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Running forState Senate, District 1

Ben Watson

RepublicanHas the job now

Overview

Benjamin Luther Watson is an American politician who has served in the Georgia State Senate from the 1st District since he was elected in 2014.

Official site →Ballotpedia →

Facts from Wikipedia.

Bills they wrote

Bills and joint resolutions where they're the main author, since 2023. Laws first, then the ones that got furthest.

Wrote

17 bills

Became law

9 became law. Another 2 passed the House or Senate but didn't.

  • Introduced Feb 24, 2026SB 552: "True Patriotism and Universal Student Access (TPUSA) Act"; enact
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 27, 2026SB 427: Physicians; limited provisional licenses and a pathway to licensure for certain internationally trained physicians; provide
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 18, 2025SB 340: City of Tybee Island; selection of a mayor pro tem; provide
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 3, 2025SB 78: "City of Tybee Island Buildings and Public Facilities Authority Act"; enact
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 31, 2024SB 443: Abatement of Nuisances; inclusion of claims against promoters and organizers for costs incurred by local governments due to unpermitted events: provide
    Became law
  • Introduced Mar 8, 2023SB 293: County Boards of Health; operational policies and procedures of the Department of Public Health apply to local personnel; provide
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 21, 2023SB 223: Health; reimbursement of patient incurred expenses related to participation in a cancer clinical trial; authorize
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 8, 2023SB 116: Disposition of Municipal Property; the maximum term of certain leases or contracts for the use of property owned by a municipality for recreational facilities; provisions
    Became law
  • Introduced Feb 1, 2023SB 65: Commissioner of Insurance; general provisions; establishing an advisory committee; provisions; authorize
    Became law
  • Introduced Jan 27, 2025SB 30: Hospitals and Related Institutions; hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications for certain purposes to minors; prohibit prescribing or administering
    Passed the Senate
  • Introduced Feb 1, 2023SB 69: Honorable Clarence Thomas; placement of a monument in his honor within the capitol building or grounds; provide
    Passed the Senate
  • Introduced Feb 4, 2025SB 95: Certificate of Need Program; an exemption from certificate of need requirements concerning life plan communities; revise
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 16, 2024SB 519: Hospitals; prescribing or administering certain hormone replacement therapies and puberty blocking medications for certain purposes to minors; prohibit
    Introduced
  • Introduced Mar 2, 2023SB 286: "Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Patients Act"; enact
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 15, 2023SB 196: Safety Belts; failure to wear safety restraints for children as admissible evidence in civil actions; provide
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 14, 2023SB 173: Emergency Medical Services; hospital authorities may transfer its ambulance service license to its local governing body; provide
    Introduced
  • Introduced Feb 13, 2023SB 162: Health; certificate of need requirements for all health care facilities except certain long-term care facilities and services; eliminate
    Introduced

Source: Open States

How they voted

Final votes on bills that passed either chamber of the Georgia legislature, since 2023. Votes on amendments, committees, and procedure are left out. A bill can show up under more than one topic.

Votes shown

1,329 votes on bills that passed at least one chamber.

Attendance

Didn't vote on 41 of 1,702 votes (2%). They had permission to be away (excused) for 23 of them.

By topic
Agriculture36 votes
    Alcoholic Beverages5 votes
      Animals6 votes
        Appeal and Error17 votes
          Aviation9 votes
            Banking and Finance17 votes
              Buildings and Housing20 votes
                Civil Practice38 votes
                  Commerce and Trade51 votes
                    Commercial Code3 votes
                      Conservation and Natural Resources38 votes
                        Contracts5 votes
                          Corporations, Partnerships, and Associations6 votes
                            Courts108 votes
                              Crimes and Offenses (Criminal Code)120 votes
                                Criminal Procedure33 votes
                                  Domestic Relations23 votes
                                    Education207 votes
                                      Elections33 votes
                                        Equity3 votes
                                          Evidence10 votes
                                            Fire Protection and Safety11 votes
                                              Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics21 votes
                                                Game and Fish11 votes
                                                  General Assembly49 votes
                                                    General Provisions, Ocga4 votes
                                                      Guardian and Ward7 votes
                                                        Handicapped Persons9 votes
                                                          Health125 votes
                                                            Highways, Bridges, and Ferries43 votes
                                                              Insurance67 votes
                                                                Labor and Industrial Relations14 votes
                                                                  Law Enforcement Officers and Agencies53 votes
                                                                    Local Government90 votes
                                                                      Mental Health20 votes
                                                                        Military, Emergency Management, and Veterans Affairs34 votes
                                                                          Minors49 votes
                                                                            Motor Vehicles and Traffic103 votes
                                                                              Nuisances2 votes
                                                                                Penal Institutions31 votes
                                                                                  Professions and Businesses106 votes
                                                                                    Property67 votes
                                                                                      Public Officers and Employees56 votes
                                                                                        Public Utilities and Transportation18 votes
                                                                                          Retirement and Pensions45 votes
                                                                                            Revenue and Taxation153 votes
                                                                                              Social Services41 votes
                                                                                                State Government106 votes
                                                                                                  Torts20 votes
                                                                                                    Waters, Ports, and Watercraft9 votes
                                                                                                      Wills, Trusts, and Administration of Estates9 votes
                                                                                                        Local laws (one city or county)23 votes
                                                                                                          Other66 votes

                                                                                                            Source: Open States, Georgia General Assembly. Topics from the state legislature.