Comité Industry and Labor de la Cámara de Representantes, 2 de marzo de 2026

Transcripción

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

1. 0:03:20

   Did

2. 0:22:28

   you already qualify?

3. 0:22:29

   No.

4. 0:22:29

   I'm sure my opponent has.

5. 0:22:32

   Um, so what do I do?

6. 0:22:33

   Where are you kids from today?

7. 0:22:36

   Mount Paran.

8. 0:22:36

   Mount Paran Christian School?

9. 0:22:37

   Yes.

10. 0:22:37

    Where's that at, Marietta?

11. 0:22:39

    They got the worst rep, but other than that.

12. 0:22:41

    You know.

13. 0:22:41

    I saw you over there.

14. 0:22:43

    Yeah.

15. 0:22:43

    You know, they, they pray-

16. 0:22:43

    Thank y'all for being here. I used to whoop Christian Heritage all the time when we used to have that.

17. 0:23:30

    Well, just don't listen to Chairman, you know, Case, you know, Carpenter, 'cause all I can say is they'll pray and then they'll take you away.

18. 0:23:39

    Okay, with that-

19. 0:23:41

    I want you to think about that

20. 0:23:42

    ... yeah.

21. 0:23:43

    Then we can lay hands on people later. Slain in the spirit.

22. 0:23:47

    Okay, with that-

23. 0:23:48

    Thank you

24. 0:23:49

    ... speaking of-

25. 0:23:50

    Thank you

26. 0:23:50

    ... Josh Bonner's gonna open us in prayer.

27. 0:23:53

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If you would, let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for today and the opportunity to gather together to, um, talk about these important issues. We just pray for wisdom and discernment as we make the best decisions for the citizens of Georgia. In your name we pray, amen.

28. 0:24:09

    Amen.

29. 0:24:09

    Thanks, sir. And before we get started, our vice chair has an announcement.

30. 0:24:16

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do just wanna welcome our students from Mount Paran, uh, School, M- Mount Paran Christian Academy in, uh, the great city of Marietta, Georgia, in the greatest house district in the, in the House of Representative, District 34. Um, these are eighth grade students down here learning about government and, and how we do things, and, uh, we just came from the Public Service Commission where we talked to Commissioner Pridemore about the Public Service Commissioner, and we got a full day.

31. 0:24:47

    So welcome, students. We appreciate you coming down here, and we appreciate all your efforts to learn about how government works. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

32. 0:25:01

    Well, speaking of government, um, we've got one bill on the agenda today, and it's House Bill 1318. Let me get your table mic on, and the floor is yours, Chairman Parker.

33. 0:25:16

    Thank you very much. So what you have before you, LC 52-1013, is a bill that would create an actuarial study, uh, for the State of Georgia to evaluate, um, what a statewide family medical leave program would look like, what the cost would be. Um, it does not require us to accept those results, but it does, it does allow us to ask the question: What does a, what does a private funded program look like? What would the cost be, uh, for the state to operate it, similar to the unemployment, uh, program that we run now through the Department of Labor?

34. 0:25:54

    But this just begs the question, is, is that something that, um, if financially feasible, uh, to occur, if that's, is that something we see as an impor- important step for, um, making sure we have labor force, um, participation rates that can, uh, that can help our existing industries, um, allow people that have medical issues to have some sort of safety net, uh, provided by the private employers? A lot of people already provide this, uh, so those type folks, um, it would just, uh, it would actually help the people that don't provide this and provide an avenue for smaller businesses that, that can't compete, uh, in this arena, um, an opportunity to compete.

35. 0:26:38

    And it would, um, obviously fill a hole for a lot of individuals 'cause, you know, small businesses are, um, are our nation's number one employer, um, but a lot of them just don't have the, uh, financial wherewithal to, to be able to do such a program. So this, this would establish a state program, uh, if we agreed with the studies. It, uh, right now it's a $90,000, um, appropriation to, to evaluate, you know, what it would look like, uh, how long it would take to, to implement, the length of, uh, the length of everybody's payments into the program, et cetera.

36. 0:27:14

    So without, uh, going line by line, which I know makes everybody a little, uh, um, a little crazy, it basically is just creating this study. And, uh, there's, you know, some parameters around the study. Um, none of this would be, uh, you know, if later on, say two years down the road, we decided to implement a program, none, we could address those numbers then as well, um, as far as the wage rates and the, the length of time and which employees are, um, are able to participate and all that good stuff.

37. 0:27:51

    So, um, I know there's a lot of people here that wanna talk about it. It's a passionate issue for a lot of people. Um, but I do think it's a, it's a worthy, worthy conversation, no matter how it comes out. Um, I always like to say there's solutions out there, and if we can find some, um, fi- fiscally responsible ways to address those solutions, then I'm all game for, I'm open ear. So that's what this bill seeks to do, is to have those conversations.

38. 0:28:15

    Okay. Well, why don't we hear from... Can we... Can... Let's, let's hear from the folks here that came, and then let's do questions. And the reason I say that is, um- 'Cause they might answer those questions, and we've got, uh, about five people signed up. So if that's okay with y'all. Uh, Jasmine Bowles, come up. Tell us your name, who you're with, your Social Security number.

39. 0:28:42

    Next of kin. Let's see, what else can we do here?

40. 0:28:49

    It's hard to slide in there.

41. 0:28:50

    No more empty chairs.

42. 0:28:51

    Got that?

43. 0:28:52

    Yes. Good morning. Happy Monday, members of the committee. I'm really glad to be with you, Chairman Werkheiser, and esteemed members. My name is Jasmine Bowles, and I'm proud to serve as the executive state director here at 9 to 5 Georgia, and I'm here to talk to you about HB 1318. We support this bill because it's a smart, incremental step. HB 1318 would authorize the G- Georgia Department of Labor to commission an independent actuarial and economic study so that you, as legislators, have specific Georgia data before making any policy decisions.

44. 0:29:34

    Right now, our businesses are competing for talent in a tight labor market. At the same time, when a worker faces a serious medical issue, either their own, or the birth of a new child, an aging parent, or even a military-related family need, too often folks have to leave the workforce entirely in order to address what is an urgent but relatively short-term need. That turnover becomes expensive for employers and destabilizing for families.

45. 0:30:07

    Paid leave is really about protecting our workforce continuity, especially during those challenging temporary life events. So this bill is about exploring the numbers. What would a solution cost? How could it be structured responsibly and sustainably? What would the impact be on employers, employees, or small businesses? So this is a very modest investment in an independent study that can answer all of those questions and allow you to weigh options based on facts.

46. 0:30:40

    You'll also be interested to know that other southern states, including Oklahoma and Louisiana, have actually begun their analysis of paid family and medical leave by commissioning similar actuarial studies, and we hope Georgia includes ourselves in that number. We believe our goal is to attract talent, retain experienced workers, and ensure our best companies and small businesses can stay competitive. HB 1318 equips you to do that, and we respectfully ask for you to vote in favor.

47. 0:31:10

    Thank you for your time this morning.

48. 0:31:15

    Happy to answer any questions.

49. 0:31:22

    Okay, um, does the committee have any questions?

50. 0:31:29

    Nope.

51. 0:31:30

    I don't see any questions. Thank you very much.

52. 0:31:32

    Thanks, ladies.

53. 0:31:32

    Oh, w- we do have one question. I'm sorry.

54. 0:31:38

    R- Representative McClain.

55. 0:31:40

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A- and I want to say thank y'all very much for the presentation, and also I just want to thank you for the bill, too, as well. And, and I really got excited when you mentioned my home state of Oklahoma. So, you know, that- ... it really pumped me up a little bit. But I guess, you know, it... So you're saying data-driven. So I'm, that's what I'm s- I'm, I'm happy to hear, uh, that we c- we'll make a decision based on, on numbers and facts, and I, I think that's what we should do a lot of things on. Uh, and, and what we do here sh- should be based on numbers and data and facts.

56. 0:32:13

    So, uh, I do appreciate it. Uh, and that's what I was gonna say earlier, Mr. Chairman, but, um, when you got Oklahoma in it, you know, I mean- I just need to check on that and see exactly how that's working. Thank you.

57. 0:32:26

    Thank you.

58. 0:32:30

    Are there any other questions? No further questions. Thank you. Uh, we'll hear from, um, Laura Norton with the American Heart Association.

59. 0:32:43

    Hey, Laura. Come on in.

60. 0:32:47

    Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. Uh, my name is actually Sonia Kaushal.

61. 0:32:51

    Oh.

62. 0:32:51

    I'm not Laura. She got caught in traffic. But from the American Heart Association, we just wanted to represent our support for this bill and thank the committee for hearing it.

63. 0:33:01

    Okay. Thank you. Is there any questions? I don't see any questions. Thank you.

64. 0:33:08

    You're good.

65. 0:33:08

    Thank you.

66. 0:33:09

    You did good. We almost ga- gave her a heart problem, I believe, there just to...

67. 0:33:18

    Uh, and we'll hear from Jessica...

68. 0:33:23

    I can't read the last name. Is it Walteray? Just give us your name, and you're from GEARS?

69. 0:33:29

    Yes, I am. Good morning.

70. 0:33:31

    Thank you for being with us.

71. 0:33:32

    Yeah. Thank you, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Jessica Wooldridge with GEARS, the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. Um, I'm here today in support of House Bill 1318. At GEARS, we really look at young children, and the reality is that paid leave is very supportive of what they need. It, uh, it's been shown to reduce infant mortality, improve maternal and infant health. Um, and so I ask for your favorable consideration, and will take any questions.

72. 0:34:00

    Thank you very much. Are there any questions from the committee?

73. 0:34:06

    No questions.

74. 0:34:06

    No questions. Thank you very much.

75. 0:34:09

    You're fired.

76. 0:34:13

    Rachelle Shanklin, please.

77. 0:34:19

    Just push that chair out of the way if you want to. It's probably... There you go.

78. 0:34:24

    Good morning, Committee. Um, my name is Rachel Shanklin. I'm the Georgia director for Small Business Majority. We are here on behalf of Georgia small businesses. Um, I just wanted to share that paid family and medical leave doesn't just help employees, it makes good business sense. As small businesses struggle to recruit and retain a talented workforce, larger companies are often more attractive employment destinations since they are able to offer comprehensive benefits that small businesses simply cannot afford to offer on their own. Entrepreneurs also believe that paid family and medical leave would lead to more cohesive, productive r- workforce with better morale and lower turnover.

79. 0:34:59

    We just wanted to share our support for this bill, and thank you for hearing it. And I'm open to any questions.

80. 0:35:05

    All right. Thank you very much.

81. 0:35:09

    And what we're gonna do, we've got one more, and then anybody else who wants to sign up, it, just 'cause you didn't sign up didn't, doesn't mean, um, you don't get a chance. And then we may call some of you back up if our committees, uh, members have, uh, specific questions. All right. Miriam, the mic is yours.

82. 0:35:27

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee. My name is Miriam Goodfriend. I am the associate state director of advocacy for AARP Georgia. I am here today in strong support of HB 1318. More than 2.5 million Georgians, three in 10 adults, are currently providing unpaid care to a parent, spouse, or a loved one. They are helping with bathing, driving to doctor's appointments, managing medications, and navigating complex medical systems, largely without pay, without backup, and without adequate workplace support.

83. 0:35:59

    70% of family caregivers are employed while providing care, and half of all working caregivers experience negative impacts on their employment, including going in late, leaving early, reducing hours, or leaving the workforce entirely. And the financial toll is staggering. 59% of Georgia caregivers have experienced at least one major financial impact: taking on debt, draining savings, or being unable to afford basic expensive, expenses. Georgia ranks highest in the nation on this measure. We urge this committee to advance HB 1318, and thank you so much for your time.

84. 0:36:33

    Okay. Anybody out there that, that didn't sign up that would like to speak?

85. 0:36:40

    Mos.

86. 0:36:42

    No, you're good. I wouldn't let him speak anyway. Um, okay. Representative McClain.

87. 0:36:54

    Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this, um, I did ask, um, uh, G- G- to speak earlier, but again, I wanna say thank you, but at a proper time, I do like to say do pass.

88. 0:37:03

    Okay. And I think I called on the wrong person. Uh, Whit Park.

89. 0:37:08

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, happy to second, uh, Representative McClain's motion. Um, uh, Representative Carpenter, is it not true that Delaware has a 12-week paid leave program in which, you know, given the, you know, so many businesses that have incorporated in Delaware, that this would g- that, would you not agree with me that this would also be good public policy for businesses as well as employees in Georgia?

90. 0:37:28

    Yeah, I mean, I think, I think like anything else, the financial feasibility of it's important, and I think that's why the study's a good step to have the conversation. I would say Delaware's business environment's kind of on shaky ground as we speak, but, uh, um, I don't think it's because of what you're s- what you're discussing. It's some other things going on in Delaware right now. But, uh, um, yeah, I think it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a smart step. It's a, it's a cautious step for the state to make sure that, um, it's not a, it's not a government program, that it's a, a, a private solution that's, uh, the government's managing, so.

91. 0:38:03

    Thank you.

92. 0:38:03

    Thank you.

93. 0:38:06

    All right. Anybody else out there, back here? All right. Dewey, I believe you wanted to make a motion.

94. 0:38:13

    Yeah, do pass, Mr. Chairman.

95. 0:38:14

    All right.

96. 0:38:15

    Second.

97. 0:38:16

    Second. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye.

98. 0:38:21

    Aye.

99. 0:38:22

    Aye. All those opposed? Motion carries. Come sign some paperwork, and you're on to rules.

100. 0:38:27

     Thank you very much.

101. 0:38:28

     And we're adjourned.

102. 0:38:28

     Have a great day. Appreciate you.