Sesión en el pleno de la Cámara de Representantes, 27 de enero de 2026 (día legislativo 7)

Transcripción

177 turnos. Seleccione un tiempo para reproducir ese momento del video.

1. 0:15:20

   Well, good morning.

2. 0:15:25

   As you can see, the hour convening having arrived, all members will please come into the chamber and take your seats. All members. Mr. Clerk, how about ring the bell, please?

3. 0:16:53

   All members, all members, please take your seats. We're going to have the morning roll call. All members. And thank you for being here. I know we had some inclement weather the last few days. All members present will please vote green to signify your presence in the chamber. And Mr. Clerk, will you unlock the machine?

4. 0:18:09

   Have all members now registered their presence in the chamber? All members voted?

5. 0:18:17

   If so, Mr. Clerk, will you lock the machines? Doorkeepers, will you please close the doors and keep them closed? As is our custom, we will begin our day with scripture reading and prayer by the chaplain. After which, we will pledge allegiance to the flag of our country. Our chaplain this morning, we're very grateful for you being here, thank you very much, uh, will be introduced by the gentleman from the 46th house district, Chairman Scott Hilton.

6. 0:18:48

   Chairman Hilton.

7. 0:18:56

   Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lot more leg room back here. I like what you've done with the place.

8. 0:19:00

   Thank you.

9. 0:19:02

   Yeah. Good morning, colleagues. God is good.

10. 0:19:06

    God is good.

11. 0:19:08

    All the time.

12. 0:19:09

    All the time.

13. 0:19:10

    I'm so glad to see so many smiling faces in this house chamber. I pray that you and your communities made it through the recent weather unscathed. It is my true joy to introduce Father Charles Byrd, a true lifelong native of Georgia. Father Byrd hails from the Columbus area, uh, where his father served at Fort Benning. His father later moved into education and helped lead desegregation efforts out of Newnan, Georgia. A true family man, Georgian, Father Byrd has one brother, two sisters, seven nieces and nephews across Georgia.

14. 0:19:42

    His career initially brought him to Louisville, Kentucky, working in advertising. There, he converted to the Catholic faith and began serving in his local choir. The Lord called Father Byrd to pursue his faith furder- further, leading him to complete pre-theology in Pennsylvania and to earn both his bas- bachelors and license in sacred theology in Rome. In Rome, he enjoyed the distinct honor of being ordained as a deacon at St. Peter's Basilica by the future pope, Pope Benedict. In 2001, Archbishop Donahue a- ordained Byrd as a priest.

15. 0:20:15

    Today, Father Byrd is pastor of Mary Our Queen in Peachtree Corners. A brief note about the church itself. In 2019, Mary Our Queen completed a historic renovation, bringing several items from St. Gerard Church, a shuttered church in Buffalo, New York, that was built in 1911. The result is a gorgeous historical structure right in the middle of Gwinnett County, where many of our friends attend today. I would highly recommend you visit this impressive historical structure. With that, it is my distinct honor to recognize my good friend, Father Byrd.

16. 0:20:53

    Thank you. Welcome. Glad to have you.

17. 0:20:56

    Thank you.

18. 0:20:57

    Thank you.

19. 0:21:03

    Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen in this assembly, it's my honor to be here. Uh, again, my name is Father Byrd. I'm a Catholic priest in the archdiocese. I've Um, been a pastor for 13 years in the North Georgia Mountains, and now I'm in, uh, Gwinnett County and they're just a wonderful group of people. I'd like to tell you a brief story today, and I hope that you'll find it interesting. I want to tell you a story about a beatification of five Georgians who the Catholic Church is about to recognize on their steps towards eventually being declared, we pray, saints.

20. 0:21:47

    This is a big deal. They were venerable Franciscans, four priests, one lay brother, all from Spain, and their names are Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodriguez, Miguel de Anon, Antonio de Badajoz, and Francisco de Verascola, who is being toyed around with, considered as the patron, future patron saint of soccer.

21. 0:22:18

    Anyway, good n- interesting. These fellows were 16th century missionaries in what is today the southern coast of Georgia, and they were martyrs. They were not the first missionaries to be martyred in what is today Georgia, but their cause has been pushed for decades to make its way through the long bureaucratic process that has involved historical analysis, evaluation of their lives for virtue, details and nature about their lives and death, and even potential miracles that may be attributed to them.

22. 0:23:01

    These Georgia martyrs were first recognized as venerable servants of God, but soon this autumn they will be designated as blessed in Savannah, and that's one less, one step close to being named a saint. The process is hardly over, but it, this last step is called canonization in the Catholic Church, and that means their names will be included in an ancient roll of saints that go all the way back to Peter and Paul.

23. 0:23:36

    Big deal, really. Uh, the native Georgians that these five missionaries served were a lost tribe called the Guale. Their mission church, churches are likely the oldest places of worship in Georgia, and it's very likely that these Franciscans introduced peaches to what is today the Peach State. As the story goes, there were some among the Guale who rebelled against the Christian notion of monogamy, and for this a group of young men set about slaying the five men over the course of many day, of that many days and in five missions starting on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, which is September the 14th, 1597.

24. 0:24:28

    In the end, their rebellion failed and the Guale chief asked for more Franciscan missionaries to come and replace their martyrs. The indigenous Guale lived for generations in those now lost missions, and they are a people lost to history but not to God. The reason for these martyrdoms is described as odium fidei in Latin, hatred of the faith, but these men were anything but hateful.

25. 0:25:02

    They were learned, courageous, bold, zealous. They lived among a new and strange people without knowing the language. They had no army of conquistadors to force conversions. They had only the convictions of their faith to inspire our first Christian Georgians 429 years ago, largely forgotten today, but about to be recognized by the Church in Rome.

26. 0:25:34

    The second century church historian Tertullian is credited for quoting, writing the quote, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." And he was likely referencing our Lord's words, "Amen, amen, unless a grain of wheat falls upon the ground and dies, it remains but a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit." What a proud past of sanctity Georgia martyrs represent, and that begs the questio- question, what will be our future?

27. 0:26:13

    What seeds are we nurturing? How are we cultivating our culture? When we die, will we leave the world a better place? Friends, whatever our future is, you are a part of it. We're counting on you, and we're praying for you. Georgia is a beautiful state with a rich history and such great potential, and I hope that you will get to know your Georgia martyrs, Blessed Pedro de Corpa and companions.

28. 0:26:46

    Now I would ask you to stand for the benediction.

29. 0:26:53

    Great God of power and might, who order all things according to your eternal will and who call all people to know and praise you, hear our prayer for those who serve in this august assembly. Guide them in your wisdom. May they be steadfast in your justice, and may they legislate and govern always in moderation.

30. 0:27:17

    May they be honorable stewards of the authority and responsibility in which they have been entrusted. May they never lose sight that all are meant to be governed by your laws and seek always your mercy. We thank you, Lord, for our state and for our people. Make us worthy of our rich heritage. Keep us always in your providential care and bless this assembly, Lord, and their deliberations on this day.

31. 0:27:47

    In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Now we'll make our pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

32. 0:28:13

    Doorkeepers, you may unlock the doors, open the doors. Father Byrd, thank you for that history lesson, but also most important, a lesson in our heritage and how we should act. Thank you so much. Thanks for being here.

33. 0:29:13

    Members, you may greet Father Byrd in the South Anney Room. Express your gratitude for him being here and his message, that devotion. Awesome. Thank you again, Father Byrd.

34. 0:29:36

    Members, our doctor of the day was invited by none other than Representative Scott Holcomb. Thank you, Representative Holcomb, for inviting Dr. Daniel Lopez, who is our physician of the day. So if you need his services, he'll be downstairs. Thanks. Appreciate you, Scott, uh, Representative Holcomb.

35. 0:30:04

    Chairman Hilton, the chair of the Committee on Information and Audit- Thank you, Mr.- ... is recognized. I'm sorry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Committee on Information and Audits has read the journal of the preceding two legislative days and has found them to be correct. Chairman Hilton, the chair of the Committee on Information and Audit, reports that, reports that the journal of the previous two legislative days has been read and found to be correct. Is there any objection to dispense with the reading of the journal?

36. 0:30:38

    Hearing none, the reading of the journal is dispensed with. Is there any objection to the confirmation of the journal? Hearing none, the journal is confirmed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the resolution establishing the order of business for the day? Representative Efstration of the 104th moves the following be established as the order of business. First part, appearing unanimous consents. Introduction of bills and resolutions. First reading and reference of House bills and resolutions. Second reading of bills and resolutions.

37. 0:31:09

    Morning orders.

38. 0:31:25

    Is there any objection to the adoption of the resolution establishing the order of business for the day? Hearing none, the resolution is adopted.

39. 0:31:55

    First reading of bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk, will you read? House Bill 1000 by Representative Gambill of the 15th, Wade of the 9th, Seabaugh of the 34th, Hong of the 103rd, Blackmon of the 146th, and others. It'll be titled, "An Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to income taxes." Ways and Means. House Bill 1001 by Representative Wade of the 9th, Gambill of the 15th, Seabaugh of the 34th, Hong of the 103rd, Blackmon of the 146th, and others. It'll be titled, "An Act to amend Article 2, Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to imposition, rate computation, exemptions, and credits relative to income taxes." Ways and Means.

40. 0:32:36

    House Bill 1002 by Representative Camp of the tha- of the 135th and Hatchett of the 155th. It'll be titled, "An Act to amend Article 7, Chapter 4, Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical assistance generally." Health. House Bill 1003 by Representative Wilkerson of the 38th, Lupton of the 83rd, Panitch of the 51st, Kendrick of the 95th, Campbell of the 35th, and others. It'll be titled, "An Act to amend Code Section 45-7-4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to annual salaries of state officials."

41. 0:33:12

    Budget and Fiscal Affairs. House Bill 1004 by Representative Wilkerson of the 38th, Campbell of the 35th, Panitch of the 51st

42. 0:33:24

    Proceed. Kendrick of the 95th, Román of the 97th, and others. Bill be titled an Act to Amend Article III, Chapter 2, Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Security Guard Division of the Department of Public Safety. Public safety and homeland security. House Bill 1005 by Representative Wilkerson of the 38th. The bill be titled an Act to Amend an Act to provide a new charter for the city of Austell. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1006 by Representatives Hugley of the 141st, Williams of the 168th, and Kendrick of the 95th.

43. 0:33:59

    The bill be titled an Act to Amend Chapter 2A and Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Department of Public Health. Public and community health. House Bill 1007 by Representatives Berry of the 56th, Frye of the 122nd, Ridley of the 22nd, Sanchez of the 42nd, Bell of the 75th, and others. The bill be titled an Act to Amend Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia relating to landlord and tenant. Judiciary. House Bill 1008 by Representatives Williamson of the 112th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Jones of the 47th.

44. 0:34:33

    The bill be titled an Act to Amend Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions regarding the General Assembly.

45. 0:34:44

    Budget and fiscal oversight, affairs oversight. Budget and fiscal affairs oversight. House Bill 1009 by Representatives Hilton of the 48th, Jones of the 47th, Donatucci of the 105th, Reeves of the 199th, Silcox of the 53rd, and others. The bill be titled an Act to Amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to elementary and secondary education. Education. House Bill 1010 by Representative Lim of the 98th. The bill be titled an Act to Amend Title 10, Title 14, and Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to commerce and trade.

46. 0:35:23

    Ways and means. House Bill 1011 by Representatives Gilliard of the 162nd, Jackson of the 128th, Glaize of the 67th. The bill be titled an Act to Amend Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to law enforcement officers and agencies.

47. 0:35:40

    Public safety and homeland security. House Bill 1012 by Representative Román of the 97th, Ridley of the 22nd, Oliver of the 84th, Frye of the 122nd. The bill be titled an Act to Amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions, local government. Governmental affairs. House Bill 1013 by Representative Bell of the 75th, Sharper of the 177th, Carpenter of the 4th, Huddleston of the 72nd, McQueen of the 61st.

48. 0:36:11

    The bill be titled an Act to Amend Article III, Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to other state symbols. Special rules. House Bill 1014 by Representative Bell of the 75th, Ridley of the 22nd, Barnes of the 86th, Hagan of the 156th, Sharper of the 177th. The bill be titled an Act to Amend Part 3 of Article 16 and Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to student health. Education. House Resolution 1032 by Representative Jones of the 60th, McClain of the 109th, Glaize of the 67th, and Oliver of the 84th, a resolution creating a house study committee on raising the minimum wage in Georgia.

49. 0:36:52

    Industry and labor. House Resolution 1033 by Representative Jaffer of the 99th, Geisler of the 121st, Willis of the 55th, Miller of the 62nd, Roberts of the 52nd, and others, a resolution proposing amendment to the Constitution to provide that changes to apportionment and districts of the General Assembly and Congress shall only be made in the first odd-numbered year. Redistricting and apportionment. That completes first readers.

50. 0:37:35

    Second reading of bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk, will you read? House Bill 979 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Smith of the 18th, Ballard of the 147th, Hong of the 103rd, Holcomb of the 101st, a bill relating to the retrocession of jurisdiction over the lands owned by the United States. House Bill 980 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Stevens of the 164th, Petrea of the 166th, Roberts of the 52nd, Tran of the 80th, and others, a bill relating to commissions and other agencies. House Bill 981 by Representative Powell of the 33rd, Ehrhart of the 36th, O'Steen of the 169th, Jackson of the 128th, Jones of the 47th, and others, a bill relating to physicians, assistants, and others.

51. 0:38:16

    House Bill 982 by Representative Camp of the 135th and Dickey of the 134th, a bill to amend an act providing a new charter for the city of Barnesville. House Bill 983 by Representative Hagan of the 156th, Cannon of the 172nd, Meeks of the 178th, Burchett of the 176th, a bill relating to forest resources. House Bill 984 by Representative Camp of the 135th, Mathiak of the 82nd, Gullett of the 19th, Burchett of the 176th, Townsend of the 179th, and others, a bill relating to crimes against the person.

52. 0:38:46

    House Bill 985 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Hitchens of the 161st, Werkheiser of the 157th, Mathis of the 133rd, Donatucci of the 105th, and others, a bill relating to Georgia veteran cemeteries. House Bill 986 by Representative Jones of the 25th, Hilton of the 48th, Huddleston of the 72nd, Townsend of the 179th, and Barrett of the 24th, a bill relating to electric personal assistive mobility devices and personal delivery devices. House Bill 987 by Representative Jones of the 25th, Thomas of the 21st, Anderson of the 10th, Cameron of the 1st, and Barrett of the 24th, a bill relating to employment security.

53. 0:39:22

    House Bill 988 by Representative Camp of the 135th, Jones of the 47th, Hagan of the 156th, Ballard of the 147th, New of the 40th, and others, a bill relating to the State Employees Health Insurance Plan and Post-Employment Health Benefit Fund.

54. 0:39:38

    House Bill 989 by Representative Wilkerson of the 38th, McQueen of the 61st, Adesanya of the 43rd, Williamson of the 37th, Whitley of the 22nd, and others. A bill relating to local boards of education. House Bill 990 by Representative Sainz of the 180th, Hitchens of the 161st, Crowe of the 118th, Hong of the 103rd, Donatucci of the 105th, and others. A bill relating to general provisions relative to the Department of Public Safety. House Bill 991 by Representative Jones of the 25th, Davis of the 87th, Anderson of the 10th, Townsend of the 179th, Barrett of the 24th.

55. 0:40:08

    A bill relating to labor and industrial relations. House Bill 992 by Representative Wilkerson of the 38th, Buckner of the 137th, Holcomb of the 101st, Adesanya of the 43rd, Williams of the 168th, and others. A bill relating to general provisions regarding parks, historic areas, memorials, and recreation. House Bill 993 by Representative Barnes of the 86th, McQueen of the 61st, Drenner of the 85th, Taylor of the 92nd, Lupton of the 83rd, and others. A bill relating to miscellaneous provisions under the Quality Basic Education Act. House Bill 994 by Representative Cheokas of the 151st, Donahue of the 31st, Cannon of the 172nd, McDonald of the 26th, Lumsden of the 12th, and others.

56. 0:40:45

    A bill relating to riot. House Bill 995 by Representative Barnes of the 86th, Crawford of the 89th, Berry of the 56th, McQueen of the 61st, Holly of the 116th, and others. A bill relating to student health in elementary and secondary education. House Bill 996 by Representative Berry of the 56th, Dawson of the 65th, Barnes of the 86th, Schofield of the 63rd, O'Steen of the 169th. A bill relating to the Department of Agriculture. House Bill 997 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd, Burchette of the 176th, Crowe of the 118th, Mathis of the 133rd, O'Steen of the 169th, and others.

57. 0:41:18

    A bill relating to penal institutions. House Bill 998 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd, Camp of the 135th, Powell of the 33rd, Jasperse of the 11th, Williams of the 168th, and others. A bill relating to telecommunications and competition development. House Bill 999 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd, Oliver of the 84th, Evans of the 57th, Gunter of the 8th, New of the 40th, and others. A bill relating to fees and costs of magistrate courts. House Resolution 1023 by Representative Jones of the 25th, Ridley of the 6th, Dubnik of the 29th, Bonner of the 73rd, O'Steen of the 169th.

58. 0:41:51

    A resolution proposing amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that the, every parent has a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, education, care, and control of their children. Three second readers.

59. 0:42:27

    House will come to order. We will be moving on to morning orders. We have no committee reports today.

60. 0:42:38

    We have several morning orders and all of them are important.

61. 0:42:47

    I'm gonna take the privilege of, um, starting us off with a morning order from myself. So we, uh, we, on your desk, you have some information from the Georgia Forestry Commission that I think you'll find beneficial and helpful. Uh, that agency provides a great service to Georgians.

62. 0:43:11

    You don't have to listen to me, but I'm gonna tell you about the Georgia Forestry Commission and how important they are. And I hope you will, um, when you have an opportunity, to thank those folks who put their life on the line in so many different times when, um, there are situations that impact all Georgians, especially when it comes to fire protection, but certainly do a great job. Uh, Director Johnny Sabo and his team are really special folks who get out there and work to, uh, prevent forest fires and, and protect homeowners all across Georgia in, in the urban setting and in the suburban setting, and certainly in the rural setting.

63. 0:43:50

    So we wanna thank all of those folks and thank, thank Director Sabo, and certainly some information that'll be helpful to you as well. The other thing that's on your desk is a, a small token of appreciation from Dale Burns and Jon Burns for all the hard work and time you guys spent away from home. I hope that garment bag will serve you well. It certainly demonstrates whom we are and where we come from, that we, you can display proudly when you, when you, uh, travel. So we'll let you know that the, um, Monty Gilbert spearheaded that project.

64. 0:44:22

    I, I could take credit for coming up with the, the garment bag, but I won't. Um, Ms. Dale did that. She has much better taste than I do. So I, I really like mine, and I'm gonna use it soon, uh, if she doesn't kick me out, but, uh, we'll see how that works out. But they came from, uh, Monty Galbraith. He's the owner of the, um, DNA Technical Fabrics. It's a family business based in Columbus, Georgia. So we appreciate Georgia being in charge of that. They, um, and that, that fabric is also, uh, flame retardant, so it's a very special bag and, and all.

65. 0:44:56

    And let's see. All the fabric was donated to this body by, um, by the DNA Technical Fabricators and some other folks, so we're very grateful for that, and so hopefully you'll put it to good use. With that, we'll, uh, move on to additional morning orders, and I'm gonna recognize Chairman Dickey. If you give the gentleman in the well your attention, please.

66. 0:45:22

    Thank you, Mr., uh, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I wanna, uh, recognize a very distinguished group from my district up in the, uh, uh, balcony. Would y'all stand? This is, uh, Thomaston Upson County Leadership, uh, Institute, uh, young, uh, young leaders from there and, uh, here touring our Capitol and learning a little bit about what goes on here. And, uh, they're with Madison Ruettiger from, uh, the chamber and, uh, Troy Chaney, uh, mayor pro tem of Thomaston. Great group.

67. 0:45:52

    Welcome to, to, to, to the people's House. Thank y'all.

68. 0:46:02

    Thank you, thank you, Mr. Chairman. We appreciate y'all being here. Hopefully, uh, if anything the members can do to accommodate you today, don't, you have a great, uh, representative there, so don't be afraid to reach out to any of us for any information you may need.

69. 0:46:27

    So Representative Reeves, Representative Matt Reeves, there he is. Uh, Representative Jasmine Clark, and other members of the Gwinnett delegation. That may be half of us.

70. 0:46:39

    True. Go ahead.

71. 0:46:40

    Give the gentleman and the lady in the well your attention, please.

72. 0:46:44

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is Gwinnett County Day at the Capitol. We've got our Gwinnett County, uh, Chamber of Commerce group up in the gallery. Uh, they represent 2,200 members. Uh, they've got 22,000 businesses, 10,000 sole proprietors. Uh, let's give them a hand.

73. 0:47:09

    They, they've got their 78th dinner coming up, uh, in February. Uh, they've got their incoming chair, Kim Hartsock, uh, with us, and, uh, many other members. I'll turn it over to our delegation chair to say a few more words.

74. 0:47:23

    Yes. Um, on behalf of the Gwinnett delegation, we want to say welcome to the People's House. We are glad to have you here. Also, thank you so much for your contribution to Gwinnett County, to the economy of Gwinnett County, to our small business owners and larger business owners of Gwinnett County. We do appreciate you. Thank you very much.

75. 0:47:44

    Thank you.

76. 0:47:45

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield.

77. 0:47:46

    Thank you, members. And we're big fans of chambers. Y'all do a great job connecting public officials and, and all the great economic development issues and communities of interest. And Gwinnett County, a great place to live, work, raise a family, so thank you all for being here, and thanks for being great advocates.

78. 0:48:12

    Next, we'll recognize Representative Panitch, Representative Cox, Representative Silcox, and maybe some additional friends. So if y'all would join the lady up front right now would be the proper time, and she'll suspend just for a moment and give your friends a opportunity to be here. You have one more coming. Representative Horner, are you joining this group?

79. 0:48:38

    All right. Okay, members, if you'll give the lady in the well and the group in the well your attention on an important morning order, if the lady will suspend just for a moment.

80. 0:48:56

    Good morning.

81. 0:48:57

    Please.

82. 0:48:58

    Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 81 years ago today, Allied soldiers liberated Auschwitz, where over one million souls, most of them Jews, were murdered. Across Nazi-occupied Europe, six million Jewish men, women, and children were systematically targeted and annihilated, along with millions of others the regime deemed unworthy of life. Today, we honor those who perished, we honor the survivors who carry the weight of memory, and we honor the liberators who bore witness to horrors no human being should ever see.

83. 0:49:38

    The Holocaust stands as humanity's starkest warning about what happens when hate goes unchecked, when bigotry is normalized, when discrimination is codified, when we fail to see the, uh, ourselves and others as humans. As antisemitism rises again across the globe and here at home, the lessons of the Holocaust have never been more urgent. We must be vigilant, we must uphold human dignity, and we must stand together against antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hatred that seek to dehumanize and divide us.

84. 0:50:14

    This is our solemn responsibility as citizens, as Georgians, and as human beings. We remember so that never again means never again. With us today are Sally Levine, the executive director, and Fran Putney, the communication director of the Georgia Commu- Commission on the Holocaust. We also have Karen Eisenberg Jones, executive director of the Georgia Solidarity Network, and former Attorney General Sam Olens. Let's welcome all to the People's House.

85. 0:50:51

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

86. 0:50:55

    Thank you, Representative Panitch, and members. We all know that a story seldom told is soon forgotten. We must not forget, so tell the story. Honored to have you here. Thank you. Chairman Dubnik, recognized for a morning order, and he has friends, too. See how many friends you have. You have two. That's an improvement.

87. 0:51:17

    Come on, Dewey. I do have some friends, okay?

88. 0:51:20

    Chairman's recognized.

89. 0:51:22

    Ladies and gentlemen of the House, if you will take a look, there is a book on your desk today, Mighty, Mighty Construction Site. This is brought to us by one of our great partners in literacy as we celebrate today as Reach Out and Read Day at the Capitol. So I hope you all will take this home and, and read it to a young person in your life. Or if you can find Representative Ridley, you can talk to him and read this to him and have a good laugh with him as well. But we just wanna thank our friends from Reach Out and Read. If you will, stand and please let us recognize you and thank you for all your literacy work that you do in the state of Georgia.

90. 0:52:04

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to those who would reach out and read. Uh, thanks to all members of this House for supporting literacy efforts. Thank you for what you're doing. It's the most important work we can do. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

91. 0:52:28

    Members, we're, um, getting to the end of the day, but we're going to have some afternoon orders in just a few minutes. But right now, we're gonna ask the clerk to read the caption to a group of privileged resolutions. Members will listen, and clerk will read.

92. 0:52:45

    Honoring the life and memory of Representative Bill Hembree.

93. 0:52:52

    Honoring the life, legacy, and professional contributions of Ann Eisenhower. Commending and honoring the life and dedicated service of Chief Gordon Henderson. Honoring and commending the firefighters of Georgia and recognizing February 3, 2026 as Firefighters Recognition Day at the State Capitol. Honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, 2026.

94. 0:53:24

    Recognizing January 27, 2026 as Gwinnett Chamber Day at the State Capitol. Recognizing and commending Shen Yun Performing Arts. Honoring Senior Chief Ernest C. Washington upon his retirement from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Recognizing February 11, 2026 as Police Chiefs/Heads of Law Enforcement Agencies Recognition Day at the State Capitol. Recognizing and commending Dr. Keisha Renee Collins. Recognizing and commending Tony, Tony Redd.

95. 0:53:55

    Recognizing and commending Shirley Diamond. Recognizing and commending Ebony Porter-Ike. Recognizing and commending Dr. Twiggy L. Harris, MD. Recognizing and commending Alicia Bonner. Recognizing January 29, 2026 as Strolling Thunder Day at the State Capitol. Recognizing Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation Day at the State Capitol. Recognizing and commending Reverend John G. Birdsell on the occasion of his fifth pastoral anniversary. Recognizing and commending Steve Miller. Recognizing and commending Clayton Holmes Waycross.

96. 0:54:28

    Recognizing Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol. Recognizing the West Forsyth High School boys cross country team. Recognizing the West Forsyth High School Esports Rocket League team for winning the 2025 Georgia High School Association 4A/6A State Championship. Recognizing the West Forsyth High School girls tennis team for winning the 2025 Georgia High School Association Class 6A State Championship. Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Captain John Collins Chapter, Georgia Society, the Sons of the American Revolution.

97. 0:55:04

    Honoring Reach Out and Re- and Read Day at the State Capitol. Recognize the West Forthy- Forsyth High School girls lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Georgia High School Association Division III State Championship. Recognizing the Lambert High School boys tennis team for winning the 2025 Georgia High School Association Class 6A State Championship. Recognizing and commending the Lambert High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 GHSA Division III Boys Lacrosse State Championship.

98. 0:55:37

    Recognizing February 10, 2026 as Georgia Farm Bureau Federation Day at the State Capitol. Honoring the 2026 Don Cargill STEM Scholar Award recipients.

99. 0:55:56

    Honoring the 2026 Don Cargill STEM Scholarship Award recipients and commending the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center. Recognizing the grand opening of Gulf VX Duluth in Gwinnett County on January 24, 2026. Recognizing and commending the Korean American School of Atlanta. Commending the Atlanta Korean American Business Women's Association. Recognizing and commending John Davis upon 32 years of dedicated service to the City of Norcross. Recognize January and August 2026 as Neurology Month.

100. 0:56:32

     Recognizing and commending Major Craig Donaldson. Recognizing and commending Taylor Griffin. Congratulating and commending Sprayberry's Barbecue upon the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Recognizing and commending the Carroll County Superior Courts. Recognizing William Marvin Rutledge, 30 years of service to the City of Norcross and the State of Georgia. Recognizing the Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Georgia and commending their work in supporting students and families across the State of Georgia.

101. 0:57:05

     Recognizing November 3, 2025 as Youth Advocate Programs Day, Inc. Commending Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Recognizing the Vine Ingle Junior Boys All-Star team. Recognizing and commending Reverend Dr. David L. Stallion Sr. and First Lady Tammie Stallion of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church upon 10 years of service. And recognizing January 25th through 30th, 2026 as Physician, Physician Anesthesiologist Week in Georgia at the State Capitol.

102. 0:57:41

     And for other purposes, that completes the reading of the privileged resolution.

103. 0:57:54

     Is there any objection to adopting the privileged resolutions? Hearing none, the resolutions are adopted.

104. 0:58:15

     Okay, members, I need your attention as we move on to afternoon orders. Members, if I can have your attention. You don't have to necessarily be in your seats, but I need your attention. I'm gonna ask members to stand as I recognize Representative Smith.

105. 0:58:37

     Rep Vance Smith is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, uh, a gentleman that was a state representative from Harris County from 1968 to 1988, uh, passed away, and some of you in here will, will remember this name, Randy Phillips, and, uh, 85 years old. I have to say, if you wanted to point out somebody that knew how to do constituent work, Randy was the guy. He was a great guy.

106. 0:59:08

     And, uh, just wanted to pass that along to you. Like I say, I know some of you probably know him or have served with him, but, uh, just wanna send his family our condolences and if you'll be thinking about him. Also, and this is bad, I hate to do two, but, uh, this Saturday night we had a tragedy in Harris County. Our baseball coach, 44 years old, Tony Demetri, was, uh, killed in an ATV accident, and, uh, he was with his best friend.

107. 0:59:39

     So, uh, it's, n- I don't know any details, but other than we really need to pray for his family. Um, and I'd ask that you pray for the high school baseball team. He'd been there a couple years and gotten those young men in line, and they had won two 23-game seasons, and, uh, just a tragic loss, and just we ask that God be with their family, take care of them, and, uh, just say a extra prayer for them. So if you would, just a moment of silence for these two.

108. 1:00:19

     Amen. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Smith. And, and members, y'all may be seated.

109. 1:00:27

     I'm gonna ask the remaining members that will have afternoon orders, if you can hold it to about a minute and a half. I'll do the math for you. That's 90 seconds. But a minute and a half, if you will, and we're going to...

110. 1:00:50

     Representative McQueen is recognized for an afternoon order. Representative McQueen. McQueen.

111. 1:00:59

     How about Representative Berry? No, no, no, no. No, we have, I'm out of order. Victor. Victor. Gentlemen, suspend for just a minute. Uh, my bad, y'all. I, I was supposed to call, uh, Representative Jenkins. I'm sorry. And I apologize to the members. If you will stand again, please. I'd ask you all to rise.

112. 1:01:28

     Mr. Speaker, members of the House, uh, today I'm honored to stand to, uh, remember Roberta Revell Barr, uh, who was called home to be with the Lord on January the 9th. Uh, Roberta was my wife's aunt, but above all, she was a mother and she was a teacher. Roberta was born in, uh, November 15th, 1950, in Long Island, New York. Uh, she moved down to Georgia in the late '60s when her parents retired on to Jekyll Island.

113. 1:01:59

     Uh, she, uh, went to, uh, pursued her passion for teaching. She got a degree at, uh, Middle Georgia University in, uh, Milledgeville, excuse me, Georgia College in Middle- Milledgeville, where she earned a bachelor's in education. She later got her master's degree from education at the University of Georgia. Roberta made her family's home in Warner Robins, Georgia, with her husband Bruce, and they raised their daughter Jana. Uh, Roberta had deep faith in God and, uh, served in the, in the, uh, Orchard in the Valley Church and went on m- multiple mission trips in the Americas.

114. 1:02:38

     Roberta served her community for over 30 years in the Houston County School Systems, where she became an administrator. And then after she retired, she went back into the classroom and taught for another 19 years. So overal- overall, it's a, a, a career in education in Middle Georgia that spanned 50 years, which is, uh, is amazing to think how many children she influenced during that time. Um, so let's remember, uh, her husband Bruce and her daughter Jana and, uh, have a quick moment of silence for Roberta.

115. 1:03:15

     Amen. Thank you very much. Thanks, Richard. Appreciate it.

116. 1:03:25

     So we had one to come off, so let me give you the order. I wanna recognize Representative Anderson, then Berry, then Ollie. That's the next three. Representative Anderson for up to a minute and a half. To the gentlemen, your attention, please. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, yesterday morning, many of us in Northeast Georgia woke up to over an inch of ice and sleet on our cars and our yards, on the roads, and on the trees. Uh, at one time, I know there were over 250,000 Georgia Power customers affected, and I just spoke a few moments ago with CEO Brian Ferguson of Habersham EMC, and out of their 40,000 total customers, of which I am one, over 30,000 were without power at some point over this past weekend.

117. 1:04:13

     So this, uh, Winter Storm Fern was extremely significant in our area.

118. 1:04:19

     We'd like to thank Governor Brian Kemp, President Donald J. Trump for their leadership and the emergency declaration they had. We'd like to thank Georgia Power, all the EMCs and utility partners in Georgia. There was a force of over 10,000 people who converged on Georgia from different corners of the state and different states in the Union to help restore power and clear roads i- j- throughout Georgia. We wanna thank the Georgia Department of Transportation and their cooperation with our local governments. Wanna thank the Georgia Forestry Commission, GEMA, law enforcement, first responders, and we ask for your continued prayers for those that are still affected, still without power, and, uh, hopefully that restoration will be completed and done soon.

119. 1:05:04

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

120. 1:05:08

     Thank you. Those folks do great work, and, um, we certainly did have some impactful weather. Uh, Representative Berry is recognized for an afternoon order. Representative Berry.

121. 1:05:23

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this morning I had a article placed on all your desks, and I hope you had the chance to-

122. 1:05:28

     And friends.

123. 1:05:32

     Gentleman will continue now.

124. 1:05:34

     I hope you had the chance to read the article I placed at your desk this morning, 'cause we are at an inflection point. In fact, we are far past an inflection point. We are nearing the place of no return. I want you to picture a classroom, rows of desk, empty desk, not because kids are sick, not because parents don't care, but because families are terrified. In Atlanta, across Georgia, and across this nation, students are staying home 'cause ICE raids and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement have launched their campaign of terror and fear and weaved it into a daily condition of life.

125. 1:06:08

     The unfortunate reality we must face, that this legislature has chosen to empower this fear. The article points out clearly that this body doubled down on policies that blur the line between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, knowing full well that when you do that, families stop trusting our schools and our public institutions. And at the top of it all sits a president who has allowed ICE to continue operating as a rogue agency that terrorizes communities instead of protecting them. I don't care the talking points about law and order.

126. 1:06:38

     There is no order in a classroom where half the students are missing. There is no law that is worth enforcing if the price is a child's education. We cannot talk about parental rights while supporting policies that rip parents away. There is no workforce readiness while sabotaging the education of an entire generation of students. And I must say, to anyone floundering in the polls for US Senate who invites ICE into Atlanta, it's not demonstrating leadership. They are demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice children's safety for political theater and endorsement that is never gonna come.

127. 1:07:09

     So we know that to do the, what we do the least of these, we do also unto Him. He tells us to welcome the stranger, scripture tells us to welcome the stranger, to protect children, and to act not out of fear, but out of love. So I invite you all to consider joining me on House Bill 470, which affirms that h- schools, hospitals, and churches are places of refuge, not fear. So thank you, all. Education should not thrive or survive under terror, and neither should ICE. Thank you all so much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

128. 1:07:37

     Representative Ali is recognized for a afternoon order.

129. 1:07:47

     Gentleman is recognized.

130. 1:07:49

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the House, I wanted to continue a tradition by my predecessor and introduce a child that is up for adoption today. On the screen is 13-year-old named Elizabeth. Elizabeth enjoys learning math, watching gymnastics, and doing arts and crafts. If you or anyone in community is looking to adopt, please consider Elizabeth to become part of your family on itsmyturnnow.dhs.georgia.gov. Thank you so much.

131. 1:08:20

     Thank you, Representative Ali. Uh, we appreciate you doing that. Representative Hutchinson was a true champion, and we appreciate you following up on that tradition. And if she's watching today, the best to her. We miss her. We welcome you, but we, uh, miss her as well 'cause she was, um... And she's doing, she's doing her duty. She's taking care of family. So we appreciate her very, very much. Very much. Representative Parrish. Representative Parrish recognized for an afternoon order. Are you b- are you alone, or you have friends?

132. 1:08:54

     The lady's recognized.

133. 1:08:56

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So couple of weeks ago, I got a little sick and had to take a-

134. 1:09:03

     Excuse me. I meant to say this. Let me interject. She's back. We're glad she's, I m- uh, we welcome you back. We're glad you're back with us.

135. 1:09:10

     Thank you. Thank you.

136. 1:09:11

     Appreciate you very much.

137. 1:09:13

     Thank you so much.

138. 1:09:14

     Pardon me for interrupting. Oops. Lady will proceed.

139. 1:09:16

     Thank you. Thank you, uh, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to say thank you for your prayers. Um, I could feel them. I knew that you all were thinking about me. Um, it was a little, little bit of a crazy little thing with my heart, uh, but the doctors said they think I'm okay. So if I act out, that's what we're gonna charge it to, right? But I wanna, uh, especially thank the GHDC for the flowers that they sent me. Uh, to the Republican caucus, I did not get flowers from you all.

140. 1:09:49

     You owe me. Mr. Speaker, thank you. I, I, everyone, all of the phone calls, all of the texts, all of the prayers, I really appreciate it. I was, uh, so, so, so heartfelt. Thank you. Thank you so much. And Mr. Speaker, thank you. Thank you.

141. 1:10:04

     Representative, you have a big heart and a caring heart, and we know your heart's fine. But thank you for your service and appreciate you. We're glad you're back.

142. 1:10:16

     Chairman Erwin recognized for an afternoon order.

143. 1:10:21

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, on your desk you're gonna see a, uh, book here from the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and for decades they've put out the top 10 issues about education. I wanna point out, if you look at table of contents, one of their issues, literacy, something we're gonna spend a lot of time talking about in this chamber, as well as we're gonna put an effort to make a difference for our children. I just want you to imagine that if you could not read this book that I put on your desk today, how your life would be different.

144. 1:10:53

     But please pay a little attention to this book and the contents inside here. In Education Committee on Thursday at our meeting, get ready, we're gonna have these presented and we're gonna talk more about them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks for the books, and we appreciate your work and look forward to your work paying great dividends for Georgians. Thank you. Chairman Crowe.

145. 1:11:20

     Chairman Clint Crowe is recognized for an afternoon order from down in Butts County. Yes, sir. Right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues, and welcome back to everyone. I, uh, glad that everyone made it through the weekend weather relatively unscathed. Um, I wanna come up here and talk to you just for a minute and give a bit of a different perspective. Heard my colleague a few moments ago talking about fear and terror and children not being in the classroom because of that.

146. 1:11:53

     There are some things that I would like to say that, uh, get misconstrued, especially in the press over the last several weeks. Obviously, we have seen that there has been loss of life. That is tragic. None of us want that, and it is always tragic when someone loses their life. However, to come up here or to go anywhere and speak publicly, especially in a position like we're in, where we make laws and then ask people to go out and enforce them, and to vilify and mischaracterize those individuals we ask to go do that job as Nazis, as terrorists, and as Gestapo is not only, um, wrong, it's dangerous.

147. 1:12:35

     And so what I would like to say is that each one of these individuals that has put their life on the line every day to go out and protect us and enforce the laws that we have put in place and our elected leaders have put into place are doing that at risk to themselves, sometimes at risk to their own families. We should respect them for that. We should honor them for that. We should eradicate the ones that do it wrong, and we will do that, but that is the vast, vast, vast minority and we don't need to lump all of them together and paint everybody with a broad brush.

148. 1:13:08

     And the hyperbolic rhetoric that we hear about what they're doing and what kind of people they are is leading to dangerous situations that are leading to negative outcomes of people getting hurt. So I will continue to pray for all of our officers, local, state, and federal, and I'd ask you to do the same and honor the sacrifice that they make. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the floor. That con- Thank you, sir. That concludes the announcements. Excuse me. Concludes the afternoon orders for the day. We're gonna move on to announcements.

149. 1:13:38

     And here we go. So we have Representative Jasmine Clark, Representative Santos, and Chairman Parrish. That's the order, so we'll reco- recognize Representative Clark as the first. And Representative Santos, you're next.

150. 1:13:57

     Thank you, Mr.

151. 1:13:57

     Members, we'll give the member in the well your attention, please.

152. 1:14:00

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, the Gwinnett County delegation will have lunch immediately upon adjournment downstairs in Cap 132. Um, we will be joined by the Gwinnett Chamber, who has sponsored our lunch. We'll have a very brief meeting and mostly fellowship. Look forward to seeing you downstairs, 132 Cap, immediately upon adjournment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

153. 1:14:24

     Thank you, Representative. Representative Santos is recognized for an announcement. Give the lady your attention, please.

154. 1:14:31

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Women's Legislative Caucus will be meeting in room 510 upon adjournment, immediately upon adjournment. Please make your way there. We have very important business to attend to, and lunch will be served. Thank you.

155. 1:14:46

     Thank you, ma'am. Chairman Parrish recognized for an announcement.

156. 1:14:54

     May wanna give the rules chairman our attention.

157. 1:14:57

     Thank, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Rules Committee, I'd like to ask you to join me at 9:00 AM in the morning for our first Rules Committee meeting, 341, 9:00 AM in the morning. Thank you.

158. 1:15:12

     Thank you, sir. Chairman Parsons recognized for an announcement.

159. 1:15:18

     Thank you, Speaker. I would like for members of EUT, Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications, to join me for our first meeting of the session in room 403 at 3:00 today. Thank you. Thanks, Speaker.

160. 1:15:32

     Thank you, sir. Chairman Bonner recognized for an announcement.

161. 1:15:37

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, uh, at 3:00 PM, the House Defense and Veteran Affairs Committee is meeting in CLOB 506. We have two bills to hear. And then also tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM down in the judiciary conference room is the first meeting of our fellowship this year. So if you'd like to come, we'd love to have you for a time of Bible study. Tomorrow is free donut day, so if you come, everybody, the first 10 people through get a free donut. So we look forward to seeing you there. Thank you.

162. 1:16:04

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Gunther recognized for an announcement.

163. 1:16:11

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, on your desk is this flyer. Uh, tomorrow, the District Attorneys Association of Georgia will host Prosecutor Day at the Capitol.

164. 1:16:21

     Breakfast will be held in room 216 on January 28th, 8:30 to 9:30. It's a grab-and-go breakfast. The second announcement I have is the Judiciary Committee will be meeting this afternoon, 2:30 in room 132. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, let's make sure. Did everyone hear that announcement?

165. 1:16:44

     They got it. Thank you, sir.

166. 1:16:51

     Chairman Gullett's recognized for an announcement.

167. 1:16:56

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Appropriations Judicial will meet today at 1:00, uh, room 406 in the CLOB. Appropriations Judicial. Thank you. Chairman Meeks recognized for an announcement.

168. 1:17:11

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development will meet at 1:00 today in room 341. Uh, 1:00 at 341. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Chairman Crowe recognized for an announcement.

169. 1:17:31

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, colleagues, I just wanted to let you know in case you had gotten some correspondence about the, uh, Butts County Day at the Capitol and the reception that we'd, uh, be having, uh, in the Blue Room at the Freight Depot today from 4:00 to 6:00. That has been postponed. That has been rescheduled to Monday, February the 9th. So Monday, February the 9th. We'll get you some more information before then, but just wanted to let you know we have postponed that, um, ahead of time just due to the weather. Thank you. Vice Chair Hong is recognized for an announcement.

170. 1:18:04

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Majority Caucus will meet upon adjournment in room 403. Thank you. Chairman Thomas, Brad Thomas, recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The, the committee, Governmental Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on State and Local Government will be meeting at 1:00 at 415 CLOB. Thank you. Chairman Yearta recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, the General Government Subcommittee of Appropriations will meet this afternoon at 1:00, uh, 606 CLOB.

171. 1:18:43

     Representative Esther Panitch is recognized for an announcement.

172. 1:18:49

     Thank you. This Friday night is the fourth annual Georgia Legis- Legislative and Judiciary Shabbat Dinner. We have one in, in Roswell and one in Savannah. You should have all gotten invitations to your email. Representative Jones is the co-chair, so please, I am hearing that we have more judges signed up than legislators. I don't like that. We gotta show up, people. Uh, let me know if you have any questions. Sam Halpern from the American Jew- American Jewish Committee is here if you have any questions or need to register.

173. 1:19:21

     Thank you. Thanks for doing that. I appreciate it. So you or Chairman Jones can also answer any question. Would that be correct? Yes. Yes. Thank you, Representative. Chair Darlene Taylor recognized for an announcement.

174. 1:19:39

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Health Subcommittee on Appropriations will meet today at 1:00 PM in room 515 CLOB. Thank you.

175. 1:19:53

     So if y'all look up at our message board, we wanna thank our house pages that are here and members that invited them to be a part of our day. Thank, thank these pages for their service. Let's give them a hand, y'all.

176. 1:20:14

     It's a great day to be a page in the Georgia House of Representatives, what do you think? We'll take, members, we'll take p- page photos as soon as we adjourn. That concludes our work for the day. Majority Leader of this House is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that this House stand adjourned until Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 at 10:00 AM. On the motion of the Majority Leader that this House stand adjourned until 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.

177. 1:20:46

     All those in favor will say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. No. A little closer, but the ayes have it. We're adjourned.