--- title: SR 12. Thompson, Bruce A.; condolences collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr12 cite_as: SR 12, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr12 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr12.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr12/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69326 date: 2025-01-15 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr11.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr13.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr12.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 12 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-01-15 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - John Kennedy - Steve Gooch - Jason Anavitarte - Randy Robertson - Larry Walker - Ben Watson - Shawn Still - Billy Hickman - Kay Kirkpatrick - Frank Ginn - Nan Orrock - Bill Cowsert - Russ Goodman - Blake Tillery - Brandon Beach - Drew Echols - Sam Watson - Max Burns - Timothy Bearden - Brian Strickland - Lee Anderson - Clint Dixon - Kim Jackson - Donzella James - John Albers - Tonya Anderson - Elena Parent - Michael Rhett - Josh McLaurin - Jason Esteves - David Lucas - Matt Brass - Kenya Wicks - Sonya Halpern - RaShaun Kemp - Ed Setzler - Sally Harrell - Gail Davenport - Randal Mangham text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR12/2025 upstream_id: 1919096 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Senate resolution - condolences - Bruce Thompson - Georgia Labor Commissioner --- # SR 12. Thompson, Bruce A.; condolences ## Text Senate Resolution 12 By: Senators Kennedy of the 18th, Gooch of the 51st, Anavitarte of the 31st, Robertson of the 29th, Walker III of the 20th and others A RESOLUTION Honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Bruce A. Thompson; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the State of Georgia celebrates the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Bruce A. Thompson, a visionary leader, devoted mentor, and dedicated public servant whose entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence will continue to inspire and shape the future for generations of Georgians to come; and WHEREAS, Bruce Thompson was born in California and raised on a farm in Montana, where he embraced the values of hard work and perseverance from an early age; and WHEREAS, these principals earned him a college wrestling scholarship and laid the foundation for a lifetime of service, beginning with six years in the United States Army National Guard; and WHEREAS, a natural entrepreneur, Bruce launched his first business at the age of 10 and went on to build a remarkable portfolio of ventures, including two automatic pool cover companies, six insurance agencies, two funeral homes, and several software firms; and WHEREAS, he moved to Georgia in 1990 and immersed himself in his community, serving his church, mentoring future leaders, and contributing to organizations such as the SBA Advisory Board, Truett McConnell University, and the Etowah Scholarship Foundation; and WHEREAS, Bruce began his legislative career in 2013 as a Georgia State Senator, where he chaired several committees and authored landmark legislation, including the Heartbeat Bill, the Dexter Mosley Act, and the Carnival Safety Act, earning recognition as "Legislator of the Year" many times; and WHEREAS, known as the "turnaround specialist," Bruce's passion for problem solving inspired his successful run as Georgia's tenth Labor Commissioner; and WHEREAS, his tenure at the Georgia Department of Labor was marked by a renewed focus on transparency, responsiveness, and fiscal responsibility; values he championed with his trademark determination and integrity; and WHEREAS, with the spirit of a fighter and the compassion borne of strong faith, Bruce was known as a mentor to many in the business community and political arena; and WHEREAS, Bruce A. Thompson courageously lost his eight-month-long battle with pancreatic cancer on November 24, 2024, leaving behind a powerful legacy of leadership and service; and WHEREAS, Bruce cherished his role as father and often spoke of his gratitude for the privilege of raising his son, Max, and his daughter, Faith, alongside his wife of nearly 28 years, Becky; and WHEREAS, a devoted believer in Jesus Christ, Bruce lived his life guided by faith, embodying the words of Psalm 138:1 even in the most difficult times. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in honoring the extraordinary life and leadership of Bruce A. Thompson, celebrating his profound contributions to the State of Georgia, and expressing deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who were blessed to know him. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the family of Bruce A. Thompson. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution honors the life of Bruce A. Thompson, a former state senator and Georgia Labor Commissioner who died in November 2024, and offers condolences to his family. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a formal tribute from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recounts the life of Bruce A. Thompson, who was born in California, raised in Montana, served in the Army National Guard, built numerous businesses, moved to Georgia in 1990, and later served as a Georgia State Senator and as Georgia's Labor Commissioner. It notes his legislative work, including bills often called the Heartbeat Bill, the Dexter Mosley Act, and the Carnival Safety Act, and describes his death from pancreatic cancer in November 2024. The resolution formally states that the Senate honors his life and leadership and expresses condolences to his family. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Thompson's family. It creates no new obligations, funding, or legal changes. ### What it does - Formally honors the life and public service of former Georgia State Senator and Labor Commissioner Bruce A. Thompson. - Expresses the Georgia Senate's condolences to Thompson's family, friends, and associates. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Thompson's family. - Creates no statutory changes, funding, or ongoing legal requirements. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names the family of Bruce A. Thompson, including his wife Becky and children Max and Faith, as recipients of the Senate's condolences. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who must prepare the resolution copy for the family. ### Why it matters The resolution has no practical effect on Georgia law or residents beyond serving as an official, public expression of recognition and sympathy. Its main real-world effect is that Thompson's family will receive a formal copy commemorating his public service. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses recount Thompson's biography, business career, and service as a state senator and Labor Commissioner. - The first resolving clause states the Senate's honor of Thompson's life and expresses condolences to his family and friends. - The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to Thompson's family. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-01-15) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-01-15) - Sponsors: John Kennedy, Steve Gooch, Jason Anavitarte, Randy Robertson, Larry Walker, Ben Watson, Shawn Still, Billy Hickman, Kay Kirkpatrick, Frank Ginn, Nan Orrock, Bill Cowsert, Russ Goodman, Blake Tillery, Brandon Beach, Drew Echols, Sam Watson, Max Burns, Timothy Bearden, Brian Strickland, Lee Anderson, Clint Dixon, Kim Jackson, Donzella James, John Albers, Tonya Anderson, Elena Parent, Michael Rhett, Josh McLaurin, Jason Esteves, David Lucas, Matt Brass, Kenya Wicks, Sonya Halpern, RaShaun Kemp, Ed Setzler, Sally Harrell, Gail Davenport, Randal Mangham - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69326 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr12.md?full=1