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Capitol Beat is a nonprofit news service operated by the Georgia Press Educational Foundation that provides coverage of state government to newspapers throughout Georgia. For more information visit capitol-beat.org.

The University System of Georgia is responding to the rapid growth of artificial technology with a new degree program.

The system’s Board of Regents voted Tuesday to create the system’s first baccalaureate program, a bachelor of science degree in applied artificial intelligence at Middle Georgia State University’s Warner Robins campus.

The AI degree program is intended to offer students a pathway to pursue careers in industries including health care, business, and cybersecurity.

Atlanta’s emergence as a tech hub is creating an increasing number of job openings in information technology, while transportation assets including the Port of Savannah and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport rely heavily on AI for supply chain optimization, route planning, and operational efficiency.

The AI program is expected to attract 65 students initially and up to 168 by its fourth year. Classes are due to begin this fall.

Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced the following appointments: Mason Rountree to the Paulding County State Court and Melissa Poole as the Solicitor General of Long County.

Mason B. Rountree is a native Georgian and founding partner of Rountree Law Firm in Paulding County, where he practiced primarily non-domestic civil litigation, misdemeanor criminal defense, and small business law. Rountree graduated from the University of Georgia with a business degree in economics and from Georgia State University College of Law. While attending law school, Rountree interned for Georgia Supreme Court Justices George Carley and Hugh Thompson. Upon graduating with his J.D., he served as the law clerk in the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit for the Honorable Superior Court Judges Arthur Fudger; William A. Foster, III; and Marion Cummings. Rountree joined the law firm of Brock, Clay, Wilson & Rogers in Cobb County in 1996 as a civil litigation associate before forming his law firm in 1999. He also previously served part-time as Judge of the City of Dallas. Rountree and his wife, Ana, have four children, one grandchild, and enjoy spending time on the water looking for wildlife on the Georgia coast and exploring their bat cave in west Georgia.

Melissa Poole currently serves as an assistant district attorney for the Atlantic Judicial Circuit and a solicitor for the City of Richmond Hill. Poole received her bachelor’s degree in international studies from Mount Vernon College and her J.D. from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. After graduation, she served as a law clerk in the Oconee Judicial Circuit. Poole then joined the firm King & Spalding before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2001. She has also worked as a certified mediator in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. Poole has three children and is involved in their schools, including serving on both the parent’s council and the booster club.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe has announced significant changes to its leadership team with the appointment of Jonathan Biggs as its new chief operating officer (COO).

The company has also announced the internal promotions of Chris Sasser to chief financial officer (CFO) and Karen Wickliffe to general counsel (GC).

Biggs joins Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Baskin-Robbins, where he was the brand head managing operations throughout the US.

Biggs’ background as a Georgia Tech graduate equips him with an engineering approach that will be crucial for the brand’s forthcoming growth phase.

Sasser’s elevation to the role of CFO follows the retirement of his predecessor Paul Marsden.

The contribution of Sasser has been pivotal in developing Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s fiscal strategy and performance.

The promotion of Wickliffe to GC comes after the retirement of the company’s former legal head at the end of 2024.

Wickliffe’s in-house and law firm experience, combined with her seven-year tenure at the brand, positions her to manage all legal affairs and collaborate closely with leadership on strategic initiatives.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Max Wetzel stated: “These leadership appointments mark an exciting new chapter for Tropical Smoothie Café.

“Jonathan’s operational expertise, combined with Chris and Karen’s proven leadership in finance and legal strategy, will strengthen our ability to support franchisees and build on our incredible growth momentum.”

In addition to these leadership updates, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has introduced new product innovations, expanding its bowl line-up to include the Dragon Fruit Bowl and Acai Bowl with NUTELLA.

In November 2024, Tropical Smoothie Cafe announced the opening of its 1,500th outlet, located in the US state of Georgia.

The company has more than 1,500 locations in 44 states.

“Tropical Smoothie Cafe appoints new chief operations officer” was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.

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Governor Brian P. Kemp today joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the State of Georgia surpassed $53.1 billion in exports, a year-over-year increase of 6.4% that outpaced the national average of 2.3%. The state also moved up a rank to sixth in the United States for dollar value of trade, serving as a global gateway to facilitate more than $198.7 billion in trade to 222 unique countries and territories.

“With more than 87% of Georgia exporters being small businesses, these record-breaking numbers represent economic opportunity and success in every corner of the state,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “In 2024, Georgia outpaced the national average for growth in exports and moved up another rank in total trade, further demonstrating that our strategic investments and commitment to working with job creators to meet their needs are delivering results for hardworking Georgians.”

Exporting to 219 unique destinations in 2024, Georgia retained its No. 12 ranking in the U.S. for dollar value of exports. Civilian aircraft and ancillary parts also remained the state’s No. 1 export, followed by motor vehicles, data processing machines (computers), electrical apparatus for line telephony (telephone sets), and medical devices. 

“Georgia’s diverse industry base and connectivity to more than 200 global markets create a more resilient state economy,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Georgia offers extensive partnerships, expert guidance on export strategies, and top-tier infrastructure – including deepwater ports, railways, highways, and airports – that empower businesses to thrive in the global market. We appreciate the General Assembly, local leaders, and statewide partners for ensuring Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business, supporting companies in expanding, investing, and moving products both statewide and worldwide.”

The state’s international trade efforts are bolstered by representatives in key markets around the world that facilitate connections between Georgia exporters and key global customers. Markets where Georgia maintains full-time representation accounted for 66% of exports and 83% of bilateral trade in 2024.

“A fourth consecutive year of record-breaking exports is an incredible accomplishment that requires strong partnerships at all levels, from global to local,” said Deputy Commissioner of Trade Lizann Grupalo. “Georgia’s international representatives are a key link to global markets, providing on the ground insights to navigate an ever-changing global environment. Their contributions allow our Georgia-based team members to serve Georgia’s small business exporters who otherwise may not have access to this information and opportunities.”

Georgia is home to the busiest and most efficient airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; the fastest growing and third-busiest container gateway in the U.S. at the Port of Savannah; and one of the nation’s busiest gateways for Roll-on/Roll-off cargo at the Port of Brunswick. The Georgia Ports Authority also recently announced twelve consecutive months of year-over-year container volume growth, on top of consistent growth for multiple years prior. In addition, Georgia offers a robust rail and highway infrastructure, with more rail miles than any other state in the Southeast.

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is issuing more than $265 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to Georgia communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Idalia and Tropical Storm Debby. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is administering the funds and will be hosting townhalls in affected communities to help create an action plan, which is required by HUD before the state can access the allocated funding.

To help ensure maximum participation, each townhall will have both in-person and virtual options for participants. Elected and appointed officials are encouraged to attend, as the information gleaned from participants will help create of the best plan to address the most pressing needs of Georgia communities.

For more information, please see below or click here for dates and locations for each townhall.

Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch presents the annual Brunswick State of the Port address. Colonel’s Island Terminal at the Port of Brunswick handled nearly 902,000 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in 2024. (Georgia Ports)

At the Brunswick State of the Port event, Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch said Colonel’s Island Terminal has become the nation’s busiest port for autos and heavy equipment, handling more than 2 million tons of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in 2024.

Brunswick also took the top spot in the nation for RoRo exports last year, at 600,000 tons, according to USATradeonline.

In terms of individual RoRo units, Brunswick achieved a record year, handling 901,912 units of autos and heavy equipment in 2024. Autos are up 13.3% and heavy equipment is up 160% due to the GPA investment in specialized storage space and processing capacity.

GPA completed $262 million in improvements at the Port of Brunswick in 2024, adding new warehousing and processing space, as well as 122 acres of RoRo cargo storage. Construction has started on a new railyard on Colonel’s Island, while a fourth berth for RoRo vessels is in the engineering phase.

“This is an important milestone in our journey to be the best RoRo port in the industry,” Lynch said. “I would like to thank our customers for their continued trust in GPA, and our partners – the ILA, auto processors and Brunswick Pilots for making Colonel’s Island the nation’s premier RoRo port.”

He said new infrastructure and strengthened partnerships are paving the way for continued growth in Roll-on/Roll-off capacity and trade at Georgia Ports.

PORT INFRASTRUCTURE

“Our vision is to design, build and operate the #1 RoRo port in the world with our customers and partners. Across-the-board improvements in our shipping channel, berths, rail capacity, storage and processing capacity will help ensure that as their volumes grow, our customers will continue to enjoy world-class service and make long-term gains in their business” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain. “No other RoRo port in the nation offers the opportunity to scale up operations like Colonel’s Island, through our long-term commitments to infrastructure.”

A new railyard on the south side of Colonel’s Island Terminal will increase the port’s capacity to export vehicles arriving by rail. Improvements to the existing Myd Harris Yard will bring rail switching onto the terminal in a benefit to the neighboring community.

“Our growth comes as auto manufacturers seek to increase their business through Georgia,” Lynch said. “This project will expand capacity, improve our ability to serve inland factories, and increase the safety of rail operations, both on- and off-terminal and lessen our community impact with our port neighbors.”

Lynch said the added capacity will extend Brunswick’s service area, because moving cargo from farther-to-reach inland factories to the Georgia coast is more cost effective by rail than truck.

Phase I of the new railyard will increase the port’s annual rail capacity from approximately 150,000 autos to more than 340,000 by mid-2025. Phase II will bring annual rail capacity to 590,000 units, greater than three times the current capacity. More than 90 percent of vehicles moving by rail in Brunswick are U.S.-made exports.

Separately, construction on a fourth Ro/Ro berth is in the planning stages and expected to start in Summer 2025. The new berth should be complete in 2027 and will more efficiently accommodate vessels carrying 10,800+ car equivalent units (CEU).  

STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS

Lynch reported to the crowd assembled at the Jekyll Island Convention Center that GPA signed a 20-year agreement with Wallenius Wilhelmsen in April 2024 consolidating the company’s Georgia logistics operations at the Port of Brunswick.

“At its expanded Brunswick facility, WW is not only handling RoRo processing, but also order fulfillment for heavy equipment, configuring the machinery for the end user before delivery,” Lynch said. “We’re excited to be handling this additional business at Colonel’s Island, the nation’s most efficient gateway for Roll-on/Roll-off cargo.”

Consolidating WW’s trade through Georgia is part of GPA’s two-pillar port strategy, which calls for all RoRo cargo to be located in Brunswick, and container trade in Savannah.

For GPA, specializing the ports according to cargo type improves efficiency and creates centers of excellence. 

Brunswick has become a center of excellence for RoRo with the new future berth, processing and land, connectivity and harbor modifications. 

For customers such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen and International Auto Processing, expanding Brunswick infrastructure means greater ability to target new business opportunities for future growth.

GROWING POPULATION, BIGGER SHIPS

Lynch said market forces favor the continued expansion of Brunswick trade.

Two major factors include the rise of manufacturing and a growing population in the U.S. Southeast. These combined factors will drive more exports and imports to the port. Auto exports are on the increase, growing by 9 percent in 2024 and auto imports are also on the rise at Colonel’s Island, up by 20 percent last year compared to 2023.

Another important factor favoring trade through Colonel’s Island: Bigger ships are on the way.

Lynch said the Port of Brunswick anticipates handling larger vessels, carrying a greater number of autos and heavy equipment. The typical Ro/Ro vessel today has a range of 4,000 to 8,000 CEUs. Lynch said RoRo carriers are expected to bring 10,800 CEU vessels to Brunswick in the next two to three years.

“Similar to the dynamic of growing container ships, these larger RoRo vessels are expected to call on fewer ports and handle greater influxes of RoRo units during each visit,” he said. “The 1,700-acre Colonel’s Island Terminal is uniquely qualified to handle these larger transactions thanks to our scale of operations and efficiency.”

HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS

In addition to on-terminal improvements, federal projects will also upgrade the shipping channel in Brunswick. Lynch said the channel improvements will help ensure Brunswick is ready to handle the larger vessels headed its way.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and the state legislature have allocated just over $6 million for special harbor improvements at the Port of Brunswick. This allocation will go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Georgia’s share of the project costs. The Corps’ plan includes a bend widener and expansion of the turning basin. An expanded vessel meeting area at St. Simons Sound will improve safety for vessels passing each other in two-way traffic.

Congress has approved nearly $38 million for Brunswick, including the $11.35 million federal share of the harbor improvements project. Another $26.6 million is designated for dredging the federal waterway to its full authorized depth of 36 feet in the inner harbor, 38 feet in the outer harbor.

To date, the federal funding and procurement process has fallen short for both the annual maintenance dredging and the harbor modification project. It is imperative the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers identifies a workable solution for these projects of national significance.

The global fleet of RoRo ships is getting larger in size with the number of 4000-8000 CEU (car equivalent units) the most common newbuild size as ocean carriers invest to keep pace with booming RoRo demand. Larger, newer vessels bring more sustainable engines and best practices but also place new demands on harbor channel infrastructure depth and width. Federal agencies must keep pace with this global trend by performing timely dredging to maintain safe channels in a dependable, proactive manner.

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Both the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would address the use of school zone speed detection devices. House Bill 225, by Rep. Dale Washburn, R-Macon, would ban school zone speed cameras and would repeal House Bill 978 which passed in 2018 and allowed for the use of cameras in school zones. Senate Bill 75, by Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, puts limited guardrails around the use of speed zone devices.

“It is time to do the right thing and ban these cameras,” said Washburn, who introduced his bill late last week. “While these cameras may have originally been enacted with good intent, the results have shown they do not make school zones any safer. They do not enhance public safety. Instead, they have created an avenue for local governments and out-of-state companies to generate millions of dollars at the expense of everyday Georgians.

“We gave these cameras a chance, and the data has shown they do not do their job. I am grateful to my colleagues in the House who have co-sponsored this legislation, with 100 representatives supporting it. That is more than half of the members of the House,” Washburn added.

HB 225 has been assigned to the Motor Vehicles committee, which has a hearing this morning. However, this bill is not yet listed on the agenda.

The Senate Public Safety Committee held a hearing on Burns’ SB75 Monday afternoon; however, no vote was taken. Committee Chair Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said the committee is working to make some changes on this bill before a vote is taken.

“This is common sense legislation that deals with school zone speed cameras,” said Burns. “The most important thing we can do is to protect the school children, and this bill does that without using the device to generate funds. This bill puts the focus on school safety but does not take advantage of the public.”

Under the proposed legislation, school zone speed detection devices would only be in operation for two hours at the beginning of the day and two hours at the end of the school day. It also calls for signage to be placed one-half mile prior to the school which shows the driver his current speed and again at one-quarter of a mile.