Ending the 4th week of the Georgia Legislative session saw the passage of SB 1 by the Georgia Senate more commonly known as the” Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act” out of the state senate, reaction was quick to come from some elected officials. 30 of 56 state senators added their names as sponsors, which ensured its passage.
Cobb County’s State Senator, Ed Setzler said in a post, “I am honored to have passed Senate Bill 1 today that prohibits biological males from competing in women’s sports. Since the federal Title IX law was passed in in 1972, the percentage of girls competing in high school sports has increased from less than 5% to more than 40%.”
Senator Setzler then went on to take a swing at the members of the other side of aisle by adding, “Protecting the positive impact of sports in the lives of young women is a big victory in restoring common sense…a victory that sadly was opposed by the Georgia Democrat Party” to the glee of many observers.
Cobb County’s state senators who added their name to list of sponsors included Dr. Kay Kilpatrick and John Albers (Roswell). Regarding the passage of first bill in the state senate for the 2025 session, Senator Albers said, “I was a proud sponsor”.
Albers went on to say, “This common sense bill ensures that biological males cannot participate in women’s sports at the middle school, high school, or collegiate levels.
As a parent and someone who believes in preserving fairness in athletics…Passing this bill is a big win for our daughters, granddaughters, and future generations of female athletes, and I’m optimistic it will receive a warm reception in the House in the coming weeks”.
The Georgia bill mirrors the intent of the executive order signed by President Trump referred to as “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports Executive Order,” signed of February 5, 2005.
Locally, Cobb County School Board member, Randy Scamihorn said he was encouraged by the new guidelines that protect our female athletes.
Former high school Coach/Teacher and current School Board Brad Wheeler said “I agree with the President’s Executive Order and Georgia’s SB 1, saying the playing field for athletes should be fair.
Wheeler went on to say, “As a former coach of girls’ sports in our schools. I do not see any reason why boys compete on girls’ teams, it just isn’t fair”.
Local support for SB 1 remains strong, with Cobb County leaders praising the bill as a necessary step to protect fairness for female athletes.
As SB 1 now heads to the Georgia House of Representatives, parents and supporters are optimistic that the House will follow the Senate’s lead and ensure the bill becomes law, securing a level playing field for future generations of female athletes.
More to come…
