Sesión en el pleno de la Cámara de Representantes, 6 de marzo de 2026 (día legislativo 28, AM)

Transcripción

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

1. 0:21:11

   All members will come to the floor. All members that may be in any room, come to the floor, please. We'll get session started.

2. 0:23:51

   Well, good morning.

3. 0:23:55

   The hour convened and having arrived, all members will please come to the floor and take their seats. All members. Mr. Clerk, will you ring the bell, sir?

4. 0:25:00

   All members, please come to the floor. All members, please come to the floor. We're gonna have the morning roll call. I think Rules is out, so we're gonna, we'll go ahead and have the morning roll call. So, I'm gonna give y'all just a second. Y'all, as y'all are aware, we've put it off for a few minutes the last couple days.

5. 0:25:59

   Members, I know Rules has, um, adjourned, but we're gonna delay the roll call this morning 'cause I see members of, of Rules Committee who aren't here. So, we'll do that. We'll get to that in a few minutes. D- uh, doorkeepers, if you'll please close the doors and keep them closed.

6. 0:26:18

   As is our custom, we will begin our day with scripture reading and prayer by our chaplain, after which we will pledge allegiance to the flag of our country. Our chaplain this morning will be presented by the gentleman from the 157th House District.

7. 0:26:39

   That's not me, because I used to be 157. I'm no longer 157. That's actually Chairman Bill Werkheiser. Chairman Werk- Werkheiser, please come introduce our chaplain.

8. 0:26:55

   Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start, if somebody wants to check on the Senate and make sure they hadn't left for the day.

9. 0:27:05

   That's my line.

10. 0:27:08

    I am more than honored to have Brad Waters, who's the pastor of First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst, and, uh, there's two things that drew me to him immediately, uh, was his worth eth- work ethic and his commitment to his family. Uh, regarding his work ethic, one of the first times we met in person was, uh, he and I, with about 30 community leaders, walked the entire s- uh, downtown district of Hazlehurst trying to figure out what DOT was trying to do. Um, but his devotion for the, to his family is ad- admirable.

11. 0:27:40

    In fact, two of his kids are paging today, uh, John and Kat, and if I could have found a job for his wife, we could, the state coulda got free labor f- from the entire family. Um, but Cheryl Waters, if you'd stand and let us recognize you.

12. 0:28:03

    But in spite of all his great qualities, um, it's not his knowledge about God that, that impresses me the most. It's his knowledge of God, and I- Um, you, I even told you this, I'd, I'd watched a, a lot of his sermons 'cause I thought if I was gonna bring him here, I'd better find out something about him. And, and one thing that really impressed me was, was his personal time. And I, and it, there was a song that kept coming to my mind that, um, that most of you are familiar with, and that says, "I know He lives because I, I spoke to Him this morning." And that kind of, that reminded me of you.

13. 0:28:42

    So, uh, uh, Pastor Brad, if you'd come, give us a few words.

14. 0:28:45

    Thank you. Thank you, Bill. I appreciate that.

15. 0:28:48

    Straight ahead and off.

16. 0:28:49

    Yes, sir. Well, thank you Mr. Speaker for this kind invitation, and Bill for the kind remarks and the introduction. And to the folks that are in this room today, uh, I just say on behalf of our community, the constituents of it, we're very grateful for what you do. We realize that you serve at probably what is a great sacrifice most of the time. But I'm grateful for the men and women in this room that lead day in and day out through this session and other times to make our state greater every day.

17. 0:29:22

    This morning I want to speak to you on the subject of time. You know, the truth about time is you really don't have as much of it as you think. I mean, really, when you think about time, you really don't have the amount of time that you set out day in and day out you sort of assume and you plan. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:29, he said, "Time is short." Ephesians 5:16 he says, "Redeeming the time, for the days are evil." Time is the one thing that each person is given equally and evenly every day.

18. 0:29:58

    1,440 minutes a day, 168 hours a week. Yet the one thing today that one person may be wanting desperately, another person may be wasting carelessly. As you think about that, we come to a text of scripture, the Apostle Paul. He links what is one of the most important commodities that we have with one of the most important decisions that we will make, and that commodity is time and the decision is salvation. The text says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, "Behold, now is the accepted time.

19. 0:30:34

    Behold, now is the day of salvation." You know, when we come to this matter of salvation, we think, people say, "Well, is it important?" Well, it's so important in this matter that if you're not saved nothing else really matters. And as you come to this moment and we consider this subject of time, I just want to impress three questions to your heart today when it comes to the matter of being saved. The question first is why must I be saved? Well, it's very simple. Because we all have a problem, and that problem is sin.

20. 0:31:06

    And that sin separates us from a holy God. There's no way in and of myself, in what I do, what I manufacture, will it allow God to accept me because I have an inherent nature of sin. That gives me a need, and that need is a savior. So you see as we think about that, we have a problem. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But it also leads us to a penalty. The Bible says the wages of sin is death. All of that is bad news, but the Bible says the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

21. 0:31:38

    But you see that penalty and that problem leads us to an even greater problem, the passage. You see, you're going to pass out into eternity one day. You won't be able to stay here. In 100 years none of us will be here, but you will be somewhere. So why, why must I be saved? I have a problem. The second thing I want to lay to your heart is this: What must I do to be saved? It's the greatest question in the Bible. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas as he sprang into the jail that night, "What must I do to be saved?" Made it personal. The Bible says to be saved we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

22. 0:32:12

    You say, "What does it mean to believe?" It means to put your faith and trust in the finished work of our savior, Jesus Christ. 2,000 years ago, we'll celebrate it in just a few weeks, the Easter season, we'll celebrate the fact that Christ Jesus went to Calvary and shed His blood for your sin and mine. He paid the debt. We have a debt we cannot pay. He paid a debt He did not owe. That's the Gospel. That's what we must do, is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. You say, "What am I believing?" The Gospel.

23. 0:32:42

    1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried and raised again the third day according to the Scriptures. That's the Gospel, and that is good news. Where the wages of sin is death, that's bad news. The gift of God is eternal life. That's good news. And that good news is we can and certainly will be saved. The Bible says, "For He made Him who knew no sin to become sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God." He took my sin and I got His righteousness. What a deal. What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

24. 0:33:13

    So why must I be saved? Because all men are lost. What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Leads me to the last question. When should I be saved? Well, the text tells us now. Today. Today. You see, that word time in our text means this. The right time is now. When we think about that and we think about today, the Bible says in James 4:14, "What is our life but a vapor?" That means it's here one moment and it's gone the next. That means it's here today and gone the next.

25. 0:33:47

    Friend, I want to say to you this morning in closing, yesterday's gone and tomorrow's a fool's dream. What you're going to do with Christ, you must do today. He's calling you today. You say, "Why is that?" Because life is precious. Tomorrow's not promised, and eternity is permanent. So it's my prayer today that the Gospel will sink deep into your heart by the person of the Holy Spirit and you'll receive Him by faith. The Bible says in Jeremiah 8, "The harvest is past" and the summer's ended and we're not saved.

26. 0:34:18

    Don't let that be your testimony today. Accept Christ Jesus as your savior. Would you stand with, for me, with me this morning for prayer? As you stand this morning, it's my prayer and it's my heart's desire that there's a man or a woman in this room today, whether on this lower floor, in this gallery, if you don't know Christ Jesus as your savior, that today, today would be the day you would trust Him, receive Him. And here's what I can tell you, He loves you and cares deeply for you. Father, we thank you for this House of Representatives.

27. 0:34:51

    We thank you for the men and women that make it up. Lord, we thank you for the leadership. Lord, we thank you this morning that we have the opportunity to come free and open the Word of God, pray. Lord, and ask you to give us wisdom and discernment. Lord, I pray now as we walk through the day that is ahead of us, Lord, none of us knows when a day begins how it will end, but Lord, I pray that you would be glorified in every way. Lord, touch the hearts of the hearers this morning. Thank you again for this privilege to preach the glorious Gospel once again. Go with us now, and it's in Jesus' name we pray, amen and amen.

28. 0:35:25

    Would you please stand as we pledge the American flag. 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. Amen. Amen. Thank you. It is about time. Amen. Thank you. Doorkeepers, you may open the doors. Members, you may join Brother Brad in the, Brother Waters in the South Ante Room, and thank him for his message and his service, and get a photo.

29. 0:37:30

    Members, I want to thank you for something, if I could have your attention just for a moment before Brother Waters leaves and goes out to take photos. His city of Blackshear and his ch- his chur- Hazelhurst. Hazelhurst, I'm sorry. I have that on my... Hazelhurst was as, hit extremely hard by Hurricane Helene. In fact, they lost a steeple on their church, and so they're about ready to have it back on. But, uh, thank you to the House for all the resources- Yeah ... you provided to all of South Georgia, but especially those areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

30. 0:38:02

    So just wanted to mention that to you guys. Thanks for the work you're doing.

31. 0:38:31

    Members, on this special day, we have two physicians today to take care of you. One of them is Dr. Kusht Kai, that will be here this afternoon until, until adjournment, and the other is, um,

32. 0:38:46

    Dr. Richard Thomas. Dr. Thomas is brought to us by Representative Miriam Parish, and Dr. Kai is brought to us by Chairman Bill Yearta. So if you need them, reach out to them.

33. 0:39:01

    Chairman Hilton, the Chair of the Committee on Information, Information and Audit is recognized. Chairman Hilton. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Happy Crossover Day. A little nervous they gave us this on crossover, but, uh, don't use it as a weapon. But Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Information and Audit has read the journal the previous legislative day, and we have found it to be correct. Chairman Hilton, the Chair of the Committee on Information and Audit, reports that the journal of the previous legislative day has been read and found to be correct. Is there objection to dispense with the reading of the journal?

34. 0:39:32

    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 res...

35. 0:39:54

    Mr. Clerk will read the resolution establishing the order of business for the day. Representative Efstration of the 104th moves finally establishes the order of business in the first part of the period unanimous consents. Introduction of bills and resolutions. First reading and reference of House bills and resolutions. Second reading of bills and resolutions. Reports of standing committees. First reading and reference of Senate bills and resolutions. Morning orders. Is there any objection to the adoption of the resolution establishing the order of business for the day?

36. 0:40:26

    Hearing none, the resolution's adopted.

37. 0:40:42

    Members, we've delayed our roll call vote this morning, so at this time we're going to have the morning roll call. All members present in the chamber will signify their presence by voting green in, on the board. All members will come to the floor and be prepared to vote yourself present. Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

38. 0:43:10

    Have all members voted? Have all members voted their presence in the chamber?

39. 0:44:02

    Have all members now voted? All members voted. Yes, so Mr. Clerk will lock the machine.

40. 0:44:15

    Members, if I can have, excuse me, have your attention just briefly for a second.

41. 0:44:24

    Just spoke to Chairman Green. Rita has come through surgery, a long surgery yesterday, and she's got a long recovery in front of her.

42. 0:44:41

    So continued prayers as y- as you remember Rita. And I also ask you, uh, many of you do not know this, Representative Angie O'Steen's dad is, um, very critical and she's been called away to be with her dad and her family. So also keep the O'Steen family in your prayers, if you will. Thank you, members.

43. 0:45:55

    First reading of bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk will read.

44. 0:45:59

    House Bill 1506 by Representative Clark of the 108th, Park of the 107th, Kendrick of the 95th, and Adesanya of the 43rd, a bill being titled an Act to Amend Chapter 11 of Title 13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to prompt payment.

45. 0:46:14

    Judiciary.

46. 0:46:14

    House Bill 1507 by Representative Meeks of the 178th and DeLoach of the 167th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend an Act establishing the State Court of Wayne County.

47. 0:46:35

    Intergovernmental coordination.

48. 0:46:37

    House Bill 1508 by Representative Franklin of the 160th, Stevens of the 164th, and Petrea of the 166th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend an Act to amend, consolidate, create, revise, and supersede the several acts incorporating the City of Pembroke.

49. 0:46:51

    Intergovernmental coordination.

50. 0:46:53

    House Bill 1509 by Representative Holley of the 116th, Sanchez of the 42nd, Santos of the 117th, and Berry of the 56th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend Chapter 66 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to zone procedures applicable to counties and municipal corporations.

51. 0:47:10

    Governmental affairs.

52. 0:47:11

    House Bill 1510 by Representative Holley of the 116th, Adesanya of the 43rd, McClain of the 109th, Bell of the 75th, Berry of the 56th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend Code Section 21-2-216 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to qualifications of electors generally.

53. 0:47:30

    Governmental affairs.

54. 0:47:31

    House Bill 1511 by Representative Douglas of the 78th, Neal of the 79th, Gunter of the 8th, and Flournoy of the 74th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the courts.

55. 0:47:43

    Governmental affairs.

56. 0:47:45

    House Bill 1512 by Representative Mar- Martinez of the 111th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to crimes and offenses.

57. 0:47:57

    Judiciary, non-civil.

58. 0:47:58

    House Bill 1513 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Mathiak of the 82nd, Bazemore of the 69th, and Jackson of the 68th, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend an Act creating the State Court of Fayette County.

59. 0:48:11

    Intergovernmental coordination.

60. 0:48:13

    House Bill 1514 by Representative Glaize of the 67th, Olaleye of the 59th, Panitch of the 51st, McQueen of the 61st, Austin of the 65th, and others, a bill to be titled an Act to Amend an Act providing for the number of members and for the election of members of the Board of Education of Fulton County.

61. 0:48:32

    Intergovernmental coordination.

62. 0:48:33

    House Bill 1515 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd and Powell of the 33rd, a bill to be titled an Act to provide a homestead exemption from Madison County School District ad valorem taxes.

63. 0:48:46

    Intergovernmental coordination.

64. 0:48:47

    House Resolution 1583 by Representative Gullett of the 19th, Cheokas of the 151st, Jones of the 25th, a resolution, uh, creating the House Study Committee on Small Business Technology Adoption.

65. 0:49:15

    Special rules.

66. 0:49:16

    House Resolution 1584 by Representative Jasperse of the 11th, Thomas of the 21st, Fincher of the 23rd, Ridley of the 22nd, and Byrd of the 20th, a resolution recognizing Mr. Eric Wilmarth and dedicating a roundabout in his honor. Transportation. House Resolution 1585 by Representative Holley of the 116th, Bell of the 75th, Adason of the 43rd, McClain of the 109th, Berry of the 56th, and others. A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to remove a conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude as an exception to the right to register to vote.

67. 0:49:51

    Judiciary. House Resolution 1586 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Bazemore of the 69th, Mathiak of the 82nd, and Jenkins of the 160th, 136th. A resolution honoring the life of Mr. Marvin R. Adams and dedicating an intersection in his memory. Transportation. Senate Bill 157 by Senator Williams of the 25th, Burns of the 23rd, Harbin of the 16th, Walker of the 20th, Strickland of the 42nd. Bill be titled an act to amend Code Section 47-6-40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to qualifications for membership.

68. 0:50:28

    Retirement. Senate Bill 198 by Senator Albers of the 56th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Williams of the 25th, Summers of the 13th, Cowser of the 46th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to Georgia Legislative Retirement System. Retirement. Senate Bill 216 by Senator Robertson of the 29th, Tillery of the 19th, Strickland of the 42nd, Burns of the 23rd, Sessler of the 37th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Chapter 23 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to Georgia Judicial Retirement System.

69. 0:51:06

    Retirement. Senate Bill 230 by Senator Still of the 48th, Anna Stavarde of the 31st, Harbin of the 16th, Harbison of the 15th, and Walker of the 20th. Bill be titled an act to amend Article 3, Chapter 3, Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to condominiums.

70. 0:51:26

    Insurance. Senate Bill 261 by Senator Harbin of the 16th, Strickland of the 42nd, Gooch of the 51st, Hickman of the 4th, Williams of the 25th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Chapter 25 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Magistrate's Retirement Fund.

71. 0:51:46

    Retirement. Senate Bill 285 by Repres- by Senator Robertson of the 29th. Bill be entitled an act to amend Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 and Part 4 of Article 2, Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Emergency Communications Authority. Ways and Means. Senate Bill 306 by Senator Robertson of the 29th. Bill be titled an act to amend Code Section 48-5-7.4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to preferential assessment for bona fide conservation use property.

72. 0:52:40

    Ways and Means. Senate Bill 406 by Senator Brass of the 6th, James of the 28th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Dixon of the 45th, Sims of the 12th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to professions and businesses.

73. 0:52:59

    Judiciary. Senate Bill 425 by Senator Harbin, Harbin of the 16th, Summers of the 13th, Burns of the 23rd, Dicks of the 21st, Hickman of the 4th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Part 2 of Article 6, Chapter 2, Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to competencies and core curriculum.

74. 0:53:22

    Education. Senate Bill 478 by Senator Watson of the 11th, Anna Stavarde of the 31st, Walker of the 20th, Anderson of the 24th, Goodman of the 8th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Chapter 6A, Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to outdoor stewardship.

75. 0:53:42

    Natural Resources and Environment. Senate Bill 489 by Senator Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Summers of the 13th, Dixon of the 45th, Hodges of the 3rd, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to judges of the probate courts. Retirement. Senate Bill 503 by Senator Harbin of the 16th, Walker of the 20th, Anna Stavarde of the 31st, Robertson of the 29th, Still of the 48th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the kinds of insurance and the limits of risks.

76. 0:54:19

    Insurance. Senate Bill 523 by Senator Goodman of the 8th, Cowser of the 46th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th, Tillery of the 19th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to education.

77. 0:54:39

    Higher Ed. Senate Bill 524 by Senator Harbin of the 16th, Walker of the 20th, Perry of the 44th, Halpern of the 39th, Panio of the 54th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Code Section 42-86 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies.

78. 0:55:00

    Public Safety and Homeland Security. Senate Bill 552 by Senator Watson of the 1st, Strickland of the 42nd, Cowser of the 46th, Anna Stavarde of the 31st, Walker of the 20th, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend Subpart 2A of Part 1 of Article 16, Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to clubs and organizations.

79. 0:55:23

    Judiciary. Senate Bill 565 by Senator Robertson of the 29th, Anna Stavarde of the 31st, Albers of the 56th, Strickland of the 42nd Hatchett of the 50th. Bill will be titled an Act to amend Code Section 35-8-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to definitions relative to employment and training of peace officers.

80. 0:55:45

    Public Safety and Homeland Security.

81. 0:55:48

    Senate Resolution 624 by Senator Sessler of the 37th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Howard of the 35th, Brad of the 33rd, Albers of the 56th. A resolution honoring the life of Officer Drew Hayes Brown and dedicating an intersection in his memory.

82. 0:56:06

    Transportation.

83. 0:56:07

    That completes first readers.

84. 0:56:09

    Second reading of bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk will read.

85. 0:56:28

    House Bill 1483 by Representative Stevens of the 164th. A bill relating to class actions and miscellaneous local administration provisions relative to ad valorem taxation of property. House Bill 1484 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd. A bill to authorize the governing authority of the City of Bowman to levy an excise tax. House Bill 1485 by Representative Gunter of the 8th. A bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Union County. House Bill 1486 by Representative Persinger of the 119th, Camp of the 135th, Erwin of the 32nd. A bill relating to education. House Bill 1487 by Representative Anderson of the 10th and Erwin of the 32nd.

86. 0:57:00

    A bill to amend an act to provide a new charter for the City of Cornelia. House Bill 1488 by Representative Williams of the 168th, DeLoach of the 167th. A bill to establish the Hinesville Conference Center and Tourism Authority. House Bill 1489 by Representative Baker of the 64th, Alexander of the 66th, New of the 40th. A bill to amend an act to provide a new charter for the City of Douglasville. House Bill 1490 by Representative Gamble of the 15th, Wade of the 9th, Greene of the 154th, McDonald of the 26th, and Seabaugh of the 34th. A bill relating to education, public officers and employees, and state government. House Bill 1491 by Representative Scoggins of the 14th and Gamble of the 15th.

87. 0:57:34

    A bill to amend an act to provide a homestead exemption from certain Bartow County ad valorem taxes. House Bill 1492 by Representative Flournoy of the 74th and Douglas of the 78th. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Hampton ad valorem taxes. House Bill 1493 by Representative Jackson of the 68th, McClain of the 109th, Mitchell of the 88th, Holly of the 116th, McQueen of the 61st. A bill relating to labor and industrial relations. House Bill 1494 by Representative Sanchez of the 42nd, Glaize of the 67th, McClain of the 109th, Adesanya of the 43rd, Ali of the 106th, and others.

88. 0:58:05

    A bill relating to ride share network services, transportation referral services. House Bill 1495 by Representative Barnes of the 86th, Glaize of the 67th, Williams of the 168th, Alexander of the 66th, Taylor of the 92nd, and others. A bill relating to landlord and tenant. House Bill 1496 by Representative Campbell of the 35th, Jones of the 60th, Parsons of the 44th, McQueen of the 61st, Ehrhart of the 36th, and others. A bill to amend an act to reincorporate and provide a new charter for the City of Acworth. House Bill 1497 by Representative Santos of the 117th, Tran of the 80th, Frye of the 122nd, Washburn of the 144th.

89. 0:58:37

    A bill relating to recording of deeds and other real property transactions. House Bill 1498 by Representative Santos of the 117th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Gissler of the 121st, Frye of the 122nd, Washburn of the 144th. A bill relating to application for homestead exemption, unlawful to solicit fee to a file application for homestead for another. House Bill 1499 by Representative Santos of the 117th, Frye of the 122nd, Beckles of the 96th, and Holly of the 116th. A bill relating to tax credits for qualified caregiving expenses.

90. 0:59:08

    House Bill 1500 by Representative Freeze of the 99th, Hong of the 103rd, Park of the 107th. A bill to amend an act creating a new charter for the City of Suwanee. House Bill 1501 by Representative Gissler of the 121st, Frye of the 122nd, McClain of the 109th, Tran of the 80th, Oliver of the 84th, and others. A bill relating to general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations. House Bill 1502 by Representative Kelly of the 16th, Williamson of the 112th, Douglas of the 78th. A bill relating to medical assistance. House Bill 1503 by Representative Fleming of the 114th, Crowe of the 118th.

91. 0:59:39

    A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Covington ad valorem taxes. House Bill 1504 by Representative Crawford of the 89th, Tran of the 80th, Drenner of the 85th, Lupton of the 83rd, Mitchell of the 88th, and others. A bill to amend an act creating the State Court of DeKalb County. House Bill 1505 by Representative Wade of the 9th, Donatucci of the 105th, Dempsey of the 13th, Hong of the 103rd, Silcox of the 53rd. A bill relating to competencies and core curriculum under the Quality Basic Education Act. House Resolution 1522 by Representative Taylor of the 173rd, Efstration of the 104th, Newton of the 127th, Hawkins of the 27th, and Cooper of the 45th.

92. 1:00:13

    A resolution creating a House Study Committee on evaluating community health. House Resolution 1523 by Representative Jones of the 60th and Willis of the 55th. A resolution honoring the life of Mrs. Victoria Travis Jackson and dedicating a road in her memory. House Resolution 1524 by Representative Bell of the 75th, Jackson of the 68th, Holly of the 116th, Frye of the 122nd, Park of the 107th. A resolution urging the Georgia General Assembly to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I substance to a Schedule III substance. House Resolution 1525 by Representative Williams of the 148th, O'Steen of the 169th, and Powell of the 33rd.

93. 1:00:46

    A resolution honoring the life of Mr. Teddy Ray Webb and dedicating a bridge in his memory. House Resolution 1526 by Representative Mathis of the 133rd, Jaspers of the 11th, Powell of the 33rd, Smith of the 70th, Parrish of the 158th, and others. A resolution recognizing Representative James A. "Bubber" Epps Jr. and dedicating an interchange in his honor. House Resolution 1527 by Representative McDonald of the 26th, Jaspers of the 11th, Powell of the 33rd, Parsons of the 44th, and Cox of the 28th, and others. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting.

94. 1:01:17

    House Resolution 1528 by Representative Davis of the 87th, Schofield of the 63rd, and Scott of the 76th. A resolution creating the Joint Study Committee on Higher Education Fiscal Stewardship. House Resolution 1529 by Representative Ballard of the 147th, Erwin of the 32nd, Rice of the 139th, Hilton of the 48th, Dubnik of the 29th. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on the College and Career Ready Performance Index. House Resolution 1530 by Representative Romman of the 97th, Williams of the 168th, Huguley of the 141st, Holcomb of the 101st, Westbrook of the 163rd, and others.

95. 1:01:48

    A resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution so as to repeal the exception allowing involuntary servitude for persons convicted of crimes or contempt of court. House Resolution 1531 by Representative Fincher of the 23rd, Jaspers of the 11th, Thomas of the 21st, Ridley of the 22nd, Scoggins of the 14th, and others. A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Mandi Aylea Ballinger and dedicating an interchange in her memory. House Resolution 1532 by Representative Campbell of the 35th, Roberts of the 52nd, McQueen of the 61st, Alexander of the 66th, Taylor of the 173rd, and others. A resolution supporting designation of September 2026 as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

96. 1:02:22

    House Resolution 1578 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd, Greene of the 154th, Cheokas of the 151st, Parsons of the 44th, and Smith of the 138th. A resolution honoring the life of Mr. Herman Douglas Everett and dedicating a road in his memory. House Resolution 1579 by Representative Santos of the 117th, Lupton of the 83rd, McQueen of the 61st, and Au of the 50th. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on these Hospital Homebound Service and Medically Fragile Student Attendance. House Resolution 1580 by Representative Jaspers of the 11th, Thomas of the 21st, Scoggins of the 14th, Byrd of the 20th, Fincher of the 23rd.

97. 1:02:55

    A resolution recognizing Mayor A.R. Rick Roberts III and dedicating an intersection in his honor. House Resolution 1581 by Representative Werkheiser of the 157th, DeLoach of the 167th, Hitchens of the 161st, Burns of the 159th. Resolution honoring the life of Mr. Sidney R. Miles and dedicating a road in his memory. House Resolution 1582 by Representative Rice of the 139th, Erwin of the 32nd, Dubnik of the 29th, Donatucci of the 105th, Hilton of the 48th, and others. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Veteran Teacher Compensation. Senate Bill 240 by Senator Williams of the 25th, Bass of the 6th, Cowser of the 46th, Robertson of the 29th, Burns of the 23rd.

98. 1:03:32

    A bill relating to holidays and observances. Senate Bill 437 by Senator Dixon of the 45th, Robertson of the 29th, Still of the 48th, Goodman of the 8th, and Watson of the 11th. A bill relating to state building plumbing and electrical codes. Senate Bill 443 by Senator Summers of the 13th, Albers of the 56th, Dixon of the 45th, Hickman of the 4th, Ginn of the 47th, and others. A bill relating to offenses against public order. Senate Bill 447 by Senator Dixon of the 45th, Still of the 48th, and Duarte of the 31st, Goodman of the 8th, Echols of the 49th, and others. A bill relating to control of soil erosion and sedimentation.

99. 1:04:02

    Senate Bill 457 by Senator Dixon of the 45th, Cowser of the 46th, and Still of the 48th. A bill to amend an act to incorporate the City of Mulberry. Senate Bill 463 by Senator Dolezal of the 27th, Walker of the 20th, and Duarte of the 31st, Robertson of the 29th, Still of the 48th, and others. A bill relating to regulation of specialized land transactions. Senate Bill 468 by Senator Cowser of the 46th, Walker of the 20th, and Duarte of the 31st, Robertson of the 29th, Hatchett of the 50th, and others. A bill relating to Sexual Offender Risk Review Board. Senate Bill 471 by Senator Dolezal of the 27th, Hatchett of the 50th, Watson of the 1st, Summers of the 13th, Goodman of the 8th, and others.

100. 1:04:37

     A bill to amend an act providing that no local board of education, local school superintendent, or school administrator, teacher, or other school personnel shall make or enforce any rule that requires a student to wear a face mask. Senate Bill 497 by Senator Dixon of the 45th, Still of the 48th, Summers of the 13th, Gooch of the 51st, Echols of the 49th, and others. A bill relating to elementary and secondary school students. Senate Bill 527 by Senator Robertson of the 29th, Dixon of the 45th, Albers of the 56th, Harmon of the 16th, Hickman of the 4th, and others. A bill relating to qualification requirements for sheriff and exemptions.

101. 1:05:09

     Senate Bill 543 by Senator Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, Strickland of the 42nd. A bill to amend an act creating Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for Butts County. Senate Bill 544 by Senator Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, Strickland of the 42nd. A bill to provide a homestead exemption for Butts County ad valorem taxes. Senate Bill 545 by Senator Williams of the 25th, Anderson of the 24th, and Strickland of the 42nd. A bill to provide a homestead exemption for Butts County ad valorem taxes. Senate Bill 560 by Senator Jones of the 10th, Jackson of the 41st, Anderson of the 43rd, Mangum of the 55th, Harrell of the 40th, and others.

102. 1:05:41

     A bill to amend an act to create and establish in DeKalb County districts from which the members of the County Board of Education of DeKalb County shall be elected. Senate Bill 567 by Senator Harbeson of the 15th. A bill to create the Ellaville-Slade County Parks and Recreation Authority. Senate Bill 574 by Senator Hickman of the 4th. A bill to amend a homestead exemption from City of Metter ad valorem taxes. Senate Bill 575 by Senator Hickman of the 4th. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Metter ad valorem taxes. Senate Resolution 800 by Senator Goodman of the 8th, Watson of the 11th, Echols of the 49th, Sims of the 12th, Anderson of the 24th, and others.

103. 1:06:15

     A resolution creating the Joint Study Committee on the Generational Sustainability of Family Farms through second readers.

104. 1:06:41

     First reading of bills. No, not first reading. Wow, I was getting started again, wasn't I? Reports of standing committees. I was trying to throw you off there a little bit, Mr. Clerk. We want to get it right the second time around. The clerk will read.

105. 1:06:54

     Representative Robert Dickey of the 134th District, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, submitted the following report. "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs has had under its consideration the following bills of the House. Has instructed me to report same back to the House with the following recommendations. House Bill 947, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1224, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Robert Dickey of the 134th District, Chairman." Representative Ron Stephens of the 164th District, Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, submitted the following report.

106. 1:07:26

     "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism has had under its consideration the following bill of the House. Has instructed me to report back to same, back to the House with the following recommendation. House Bill 490, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Re-" Representative Ron Stephens of the 64th District, Chairman. Representative Chris Erwin of the 32nd District, Chairman of the Committee on Education, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Education sat under its consideration the following bills of the House.

107. 1:07:57

     It's instructed me to report saying back to the House with the following recommendations. House Bill 1056, due pass. House Bill 669, due pass. House Bill 1257, due pass by substitute. House Bill 1232, due pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Chris Erwin of the 32nd District, Chairman. Representative Victor Anderson of the 10th District, Chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Governmental Affairs has had under its consideration the following bills of the House. It's instructed me to report saying back to the House with the following recommendations.

108. 1:08:28

     House Bill 467, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 613, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 868, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 1227, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 1442, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 1482, due pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Victor Anderson of the 10th District, Chairman. Representative Hawkins of the 27th District, Chairman of the Committee on Health, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Health has had under its consideration the following bills of the House and Senate, and has instructed me to report saying back to the House the following recommendation.

109. 1:11:11

     House Bill 500, due pass by substitute. Senate Bill 440, due pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Sharon Cooper of the 45th District, Chairman. Representative Allen Powell of the 33rd District, Chairman of the Committee on Regulated Industries, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Regulated Industries has had under its consideration the following bills of the House. It has instructed me to report saying back to the House the following recommendations. House Bill 1254, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 1385, due pass by committee substitute.

110. 1:11:42

     Respectfully submitted, Representative Allen Powell of the 33rd District, Chairman. Representative Carson of the 46th District, Chairman of the Committee on Retirement, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Retirement has had under its consideration the following bills of the House. It has instructed me to report saying back to the House the following recommendations. House Bill 969, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 1347, due pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Carson of the 46th District, Chairman. Representative Shaw Blackmon of the 146th District, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following report.

111. 1:12:17

     Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Ways and Means has had under its consideration the following bills and resolutions of the House. It has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. House Bill 13... House Bill 317, due pass. House Bill 1132, due pass by committee substitute. House Bill 1285, due pass. House Bill 1370, due pass by committee substitute. House Resolution 192, due pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Shaw Blackmon of the 146th District, Chairman.

112. 1:12:50

     Representative Trey Kelley of the 16th District, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Ways and Means has had under its consideration the following bills of the House. It has instructed me to report saying back to the House the following recommendation. House Bill 276, due pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Trey Kelley of the 16th District, Vice Chairman. That completes the reading of the reports of standing committees.

113. 1:14:37

     All right, members, we're gonna move on to morning orders, so I'm gonna ask you to get close to your seats and reduce

114. 1:14:46

     the decibel level of your conversations. That was a nice one, the decibel levels. Y'all know what it means, reduce the decibel levels, don't you? Be quiet.

115. 1:14:58

     Just checking y'all out.

116. 1:15:06

     Representative Anissa Jones, where are you? There she is.

117. 1:15:14

     Then Representative Park Cannon, you'll be on deck.

118. 1:15:20

     Representative Jones, you got some friends gonna join you? All right. One friend.

119. 1:15:25

     Yeah, I have a friend.

120. 1:15:25

     Well, that's better than none. But she's a good friend.

121. 1:15:28

     She's a great friend. All right. Mr. S- Mr. Speaker, members of the House, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of an extraordinary Georgian, Dr. Tammy Lamar Blackwood, a dedicated pharmacist, a compassionate humanitarian, a fearless advocate, and above all, a cherished friend to so many across our state. Dr. Lamar Blackwood devoted her life to delivering comfort, knowledge, and hope to countless families. Her advocacy strengthened communities, and her generosity of spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

122. 1:16:05

     Today, we're honored to have her loving husband, brother, family members, and dear friends with us in the gallery, and we ask that the House join in recognizing their presence and, and the remarkable life of the woman they love so dearly. Can you please stand?

123. 1:16:27

     Mr. Speaker, I'm also proud to recognize her life with this House resolution, ensuring that her legacy will forever be recorded in the history of this great state. Can we please have a moment of silence for this great loss? And thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will.

124. 1:16:50

     Thank you for doing the resolution honoring Ms. Blackwood. Family, if y'all wanna come down to this South Annie room now or in a few minutes, you can come on down and, come down and, come down to the third floor and come in this room. They'll let you in in just a minute, and we'll get some photos with you, with Representative Anissa Jones. Thank y'all for being here.

125. 1:17:09

     Thank you.

126. 1:17:09

     And condolences to you on your loss. Representative Park Cannon is recognized for a morning order. Y'all have a c- a couple of minutes.

127. 1:17:17

     Okay. Take my time.

128. 1:17:23

     I might even read a resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, we recognize the Spelman College Health Advocacy Initiative, a nonpartisan, student-led group committed to strengthening healthcare access across Georgia. These young leaders have spent months researching, organizing, and engaging directly with legislators on one of the healthcare issues that is most greatly facing our state.

129. 1:17:56

     That is the healthcare coverage gap, particularly for maternal health families. They are not here to divide. They are here to provide information to help us make great decisions around our shared goals of strong families, economic stability, and healthy communities. Their presence today reminds us that the next generation is informed, engaged, and ready to lead. We have a press conference with them at 1:00 PM today.

130. 1:18:30

     You are invited to join us. And we also have a resolution here if you would like to sign it. We're asking all HBCU grads, will you please stand so you can be recognized by the House?

131. 1:18:48

     Yay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Be all the well.

132. 1:18:51

     Welcome to this People's House, Spelman students. Good to have you. Good luck to you and your education.

133. 1:19:02

     Representative Johnny Chastain recognized for a morning order.

134. 1:19:13

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Happy crossover, everybody. Uh, just wanna make a quick announcement and thank Rhonda Chatham with the GTBA. She brought down some fresh fried apple pies from R&A Orchards in Ellijay this morning, so we're thankful for that. So they'll be out in the Annie Room, so everybody go enjoy. Thank you.

135. 1:19:31

     Were those friends with you or just pie eaters?

136. 1:19:34

     Pie eaters.

137. 1:19:34

     Pie eaters. That's what I thought.

138. 1:19:46

     Where is Representative Mathis? There he is, up in the center aisle. Couldn't find you, sir.

139. 1:19:54

     I'm gonna introduce a couple of former legisla- former legislators. I'm gonna ask them to come right over here. Catherine, you come with them. Bubber.

140. 1:20:18

     Come on, Commissioner.

141. 1:20:50

     Members, we're gonna honor someone who's had a special presence in our state for a number of years, but a special presence in this House. So I'm gonna recognize ... Where is he? I lost him again.

142. 1:21:06

     I keep losing you, brother. Representative Danny Mathis from down in Cochran's gonna talk to us about a resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, and, uh- I appreciate that ... honoring, honoring a special, special man. Thank you, sir. Appreciate that, Speaker. Getting ahead of you a little bit. It is with my great pleasure that we're honoring a, a true gentleman, true Southern gentleman today. And what's so great about it, we're, we're doing it posthumously. We're doing this before some memorial. We're honoring him today. A lot of times we stand up here and do things like this where we, we do it when they're gone, but we're gonna get to look at his face.

143. 1:21:43

     We're going to hear what he has to say, and I am so wonderful glad to recognize James A. Bubba Epps Jr. over here.

144. 1:21:58

     He served in this house, the Georgia General Assembly from 2009 to 2019, District 144, and I'm honored to have followed him into this house. It made my job a lot easier for the respect and all of the things that he did as being a Southern gentleman and a great legislator that he was. So what we're going to do, he's been here. He's on the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Council. He was also the Motor Vehicle Chairman. He was the Small Business Development Secretary in the House Committee on Transportation during his tenure here.

145. 1:22:32

     Mr. Bubba is a great man. We are now here going to name interchange of I-16 and State Route 96 in Twiggs County is dedicated to Representative Bubba Epps Interchange. Mr. Bubba. Thank you, Mr. Bubba. I would like for everyone, when we get through here, if y'all would like to speak to Mr. Bubba, he'll be over here in the anteroom. Thank you so much.

146. 1:23:07

     That was my friend, his wife. Thank you, members. Thank you, Representative Mathis. Thank you, Ms. Catherine. Yeah, you can do that. I want to say thank you, Ms. Catherine Epps, a true Southern lady. She helped us pull this off with Mr. Bubba not knowing that we were doing this today. And Kevin Tanner and Josh Waller had a lot to do with that. Thank you so much. We'll sit right behind you. Catherine. Thanks, Speaker. Good job. Thank you, members. It's always a pleasure to welcome back former members of this house, and I know of no finer member when he served here than, than Bubba Epps and all the things he's done.

147. 1:23:48

     Chairman Epps, thank you. Let's give him another round of applause, if y'all will.

148. 1:24:03

     I'm gonna allow a former member, we don't do this often other than for former members, but I'm gonna allow Bubba to, uh, make a comment or two to you all. So give him your attention, please. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pleasure. I'll be brief, but, uh, y- I don't have to tell you this is an honor. It was not only an honor of my lifetime, but I'm sure you recognize by now that it's going to be an honor of your lifetime. Uh, the friends you make, uh, the paths you travel in this chamber are life-shaping when you leave here.

149. 1:24:43

     So just cherish every minute you're here. Work with one another to get effective and citizen-concerned legislation passed. That is the one thing that we need to do. Remember, we're serving those that send us here, and we need to be mindful of the far-reaching effect of what we do. I'm honored that you shared this with me, and thank Representative Mathis and all involved for doing this.

150. 1:25:13

     Talking about being caught off guard, that's an understatement. But thank you for this. It's, it, it means a lot to me, and it's just good to see old faces and dear friends, particularly our speaker.

151. 1:25:32

     Catherine, we appreciate you as well. Thank you so much for being here and, uh, y'all, the years y'all worked together to make Georgia a better place. Also, members, uh, another gentleman that's a former member of this house, I'm not gonna let him talk, 'cause he talks as long as I do. But, uh, m- but as, as former state representative, Chairman Kevin Tanner, who's now our commissioner. So we appreciate you and your friendship, acknowledge your friendship with Epps and all you've done. And also, I wanna also take a moment to recognize Josh Waller, who's been a great partner to us as we work with transportation issues from over at DOT.

152. 1:26:08

     Thanks, Josh. Thanks, Kevin, for being here. Let's give them all a round of applause, y'all.

153. 1:26:25

     You gonna have lunch or what?

154. 1:26:32

     Okay, y'all, that's great. Can we go on three? One, two, three. One, two, and three. It is all in.

155. 1:26:49

     Hey, members, I just, uh, asked the commissioner if he had anything in the budget. I think y'all know what I'm talking about. Something very much needed, so thanks for you all for supporting a great opportunity to benefit Georgians and their mental health. Representative Moore.

156. 1:27:09

     If y'all will give the lady your attention in the well. The reps will be in the South Anney Room for some photos with our members. So, uh, join them out there, if you will. But we're gonna rec- we're gonna recognize Representative Moore.

157. 1:27:24

     Well, I had a couple of people that was supposed to meet me here. But thank you, Mr. Speaker. March is Women's History Month. I'm sure I have someone here to help with me. Okay. One, two, and three. Just a second. I am to give you one.

158. 1:27:49

     Hold on to that for me.

159. 1:27:53

     Which honors the vital contributions of women to American history, culture, society. And, and lavender and purple are significant symbols of Women's History Month. I'm not wearing mine today because I'm wearing the colors of representing my father, who it is his, uh, passing anniversary. So, but we will start wearing our purple and lavender on Monday. Um, it is suggested throughout March that we would wear these colors, and it recognizes international, internationally as the color for women who represent dignity, honor, and visionary thinking.

160. 1:28:35

     Although every woman in this chamber in i- in her own right draws to this point, and we celebrate their contributions, two women in this chamber actually stand out today as our leaders here in across Georgia. Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, I know you can hear me, and our minority leader, Carolyn Hugley. I, I think we're supposed to have someone over here. I got one. But we're gonna start with, uh, our ma- our Speaker Pro Tem.

161. 1:29:09

     Normally we say mayor in our,

162. 1:29:13

     in our counties. So we're honoring Speaker, uh, Pro Tem Jan Jones for hist- hist- her historic leadership and lasting contributions to the State of Georgia. And whereas although her tenure as Speaker Pro Tem, Jones has demonstrated unwavering leadership navigating complex legislative battles ranging from education and reform and election integrity to economic development, all while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

163. 1:29:48

     She is today her story, and we'd like to recognize her for her leadership. So you can hold this. Can you come up here, Jan? Come on.

164. 1:30:01

     We would like to give you your forever roses.

165. 1:30:06

     Oh my.

166. 1:30:10

     Aw, thank you. Thank you.

167. 1:30:13

     Y'all make sure she gets that. This one? Yeah.

168. 1:30:16

     Thank you. Let's get a picture here. I'll hold. Let's move the back maybe. All right. Thank you.

169. 1:30:24

     We are women. Thank you.

170. 1:30:26

     Want you to come up. Thank you so much. We can do all the women.

171. 1:30:28

     Yeah.

172. 1:30:28

     We can do all the women.

173. 1:30:30

     That's all right. Let's get a, we'll just get a few minutes.

174. 1:30:33

     Okay.

175. 1:30:34

     Poses.

176. 1:30:36

     All right.

177. 1:30:37

     Yeah.

178. 1:30:37

     We can do all the women. It's Women's History Month. I think we came around and told you all this morning.

179. 1:30:43

     Thank you.

180. 1:30:43

     That's crazy.

181. 1:30:47

     I do say it. She did.

182. 1:30:51

     Carolyn Hugley.

183. 1:30:52

     She better get in this chamber.

184. 1:30:53

     That's right. Yeah.

185. 1:30:54

     We're doing it.

186. 1:30:55

     Okay, ladies. Y'all join down front.

187. 1:30:57

     That's right, ladies.

188. 1:30:57

     That's right.

189. 1:30:59

     Saira. Ladies, Park. My phone on construction. You gotta make- you gotta make instructions to come. Yeah, we just-

190. 1:31:05

     Catch me if I fall.

191. 1:31:08

     You might as well come on down. They gonna call you out if you don't.

192. 1:31:13

     Okay.

193. 1:31:15

     Come on, Park.

194. 1:31:19

     They don't wanna be with the ladies? It's all right.

195. 1:31:21

     That's okay. All right. That's good.

196. 1:31:24

     Okay. Y'all might as well stay. Smile everybody.

197. 1:31:35

     Ladies on three. Let us give you your flowers.

198. 1:31:39

     That's okay.

199. 1:31:40

     We'll bring the rest of, of your stuff.

200. 1:31:42

     Thank you.

201. 1:31:42

     Can you make sure she gets the rest of the-

202. 1:31:44

     Thank you so much.

203. 1:31:45

     That was very nice.

204. 1:31:45

     Very nice. Thank you.

205. 1:31:46

     Here you go.

206. 1:31:47

     How you doing?

207. 1:31:51

     Okay. Next, ladies, you might as well stay. Can you stay?

208. 1:31:58

     Okay, ladies.

209. 1:31:59

     We got one more.

210. 1:32:01

     All right. Let's get to it.

211. 1:32:02

     Well, she's not here, but we're gonna recognize our leader, uh, our minority leader. Our minority leader. Where is she? All right. Well, we're gonna recognize her, uh, Leader Carolyn Fleming Hugley for her historic leadership and enduring legacy. Okay. Right. And for other purposes. We were kinda waiting for her to be here. She's been here all this time, so we'll just read on.

212. 1:32:34

     Representative Hugley made her story by becoming the first African American to serve as minority whip in the Georgia House of Representative, a position of immense responsibility that she held designation from 2003 to 2018, breaking and opening doors for generations of leaderships to follow. And whereas Carolyn Fleming Henning, Hug- Hugley. Where are you?

213. 1:33:05

     Hugley. Can somebody call her? Okay. We'll get, we'll get, uh, Representative Park to come and stand in her stead.

214. 1:33:16

     Representative Park, you're gonna have to accept this on behalf of our leader, if you would. We, we don't know where she is. She'll have to watch this on videotape.

215. 1:33:28

     Therefore, now therefore and resolve, it is resolved by the House of Representatives that the members of this body commend House Minority Leader Carolyn Fleming Hugley for her historic ter- uh, tenure and the first African American minority whip and her current service as minority leader, celebrating her as a pioneer who forever changed the leadership of the Georgia leadership- Oh, yeah ... here in the House. Yay. And we are giving our minority leader her forever flowers.

216. 1:34:04

     I hope she sees this on the internet, and she has the ones that are purple. All right. Here she is.

217. 1:34:16

     Yay. You're gonna have to run.

218. 1:34:17

     Madam Leader Hugley.

219. 1:34:19

     Yeah. Yay.

220. 1:34:23

     In your absence, we honored you.

221. 1:34:25

     Thank you for your her story. Yes. In the name of Jesus, we, you made it on time, and these are your forever roses. Thank you. They have- She's coming back. They are, they are alive for five years. All right. Yeah, thank you. And let's go. Let's do that wheel.

222. 1:34:45

     Excellent. I think the lady has yielded the wheel.

223. 1:34:49

     Yes. Here. Stick this on there. They stick

224. 1:34:51

     Congratulations, Pro Tem Jones and Leader Hugley.

225. 1:35:14

     Maybe some irony. Oh, maybe.

226. 1:35:46

     For what purpose has Representative Burchett rise?

227. 1:35:50

     To make a motion.

228. 1:35:51

     State your motion.

229. 1:35:52

     I motion that we recommit House Bill 812 back to Rules.

230. 1:35:56

     Mr. Clerk, read the caption.

231. 1:35:58

     House Bill 812 by Representative Cheokas to the 151st being title an act to amend Part 2 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to state building, plumbing, and electrical codes.

232. 1:36:11

     On the gentleman's motion that House Bill 812 be withdrawn from the calendar and recommitted to the Rules Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, it's so ordered. That's good. Get them off the calendar one way or the other.

233. 1:36:32

     All right, members, before we, uh, break for lunch in a little bit, we're gonna run a few bills.

234. 1:37:17

     What purpose does Chairman Blackmon rise? To make a motion.

235. 1:37:22

     Make a motion.

236. 1:37:24

     State your motion.

237. 1:37:25

     I move that HB 1116 be recommitted to the Rules Committee.

238. 1:37:31

     Mr. Clerk will read the caption.

239. 1:37:33

     House Bill 1116 by Representative Blackmon and others to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title and 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to ad valorem taxation of property.

240. 1:37:46

     On the gentleman's motion that HB 1116 be withdrawn from the calendar and recommitted to the Rules Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, it's so ordered.

241. 1:38:06

     Okay, that's the way to get them off the rules calendar. I'm kinda liking that. So we'll move on to the rules calendar.

242. 1:38:17

     Clerk will read the caption to House Bill 717.

243. 1:38:23

     House Bill 717 by Representative Cooper, the 45th and others to be entitled an act to amend Article 2, Chapter 34, Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Medical Practice Act of the State of Georgia so as to provide for the regulation of the administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy. This bill then referred to the Committee on Public and Community Health. That committee recommends that this bill do pass by Rules Committee substitute.

244. 1:38:50

     Chair Lady Cooper is recognized to present the bill. The lady is recognized. Give her your attention, please.

245. 1:38:58

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, ladies and gentlemen of the House, I bring to you the substitute for House Bill 717. And to start with, I want to thank this chamber for their reconsideration vote the other day. Thank you very much for that. It gave us time to make some changes and come to agreement. There is a letter on your desk with the CRNAs insignia on it saying that we are in agreement on this. The changes to the bill are the basic ones that you wanted, which was due to ownership.

246. 1:39:34

     The bill now allows for CRNAs to own ketamine clinics and for physicians to own ketamine clinics. You also had a concern about highly trained nurse practitioners, and it would allow them to work in these clinics. The changes were made. Uh, the CRNAs, I thank them for working with us. Uh, they were emphatic about the need for this bill and very, very concerned about safety.

247. 1:40:06

     And that we've come to agreusion- agreement over a bill, I believe, where we will have these clinics will function, they contin- and they, we will have more of them, but they will work in a safe manner. And as before, the clinics that are currently already functioning are grandfathered in. So to make sure they are grandfathered in. If there are no questions, Mr. Speaker, I will-

248. 1:40:33

     You have a, lady has a question. Representative Barnes, to your left. She-

249. 1:40:38

     Thank you. Does the chair lady yield?

250. 1:40:39

     Yes, I do.

251. 1:40:40

     Is it not true that you've done a lot of work and listened to a lot of people to make this bill right for us?

252. 1:40:46

     I certainly did. You know what, of what you speak.

253. 1:40:48

     Thank you. We appreciate that.

254. 1:40:50

     Lady has no further questions.

255. 1:40:51

     Right. Mr. Speaker, I'll yield the will and ask this body for their positive vote on the substitute to House Bill 717. Thank you.

256. 1:41:01

     Lady has yielded the will. Chairman McDonald is recognized to speak in favor of the bill.

257. 1:41:12

     Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House, I just wanna come before you. Uh, I wanna thank the, all the three parties that got together on 717 and came together to get this worked out and just wanna let, uh, this House know that I stand in support of 717 now. And, and I just wanna remind this House, um, and members, Mr. Speaker, business is business, and a Coke and a smile goes a long way, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will.

258. 1:41:39

     I love it when we all work together.

259. 1:41:44

     That concludes our discussion on House Bill 717. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to withdrawing the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is withdrawn. Is there any objection to adopting the substitute offered by the Committee on Rules? Hearing none, the Rules Committee substitute is adopted. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to.

260. 1:42:15

     Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

261. 1:42:46

     Have all members voted?

262. 1:42:51

     All...

263. 1:43:00

     All members voted.

264. 1:43:15

     All members voted? If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of House Bill 717, the yeas are 155, the nays are eight. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 1293? 1293.

265. 1:43:41

     House Bill 1293 by Representative Jones. The 47th and others to be entitled An Act to Amend Chapter four, Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to vocational techni- technical and adult education services to provide updated eligibility requirements for the Dual Achievement program. This bill having been referred to the Committee on Higher Education, that committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute.

266. 1:44:10

     The Speaker Pro Tem of this House, Representative Jan Jones, is recognized to speak to House Bill 1293.

267. 1:44:16

     Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, um, members of the House. Uh, I bring before you House Bill 1293 f- uh, regarding a program called Dual Achievement. It is not dual enrollment. Um, it, uh, it makes a pilot program that we've had for the last seven or eight years through the technical colleges permanent. Uh, it, they offer specialized services primarily to students 18 to 22 currently to obtain their high school degree.

268. 1:44:49

     And to obtain their high school degree, these are, these are students who dropped out in high school. Um, they have to work towards two certifications, an associate's degree or a diploma from their technical college. The program will be refined and expanded statewide. Currently, there are only five locations. It, what the technical college system has found is the program has been so successful they're ready to work on taking it throughout the entire state.

269. 1:45:21

     Um, the ex- the services that they offer, because these are students who did not succeed in high school. They dropped out. They receive counseling services, time management services, tutoring services. And so to do that, the bill also sets forth a process where there will be a change to the funding formula for technical colleges, an extra increment to pay for those services. These students, um, you know, they, they need extra help to get their high school degree.

270. 1:45:54

     During the pilot program, it did offer services to a limited number of 16 and 17-year-olds. That will be phased out except in areas of the state, which is primarily the metro Atlanta region, that does not have access to what y'all have voted on before, which is an array of completion schools that are targeted specifically to these students. Um, when this was originally put in place, there were, uh, we did not have a network of completion schools for high school students who are at risk of dropping out or who have quit.

271. 1:46:34

     And so that's the bill, Mr. Speaker, and I'm happy to answer any questions.

272. 1:46:45

     Lady has a couple of questions. Will she yield?

273. 1:46:48

     Yes, sir.

274. 1:46:49

     Uh, Representative Lupton to your left is recognized for a question.

275. 1:46:53

     Yes.

276. 1:46:53

     Thank you. Thank you. Does the gentlelady yield?

277. 1:46:55

     Yes. Yes, ma'am.

278. 1:46:56

     First off, thank you so much for the bill. Um, it's incredible to give people second and third and sometimes-

279. 1:47:02

     Absolutely

280. 1:47:03

     ... fourth chances. We need that. I was just curious about why the age range skewed older rather than younger.

281. 1:47:10

     So, so, you know, the technical college system's, um, primary objective is to help adult learners, and they feel that that's where they excel at. And at 18, you were deemed a dropout if you did not receive a high school degree. They, they do view those students 18 to 22 as needing additional services beyond, say, an older student, who also can get a degree at a limited number of technical colleges.

282. 1:47:41

     Okay.

283. 1:47:41

     But the 16 and 17-year-olds, they felt needed services more oriented to them through their high schools and these completion schools, which are specifically targeted to 16 and 17-year-old services. Which are-

284. 1:47:57

     Wonderful. Thank you so much

285. 1:47:58

     ... and that, that part will not phase out for several years. Any student who's in that, uh, program will be allowed to complete it probably through about 2030, as long as they enroll by 2028. And it will continue-

286. 1:48:13

     Wow

287. 1:48:13

     ... in two locations in Marietta and Atlanta indefinitely, because we do not have any of these, uh, night schools on the horizon to serve those students through completion schools.

288. 1:48:27

     Wonderful. Thank you again.

289. 1:48:31

     Pro Tem, would you suspend just for a moment? You have another question from Representative Smith, but I want you to suspend just for a moment. Some of you could not find the rules calendar?

290. 1:48:41

     Yeah.

291. 1:48:42

     Uh, it's actually in your book.

292. 1:48:47

     I'm gonna ask Vanna to show the rule, the book it's in. It's in the daily reports book. So you just need to look. It's in there, so you just need to find it, and it'll, your rules calendar is, is located in the daily report book. Lady, we will continue. You have a question from Representative, Chair Lady Lynn Smith

293. 1:49:09

     Um, gentlelady yields? Yes, ma'am. I want to thank you and to point out to this assembly that from day one, you have totally focused on education for our youth, opening the closed doors and giving them hope. Well, thank you very much. And I, I do think this program continues this state's, uh, priority, and one of our highest priorities is helping students get over the finish line to have more opportunities and l- and taking them wherever they are and giving them those opportunities.

294. 1:49:42

     And I would ask for your favorable consideration of House Bill 1293. Thank you, and I yield the well. Excellent job. The lady's yielded the well. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to.

295. 1:50:14

     Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

296. 1:50:36

     Have all members voted? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of House Bill 1293, the yeas are 166, the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 1114? 1-1-14. House Bill 1114 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd and others to be entitled an act to amend Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2, Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to competencies in core curriculum under the Quality Basic Education Act, so as to allow for students in ninth and 10th grade to complete the high school graduation financial literacy cour- course requirement.

297. 1:51:26

     This bill, having been referred to the Committee on Education, that committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute. The former mayor of Sylvester, Georgia, Chairman Bill Yearta is recognized to present House Bill 1114.

298. 1:51:47

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I bring you today, colleagues, House Bill 1114. This provides for minimum content standards for financial literacy instruction and to allow students nine through 12 to complete the high school graduation financial literacy course requirement, to require students also K through eight to receive grade-level appropriate instruction in financial literacy. In 2022, we adopted a requirement that requires every student in Georgia to take a half-credit course in financial literacy.

299. 1:52:25

     However, this, this bill limited it to the 11th and 12th grade. You know, over half the states now have a personal financial graduation requirement, and about a dozen allow that required personal financial literacy course to be taken in the any high school grade. By allowing fi- financial literacy, uh, in the ninth through 12th grade keeps Georgia competitive. It equips teens before they get their first paycheck to, uh, have access to the course, which means they'll learn to budget, save, and avoid high-cost financial mistakes when they start earning.

300. 1:53:11

     This also creates vital scheduling flexibility for the students. Taking the course earlier, uh, relieves crowded junior/senior schedules, freeing room for AP courses, CTA pathways, dual enrollment, athletics, and wor- work-based learning. It also supports rural and small schools by having a broader window for that course to be taken, and it gives, uh, staff a chance to align the number of students taking the course with class sizes, uh, so that's beneficial for the school system as, as well.

301. 1:53:55

     Uh, that's the bill, and I ask for your favorable consideration. Gentlemen, yield for a couple questions for- Yes ... some clarity? Yes, sir. Representative, Representative Holland, to your right. About, y- that right. Yes, ma'am, I yield. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, this is a wonderful bill. I'm the parent of a high schooler, so I think this is critical that we're providing this kind of education. I'm curious, since I don't know if schools already have staff and faculty that can teach this course, is there any appropriation of resources or funds to help create this course in our classrooms?

302. 1:54:28

     No, there's no appropriation for that. Okay. But we did give a number of years for them to implement the course when it was first passed in 2022. Okay. Thank you. Uh, let's see. Repre- Representative McQueen, to your left, towards your back. I yield. Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Does the gentleman yield? Yes, ma'am. Yes. Um, uh, uh-

303. 1:54:49

     Aside from the appropriations, is there anything to, uh, in reference to training for teachers to be able to teach this course?

304. 1:54:58

     Yes, ma'am. In the original bill, there are standards for training.

305. 1:55:01

     Okay.

306. 1:55:01

     Yes, there are.

307. 1:55:02

     Thank you. Does the gentleman further yield?

308. 1:55:04

     Yes, ma'am.

309. 1:55:05

     Since the passing in 2022, has there been any evidence that shows that this kind of, uh, coursework actually improves, um, outcomes for students as they go into their financial lives, like, uh, avoiding debt and things of that nature?

310. 1:55:20

     It's actually not quite. It's just starting to be implemented, so it, it will be implemented actually I believe next year. So this, this is a good bill that coincides to give that option for all high schoolers to take the course.

311. 1:55:35

     Thank you so much.

312. 1:55:36

     Yes, ma'am.

313. 1:55:36

     Representative Gambill up the aisle, t- a little bit to your right.

314. 1:55:40

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

315. 1:55:42

     I do to my friend.

316. 1:55:44

     Is it not true you've worked on this effort for quite a while, and this is something that's very important to the students of our state?

317. 1:55:51

     That is correct, sir.

318. 1:55:52

     Uh, does the gentleman further yield?

319. 1:55:54

     I do.

320. 1:55:55

     Is it not true that all of our school systems would be very wise to look at family and consumer science education, business education, and a lot of the CTA programs that have the ability to teach financial literacy and encourage more students to take those programs so that they can have the opportunity to have this financial literacy that we're talking about today?

321. 1:56:18

     The gentleman knows of what he speaks.

322. 1:56:20

     Representative Karlton Howard to the ba- on your left in the back of the room.

323. 1:56:24

     Thank you, ma-

324. 1:56:25

     Wa-

325. 1:56:25

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker

326. 1:56:25

     ... extreme left, Chairman.

327. 1:56:28

     Okay. Okay. Yes, sir, I yield.

328. 1:56:30

     On the back corner. Uh, d- do the, do the gentleman yield?

329. 1:56:34

     I do.

330. 1:56:35

     Oh, c- I think you may have just answered my question. What is the timeline to implement this curriculum if this law passes now?

331. 1:56:43

     I believe it will be implemented in, uh, '26, '27 school year.

332. 1:56:49

     And the other piece of my question, if, if, if the gentleman further yields.

333. 1:56:52

     Yes, sir.

334. 1:56:53

     Uh, will the school system have to revise their curriculum or their standards, uh, and I think we talked about teacher training, uh, if this bill passes?

335. 1:57:02

     There's a slight revision in the, in the core standards, uh, to add a few things, but generally it's the same as we passed in 2022.

336. 1:57:11

     Okay. Thank you, sir.

337. 1:57:12

     Yes, sir.

338. 1:57:14

     Gentleman, yield for another question?

339. 1:57:17

     Yes, sir, I'll take one last.

340. 1:57:19

     Representative Wade, Will Wade to your right in the back is recognized.

341. 1:57:23

     Does the gentleman yield?

342. 1:57:24

     I do.

343. 1:57:25

     Is it not true that you are a gentleman and worked with several members of the House Education Committee to include some of their thoughts and ideas based on their experience and the feedback from their school systems?

344. 1:57:37

     And I appreciate that, Chairman.

345. 1:57:39

     And I truly appreciate you bringing this effort, and I look forward to voting yes.

346. 1:57:43

     Okay.

347. 1:57:43

     Thank you for your leadership on this important issue that will impact the financial wellbeing of all future Georgians. Thank you.

348. 1:57:50

     Thank you. All right, Mr. Speaker, I yield the will.

349. 1:57:55

     Gentleman yields the will. We do have a speaker on the bill signed up. Representative, Representative Miriam Parrish. Parrish is w- recognized. Lady's making her way down, so g- please give Rep- Representative Parrish your, Parrish your attention. Parrish. I'll get it in a minute. I'm looking at Butch and looking at you.

350. 1:58:17

     That's my cousin.

351. 1:58:18

     Your cousin, yes.

352. 1:58:20

     That's my cousin.

353. 1:58:20

     Lady's recognized.

354. 1:58:21

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, good morning, colleagues. Um, I rise today to stand in favor of HB 1114's passage. Um, this is a very important bill for our schoolchildren. Last year, I submitted HB 674 to address financial literacy for grade school children, because, you know, if you give a child some money, like a little four-year-old, five-year-old, ask them, "What is it?" You know, they'll say, "It's money." They won't tell you it's a dime.

355. 1:58:55

     They don't know that 10 pennies is a dime. They don't know two nickels is a dime. And with the way the economy is changing so swiftly with money and currency, we f- I felt like we really need to get this implemented, right? It's like if they don't know money, then they're gonna keep making the same mistakes. They're gonna make the same financial mistakes. People are gonna be behind the eight ball as far as their finances are concerned. Then I learned that Chairman Yearta also had a bill.

356. 1:59:26

     So we, under the advisement of Chairman Erwin, we merged the two bills. And so now the bill is perfectly complete, I believe, because it addresses grade school children's financial literacy teaching as well as high school. So I wanna commend all of the committee, all of, uh, the chairmans, everyone that worked so hard on this bill, because I think it's only gonna make Georgia's students more financially literate. I do ask that you vote yes on this bill, and thank you for your attention.

357. 1:59:56

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

358. 1:59:57

     Thanks to both of you representatives for making this bill perfection, if you will. So thanks for y'all's hard work and working together. That completes our discussion on House Bill 1114. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass?

359. 2:00:28

     All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

360. 2:00:58

     All members voted.

361. 2:01:03

     All members voted this so. Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of House Bill 1114, the yeas are 171, the nays are 0. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

362. 2:01:24

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 1328? 1-3-2-8. House Bill 1328 by Representative Wade of the 9th and others to be entitled an act to amend Subpart 5A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to University of North Georgia military scholarships so as to authorize the selection committee to select additional scholarship recipients. This bill having been referred to the Committee on Higher Education, that committee recommends that this bill do pass.

363. 2:01:55

     Representative Will Wade is recognized to present the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair, um, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I rise today to present House Bill 1328. This legislation modernizes the Georgia Military Service Scholarship Program at the University of North Georgia, my alma mater. For generations, North Georgia has helped prepare young men and women to lead our nation in uniform. The Corps of Cadets at UNG remains one of the largest commissioning sources of Army officers in the United States.

364. 2:02:25

     This just brings this code up to date to help meet what I think is a very important role. That is to help the Georgia National Guard become fully implemented to meet the demands of today's modern warfare. So why does this matter? Because leadership matters, preparation matters, and the call to serve our nation still matter. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to point out that there is a Georgian right now, Major General Kevin Lambert, who's a graduate of North Georgia in 1993.

365. 2:02:59

     He is serving as the commander in Syria and Iraq today. So at this time, I do hope that we have a unanimous support of this legislation to send a message that we in Georgia back our National Guard and the future leaders that serve. But if we could, for all those members of this body that served in the military, would you please rise? This is very serious and important to me. My grandfather was a, served in the Air Force in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and I have the utmost respect for those that serve.

366. 2:03:32

     Thank you.

367. 2:03:40

     Representative Griffin, you can stand. You were one of those, too, that served in, in the military and served this country. Thank you all for your service. And Mr. Speaker, because we have Georgians and men and women in America that are serving in direct conflict today, could we all rise and have just a moment of silence for what they're doing on behalf of freedom across the world today?

368. 2:04:11

     Amen. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I ask for your favorable consideration, and I don't believe there should be any questions. I yield the well. Thank you. Well, you were right. You didn't have any questions.

369. 2:04:27

     Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

370. 2:05:17

     Have all members voted? All members voted.

371. 2:05:29

     There we go. All members voted this so. Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of House Bill 1328, the yeas are 172, the nays are 0. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 1345? House Bill 1345 by Representative Rice of the 139th and others to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 14 and Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to State Workforce Development Board so as to provide for the approval of certain eligible workforce training programs relative to implementing the federal Workforce Pell Grant program.

372. 2:06:11

     This bill having been referred to the Committee on Higher Education, that committee recommends that this bill do pass.

373. 2:06:24

     Representative Carmen Rice is recognized to present the bill, House Bill 1345. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and hello, House members. I'm very excited today to bring House Bill 1345, which prepares Georgia to implement the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program funding that is available July 2026. So to obtain this funding, state legislation to direct the governor with the, along, in consultation with the workforce, uh, workforce board to select the programs, um-

374. 2:07:00

     for what is needed in Georgia in our high-needs area is required. For the first time, Pell Grants w- may be used for a short-term, non-credit workforce training program rather than j- only traditional degree pathways. These programs provide industry-recognized credentials aligned directly with employer w- first needs and are designed to help low-income students and working adults to enter high-demand careers quickly. To ensure strong outcomes, approved programs must meet clear performance measures.

375. 2:07:33

     These includes at least a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and earnings exceeding 150% above the poverty level. The federal program is scheduled to begin disperse, dispense, dispensing the funds in July 2026. Passage of House Bill 1345 now is necessary to establish program approval, allow institutions to qualify, and ensure Georgia is ready when funding becomes available. This bill is an implementation measure, not a new spending program.

376. 2:08:07

     It brings federal workforce dollars into Georgia, expands a- access to rapid job training, supports low-income Georgians seeking career advancement, and helps employers fill critical workforce shortages. Most importantly, timely passage ensures that Georgia does not leave available federal d- dollars on the table. And with that, Mr. Speaker, I will take questions.

377. 2:08:32

     Lady has a question. Representative Berry to your, right down the center to your left.

378. 2:08:37

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the gentlelady, you-

379. 2:08:39

     Yes.

380. 2:08:39

     Thank you for this bill. Um, just one quick question. Will the state track the completion rates and the job placements as part of this program?

381. 2:08:46

     I'm, I'm sorry, I didn't hear that.

382. 2:08:48

     Will the state track the completion rates and the job placement data part of this program?

383. 2:08:52

     Yes. So they do have the programs that are offered, and the institutions that offer these programs have to meet that croter- teria in order to obtain the funds.

384. 2:09:01

     Great question. Thank you.

385. 2:09:02

     Th- thank you.

386. 2:09:04

     Lady has no further questions.

387. 2:09:06

     Thank you, and I respectfully ask for your favorable consideration, and I yield the will.

388. 2:09:10

     Good job. Thank you for bringing the bill. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question's ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

389. 2:09:56

     Have all members voted? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of House Bill 1345, the yays are 168, the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Members, let's take out one more, and then we're gonna break for lunch. We'll have some announcements, and then we'll break for lunch. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 1446?

390. 2:10:29

     House Bill 1446 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd and others being entitled an act to amend Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to emergency medical services so as to transfer responsibility for the oversight of the emergency medical services from the Department of Public Health to the Georgia Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Council. This bill having been referred to the Committee on Regulated Industries, that committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute.

391. 2:11:01

     Chairman Rob Leverett is recognized to present the bill. Chairman Leverett. Please give the gentleman your attention, please.

392. 2:11:09

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, I present House Bill 1446 to you. This bill, uh, uh, involves, um, EMS service. I'm sure we're all familiar with, uh, our local emergency medical, uh, services and the valuable, uh, service that they provide and the role they play in our healthcare system. Uh, in order to help local agencies provide that valuable service, the state maintains the state office of EMS that is currently part of the Department of Public Health, and the personnel in that office do a wonderful job.

393. 2:11:41

     Uh, they, they just are, are excellent at helping our local EMS services deliver, uh, service to our communities. But, uh, I would suggest that DPH has never been really a great fit for EMS, and EMS has never been a great fit for DPH. Um, moreover, there's currently no direct involvement by local, uh, officials who are involved in the direct provision of that service or other stakeholders in, uh, sort of the governance of EMS in the state, licensing, uh, setting standards, training standards, and service, uh, delivery standards.

394. 2:12:16

     So what this bill would do is it would take the, it would create, first of all, the, um, state, um, uh, Office of Emergency Medical Service and Trauma. Uh, it would create a council, I'm sorry, that council, and then would move the current state office of EMS out of DPH under that council. The council would be appointed by the governor and by the speaker and by the lieutenant governor. We're, we're trying to work on making sure that would be, um, include all stakeholders. Would be, uh, primarily populated by people that, that are on the regional EMS councils, the REMSACs.

395. 2:12:51

     Um, and then the state office would be moved under that council, and other associated tasks that the state EMS office does would also be moved to the council. And then we make just a number of other conforming changes to the code. So the intention is we're not really ... O- other than that structural change, we're not making any substantive policy changes with respect to EMS standards. I will tell you the statute is, is pretty old. I don't think it's been touched in a long time, and so there is some cleanup needed but we're saving that for another time. This is simply trying to create that council and then it would be administratively assigned to the Department of Community Health.

396. 2:13:27

     The reason for that choice is DCH already is involved in EMS 'cause they process a lot of the Medicaid payments, m- many of which are used to fund, uh, EMS service. So that is ... It's a lengthy bill, but that in, in a crux is what the bill does and I would, um, would appreciate your support and will stand for any questions.

397. 2:13:46

     Gentleman yields. He has a question from Representative Romman, up on your left, up the center.

398. 2:13:51

     Does the gentleman yield?

399. 2:13:52

     Absolutely. Yes, ma'am.

400. 2:13:53

     Thank you, sir. I actually have a few questions. So the first one is what kind of conversations have happened around this bill? Because it seems like a pretty big change in such a short amount of time.

401. 2:14:02

     It, it is. I've, I've had a number of conversations with different stakeholders. Concerns have been expressed and I do plan to try to deal with those, but I want to keep the initiative alive for this year. I will say this has been an issue that I have been having conversations with, uh, numerous EMS officials from across the state since I was first elected in 2000.

402. 2:14:22

     Yeah, um, so does gentleman further yield?

403. 2:14:24

     Yes, ma'am.

404. 2:14:24

     So I guess for me it's that if these concerns have been brought up, then wouldn't it make sense to maybe address some of them before we pass it today?

405. 2:14:33

     Well, um, if that is the legislative decision I'll, I will accept that. But, uh, my view is I, I would like to do something this year because this has been an issue that a number of people have been advocating for for many, many years. Um, and so I would like to keep the initiative alive.

406. 2:14:49

     All right. Thank you so much.

407. 2:14:50

     Thank you.

408. 2:14:52

     Representative Cannon to your left is recognized. Park Cannon.

409. 2:14:56

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Do you yield?

410. 2:14:58

     Yes, ma'am.

411. 2:14:59

     I wanted to ask about particularly the requirements around infant CPR requirements that currently exist. Not to belabor the point, but I've had a constituent who reached out to EMS. They arrived, they did not know how to do the infant CPR and now they have a nonprofit for that lost child. And I've been researching this and have started to realize there are a number of paramedics and EMS individuals that actually do not know how to do infant CPR.

412. 2:15:34

     Does this help at all with that issue?

413. 2:15:36

     It ... Well, no ma'am. I don't, I don't know that it would directly, although I would submit to you that having a council of people who are in the field would allow the current state regulation to be more responsive to concerns like you've expressed. I, I don't particularly do anything here with respect to that topic of infant CPR, but that's certainly one I'd be delighted to work on with you. Thank you.

414. 2:16:00

     Representative Corrier to your left is recognized for a question.

415. 2:16:07

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Gentleman, yield?

416. 2:16:09

     Absolutely.

417. 2:16:10

     Thank you. Uh, I was just wondering if you've given thought to how the new council would work with hospitals when designating, uh, trauma and, uh, stroke centers.

418. 2:16:23

     Well, I mean, the intention is they would continue to work in the same manner that the state office currently does. Um, and so there's ... Again, we're, we're not intending to, uh, change any of those current processes or procedures.

419. 2:16:37

     Thank you.

420. 2:16:38

     Thank you.

421. 2:16:39

     Gentleman want to yield? You have a couple more. Representative DeLoach to your right.

422. 2:16:43

     I'll yield to Chairman DeLoach 'cause I know what's good for me.

423. 2:16:47

     Thank you very much for yielding. Isn't it true that in the subcommittee we had a very robust discussion about this bill, and we heard from a number of the stakeholders and others that had an interest in this bill? So it has been very thoroughly vetted, is that not true?

424. 2:17:10

     I, I would agree with the gentleman's assessment, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for the question.

425. 2:17:17

     Gentleman, yield for another question?

426. 2:17:18

     I'll yield for one more and then I expect we all want to go to lunch, Mr. Speaker.

427. 2:17:21

     I knew you would take that last one because you respect your elders. There's no doubt about that. Representative Petrea is recognized for a question to your left.

428. 2:17:30

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

429. 2:17:32

     Yes, sir.

430. 2:17:33

     Sir, is it not true that I have some concerns about this measure 'cause it's moved so quickly and indeed only one of these 14 council members, as I understand it, will be from a private EMS? We have many EMS providers across the state who are private and, uh, and is it not true that I have some real concerns about that?

431. 2:17:52

     Uh, a- as the gentleman states, I, I don't doubt that he's aware of his own concerns so I would agree and I would say that is a concern that's been expressed to me and we're trying to work through that issue as well and to address those concerns. The, the desire here is not to, uh, impose any substantive change in policy. It's just to allow more control by people providing the service.

432. 2:18:17

     Well, Mr. Speaker, um, uh, I, I know, uh, the speaker's already announced what comes after me so I don't wanna keep, uh, folks away from that any further. I will yield the will and would ask your favorable consideration and would just remind everybody, um, as they once said, "If you, if you can't be kind, at least try to be a little vague." Thank you.

433. 2:18:37

     Well, we won't be vague on this one because we have some, a member who wants to speak against the bill and that's Representative Devan Seabaugh is recognized to oppose the bill. Please give the gentleman in the will your attention. Thank you for your presentation.

434. 2:18:52

     Representative Seabaugh is recognized.

435. 2:18:57

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the House. I've been a paramedic for 40 years. I work for private- I work for hospital-based ambulance services. And I rise not to oppose the goal of improving emergency medical services in Georgia, but to urge this body to slow down and make sure that we get this right. EMS are one of the most critical parts of our public safety system. When someone dials 911 because their spouse is having a heart attack, when their child is injured in a crash, when a stroke patient needs immediate care, EMS is the bridge between that emergency and the hospital doors.

436. 2:19:41

     Quite simply, it is the difference between life and death. House Bill 1446 proposes a major restructuring of how EMS is governed in our state. It moves oversight from Georgia Department of Public Health to a newly created Georgia EMS and Trauma Council. It changes regulatory authority, regional governance, and potentially how ambulance service territories are managed across Georgia. And this is not a small change.

437. 2:20:13

     That is a sweeping change to a system that serves every citizen of this state. And when we make sweeping changes to a life-saving system, we must do so carefully, deliberately, and with the input of the people who operate it every day. Across Georgia, EMS is delivered in many different ways. In some communities, it is provided by fire departments. In others, it is provided by hospital-based systems. And in many parts of our state, if you've heard, especially r- rural and urban Georgia, it is provided by private ambulance providers who have invested millions of dollars in ambulances, equipment, bases, and personnel.

438. 2:20:56

     These systems did not appear overnight. They were built over decades to meet the unique needs of their communities. Changing the governance of EMS affects more than just regulators in Atlanta. It affects paramedics and EMTs, it affects hospitals and trauma centers, it affects local governments, and most importantly, it affects patients who rely on that system during the worst moments of their life. Many stakeholders across Georgia have raised concerns about this legislation, concerns about how ambulance service territories could be affected, concerns about how regional EMS systems will function, concerns about whether the governance structure provides clear leadership and accountability.

439. 2:21:44

     Those concerns deserve to be heard, they deserve to be discussed, and they deserve to be addressed before we move forward. Mr. Speaker, EMS does not operate in isolation. It is deeply connected to our hospitals, our trauma network, our stroke care systems, our disaster response infrastructure. Changes to EMS governance must be coordinated with those systems to avoid unintended consequences. Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in our nation.

440. 2:22:15

     Our EMS system is already facing challenges, workforce shortages, increasing call volumes, hospital offload delays, and rising operational cost. Addressing those challenges requires collaboration with the people on the front lines of emergency care. The prudent step today is not to rush forward with sweeping structural changes. The prudent step is to bring those stakeholders together to listen, to refine this legislation, which the author has agreed to do, and to ensure that any reform we adopt actually strengthens Georgia's EMS system.

441. 2:22:53

     Holding this bill for further discussion is not about stopping progress. It is about making sure the progress we pursue is the right one. Our goal should be clear. A modern EMS system,

442. 2:23:10

     a stable EMS system, an accountable EMS system, and a coordinated EMS system, and capable of delivering life-saving care to every corner of Georgia, from the heart of Atlanta to the mountains of North Georgia, to the rural communities of South Georgia. Because when a citizen dials 911, they should never have to wonder whether the system behind that call is stable, reliable, and ready. Mr. Speaker, for that reason, I respectfully ask this body to allow additional time for discussion with stakeholders across our state bef- for moving forward with such a significant restructuring of Georgia's emergency medical services system.

443. 2:23:51

     And for that reason, I will vote no to moving forward at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will. The gentleman has yielded the will. That completes those that are opposed to House Bill 1446. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? We will now have time for chairman's time. Chair of the committee from which it came, Regulated Industries, Chairman Powell is recognized.

444. 2:24:22

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, I'm gonna yield the chairman's time to the honorable man from Elbert County. The gentleman has up to 19 minutes and 53 seconds. Gentleman's recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll only take 19 minutes and 51 seconds. Um, ladies and gentlemen, I just wanna briefly address those concerns, and I respect them very greatly. I've already met with some people from f- that represent private ambulance service providers, and I acknowledge that we can do some additional things to address their concerns.

445. 2:24:55

     But I don't wanna kill the legislation this year. I'd like to keep it moving if possible. And I would tell you already there is a provision in the bill for representation on the council-

446. 2:25:05

     By private providers and they tend to populate the REMS ACs pretty robustly because they do provide a lot of the EMS service around the state. And REMS AC, people own, that are chairing REMS ACs are currently in the bill, um, to, to populate the council. So there's going to be a good bit of private, uh, service representation on the council. And to the extent we need to make that express, I'm certainly willing to consider that. I just obviously don't have time to consider it on this side of the building.

447. 2:25:37

     Um, so I, I, I respect that. Um, I would say that I believe just about to a person, your EMS services in your jurisdictions support the bill. Now, some of the private folks are concerned. I've met with them already. Many of the concerns they expressed were actual s- existing statutes. They were not new things we're doing in the bill because we're really not doing anything in terms of a substantive policy change. So I, I would still ask your support for this bill. Uh, I believe it's much needed.

448. 2:26:09

     I think even the private carers do support having a council. Um, and so I, I believe there's consensus that we need to make some changes with respect to sort of the overall, uh, governing structure and the structure of the state office as well. So I would ask your favorable support of the bill. Mr. Speaker, thank you and I yield the will.

449. 2:26:29

     Gentleman usually wi- yield the will. That completes the, uh, discussion on House Bill 1446. Previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

450. 2:27:24

     Have all members voted?

451. 2:27:28

     For what purpose does Representative McCullough rise?

452. 2:27:33

     Permit me to inquire, Mr. Speaker.

453. 2:27:34

     State your inquiry, sir.

454. 2:27:36

     Is it not true that peace officers answer to Peace Officer Standard and Training and firefighters answer to Georgia Firefighter Standard and Training? Shouldn't EMS have the same thing as a 20-year firefighter EMT?

455. 2:27:51

     I'm sure the gentleman is very familiar and he knows of what he speaks and believes of what he speaks. For what purpose does Representative Sharper rise?

456. 2:27:59

     Parliamentary inquiry.

457. 2:28:01

     State your inquiry.

458. 2:28:02

     Is it not true that I've been in EMS for over 35 years, and I think, uh, looking at the bill and everything that's going on with it, that it's kind of something that we don't, do not want to tackle at this moment, and, uh, we look at it in the future possibility. But at this particular time, there's not been enough, um, uh, information and also getting with a lot of the EMS, uh, people in the State of Georgia. So we're not ready for this. Thank you.

459. 2:28:30

     I'm sure the gentleman believes what he speaks and his vote reflects that. Have all members voted? All members have voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of House Bill 1446, the yays are 52, the nays are 114. This bill having failed to receive the requisite constitu- constitutional majority, therefore fails.

460. 2:28:56

     I just got a motion to reconsider.

461. 2:29:17

     For what purpose does Representative Leverett?

462. 2:29:20

     Make a motion.

463. 2:29:22

     State your motion.

464. 2:29:23

     I move that the House reconsider its vote on, uh, House Bill 1146, uh, 1446, excuse me.

465. 2:29:29

     Now is the t- time for the gentleman to pursue the motion. To move the, to move the motion. The gentleman moves. The gentleman moves. On the gentl- gentleman's motion that the House reconsider its action in giving, in failing to give House Bill 1446 a majority. All those in favor will, in favor of reconsideration will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

466. 2:30:20

     Have all members voted? All members voted. On the motion, the clerk will unlock the machine. On the motion to reconsider House Bill 1446, the yays are 107, the nays are 62. The motion carries and the House has reconsidered its action. And that bill, we, will recon- be reconsidered today, so the work will take place today to, if we move forward with a further vote on the issue.

467. 2:30:53

     That concludes our rules calendar for the morning. We have a couple of announcements. Let me make one first. The kickball game.

468. 2:31:02

     Yes.

469. 2:31:03

     Yep, yep. Kickball game is Monday the 9th. Uh, at 5:00 PM over at the Georgia State Stadium. So if you, uh, don't forget to bring your paraphernalia if you wanna participate in that kickball game. But we'll talk more about it on Monday. But if we, if you go home, you need to, um, bring your paraphernalia. And also, we're gonna put page photos up on the board. We're gonna take page photos during our lunch break.

470. 2:31:29

     So if y'all would ...

471. 2:31:32

     So if y'all would join us up here, we'll get the page photos. We'll have some announcements now. We'll start with Chairman Parish for an announcement.

472. 2:32:03

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, Rules Committee, I'd like to ask you to meet me at 1:45 in room 341 at 1:45. Thank you.

473. 2:32:16

     Chairman Powell recognized for an announcement.

474. 2:32:22

     Would the members of the Regulated Industries Committee come over to room 606 LLB. We have a short meeting, and then you can get on about playing kickball.

475. 2:32:34

     Gotta stay focused. Vice Chair Hong is recognized for an announcement.

476. 2:32:42

     Majority Caucus will have a huddle and a lunch in room 403 when we break for lunch. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

477. 2:32:54

     Chairman Hatchett, you may wanna listen to this one, is recognized for an announcement.

478. 2:33:00

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All the members of Appropriations, so you hear it before it's late in the day, we will be meeting at 9:00 AM Monday morning. 9:00 AM we'll begin subcommittees, and we'll go into the full committee when the subcommittees are through, and hopefully we will be in Rules later that day. Thank you.

479. 2:33:27

     For planning purposes, purposes, member, I think the majority leader's motion a little bit later is gonna be this House will come back into session, or come, session will begin at 1:00 PM on Monday. So that kinda gives you the lay of the land with this, with the Rules Committee meet- excuse me, with the Appropriations Committee meeting. Okay. That completes our announcements. This House will stand in recess until 2:15 PM today. 2:15 PM today.

480. 2:33:58

     Stand in recess.