Comité Appropriations de la Cámara de Representantes, 4 de febrero de 2026

Transcripción

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

1. 0:08:22

   Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. So glad that so many people are so bored this morning, you decided to get up and join us at 7:00 AM. Thanks to everyone for being here.

2. 0:08:36

   Lisa, if you would, open us in a word of prayer, please.

3. 0:08:40

   Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I thank you f- that we have the opportunity to do this good work here for the pe- good people of Georgia that we represent, and I do pray that throughout this morning we will, we will operate with wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation. In Your name I pray, amen.

4. 0:08:56

   Amen. Thank you. I will kick us off and call this Education Appropriations Committee meeting to order. Uh, with that, we will get started. I believe everybody front row does have a copy of the budget. If you will go over with me to 24.2.3, we are adding money to take care of some facilities that are in dire need of that. 24.6.3, if, committee members, if you will remember, this funds our PSAT, our I- um, AP, and our IB test.

5. 0:09:32

   And the reason that you, we continue to see this here in the amended budget, this, this is, uh, above and beyond. This is the demand. This is the demand for those tests that, that we're paying for, but these are actual cost. And so, probably a bigger discussion in the big budget that we need to have about increasing the base, um, there. Have a number of true ups in 24.18.

6. 0:09:58

   Then if we come across to, uh, 24.22.3, if any of you come to Chairman Irwin's education committee meetings, we talk about focusing on literacy, and we talk about focusing on safety and learning. Uh, this is one of those safety initiatives. This is a, a school sa- safety pilot program that we'll see across, uh, four high schools in, in the coming year, where, where we're really doubling down on not only the 3D mapping that's required, uh, by law, if y'all remember, that we passed, but this is also adding a very intriguing program from Campus Guardian Angel and, and adding drones.

7. 0:10:38

   Um, happy to share that with you and tell you more about it, but this is a program that, that, the likes of which I haven't seen, that I'm, I'm very, very, um, excited about. If you'll go over with me to section 25 in ERS 25.4.1, we're making a $50 million infusion of cash, uh, there to, uh, ERS that will help improve our funding ratio. 27.13.2, this is a program that is sun setting with, with a set, uh, date of April 1st, so we're able to find some savings, uh, there.

8. 0:11:16

   And with that, we're, uh, done with that part of the budget. Are there any questions?

9. 0:11:26

   Chairman Jones.

10. 0:11:27

    I have no questions, but at the appropriate time, sir.

11. 0:11:29

    It is the appropriate time.

12. 0:11:30

    Motion do pass.

13. 0:11:31

    We have a motion. Do we have a second? We have a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor please say aye. Aye. All opposed like sign. We stand adjourned.

14. 0:14:14

    Well, it's quiet. We'll go ahead and, we're a little early, but we'll go ahead and get started. Um, I'm filling in for Chairman Meeks. He's home taking care of family. He's fine, but we have our multiple roles we've gotta fill, so he's doing that today. We'll start today with Section 13, Department of Agriculture, 13.3.5, a little adjustment for increase in loss d- from COLA and shortfalls over the last few years. Um, then at 13.3.6, 3.7, and 3.8, those are additional funds of $250,100 and $105,000 for software upgrades for animal health, plant protection, and structural pest divisions.

15. 0:15:03

    13.4.5 is $250,000 for other agriculture improvements. Um, 13.8.3 in Soil and Water Conservation Commission, funds $31,443 for a new plan reviewer position. And 13.8.4 is $57,120 for some retention money for its plan reviewers.

16. 0:15:38

    That turnover rate has been very high, so we're trying to help them there.

17. 0:15:50

    16.8.1, uh, the governor had put in $35 million for, um, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for Natural Gas Infrastructure. We're keeping that at $35 million. And at 16.8.2, we've added $50 million for increased funds for rural infrastructure for economic development in rural parts of our state. 23.1.4, under Economic Development, $100,000 for an entrepreneur- entrepreneurial support program.

18. 0:16:31

    Uh, at 23.4, the Council for the Arts, a special project, a one-time funding of $250,250 for community art grants.

19. 0:16:46

    At tourism under economic development, twenty-three, ten point three, increased funds for the Georgia Humanities for the American two-fifty initiative. Increase that to two hundred and fifty thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

20. 0:17:06

    Under Georgia Forestry, section twenty-six, twenty-six point one point four, a hundred thousand dollars to support the leadership program for agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine.

21. 0:17:22

    At twenty-six point three under forestry protection, provided five hundred and thirty-two thousand two hundred and ninety-three dollars for on-call pay effective April first of twenty twenty-six.

22. 0:17:39

    And under section forty, the Public Service Commission, line forty point three point three, added some additional funds for an engineer effective April first, twenty twenty-six of thirty-six thousand one hundred and twenty-five dollars. And at forty point three point four, thirty-one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars for financial analysts for the Public Service Commission. That is all of the changes under the economic development section.

23. 0:18:11

    Any questions? I don't see any questions.

24. 0:18:21

    Do we have a motion?

25. 0:18:22

    Move to pass. All right, we got a motion. Do we have a second?

26. 0:18:26

    Second.

27. 0:18:26

    All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All right, thank you.

28. 0:19:31

    Thank you.

29. 0:19:31

    Good morning, everybody. We're gonna, uh, proceed with the transportation, uh, budget. And, um, we're gonna review the, the changes the House made to the gover- governor's recommendation starting with forty-seven point one point three. We added fifteen million dollars to the airport aid. Um, followed by forty-seven point two point three. Eighty-five million for the rehab- rehabilitation and replacement of rural bridges. Uh, the governor's recommendation had this in capital maintenance, uh, but GDOT asked us to move it, uh, to capital construction so they could better administer that.

30. 0:20:08

    Uh, forty-seven point three point one, this is the item that we moved to capital construction. Um, so it zeroed that out. Forty-seven point one one point four. Four million two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars for repairs, replacements, and upgrades to state-owned short line rail. And finally, forty-seven point sixteen point one. Uh, one billion seven hundred and fifteen million seven hundred and forty-seven thousand for the extension and bi-directional expansion of the I-75 express lanes in Clayton and Henry Counties.

31. 0:20:44

    So that concludes the changes, uh, the House has made. Uh, do we have any questions? I don't see any questions. Do we have a motion?

32. 0:20:52

    Move to pass.

33. 0:20:53

    All right, we got a motion. Do we have a second?

34. 0:20:56

    Second.

35. 0:20:56

    All in favor say aye.

36. 0:20:58

    Aye.

37. 0:20:58

    Aye. All right, do pass. Thank you.

38. 0:22:44

    Yes, sir.

39. 0:22:48

    You ready?

40. 0:22:48

    Yeah.

41. 0:22:49

    All right. Good morning. Uh, this is general government, uh, walkthrough for the House changes for fis- uh, amended fiscal year twenty-six. Uh, start with the Department of Audits and Accounts, section four, page one. Audits is a legislative branch agency, so we added their statewide changes throughout the budget. Four point one point four, we direct Audits to use existing funds to fill vacancies and phase in public school system audits over a three-year period.

42. 0:23:21

    State Accounting Office is no changes. Uh, Department of Administrative Services, section twelve, page four. Twelve point two. Twelve point twelve point one, cybersecurity funds for GTA are trued up. Twelve point twelve point three, under GTA, we authorize the use of interest revenue accrued in the Technology Empowerment Fund to help fund the co- to help fund call center improvements for the Department of Labor.

43. 0:23:51

    Department of Banking and Bank- Banking and Finance, no changes. Department of Driver Services, no changes. Office of the Governor, no changes. Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, no changes. Department of Labor, no changes other than the, what I reflected on a minute ago. Department of Natural Resources, thirty-four point one point four and thirty-four point one point five. One million two hundred and fifty thousand for coastal preservation projects. Thirty-four point three point three, under EPD, the House recommends one million dollars to support the air emissions program operations to delay a physical shortfall Under 34.7, the Parks and Recreation Historic Sites Program, the house out, the house added a total of $6,911,250 for various outdoor parks and recreation projects throughout the state.

44. 0:24:50

    34.9.4, 8.2 million is provided to expand and improve and update wildlife management areas. 34.9.5, 150,000 to mitigate the spread of invasive plant species in Southwest Georgia. Department of Revenue, no changes. Secretary of State, uh, 43.2.5, 15 million for grants for county elections offices.

45. 0:25:23

    Workers Compensation Board, no change. Any questions? Hear- hearing none, do I hear a motion?

46. 0:25:31

    Move to pass.

47. 0:25:32

    Second.

48. 0:25:32

    Got a motion, got a sec- oh, we, we got a-

49. 0:25:35

    Representative Mitchell.

50. 0:25:35

    All right. Representative Mitchell.

51. 0:25:39

    Mr. Chairman, my, I, I rise to speak to make the motion to do pass, but it seems like it's already been made.

52. 0:25:46

    Okay. All right. Thank you, sir. All right, we've got a couple motions to pass and a c- maybe a couple of seconds also. So everybody in favor?

53. 0:25:58

    Aye.

54. 0:25:58

    All right. M- thank you. Motion passes.

55. 0:26:03

    My job.

56. 0:33:51

    Okay, thank you. We'll start with Section 5, Appeals Court. Uh, in the judicial areas, you'll see consistently through it 2,000 time, one-time bumps, um, for salary employees as well as, um, reflected employer contribution rate from the state health benefit plan, uh, coming down. So we won't talk about those going forward, but there's no changes in Appeals Court.

57. 0:34:21

    Uh, Section 6, Judicial Council, um, there is a change, uh, 6.1.3, uh, personal services, um, to reflect the actual start date of $66,302. Um, the 6.1.4, one-time fund, uh, payment for accountability court, um, for the case management system, $150,000. Um, 6.2... Sorry, I ran over here, so I'm breathing tough.

58. 0:34:52

    Um, 6.2, uh, there's no changes there. 6.4, there's a, um, one-time change of 6.4.3, $27,150, uh, for actual start date of a position. Call back of that. 6.5, uh, .3, reduce, uh, utilized funds for legal fees of $50,000 call back. Uh, Section 6, Judicial Council, um, there is a 6.8.3, increased funds for one-time costs of annually payout.

59. 0:35:26

    Uh, that's a call back there, um, from, from $41,000. Um, 6.10.4, um, that's a call back for actual, um... Sorry, 6.10.2, 6.10.3, and 6.10.4 for Georgia Tax Court, um, that's just, uh, funding reductions based on the actual numbers there.

60. 0:35:52

    Section 7, Judicial Council, um, there are no changes there outside of the, uh, one-time fees.

61. 0:36:02

    Section 8, uh, there are no changes there.

62. 0:36:08

    Section 9, Su- Superior Court, um, there are, uh, no changes there either.

63. 0:36:26

    Oh, yep, sorry, just kidding. So 9.3.8, there is a reduced, um, reduced funds to reflect superior court judges who have not opted into the new salary structure. That was $704,493. Supreme Court, there were no changes there. Um, actually, there was 10.1.3. It was increased funds for j- a state patrol trooper agreement for the Supreme Court. Um, but that was, uh, no change from the governor's recommendation.

64. 0:36:56

    And lastly, Section 37, uh, 37.1.2, that's just the, the contribution rate, uh, for the health benefit plan. Um, no, there is a, uh, a call back there, um, like we did everywhere else. Public defenders, um, 37.2.2, this is to reflect... I'm sorry, that's, uh, the state benefit plan that we talked back, called back. 37.2.3, um, the ARPA money funds to continue representation of the multi-defendant cases.

65. 0:37:27

    Um, that was, they asked for $5,521,712. We're still looking for additional information to understand, um, how they're doing their conflict cases. Um, so for the time being, that's at $0. Uh, 37.2.4, this is to increase the, and align the assistant public defender salaries to the ADAs, um, and it starts April 1st. So that's something we added, $2,074,046. Have any questions, subcommittee?

66. 0:37:59

    Do I have a motion?

67. 0:38:01

    Move to pass.

68. 0:38:01

    Second.

69. 0:38:01

    Move to pass. Have a second. All in favor say, "Aye."

70. 0:38:04

    Aye.

71. 0:38:04

    Thank you all.

72. 0:39:11

    Good morning, everyone. We're a little ahead of schedule, um, but I'm gonna call the

73. 0:39:17

    Appropriation Subcommittee on Higher Education to order. If we can go to Section 41 under the University System of Georgia, our, our twenty-five systems there, twenty-five, uh, uh, units, uh, under Agriculture Experiments section. In 41.1.2, you'll see a, what we call, what a true-up that's, uh, related to, uh, delayed start dates and positions that are not filled that were budgeted last year. So you'll see several of those as we go along, and I'll just call those a, a start date true-up. That's 180,000, uh, true up on that 41.1.2 in the Agriculture Experiment Station, uh, be the actual start dates.

74. 0:39:52

    Then down to 41.1.3, uh, provide one-time funds for operational and equipment needs to support blueberry breeder research. That's a $500,000, uh, addition that, uh, there's a request for a million, but the house is putting together that 500... is recommending that 500,000 there. Uh, if you go on down to Cooperative Extension Service, 41.3.2, that's a start date true-up of $112,000. If we, uh, keep progressing on under, uh, 41.13, the Medical College of Georgia Hospitals and Clinics, there's an additional 200,000, uh, to increase, uh, funds to expand the, uh, current partnership with Clark Atlanta University for prostate cancer, uh, research, so very important, uh, uh, position there.

75. 0:40:41

    If you keep going to 41.14.2, we have a, an addition, uh, for the PINES program. That's the Public Information Network for Electronic Services to assist the, um, our, our public libraries. Going on down to the Regent Central Office in 41.16. Under 41.16.2, we have an additional-- we have a recommendation for $300 million as an endowment for the Dream Scholarship, a life-changing, uh, potential there that we're looking forward to working on.

76. 0:41:13

    Um, there is an additional twenty-five million that's been discussed. We're waiting for some, uh, exact details from the Board of Regents in writing so the, the appropriations can be, um, properly, uh, delineated. If you're going down to 41.16.3, uh, we've got some, uh, delayed implementation of a, uh, alternative college admission test of $15,000 change. We have an increase on line 41.16.4 for Galileo access of $67,000.

77. 0:41:47

    Uh, we have some other true-ups in the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and Public Telecommunications. Um, if you're going down under Student Finance under Section forty-four, we have several of our scholarships, grants, and service cancelable loan programs, which due to the appropriations and differing amounts of, um, of participation and applicants, uh, eligible applicants, we have, um, significant reserves in many of those programs. So I'll list a few of those. The Hero Scholarship under 44.6.1, uh, $280,000 true-up.

78. 0:42:22

    Um, under 41.11.1, a million-dollar true-up. Under 44.15.1, a Public Service Memorial Grant of five, $540,000 true-up. Uh, and then service cancelable loans under 44.17, uh, s-several of those that are true-ups based to significant reserves exceeding a typical annual, um, uh, appropriation under those as well.

79. 0:42:53

    Um, let's see. And under the Technical College System of Georgia under Section 46, um, we do not have any, uh, direct adjustments to that. So those are the higher education budget recommendations from the subcommittee. Is there a, um, is there any questions for higher education subcommittee? If not, is, do I hear-

80. 0:43:14

    Make a motion at an appropriate time.

81. 0:43:17

    Now is the appropriate time.

82. 0:43:19

    I'd like to make a p- motion do pass.

83. 0:43:21

    Uh, we have a motion do pass. Is there a second? Sec- We have a second. Any further discussion by the subcommittee? If not, all in favor say aye.

84. 0:43:29

    Aye.

85. 0:43:30

    Any opposed, no? All right. Thank you. We'll pass this along to full committee. We'll adjourn this subcommittee.

86. 0:49:45

    Good morning.

87. 0:49:45

    Good morning.

88. 0:49:47

    Good to see all you early risers for sure. What a great day the house is having. We're moving fast here and efficiently. So let's get started on the human resources budget changes. 15.3.3, this is un-under behavioral health and developmental disabilities, and this is the only change to the governor's proposal. This will be for one-time funds for a behavioral health provider rate study. This focuses on the NOW and comp waivers.

89. 0:50:17

    So next, if you would look at the Department of Human Services. 28.3.1, this will provide funds for an integrated child welfare reporting system, something that we have needed for a great time in Georgia, fifteen million dollars.

90. 0:50:39

    The next is at 28.12.1 for out-of-home care. This will increase the funds for utilization growth and increase costs of care prioritizing, reunification services, assessments, and the specialized services for our high acuity youth. This will rebuild some of what is missing there. This will be an add of eighty-two thou-- eighty-- Excuse me.

91. 0:51:10

    We're all running, dashing. I'm sorry. Sorry. 82741347. 28.13.1 for out-of-home care. This is a special project to restore the cancellation of state office contracts for supportive services. And implement funds to place foster youth closer to their biological families as directed in the FY twenty-six budget. This is a million five ninety-nine six oh one.

92. 0:51:40

    Next, if you would look please at twenty-eight point twenty-five point three, to increase the funds to supply new and used durable medical equipment and assistive technology. This is for the Friends of Disabled Adults, Children and Youth, FODAC, a longtime partner with our state, of a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. That is all of that budget. Now, if we, you would look at Veterans Services. So there are a couple of things here, and they are helping each other out.

93. 0:52:15

    I'm going to look at some other notes that I have here. Just a minute to make sure I say this correctly. Okay. So at forty-eight point two point three and forty-eight point three point three, you will see that there are funds moving there. The governor proposed transferring funds from nursing homes to the cemetery. The House is going to say no and actually add straight up funds for, um, for the cemetery of a million dollars.

94. 0:52:51

    This is the funds to create the new veterans cemetery in Augusta, Richmond County, pursuant to H.R. seventy-seven. That is forty-eight point two point four. Also, at forty-eight point three point four, we're going to recognize savings from the delay in the opening of new beds. There's a cost savings here. There are seventeen beds that still remain open, and so we are going to save a little bit of money there. Then if you'll look at forty-eight point four point three, this will be to provide funds for technology platform for our community service referral.

95. 0:53:29

    Unite Us is a social service platform that has been working very successfully with our veterans, and we want to continue to support them with two million six hundred fourteen five hundred and ninety-eight dollars. And then last, at forty-eight point four point four, we're gonna partner with the Shepherd Center Initiative. They are doing great work to help with some of our military veterans and wounded ser- service members particularly in mental health and brain injuries. So we will be, um, sending a million dollars that way in the House budget.

96. 0:54:01

    Thank y'all so much. That is what we have here. Are there any questions? If not, I'll entertain a motion. Move to pass.

97. 0:54:10

    Move to pass.

98. 0:54:11

    Second.

99. 0:54:11

    And we have a second. All in favor, please signify by saying aye.

100. 0:54:15

     Aye.

101. 0:54:16

     Opposed by like sign. Thank you. We are adjourned.

102. 0:56:45

     Thank you. Good morning. This is the House Subcommittee on Appropriations, and we're going to address the House changes in this meeting. We're going to start with the Department of Community Health. The first item you will see is on line seventeen point one point six, which provides two million five hundred thousand to support spinal injury services. Next is the Georgia Board of Dentistry. Line seventeen point two point three reduces funds for personal services based on the actual start date of new positions, a hundred and twenty-two thousand fifty-nine dollars.

103. 0:57:22

     In line seventeen point two point four, the House creates funds for one vehicle and protective equipment for an additional criminal investigator for which funding is appropriated in physical year twenty twenty-seven, thirty-two thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine dollars. Next is the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. Line seventeen point three point three reduces funding for personal services based on the actual start date of new positions, ninety-eight thousand, um, and eighty-ni- and ninety-eight dollars.

104. 0:57:55

     In healthcare access and improvement, line seventeen point four point three includes four million eight hundred thousand to establish a grant program to support new rural medicine and dental clinics. Line seventeen point four point four, the House includes eight hundred thousand dollars for hospital infrastructure and emergency power. Line seventeen point four point five includes one hundred fifty-five thousand two hundred and fifty-one dollars for portable training ultrasounds.

105. 0:58:27

     Line seventeen point four point six provides two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for rural col- colorectal screenings. Throughout the Medicaid programs, the House updates funds based on new enrollment projections provided by the Department of Community Health. Line seventeen point seven point nine, the House includes three million dollars to increase funds for supplemental quality incentive payments at skilled nursing facilities. Next is the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce in Graduate Medical Education.

106. 0:59:02

     Line seventeen point twelve point two reduces funds based on the delayed approval of the state plan amendment, six million eight hundred forty-four thousand one hundred and twenty-two dollars. Line seventeen point twelve point three includes one million one hundred sixty-six thousand seven hundred seventy-six dollars for rural surgery initiatives and child and adolescent psychiatry slots at Augusta University. Line seventeen point twelve point four adds seventeen million eight hundred and six thousand five hundred and sixty-eight dollars for the expansion of medical graduate education programs in South Georgia.

107. 0:59:45

     In health care education programs, line 17.16.1 changes the program name from Undergraduate Medical Education to Health Care Education Programs to include nursing education. Line 17.16.1 includes $100,000 to promote rural residency programs. In Georgia Composite Medical Board, line 17.17.3 reduces funding for personal services based on the actual start date of new positions, $20,337.

108. 1:00:23

     Line 17.17.4 directs the utilization of appropriated funds in HB68 for a paralegal to be utilized. Next is the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination under the Office of the Governor. In line 27.5.2, we'll see reductions in funds by $500,250. Lastly, we're looking at the Department of Public Health. In lines 38.1.3, the house added $150,000 for charitable dental program care.

109. 1:01:02

     Finally, lines 38.3.3 directs the department to develop a strategy to promote awareness and prevention measures for colorectal prostate cancer and to report the findings by September 1st, 2026. That concludes the changes. Do I hear a motion?

110. 1:01:21

     So moved.

111. 1:01:22

     Is there a second? We have a second. All in favor say, "Aye."

112. 1:01:26

     Aye.

113. 1:01:27

     Thank you very much.

114. 1:02:44

     Okay, we're running a little early. I hope I've got all my committee members here. But, uh, I'd like to call to order the Public Safety Subcommittee on Appropriations. And we're gonna start off with the Department of Community Supervision. Uh, 18.2.3, we're gonna reduce funds for personal services, and you'll see this time and time again in this, uh, in, in, uh, this presentation. And all this is, is last year we had some new positions. When they're not filled on July 1st, very obviously we're not gonna have a salary for the whole year.

115. 1:03:15

     So whatever months it takes for them to get hired, we take that money back. So we're gonna recover, uh, $100,000, uh, in, in that item. Moving on to the Department of Corrections.

116. 1:03:31

     Under Food and Farm Operations, the Department of Corrections runs their own farm down in Reidsville. Uh, they, they provide almost exclusively all the food for 50,000 inmates in our penal system. Under 19.3.4, provide funds for food services across state facilities contracted with Georgia Correctional Industries due to rising food costs. Uh, there was nothing budgeted. We put in 2,445,000. That's one half of the request. They lost 4.8 million in fiscal year '25.

117. 1:04:06

     19.3.5, provide funds for the purchase of meat during processing equipment upgrades. Their meat processor quit last year. They had to buy, uh, meat patties outside while it was under renovation. That was $1,079,000. 19.3.6, provide funds for food and farm equipment and software upgrades. They can't grow the, they can't grow the food or raise the livestock without the equipment. And for about the last four years, we tried to upgrade and, and, uh, we haven't been able to fund it.

118. 1:04:37

     So we put in $1,015,000 this year to buy a, a potato planter, two row planters, uh, some hog traps, combine, nitrogen applicator, uh, so that they can, they can do their job and, and feed our inmates. Under 19.4.3, increase funds for the physical health contract for a per diem increase of 10,946,108. Uh, we would- we- we're gonna be able to take back 16,702 because we're paying them to, uh, from March, uh, when it was appropriated through July.

119. 1:05:23

     19.4.7,

120. 1:05:28

     increase funds for residential substance abuse treatment centers effective April 1st. Uh, there was nothing funded. We put $312,500. Uh, that's one quarter of the request. The counselor salaries are 20% lower than the state average and, and they have difficulty hiring people. This is a recommendation from Gateway, which is c- is a consulting company that Department of Corrections hired to assist them, uh, in some of their endeavors. Moving down to Offender Management, 19.5.5, provide funds for rural local county jail reimbursement where more than 20% of jail capacity utilization is occupied by detainees unable to make bail on contraband or drone related charges.

121. 1:06:10

     They now have the capability to track these drones when they come in. So they track them and they call the local sheriff's department. They run them down, arrest them, and they put them in their local jails, and some of them sit there for a while, and they don't have, uh... in, in some of these small counties, they don't have the ability to provide the, the food and substance that's required to maintain them. So, uh, we're gonna put in 1,500,000, uh, to fund them for 30 da- the first 30 days that they're in, in the jail.

122. 1:06:41

     Moving on to

123. 1:06:46

     19.7.3, increase funds for additional correctional officer positions to improve staff to offender ratios. Uh- They put in $4 million. We upped it to nine million. And the projection between hiring promotion is a s- six months dip in overtime costs. The actual need is seven, 19.7 to fully fund. 19.7.5, provide funds for a pilot program at Ochter State Prison to provide peer-led programming. This is, came out of a, a group that went to Texas and observed it, but, uh, we've got a lot of new programs and we didn't get enough information, so we, we didn't fund that.

124. 1:07:25

     19.7.12, increase funds for operations at Lee Arrendale State Prison. They're shutting down the prison. They were gonna leave, uh, 200 inmates there, uh, because they've got the, uh, packaging program warehouse there for the GCI kitchen and maintenance. So what we're gonna do is leave 200 more there, so we don't have to pay for maintenance in the facility. We'll have 200, uh, additional inmates to do the maintenance and upkeep and work in the kitchen. That's $3,879,000.

125. 1:07:57

     19.7.13, increase funds for rent at Ornelle North Basic Correctional Officer Training building. Uh, it was funded at $14,000 for the rent. That'll cover one month. We put in $219,236 to, uh, carry us through the year.

126. 1:08:21

     Moving on to 19.7.14, increase funds for offender call monitoring contract due to an increase in usage. We have two court cases that have affected us this year. One, uh, one is that, um, uh, they, uh,

127. 1:08:41

     they can call anybody they want. The, uh, the courts have said that they used to be limited to their visitor list, which is typically family. Now, the courts have said they can call anybody they want, so that we, we believe there's gonna be a lot more calls. And the other thing is, the courts have said that we can't charge them. We used to charge them, uh, a little bit of money for their phone calls and deduct it from their accounts. They said we can't do that anymore, so we have to pick up that. It's total comes to $764,000. 9.7.15, increase funds or, excuse me, I was wrong.

128. 1:09:15

     19.7.16, increase funds for contracted food services due to rising food and labor costs. There wasn't anything budgeted. We put $284,000 in there. Uh, it funds one quarter request by Aramark for an increase. As for the last four years, the cost for labor and food is up 8.4%. 19.7.17, increase funds for central repair funds for capital projects. There wasn't anything in the budget. We put $725,992 in there.

129. 1:09:47

     This, uh, replaces funds for the emergency repairs they made to the, uh, meat facility repairs. They had to use money out of the central payer, uh, to do that, so we're gonna replace that money. Defense Department, we had no changes.

130. 1:10:07

     The governor's office, uh, the Georgia Emergency Management, uh, uh, organization comes un- under the, the governor's office and, uh, we, we, uh, we're gonna give them a half a million dollars for one-time funds for local emergency management agencies for what they, uh, had to utilize during, uh, Hurricane Helene that, uh, they're not getting any federal or state money for. Georgia Bureau of Investigation, uh, regional investigative offices, 30.4.4, reduced funds for personal service effects based on actual start dates.

131. 1:10:43

     Uh, this is another true up. We're gonna take back two hundred and three thousand. Uh, 30.4.5, eliminate funds for one-time connectivity to the statewide gang database management system. The budget said we were gonna take back $800,000. They, uh, say they really have to have that, so we zeroed it out and gonna give them that million dollars they asked for.

132. 1:11:07

     Under Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, 30.5.4, utilize existing funds. Uh, we had a savings of $133,000 on rent, and we're gonna add, uh, three hundred and one thousand to it so that, uh, and make, we'll be able to fund their grant system and make it compatible with Georgia at Work.

133. 1:11:32

     Uh, 30.5.6, provide funds for eight child advocacy centers and 19 satellite office locations that meet minimum standards, provide specialized services not currently state-funded. Nothing in the budget. We added $185,000.

134. 1:11:49

     Um, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Family Violence Center, 30.7.2, provide one-time funds to domestic violence shelters and sexual assault centers for operational and facility needs. These things have been funded for many years through federal grants, and the federal grants have pretty much been cut off, so we put four hundred and twenty f- uh, four million five hundred twenty-five thousand there. That funds forty-seven domestic violence shelters, thirty-four sexual assault centers at fifty thousand dollars each, and nineteen sexual, uh, satellite sexual assault centers at twenty-five thousand dollars each.

135. 1:12:26

     Juvenile Justice, Department of Juvenile Justice has no changes. The Law Department, 33.1.3, reduced funds for personal services based on the actual start date of new positions. This is a true up. Uh, we meant to recover ninety-three thousand, and we only recovered forty-three thousand because we had to give them fifty thousand dollars for, they didn't think they needed to represent the JQC in a case, and they, it was determined that they did, and it was fifty thousand dollars, so we reimbursed that.

136. 1:12:57

     Pardons and paroles, we have none. Department of Public Safety, uh, the actual Department of Public Safety, we don't have anything. Some of their satellite, uh, admini- that are attached to them for administrative purposes, uh, the Georgia Firefighter Standards & Training Council, uh, 39.8.3 increased funds for startup costs for one safety and compliance specialist. This is just the startup cost. We put in $60,000. Uh, they're gonna, they're gonna add one person in Atlanta, which means this is the last.

137. 1:13:29

     We've been doing this for a couple years. This is the last one. It'll give us statewide coverage now, uh, when we hire him next year to, uh, to drive the car. Uh, but, uh, this means that, uh, they'll be able to inspect every fire station in the state every year, which is something, uh, relatively new. And then under the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, 39.10.7, provide funds for a simulated firearms training. It wasn't funded. Uh, it said 900,000.

138. 1:14:00

     39.10.8, increased funds for hearing protection equipment grants for law enforcement officers. It wasn't funded, and we added in 750,000. Do I have any questions?

139. 1:14:13

     Do I hear, do I hear a motion?

140. 1:14:16

     Move.

141. 1:14:16

     We have a motion. We have a second.

142. 1:14:18

     Second.

143. 1:14:18

     Any further discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye.

144. 1:14:23

     Aye.

145. 1:14:23

     All opposed? Motion carries. We're adjourned.

146. 1:14:42

     Hey, y'all. We're, we're early. We're just gonna keep the schedule at 8:30, so we'll probably crank back up a little before 8:30, okay?

147. 1:30:28

     Well, let's start finding a seat, people.

148. 1:30:53

     Matt Reeves. Matt, Matt, Matt. Hey, will you go outside and round people up? Outside just see if...

149. 1:34:57

     Cranked up. We got a quorum.

150. 1:34:59

     She's in here.

151. 1:35:00

     Um, I just wanna say... Well, no, we'll start off. Uh, we'll start off and open up prayer.

152. 1:35:15

     Mic is yours.

153. 1:35:18

     This might not be the appropriate time, but I wanna thank everyone in here for the work you've put in on this budget. The committees, uh, Chairman Hatchett and the, the chairman of the committees and subcommittees, and, uh, special shout-out to our budget office. I've never seen anything like the knowledge that comes out of that office and the work they put in, and we appreciate that staff for, for everything they do. As we pray, let's, let's pray for our chairman and, uh, we g- we, we're getting about halfway there, and the big budget's left to come.

154. 1:35:49

     So when you pray, say a l- a prayer for the guidance of the, of these chairmen and of the sub- subcommittees and Hatchett. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time here as we come together to appropriate money for the people of Georgia, and we pray that we'll ever be mindful of, of what's pleasing to you and look for guidance what's best for our state, and we give you the glory. For it's in Christ's name I pray. Amen.

155. 1:36:19

     Amen.

156. 1:36:19

     Thank you, Chairman Tarvin. I'll, I'll add to your comments before your prayer. I just wanna thank all the members for all the work that's gone on to this, in this amended budget. Uh, we have done it in, and I will speak to this shortly, but in a very expedient timeframe. And I wanna thank all of y'all for participating. I know you have. I've seen you doing that, and I just wanna thank you. And with that, I'm gonna turn it over to our secretary, Matt Barton.

157. 1:37:14

     All right, Chairman Hatchett. We are ready for you present your bill.

158. 1:37:36

     Is the mic on?

159. 1:37:37

     Yeah.

160. 1:37:38

     Is the mic on? Just making sure it's not off.

161. 1:37:45

     Anyway.

162. 1:37:45

     Hey.

163. 1:37:47

     All right.

164. 1:37:50

     Thought I'd kick off a little, lighten it up a little bit for the media. Uh, good morning.

165. 1:37:58

     Morning.

166. 1:37:58

     House Bill 973, the amended fiscal year 2026 budget, is set by a revised revenue estimate of $42.3 billion. In addition to revenue growth, the governor's revenue estimate for the amended FY26 budget includes $3.3 billion in undesignated surplus funds for a total revenue adjustment of $4.5 billion, or 11.9% over the original FY26 budget.

167. 1:38:30

     We are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. And unlike some other states that you may read about, we do not spend needlessly or wastefully. Our per capita state spending is the ninth lowest in the nation, and we don't consider revenue growth to be a blank check for more spending. Since 2021, we've given back nine point seven billion dollars to our taxpayers through rebates, tax cuts, and other measures.

168. 1:39:09

     We'll continue that tradition by giving back even more money through this budget. While the governor's budget recommendation recognized funds to provide income tax rebates, our amended fiscal year '26 budget reallocates these funds to provide property tax relief for Georgia's homeowners, funding eight hundred and fifty million dollars for the Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program. This grant will mean that this year's property tax bills will be just a little bit easier to swallow as we continue our work to eliminate property taxes on your home.

169. 1:39:49

     We'll have the opportunity to address income tax burdens for our citizens later this session through HB 1001, which will bring our tax rate to four point nine percent, keeping Georgia one of the most affordable states to live and raise a family in. On the spending side, the House amended FY26 budget responsibly appropriates our forty-two point three billion dollars in revenue. Allow me to highlight some of these key investments we're making.

170. 1:40:23

     Our budget has two statewide items that you will see over and over in nearly every program. The first recurring item is a one-time salary supplement of two thousand dollars to full-time regular state employees and school personnel. Of this six hundred and twenty-four million dollar total funds, three hundred and eighty-four million is designated for pre-K through 12 teachers, school nurses, nutrition workers, bus drivers, and custodians.

171. 1:40:58

     The governor's 2027 budget recommendation does not include pay raises, so these supplements will help us retain essential staff and teachers. While not directly related to these pay supplements, I will also mention that we're also taking care of our retirees. We've included fifty million dollars for the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia to strategically invest in increasing the funding ratio to improve long-term financial viability to the pension system and support state retirees.

172. 1:41:33

     The second recurring item is related to the State Health Benefit Plan. SHBP currently has a healthy reserve fund balance, which the governor recognized in FY27 by reducing how much state agencies pay per employee per month for health coverage starting in July. Our amended FY26 budget passes these savings on to the state agencies a month earlier, starting in June, saving twenty-one point five million dollars.

173. 1:42:04

     Running a growing state is not cheap, and this budget spends over three hundred million dollars in workload adjustments, including K through 12, Medicaid, corrections health contracts, and DHS out-of-home care. These additions are largely associated with our growing population and an all-around increased cost of doing business in most sectors. Since 2024, we've used four point one billion dollars in surplus revenues to fund capital projects with cash, saving taxpayers over three billion dollars in debt payments.

174. 1:42:42

     The House amended fiscal year '26 budget also makes a significant eight hundred and two million dollar cash investment in new capital projects. In addition to funding most of the governor's recommended projects, the House budget also funds a few noteworthy additional projects. We provided two hundred and twenty million dollars for a private prison expansion. While the new Washington County facility will bring much-needed safety upgrades to the correctional system, it does not add additional bed space.

175. 1:43:17

     This private prison expansion will provide an additional four hundred and eighty beds for a system that's rapidly approaching capacity. Our budget also provides twenty-seven million dollars to begin design and construction of a new Georgia regional hospital to address mental health and forensic bed capacity in our state. We're projected to have zero forensic beds empty by 2034, and this funding is a down payment on a hospital that will help address this need by adding two hundred forensic and a hundred mental health beds.

176. 1:43:56

     The House budget also provides twenty-nine point eight million dollars to design, construct, and equip, equip a building that will house the brand-new College of Optometry at Georgia Southern University, filling a tremendous need for our state. Georgia has long sent, has for long sent aspiring optometrists to study in Alabama and Tennessee, and with this new school, hopefully the best and brightest will see fit to stay right here in Georgia.

177. 1:44:33

     These examples represent just a few of our priorities. You've likely already read the budget in its entirety, so I'm not gonna rehash every line. But I do want to give you a few more highlights from each of our major policy areas. To help keep Georgia mobile, our budget makes several investments in transportation. In addition to the big ticket items of 1.7 billion for the I-75 South Express Lane expansion and $200 million for the State Road 316 interchange conversions, we also provide additional funds for airport aid, rural b- rural bridge rehab, local road projects, short line rail improvements, and various local resurfacing projects.

178. 1:45:20

     To help keep Georgia educated, this budget contain- continues to meet our obligations in K through 12 and higher ed, fully funding our formulas and projections for QBE, charter systems, Promise scholar- and special needs scholarships, AP exams, dual enrollment, completion schools, HOPE scholarships, and grants. We provide $88 million for major repairs and rehab projects at USG and TCSG.

179. 1:45:51

     And finally, we include $300 million to provide state matching funds for an endowment to provide needs-based scholarships. To help keep Georgia healthy, we provide funds for new rural medical and dental clinics, nursing home quality incentive payments, and GME expansion. We also provide funds for rural colorectal screenings, and we direct the Department of Public Health to develop a strategy to promote awareness and prevention measures for colorectal and prostate cancer.

180. 1:46:24

     Our budget adds additional funds to out-of-home care to fully fund the deficit at DFCS and reinstate foster care supportive services contracts that we know make a difference. We also provide $15 million for a new integrated child welfare reporting system to help enable early detection, speed up service, and increase accountability.

181. 1:46:54

     To help keep Georgia safe, this budget makes several investments in the Department of Corrections. We allocate more than $185 million for capital projects to make needed safety, security, and technology upgrades to the GDC infrastructure. We also provide additional funds for new correctional officer positions to help us get nearer to our goal of one to 11 officers to inmate ratio.

182. 1:47:26

     And we add significant funds for rising health and food and farm costs. We've also included some one-time funds for domestic violence shelters and sexual assault centers for operational and facility needs. To help keep Georgia growing, this budget, uh, provides $35 million to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to establish a state financing and assistance program for natural gas infrastructure improvements and $50 million for rural infrastructure projects.

183. 1:47:58

     We also support the governor's recommendation of $50 million for the State Housing Trust Fund. These funds will help address homelessness through matching reimbursable grants to local governments and nonprofits, and they bring with them up to a four to one federal match, maximizing the impact of our state dollars. These items are just some of the highlights of the $42.3 billion budget. This budget lives within our means and will help ensure Georgia remains the greatest state to live and raise a family.

184. 1:48:32

     I'd like to close by saying thank you for all of your hard work to our dedicated subcommittee chairs and Christine Kelacki and Dave Lackley leading the charge of the incredible staff of the House Budget and Research Office.

185. 1:48:56

     Thank you.

186. 1:48:56

     Friends, we're voting on a budget a mere three weeks after it was initially introduced by the governor. It's no easy feat to turn around a budget this quickly, especially with much, Mother Nature throwing two icy snow events at us. We've been able to stick to an aggressive timeline in order to quickly get this budget across the finish line. I thank all of you for your work and commitment to the task, and I ask for your favorable consideration of HB 973.

187. 1:49:29

     And I will attempt to answer any questions.

188. 1:49:32

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate all your hard work, too. Are there any questions? Oh. Turn it up.

189. 1:49:39

     Come on.

190. 1:49:43

     Wow.

191. 1:49:43

     Wow. Well, I said... Oh, hang on a second. Representative Hugley.

192. 1:49:48

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, am I hearing you correctly that we are fully funding the deficit, uh, in DHS? Is that-

193. 1:49:58

     Yes, 82-plus million dollars.

194. 1:50:00

     Thank you very much.

195. 1:50:09

     Mr. Chairman, I see no more questions. At this time, do I hear a motion?

196. 1:50:16

     So moved.

197. 1:50:16

     Second.

198. 1:50:16

     Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I move that House Bill 973 do pass by committee substitute.

199. 1:50:22

     All those in favor? Aye. Any against? And it passes. You're good to go.

200. 1:50:29

     We're adjourned.

201. 1:50:30

     We are adjourned. Thank y'all very much.

202. 1:50:34

     All right.