduced legislation designed to help expand the number of physicians in the state’s more rural areas, including in many Georgia counties that don’t have a single doctor. This bill, Senate Bill 427, is written to make it easier for foreign-trained doctors to practice in Georgia.

As chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, I was pleased that this legislation passed our committee with a unanimous vote. If the General Assembly adopts, and the Governor signs the measure, this could help ease Georgia’s rural physician shortage. The state is “short” by more than 8,000 physicians, according to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. The problem is especially pronounced in rural areas, with 10 counties having no physicians at all, and 63 counties lacking pediatricians in 2023-24, according to state data.

I will keep you updated on legislation affecting our community as we progress through the session. Thank you for your continued interest in the work of our General Assembly. As your public servant, feel free to visit me at the Capitol or to reach out to me by phone or email. I am in 325A, Coverdell Legislative Office Building. My office phone number is (404) 656-7880, and my email is ben.watson@senate. ga.gov.

I look forward to continuing to serve you.