Comité Appropriations de la Cámara de Representantes, 9 de marzo de 2026

Transcripción

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

1. 0:14:27

   Good morning.

2. 0:14:39

   Good morning.

3. 0:14:40

   What's up, TK? You good, baby?

4. 0:14:42

   I'll take it here.

5. 0:14:45

   Just waiting. Go around the table and kind of squeeze it out.

6. 0:14:57

   Well, good morning.

7. 0:14:58

   Good morning.

8. 0:15:00

   Seems like we were just here a few mornings ago. I wanna thank y'all all for being here this morning bright and early, even though session doesn't start at 1:00, for us to kick off and do our only constitutionally required responsibility, and that's pass the budget. So with that, we're gonna ask Representative Gambill if he will open us up with a word of prayer.

9. 0:15:31

   Thank you, Chairman. Let's pray. Lord, we thank you for today. God, I just pray that you would, uh, lead, guide, and direct all of us as we assess the budget and give us wisdom and guidance. Be with our families as we're away. And, uh, we just pray that you would help us to have a good week, and everybody stay healthy. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

10. 0:15:52

    Thank you. And for a reminder, those watching and those in here, as we finish each section of the budget presentation from each subcommittee chairman, we will move into the next committee that's, that you'll see on, posted online and the schedule. So that being said, we will start off with Chairman Gullett.

11. 0:16:14

    Thank you, Chairman.

12. 0:16:18

    All right, we're gonna call, uh, Appropriations to judicial order. Um, and before we get started, you'll notice that, um, throughout the budget there are small changes to things like reducing funds, uh, to reflect employer contribution rate for state health benefit plan, um, from 29.454 to 20.674%. Uh, we had to add these things in because our budget isn't overseen by the OPB, um, and they don't review or touch anything with the judicial branch. Um, this is just a pass-through. So these changes are made throughout state government.

13. 0:16:50

    We add them here in this committee, uh, but I won't be calling them out each time. Um, just wanted to mention it here to start. All right, so let's get started. Um, appeals court, Section 5, 5.1.8, increased funds for judges' salaries pursuant to OCGA 4574. Uh, the subcommittee did not move forward with that increase and moved the total funds to $0. 5.1.11, increased funds for the one-time purchase of a judicial security vehicle. Uh, the change was to 46,753, and that's a true up to the actual vehicle cost.

14. 0:17:26

    Section 6, Judicial Council, we'll start at 6.4. 6.4.7, increased funds for civil legal services for families and indigent patients. Um, Judicial Council asked us to remove that funding for this budget cycle as they're struggling to find attorneys. Total funds went to $0. 6.4.8, increased funds for, to contract with council on superior court judges, PAC, and public offenders for the purpose of speeding up the adjudication of individuals held in county jails charged with crimes specifically related to state prison contraband.

15. 0:17:59

    Currently, there are more than 100 inmates in county jails who've been arrested for, uh, for prison drop-offs via drones. This is a pilot program to get these cases adjudicated so that we'll stop, uh, and hopefully filling up these county jails. The total funds are $1 million. Uh, the JQC, 6.5.5, increased funds for person, personnel for a fourth full-time attorney for the JQC. Uh, we agreed for this funding and added funding for a fifth attorney. In 2025, the council had, uh, 2,083 complaints, an increase of 25% over the previous year, uh, and that trend has been similar in previous years.

16. 0:18:38

    Total funds were increased to $335,228. Georgia Statewide Business Court, 6.8.2, increased funds to increase judges' salary to a maximum authorized salary per OCGA 4574, uh, which also includes annualization increases consistent with appropriations effective this past January. Uh, the subcommittee did not, did include the annual- annualization amount, but did not move forward with a salary increase, which moved the total funds to $22,271.

17. 0:19:09

    Georgia Tax Court, 6.10.1, uh, matched salary to mirror that of Statewide Business Court and increased funds to judges' salary to maximize, a maximum authorized. Uh, like previously, the subcommittee did include the annualization amount and the salary match, but did not move forward with a salary increase, which moved the funds to three thou- $346,517. 6.10.3, increased funds for one court administrator. Total funds, $95,054.

18. 0:19:39

    6.10.4, increased funds for operating expenses. Total funds, $45,000. 6.10.5, increased funds for the software maintenance and equipment. Total funds of $15,000, which includes a one-time amount of $5,000. And 6.10.6, increased funds for contracts. Uh, this is a contract with AOC and potential accusal needs. The total funds are $82,000. Section 7, Juvenile Court Judges, there are no changes other than the small adjustments I mentioned before.

19. 0:20:10

    Section 8, Prosecuting Attorneys. Um, conflict cases, 8.1.5, provide funds for a one-step increase. It's kind of, you'll just see this throughout, uh, the prosecuting attorneys section. Uh, the subcommittee did not fund this one-step increase this funding year, so the total went to $0. But Uh, you hear this often, eight point one point six, provide funds for year two of a revised pay scale for attorneys. We did keep this in the budget this year, which works out much better for the attorneys, um, salary-wise.

20. 0:20:41

    Eight point one point seven, total funds from the Conflict Case Program to PAC program to reflect alignment. This is a transfer of one of, uh, four attorneys, one investigator, one victim advocate, and one admin. Total funds are being zeroed out after our adjustments. The new total is one million four hundred and sixty thousand nine hundred and ninety-one dollars. District attorneys, eight point three point three, provide funds to implement a new salary structure for elected district attorneys. The subcommittee didn't fully agree to the full funding request of the legislat-- and the legislation did not pass the House before crossover.

21. 0:21:14

    However, we did move the district attorney salary up to a hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars effective January first, twenty-twenty seven. That's a significant increase from their current salary of a hundred and thirty-two thousand four hundred and seventy-three dollars. It will also ensure that all elected DAs will make more than their ADAs. With these changes, the total funds are one million five hundred and seventy thousand five hundred and eighty-four dollars. Eight point three point four, provide funds for a one-step increase for ADAs. Um, as we did earlier, the subcommittee did not-- decided not to fund this one-step increase this funding year.

22. 0:21:48

    But eight point three point nine provided funds for year two of the revised pay scale for ADAs. Uh, we kept this in the budget, which again works out much better. It will move the starting pay to seventy-eight thousand dollars for class one, step one, and goes up to a hundred and fifty-seven thousand dollars for those at the top of the scale. Start date is January first, twenty-twenty seven, and the total funds are now five million seven hundred twenty-three thousand five hundred and eighteen dollars. Eight point three point ten, provide funds for three additional ADA positions for new judgeships effective January first.

23. 0:22:21

    Uh, subcommittee agreed with that and also added the fourth judgeship for the Atlanta Circuit. This moved up the total to four hundred and three dollar-- four hundred and three thousand dollars, um, and four hundred and twenty. I'm sorry, four hundred and three thousand four hundred and twenty dollars. Prosecuting Attorneys Council, eight point four point five, provide funds for one-step increase for attorneys. Just like before, we didn't agree with that funding. That went to zero dollars. But eight point four point six, provide funds for year two of the revised scale. That total funds as requested are three hundred and twenty-seven thousand six hundred and eighty-six dollars.

24. 0:22:53

    Eight point four point eight, transfer funds from the conflict program. This is something we just mentioned in eight point one point seven. Total funds are one million four hundred and sixty thousand nine hundred and ninety-one dollars. Eight point four point nine, increase funds to reflect an increase in employer retirement contributions for elected solicitors generals and staff in both Bibb and DeKalb Counties. This is something that had been absorbed by PAC previous years, uh, but we needed to address it this year. Total funds were a hundred and thirty-two thousand five hundred and eleven dollars. Um, onto section nine.

25. 0:23:23

    Nine point three point twelve, provide funds to increase Superior Court judge salaries to maximum allowed. Uh, like the previous request for judges, subcommittee did not move forward with that increase and moved the total funds to zero dollars. Nine point three point fourteen, funds for creation of one additional judgeship at Middle Circuit, Middle Circuit, Northeastern Circuit, Gwinnett Circuit, and the Atlanta Circuit. Effective date will be January first, twenty-twenty seven, uh, at an annual salary of two hundred one thousand and sixty dollars. All four of these items, this is nine point three point fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, and nineteen.

26. 0:23:56

    Uh, the total funds for each of those is two hundred and sixty-nine thousand two hundred and sixty dollars. Supreme Court, ten point one point six, provide funds to increase justice salaries to a maximum authorized permitted, uh, and it includes annualization of salary. Um, we agreed to the annualization of salary, uh, but not, not to the, uh, authorizing the maximum allowed salary for the judges. Total funds are now three hundred and sixty-six thousand six hundred and twelve dollars. Ten point one point ten, provide funds for a one-time purchase of a judicial secur-security vehicle for Judicial Protection Services.

27. 0:24:29

    Change is forty-six thousand seven hundred, I'm sorry, forty-six thousand seven hundred and fifty-three dollars. That's the actual vehicle cost. Um, Public Defender's Council, section thirty-seven. Thirty-seven point two point five, increase, uh, funds to offset the loss of ARPA funds for multi-defendant cases. While we understand the ask, the subcommittee did not believe we should be annualizing state dollars that act-- that originally came as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. As such, we moved the total funds to zero dollars and look forward to working with the Public Defender's Council to lower the number of multi-defendant cases the council seems to be plagued with.

28. 0:25:05

    Thirty-seven point two point six, increase funds to align, to align assistant public defender salaries to assistant district attorney salaries. Uh, this is a big win, um, in the pay parity issue that we worked on all summer. Um, this committee, um, has really made that a focus of our, of our team and, and our efforts. Uh, we tried to raise the salaries, uh, in the amended budget, but the director told the Senate it was more important to address the conflict case funding gap. This will bring the salary structure, uh, in line with, um, the public def-- with the, uh, s- district attorney's starting salary.

29. 0:25:40

    It will start at seventy-eight thousand dollars, um, and you'll see that in eight point three point nine. This is all dependent on the Public Defender Council adopting the pay structure plan, which I believe they finally did that. Uh, the starting date for the new salaries is January first. The total fund moves to seven million eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Thirty-seven point two point eight, increase funds to set circuit public defender salaries to a hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars effective January first, twenty-twenty seven. Uh, this has been added in order to match the new proposed elected, elected district attorney salaries in line eight point three point three.

30. 0:26:16

    Um, that's all the changes we have here, um, and concludes our, uh, committee changes to HB nine seventy-four. Do I have a motion? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. I have a motion and a second. All in favor say, "Aye." Aye. Any opposed? All right. This committee is adjourned.

31. 0:26:39

    Thank you.

32. 0:27:32

    Good morning. Uh, this, I'm gonna call to order the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Uh, and we'll do the walkthrough. Uh, page one, section four, Department of Audits and Accounts. Department of Audits is the legislative branch agency, so we entered the statewide changes. You can see those adds on 4.1.1 through 4.1.3 and through 4.2.4 and 4.4.1 through 4.4.3.

33. 0:28:04

    4.1.8, we recommend a little over 1.6 million for the Department of Audits to assume responsibility for public school audits over a three-year period. State Accounting Offices, no changes. Department of Administrative Services, no changes. Going to page seven, section 14, Department of Banking and Finance, 14.1.6, we provide eighty-two thousand for unexpected increase in the agency's rent.

34. 0:28:36

    Department of Driver Services, no changes. Office of the Governor, no changes. Going to page 13, section 29, Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, 29.5.3, we annualize a reduction that was initiated in the, uh, fiscal year twen- uh, amended fiscal year '26 budget. Going to page 15, section 32, Department of Labor, 32.1.5, we recommend six hundred forty thousand to fund call center enhantmen- enhancements that were initially funded in the amended fiscal year '26 budget.

35. 0:29:16

    32.3.3, we trued up funding amount for 15 customer service positions based on a change to the benefit rate, but make no changes through actual add of 15 positions. Going to page 16, section 34, Department of Natural Resources, 34.3.4, we provide one million to the air emissions program to delay a fiscal shortfall.

36. 0:29:46

    34.7.4, which is on page 17, uh, we restore a- and maintain three hundred thousand for the Sam Short Line Railroad. 34.7.5 and 34.7.6, we recommend a little over 3.3 million for outdoor recreation and historic preservation projects. 34.9.6, we provide two hundred seventy-eight thousand for contractual services, positions, and vehicles due to an increase in applications for the Georgia Conservancy Tax Program.

37. 0:30:22

    34.9.7, we include five hundred thousand for Public-Private Feral Hog Pilot Management Program. State Properties, no changes. Uh, De- Department of Revenue, uh, we provide, and, uh, this is on page 20. 42.2.3, we provide one million to the Forest Land Protection Grant Program to help offset a projected shortfall.

38. 0:30:49

    Page 24.

39. 0:30:50

    Page 24, 43.9, Professional Engineers and Lurs- Land Surveyors Board, uh, which is attached to the Secretary of State's office. 43.9.2, we provide four hundred and thirteen thousand eighty-three dollars for a safety and compliance specialist, an attorney, and to cover human resources and financial services fee. State Board of Workers' Compensation, no changes. Is there a motion to accept?

40. 0:31:20

    Motion.

41. 0:31:21

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

42. 0:31:22

    Second.

43. 0:31:23

    Got a second. All in favor say aye.

44. 0:31:26

    Aye.

45. 0:31:26

    Opposed? All right, that motion carries. We stand adjourned.

46. 0:32:21

    Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for being here. I'll call this meeting to order, and we will dive right in. We're in section 22 in DECAL. We'll start on 22.3.9. This is increasing funds to expand our extended day program, uh, which adds about 1,300 new CAP spots and provides for a wider income range to serve students. And 22.3.10, this is expanding our Rising Pre-K program that we've seen such good success with over the last number of years.

47. 0:32:55

    22.3.11, currently we do not fund PTO for our teachers there in pre-K, and so we're adding five days of, of paid leave for our pre-K leads and assistant teachers. And then 22.3.12, this summer transition program, that- that's an expansion, uh, to add, uh, 30 additional classrooms. Again, this is a, a program that's proven pretty strong in results. If you'll go with me to 24, section 24 in ag ed, we have a couple of adds at 1.6 and 1.7 that are repairs for, uh, FFA that, that are needed there.

48. 0:33:34

    And then 24.1.8 just expands our direct student services, freeing up, uh, fundraising dollars accordingly. A couple of adds, 24.2.6, two financial review positions. This will strengthen the monitoring of school districts' financial health. I, I'm excited about this because this will be very proactive in looking at day-to-day operations. And then 24.2.7, these are... This is an additional position that'll help make sure that transportation needs in the districts are met.

49. 0:34:06

    Both of those are really workload balancing issues, adding staff where necessary. If you'll look with me, 24.3.6, we're gonna add a chief financial turnaround officer and a statewide attendance officer. Um, this is... I- if you think about it, we're gonna look, that chief financial turnaround officer will be focused on those school districts that are at the highest risk of, of problem and, and questions at hand. We don't wanna see problems as we have in the past continue. And then the statewide attendance officer will be focused on chronic absenteeism, absenteeism issues at the district level and how they can support, um, accordingly.

50. 0:34:46

    24.4.5, this house has been committed to our completion schools, and this will, uh, maintain our planning grant for that next completion school in the, uh, metro Augusta area. 24.6.6, if you all remember, we talked in the amended budget each and every year about the increased demand for AP and PSAT exams and how that we're funding those from a catch-up standpoint in the amended, and so we're annualizing those here, uh, uh, on 24.6.6 based on actual, um, usage.

51. 0:35:18

    24.11.1 is, is not a change, but I would like to point out that this is part of this house's larger commitment to literacy, and these, this is recognizing what we've done previously in the budget with our RESA-based coaches. 24.12.7, as Chairman Dickey has advocated for for an extensive amount of time, our character education program through Leader in Me that's been so successful across the state will see an expansion. And then 24.12.9, this house has been very dedicated to looking at vision and hearing screening equipment for all districts.

52. 0:35:53

    This is one-time funding that'll provide a $15,000 payment to each district across the str- state to physically buy, uh, that equipment. 24.13.5 is a, is a summer feeding program, uh, that we've looked at, SunBucks. This will allow federal matching dollars to come down and will provide pretty substantial, uh, funding for those students who need a little extra in the way of, of food when they're not in school during the summer.

53. 0:36:25

    If you'll go with me to 24.15 under Pupil Transportation, uh, 15.2, .3, .4, and .5, that's really helping to replace outda- and update, uh, out-of-cycle buses and, uh, including adding a filtration system there that's very much needed. 24.8.11, you've all waited. Uh, here is the first down payment on the literacy bill that we passed this year that will provide, um, uh, again, a down payment on 1,313, coincidentally, reading coaches to be placed in all K-3 schools.

54. 0:37:00

    24.21.2, our school nurses saw a decrease in funding based on actual enrollment and, and formula funding. This House has said that we will hold that harmless and maintain our funding for school nurses. If you'll go with me to 24.25.3, in the same vein, uh, we're adding money for our sc- school social workers, bringing, uh, that total to $5 million to focus specifically on those districts that don't have a social worker.

55. 0:37:33

    And then just below it at 24.25.5, we are expanding our BOOST program and, and program that we've seen tremendous amount of success with. 24.26.6, as you all know, we've prioritized in this subcommittee the, our heavy equipment simulator grants and providing funding to expand that program. We will continue that here. In 24.26.7, we're marrying, um, coding literacy programs and AI to fund a new program, uh, that should drive a lot of success as it parlays into our literacy initiatives.

56. 0:38:10

    And then speaking of which, if you'll go with me to 27.10.6, we will add additional program approval specialists to support our early literacy initiatives, and then 27.11.7, 8, and 9 are all additional adds to support our literacy bill and literacy initiatives. And last but certainly not least, 27.14.5, uh, this provides the professional development of our coaches and teachers that'll be needed to get tho- those coaches up and running, and then adding a director of literacy position in 27.14.6.

57. 0:38:48

    That completes all of our changes. Do we have a motion?

58. 0:38:54

    And motion, do we have a second? We have a second. All in favor say aye. Any opposed, same sign. Thanks so much. Motion carries. We stand adjourned. Good morning. I'll call this meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee over higher education to order. Thank you all for being here this morning. We'll dive right in under Section 41 on, uh, University System Board of Regents, starting with 41.1.6, is an increase to funds for the peanut breeding program and the cotton breeding program.

59. 0:40:04

    This is under the Agricultural Experiment Station, $160,000. Part of that money is moved over from the Cooperative Extension Service for the cotton breeder technician. Uh, if you go to 41.3.4, that re- that references the 80,000 that was transferred to the Ag Experiment Station. Going over, over to 41.9 under Georgia Research Alliance, 41.9.3 and 41.9.4 are two amounts. O- o- number one is for, uh, uh, $4.8 million.

60. 0:40:36

    That's an expansion of the Georgia Research Alliance, a very successful program that brings eminent scholars and a team and works together with industry as well as the university systems. This will bring their total base to $10 million a year. Part of this increase is due to the fact that there are currently eight organizations, eight universities in the Georgia Research Alliance. There's a desire to add Kennesaw State and Georgia Southern to bring that total to 10, 10 institutions. This is a recognition of the, the value of the program and the fact that an increase in the size will require, uh, ongoing, uh, funding.

61. 0:41:11

    Down at 41.9.4, you'll see a $3 million addition. That is, those are one-time funds. Uh, each time we re- recruit an eminent scholar and his or her team, there's a, a million dollars from the state budget and then a million from the, um, from the institution that just, it fund an endowment. The, the, the idea for the endowment over at Kennesaw State is for, uh, to be primarily focused on digital healthcare and human AI interactions. Um, we're working on forestry for both Georgia Southern and the School of Forestry at UGA for those, for the other two of those positions.

62. 0:41:44

    Under 41.10.3, under Georgia Tech Research Institute, there's, uh, uh, funding to improve, to continue improving the peanut inspection process, an incredibly large, uh, agricultural effort here in, in Georgia, and they've had some, uh, excellent exa- uh, expansions and improvements in that already, but this will help them complete their work. Um, if we go on over to 41.14.6, there's the PINES program, which is Public In- Information Network for Electronic Services. That supports our libraries.

63. 0:42:15

    For a long time, the cost of that program has been going up and our funding has been stable. This $584,000 increase helps make up that difference. Um, under 41.15.2, uh, this is a, this is continuing year two of a five-year program for the, uh, Institute of Civic Thought and Leadership at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Um, this is a program that has, uh, uh, been very beneficial, and it doesn't just affect Georgia Tech. There's endowments, I mean, the endowment supports and symposiums at various, uh, state colleges and universities as well.

64. 0:42:51

    Under 41.15.4, there's a $200,000 increase. It's, it's to increase funding that's already going on, but take, uh, taking it up by $200,000 at both the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech for PFAS removal and remediation efforts. On down under 41.16.3, under the Regent Central Office, there's a program of the Georgia Library Learning Online. It's, uh, specialty publications and journals, uh, research similar to the PINES program. There's been an increase in cost over the years and w- and our funding has not kept up.

65. 0:43:23

    This $350,000 number will, will assist with making up some of that difference. If you go to 41.16.4, uh, at the s- uh, Southern Region Education Board, what we wanna do is support student mental health, the Governor's Office of Student Health. This is for counselors to respond to significant public safety or natural dis- disaster accidents. That's a $10,000 funding there. If we can go on over to, uh, 41.18.8, uh, there's a, you can see a restoration of funding, um, uh, for some one-time funding to, uh, assist with historical publications.

66. 0:44:01

    We do have the 250th anniversary of the, of the nation as well as other historical events, so this is a restoration of, of that money for the historical publications. All right, and that will, uh, end it for the Board of Regents in higher education. If we can go on over to Student Finance Commission under, uh, Section 44, uh, under 41.3.1, there's some increase in funds in dual enrollment. Um, our number of 15,446,000 recognizes the $18 million increase we did, it just did in AFY 2026.

67. 0:44:34

    Dual enrollment is still continuing to, to grow, and we definitely wanna support that. Uh, if we go on over to 44.7.1 under the Heroes Scholarship, um, this is similar to several of our scholarships that have accumulated reserve because their base amount has, has created a reserve because their annual funding and distribution isn't as high as their annual amount. So you can see that $30,000 true-up on that scholarship, and you'll hear that on several others. That's a true-up on scholarships where the, where the reserves are more than adequate to meet, uh, really more than one year of the, uh, s- sometimes several years of the, uh, typical annual disbursement.

68. 0:45:13

    Down under Hope Scholarships, 44.11.1, there's an increase in funding to meet the need. We have a figure of 41,744,000. This basically recognizes the, uh, the amount that was done in, uh, FY26, um, and, uh, appropriates that on a basic need. Some of the money is, is moved over to the decal section of the budget because it affects, uh, uh, pre-K, the Department of Early Learning and Early Care and Learning.

69. 0:45:46

    Uh, so some of that money is moved over to another portion of the budget. If we look under, uh, 44.12.1, there's another, uh, true up similar to the Hero Scholarship, recognizing a $500,000 true up to, uh, because of the adequate reserves. Under the Promise Scholarship in 44, 44.15.1, there's a, uh, a reduction from the base funding, a true up of 71 million. This actually recognizes the, uh, 24 million that was spent last year.

70. 0:46:20

    We expect a lot of those students to go on and, and this budget's for a 30% increase in that to bring that up to, uh, since only 24 million was spent last year, this will bring that up to 71.8 million f- under, uh, Promise Scholarships. Under the Public Service Memorial Grant, 44.16.1, you see another true up on the, um, uh, recognition of the projected need and the adequate reserves. Uh, similar situations are under some of our service cancelable loans under 44.18.1.

71. 0:46:53

    The Peace Officers Loan Repayment Program has a $2.7 million true up. Um, more than adequate reserves exist as well for the typical amount. There is an increase of $4 million under 44.18.2. Uh, that's the Peace Officer Loan Repayment Program move, but also the p- Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable R- Loan Program. This is recognizing our, uh, s- severe need for, uh, uh, behavioral health specialists.

72. 0:47:23

    Uh, this is, um, uh, very important, th- established through House Bill 1013 a couple of years ago. Uh, under 44.18.3, there's an additional $300,000. This is to help address the, the s- uh, significant shortage, especially in agriculture, of veterinarians across the state. So it's a student loan repayment program for that. And that will complete it for Section 44, and we'll go to the final section of ours under Higher Ed. Section 46, Technical College System of Georgia under Adult Education, 44.1.4, are funds to establish the Adult Workforce High School Diploma Program, a $2.5 million appropriation.

73. 0:48:07

    Uh, going on down, uh, under, uh, the Technical College System under 46.5.8, our funding, is funding to implement a mobile alert pilot program at five technical colleges. That's an effort, recognizes two things, the importance of taking care of our technical students when it comes to schools to security, but also the significant number of high school students that are on campus at most of our technical college and systems, and we're certainly been, have, have expressed our dedication to that with our security assistance.

74. 0:48:38

    This is additional $450,000 to, to roll out this pilot program at five of the schools to see how it, um, uh, how the program benefits there. Under 46.5.9, they're one-time funds for an aviation welding program at Southern Crescent Technical College over in Griffin, Georgia, $950,000 for that. Have a great, uh, huge industry in the aircraft industry, and this supports the welding program. And, uh, over in 46.5.10, uh, Central Georgia Technical College, uh, basically it's a program to, to work with our high school students.

75. 0:49:14

    These are like non-degree programs to really improve our healthcare workforce, in particular starting early through our dual enrollment program, which I just mentioned. But this is $2.6 million to improve that program at Middle Georgia Regional STEM and Allied Health Academy. Also recognizes that there have been significant f- uh, private donations that have gotten that off the ground, and the state, uh, definitely wants to support that improvement. Under 46.5.11 is $150,000 to offer some support services to Southeastern Technical College in the Vidalia, Georgia area.

76. 0:49:47

    We're coming down under Workforce Development at 46.7.5. There's some increased funding of 500,000 for the High Demand Apprenticeship Program. This is basically due to the success of the program in meeting a lot of the employer needs in these, uh, for workforce in these high demand fields, and we have this additional $500,000 for that. And I believe at that, we will, that will complete the, uh, Subcommittee on Higher Education. Is there a motion we accept these changes from the c- a committee member?

77. 0:50:18

    Motion.

78. 0:50:19

    O- O- Okay. Is there a second?

79. 0:50:20

    Second.

80. 0:50:21

    All right. Uh, all in favor say, "Aye."

81. 0:50:25

    Aye.

82. 0:50:25

    Aye. Any opposed say, "No." All right. The, uh, that concludes that. That'll adjourn our committee.

83. 0:50:32

    Tough, tough crowd.

84. 0:51:35

    Morning, everybody. We're gonna call the, uh, subcommittee on transportation to order. And I will draw your attention first to, uh, f- to the couple changes we're making to the governor's recommendation. Uh, first 47, uh, point 1.2, uh, the airport aid base, we're increasing by $10 million, taking it from 30 million to 40 million. And this is, uh, uh, related to, uh, there's $96 million of, of airport aid request, and, uh, the base hasn't increased, uh, quick enough to keep up with, with the demand.

85. 0:52:13

    And, uh, we're funding airports at a far lower amount than our neighboring states. Um, next, I'll draw your attention to 47.11.4. Uh, we're increasing, um, um, rail by 2.5 million, and this is to provide sidetrack funding in North Georgia. Uh, that is, that concludes the changes we made, and if I have any, there's any questions, we'll take them. Um, if not-

86. 0:52:44

    Motion.

87. 0:52:44

    Do we have a motion? Oh, we have a motion. Do we have a second? I hear a second. All in favor say aye.

88. 0:52:50

    Aye.

89. 0:52:50

    Any opposed? All right. It's approved, and, uh, we'll adjourn this portion of the committee.

90. 0:53:57

    Good morning. I'll call, call to order the, um, subcommittee on human resources for appropriations, and we'll get started and move quickly through this. So if you will look with me on line 15.1.5, we're going to use opioid settlement funds to provide a continuum of programs, service, and supports for adults who have used opioids. Next, at 15.3.7, essentially the House will double the number of new waivers, uh, now and comp waivers recommended by the governor.

91. 0:54:29

    DBHDD projects to bring a thousand waivers with additional funds due to attrition. This is, uh, an add of, uh, 4 million, 4.6 million.

92. 0:54:44

    Next, at line 15.3.9, we'll increase the funds for the staffing to support those new and comprehensive waivers, uh, a half a million. Then, if you will look at line 15.3.10, this will be to expand the work of citizens advocacy, $100,000, a matchmaker fellowship program which strengthens oversight and connects those with IDD to community services.

93. 0:55:14

    This is a community nonprofit that is already working in our state. Next, at line 15.9.4, we'll increase the funds for the psychiatric residential facility discharge planning of $600,000. This will fund one staff at each of the state's six facilities to assess family needs and coordinate outpatient care to ensure a true smoother transition post-discharge.

94. 0:55:46

    Next, at 15.10.6, and you will see several of these as we move through this budget. This is to increase our hourly rates for our special assistant attorneys general, the SAGs, and their also, their paralegals that work with them. It will increase the SAG wage by $5 an hour and the paralegals by $4 an hour. This is an add of $14,000. Next. That... Oh, I'm sorry. I missed one.

95. 0:56:17

    Inc- Okay. Yeah. 15.10.7, to increase the funds, this is a brand-new add by the House, to create the Georgia Mental Health Consortium and expand workforce capacity. This funds a consultation model that uses psychiatric experts from medical schools to support primary care providers and behavioral health issues with patients. This came to us from the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission. It is an add of $200,000.

96. 0:56:52

    That is it for DBHDD. Next, we will go to the Department of Human Services. At line 28.2.4, this is to increase funds to expand services for at-risk girls. It will increase the services in middle Georgia for young ladies who are at risk of child welfare involvement through therapy, substance abuse prevention, and family support, expanding into every middle and high school in the Macon-Bibb area.

97. 0:57:25

    This is an add of $125,000. Next, at line 28.3.1. This will be to, um, for a program for integrated child welfare reporting, a system to connect mandated reporters and agencies by integrating local and state data systems to identify and respond to at-risk children. This is an add of three million dollars.

98. 0:57:55

    Next, at line 28.4.6, this will increase the funds for the attainment of child support for our out-of-state non-custodial parents at their request. This is for two specific groups, the amount of $444,000. $350,000 will go to Cobb and a little over $90,000 to DeKalb County to backfill cuts and maintain the operations of collecting this very important child support.

99. 0:58:25

    Next, at 28.5.5, you will see the same add again for our SAGS. At 28.5.6, we will increase the funds for the Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, a program that operates in each and every one of our counties. This addition will bring them to a total of one million dollars using the balance from the Children's Trust Fund already in the agency's base budget and an add of $178,000.

100. 0:58:56

     Next, at 28.5.7, to increase the funds to support reunification of existing foster children. This is an add of three million dollars. This will provide resources for youth at risk of returning to foster care. The program utilizes community volunteers and church partnerships to provide respite, parent mi- parent mentoring, service navigation, and behavioral health and criminal justice support. The existing pilot will be expanded statewide to serve 350 to 550 families.

101. 0:59:32

     Next, at line 28.5.8, we will transfer funds from the Department of Human Services to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the administration of the Child Advocacy Centers. This is with CJCC, and it will align with the current MOU.

102. 0:59:57

     Next, at 28.8.4, this will be another addition for SAGS. These particularly focused on elder abuse. 28.9.3 will increase the funds for Georgia Memory Net Service and Treatment Expansion. It will expand the Memory Net program focused on Alzheimer's and dementia, a network that already exists today through loss assessment clinics. It will allow the expansion into Central Georgia and supports the delivery of treatments. Next, at 28.9.4, providing funds for non-Medicaid home and community-based services.

103. 1:00:35

     This will fund 500 slots, 1.3 million, uh, that will provide those home-delivered meals, home modifications, and a watchful oversight opportunity for all that we possibly can who need those community-based services to stay in their home. Next at 28.9.5, to increase the funds for caregiver support services. This is an add of 2 million, also to fund services like respite, peer support, and adult daycare training for at least 2,500 caregivers.

104. 1:01:09

     It'll be managed by DHS through the Area Agencies on Aging.

105. 1:01:16

     Next at 28.12.6, the House will increase the funds for growth and costs of care. Um, it adds, excuse me, 48, a little, 48 million to address the deficit we face right now in out-of-home care. This will add $27 million to the total, and we hope, that's a third of the asked, requested, and needed amount, we hope that the Senate and governor will join us in helping to bring up that other two-thirds.

106. 1:01:49

     Next at 28.13.1, for out-of-school care services. This is for community youth wellness, $100,000 for after-school activities for at-risk youth in South Georgia. 28.13.2 will increase the funds to administer a summer nutrition program for eligible students in coordination with the Department of Education. It will provide summer meals at a total of about a million dollars corresponding with the Department of Education.

107. 1:02:21

     This program already exists in 37 states, and the federal drawdown will help us greatly. And I think I missed one on the page before. I'm so sorry. Let's come back to 28.11.6, to increase the funds for SNAP payment accuracy innovation effort to reduce the error rate. We know how important this is right now. I believe the House passed a bill to deal with this also. The addition will support a department plan to add 319 humans, eligibility staff, to su- as supervisors and administrators to address the error rate in a hands-on measure.

108. 1:03:02

     Next at 28.12.3, we'll eliminate the funds for one-time funding for essential, uh, supplies. So we are going to increase those funds actually that were eliminated. We're gonna add $300,000 restoring that to add for clothing and supplies for children and families in foster programs. 28.12.4 will, um, also increase the funds to pay, place foster youth closer to their biological families. This will restore the funding at about $10 a day to help- with the needs that are there.

109. 1:03:38

     It should help fund about three hundred and fifty kids and would help expand this program into Southeast and Southwest Georgia. And I believe I had already done twelve point six and thirteen point one and thirteen point two, so let's move forward. Sorry, the pages are sticking together a little bit. Twenty-eight point twenty-four point four, to increase the funds to supply new and used durable medical equipment and assistive technology.

110. 1:04:09

     This will be an add of forty-seven point nine thousand dollars for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, FODAC. This will support their new Griffin site, which is at the GVRA Georgia Industries for the Blind warehouse, meant to help with disaster response. Also, at twenty-eight point twenty-four point five, to increase the funds for family support services, the house will be adding four hundred thousand dollars. This is a twelve percent provider increase for providers across our state that support families with disabilities, including adult day services, vocational training, and respite.

111. 1:04:50

     This help serves those who are on now and comp wait list right now. Twenty-eight point twenty-four point six will increase the funds for independent living services by six hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. This item will provide those funds for peer counseling, skills training, home modification to help those with disabilities live independently in their homes and their community. That is it for human services.

112. 1:05:21

     We will now go to veterans services. At line forty-eight point two point four, we'll increase the funds for a director for the new veterans cemetery in Augusta. That will be an addition of a hundred and two thousand dollars.

113. 1:05:39

     Line forty-eight point four point seven, to increase the funds to provide evidence-based rehabilitation services for military veterans and service members with traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns. This is a partnership with the Shepherd Center Initiative. This will expand bed capacity and reduce the wait list. We're going to add a million dollars for that effort. Forty-eight point four point eight will increase the funds for a technology platform for community service referral.

114. 1:06:10

     This item is existing today in our budget, and we will add one point five million to help, um, Unite Us social service platform for veterans extend the work they are doing. That is all of the human resources budget. If there is a motion, I would entertain it.

115. 1:06:29

     Motion.

116. 1:06:29

     So moved.

117. 1:06:29

     Second.

118. 1:06:29

     Motion to approve. Is there a second? Thank you. All in favor, signify by saying aye.

119. 1:06:36

     Aye.

120. 1:06:36

     Opposed by like sign. Thank you. Thank you for the passage. This concludes our meeting. We are adjourned.

121. 1:08:23

     Good morning. This is the House Health Subcommittee on Appropriations, and I will call us to order. We're going to be addressing the House changes. We will begin with the Department of Community Health. In the Department of Administrative Programs, line seventeen point one point eleven provides one million, ninety-six thousand, nine hundred and sixty-five dollars for seventeen positions to support agency operations.

122. 1:08:55

     Next is the Georgia Board of Dentistry, line seventeen point two point six increases funds by one hundred and ninety-nine thousand, two hundred and forty-two dollars for two criminal investigators. Line seventeen point two point seven provides thirty-two thousand, seven hundred and eighty-nine dollars for one-time funds for one vehicle and protective equipment. Line seventeen point two point eight includes eighteen thousand, two hundred and ninety-five dollars for a three percent pay increase.

123. 1:09:28

     Then we have the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. Line seventeen point three point four provides seventy-nine thousand, two hundred and twelve dollars for an executive administrative assistant. Line seventeen point three point five provides sixty-one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-five dollars for a customer service representative. In line seventeen point three point six, the house provides eighteen thousand, five hundred and four dollars for a three percent pay increase.

124. 1:09:59

     Looking now at healthcare access and improvement, the house maintains funding for telehealth and maternal health programs in line seventeen point four point three. Line seventeen point four point six provides one million, five hundred thousand for behavioral and mental health service stabilization. Line seventeen point four point seven provides nine hundred and sixteen thousand dollars to conduct correct- colorectal cancer screenings.

125. 1:10:32

     Line seventeen point four point eight provides five hundred thousand dollars in one-time funds to create a grant opportunity for contracted PACE providers to support the establishment of their transportation infrastructure. Line seventeen point four point nine eliminates one-time startup funds for federally qualified health centers. L- In line seventeen point four point ten, the house provides three million dollars for one-time grants for emergency preparedness in rural Georgia.

126. 1:11:06

     Line seventeen point four point eleven increases funds by three million dollars for rural hospital stabilization grants to include rural emergency hospitals. Line seventeen point four point twelve provides two million dollars to develop and implement a solvency evaluation process for rural hospitals. Next is healthcare facility regulations. In line seventeen point five point four, the House provides one million four hundred and thirty thousand dollars to sustain the nurse aid and medication aid training and credentialing program.

127. 1:11:46

     Now we will look at Medicaid. Throughout the Medicaid programs, the House updates funds based on new projections from the department. Other House changes across the Medicaid programs include the following: providing funds to increase dental code reimbursement rates, eleven million eight hundred and ninety-eight thousand four hundred and sixty-two dollars in state funds. Providing funds to increase psychiatric residential treatment facilities to eight hundred dollars per day.

128. 1:12:16

     That's three million nine hundred and forty-eight thousand four hundred and ninety-one dollars in state funds. Providing funds to increase reimbursement rates for two primary care codes, seven million six hundred and fifty-nine thousand two hundred and fifty-three dollars in state funds. Providing funds to increase the reimbursement rate for the training of parents with autistic children, seven hundred and nine thousand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars in state funds. Providing funds to create parity between in-home and in-office reimbursement rates for autism services, seven million nine hundred and thirty-one thousand three hundred and fifty-seven dollars in state funds.

129. 1:12:59

     Providing funds to increase the prospective payment rate for federally qualified health centers, one million four hundred and forty-four thousand two hundred and sixty-nine dollars in state funds. Providing funds to increase reimbursement rates for air ambulance, five hundred seventy-four thousand one hundred and forty dollars in state funds. Directing the department to submit a state plan amendment to change any rules, regulations, or policies necessary to allow for reimbursement for adult health and lung transplants.

130. 1:13:34

     That would be one million six hundred and seventy-five thousand sixty dollars in state funds. Directing the department to submit a state plan amendment to change any rules, regulations, or policies necessary to allow for reimbursement of registered dieticians providing services for Medicaid members receiving diagnostic screening and preventive services. That's two hundred and seventy-six thousand two hundred and eighty-nine dollars in state funds. Specific to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid program, the House provides six hundred thousand dollars to increase the elderly and disabled and enhance case management rates on line seventeen point seven point nineteen.

131. 1:14:20

     Line seventeen point seven point twenty-one provides six million eight hundred thousand to adjust the F- the FRV formula to incentivize improvements to nursing centers by increasing the equipment allowance to eight thousand dollars per bed, bringing the RS-means index up one year and adjusting maximum age of facility to forty years and depreciation rate to one point two five percent.

132. 1:14:51

     Line seventeen point seven point twenty-two provides three hundred fifty-two thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine dollars for Medicaid rate enhancement for privately owned intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectually disability. Line seventeen point seven point twenty-three provides five hundred and twelve thousand six hundred twenty-two dollars for an increase in the nursing home ventilator reimbursement rate. Specific to low-income Medicaid programs, line seventeen point eight point six provides one million three hundred and seventy-nine thousand one hundred and sixty dollars and directs the division for Medicaid services to establish a rate floor to reimburse at no less than a hundred percent of the state Medicaid program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies.

133. 1:15:47

     In total, this budget includes forty-five million seven hundred sixty-one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight dollars in state funds. As a reminder, every dollar the state invests brings about two dollars additionally in federal dollars. The next House, uh, change is under Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce, Graduate Medical Education. In line seventeen point twelve point one, the House provides four million seven hundred ninety-three thousand six hundred and eighty-five dollars for one hundred and forty-seven new residency slots.

134. 1:16:23

     Line seventeen point twelve point four reduces funds due to delayed approval of a state plan amendment. Line seventeen point twelve point five increases funds for the Rural Surgery Initiative and Child and Adolescent Psychiatric slots at Augusta University by seven hundred thirty-four thousand four hundred and thirty-eight dollars. Line seventeen point twelve point six provides one million nine hundred and twenty thousand dollars for thirteen new fellowship slots.

135. 1:16:57

     In line seventeen point twelve point seven, the House provides three thousand six-- th- three million six hundred seventy-one thousand one hundred and seventy dollars in one-time funds for resident education space. Under the Medic- uh, Mercer School of Medicine grant in line seventeen point thirteen point one, the House includes four million dollars to pilot a pediatric residency program with a rural track. Under the Morehouse School of Medicine grant line on seventeen point fourteen point one, the House includes four million dollars to the Phoebe Health Morehouse Consortium for the creation of a regional campus and graduate medical education program.

136. 1:17:43

     In healthcare education programs, line 17.16.3 provides $150,000 to support Andrew College's nursing program. Next is the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Line 17.17.4 maintains funding for a program to address career fatigue and wellness of healthcare professionals. Line 17.17.6 provides $416,655 for a medical director and a compliance inspector.

137. 1:18:19

     This completes the House changes to the Department of Community Health. Next, we will look at the Office of Health Strategy and Coordination and the Office of the Governor. In line 27.5.4, the House reduces funds by $500,250 based on projected expenditures. Now we will look at the House changes in the Department of Public Health. In Adolescent and Adult Health Promotion, line 38.1.4 provides $700,000 to support critical personal, personnel to stabilize services and maintain essential infusion and emergency care.

138. 1:19:01

     In lines 38.1.5, the House includes 561,000 for the Sickle Cell Foundation. Line 38.1.6 transfers $508,590 for the Office of Cardiac Care into the Emergency Preparedness and Trauma System Improvement Program. Looking at the Emergency Preparedness and Trauma System Improvement, line 38.4.5 includes $508,590 transferred for the Office of Cardiac Care, and line 38.4.6 provides $2 million to the Office of Cardiac Care for grants to hospital.

139. 1:19:46

     Line 38.4.7 includes $1,500,000 to sustain core clinical staff who operate the Trauma Recovery Center. In Epidemiology, line 38.5.5 provides 500,000 for the Coverdale Stroke Registry, and lines 35.5.6 provides $250,000 for the Georgia Poison Center. Lastly, in Infant and Child Essential Health Treatment Services, in lines 38.8.4 increases funds by $6,981,200 to expand the Maternal Home Visiting Program to the remaining 62 rural hospital, uh, rural counties.

140. 1:20:35

     That concludes our changes. Do I hear a motion?

141. 1:20:39

     So moved.

142. 1:20:40

     Is there a second?

143. 1:20:42

     Second.

144. 1:20:42

     Any discussion? All in favor say aye.

145. 1:20:46

     Aye.

146. 1:20:47

     Any opposed? The motion carries. Thank you. That concludes our presentation.

147. 1:22:03

     All right, good morning. We'll call to order the Appropriations Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee to, to order. Um, as a point of personal privilege, I know we've got some, uh, CTAE directors in the room, and we have one from my home county, uh, Mr. Patrick Edwards, thank you for being here this morning. Uh, their, uh, trip to Atlanta was delayed due to weather in the year, or weather earlier in the year, so, uh, they are here today. Uh, so starting out with Section 13, the Department of Agriculture, uh, you will see throughout the, uh, budget that we have, uh, adjustments to the, uh, contr- the employer contribution rate for the state health bene-benefit plan from 29.54 to, to 20.26, so I will not cover those as they are scattered out through the remainder of the, of the, uh, of the budget here.

148. 1:22:51

     So down in 133.7, we have, uh, increased fundings for software, for, uh, software for Food Safety Division at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. Uh, further down in 13.3.8, uh, we are increasing funds for the employees for, uh, uh, retention at the consu- uh, within the Consumer Protection Program. And then at 13310, as many of you know, we've had, uh, emerging threats that are impacting the agriculture industry, whether that's the yel- yellow-legged hornet, uh, the spotted lanternfly, the cotton jassid, or other natural disasters, so we are establishing a, um, a fund for the Department of Agriculture at 450,000 to utilize in, uh, addressing those emerging threats throughout our state.

149. 1:23:34

     Uh, further down in Departmental Administration at 13.4.6, providing $100,000 for agriculture projects, and this one in particular being a food bank. Uh, that's all for Department of Ag. Um, down in the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, which is attached to the Department of Agriculture, we are providing three additional plan reviewers for the department for their erosion and sediment control plans. Uh, as you know, uh, we've had, uh, some difficulty in getting those, uh, turned around. Uh, right now they're running around 24 days.

150. 1:24:06

     We need to get that down, so we are providing, uh, for funds for three additional, uh, reviewers for that. In addition, we are also providing a increase in pay for those individuals, uh, for, uh, retention, because as we get them in, get them trained, and get them going, they leave and go somewhere else. And then at 13.8.6, um, $407,500 for a federal hog eradi- eradication incentive program. As you know, it's one of the issues that agriculture deal with, all a- agriculture deals with all across our state.

151. 1:24:37

     Uh, on to Section 16, uh, Department of Community Affairs, uh, Area Council on Aging, $170,000 for, uh, behavioral health coach, uh, within the affordable housing, um- On over to economic development, departmental administration, uh, providing funds for economic development on navigable rivers, a hundred thousand. And further down in, uh, Georgia Council for the Arts special projects, two hundred thousand there in 23.4.1.

152. 1:25:09

     Uh, further down in global commerce, um, we're, uh, providing adjustments for premiums for the Department of Administrative Services insurance programs there. And then over in international trade and relations, 23.7.4, uh, we're increasing funds there. Uh, we're restoring the cut from 2000, from, uh, FY '21 of one hundred and thirty-two thousand. Uh, further on in economic development, uh, in 23.10.5, uh, we're increasing funds for, uh, Georgia Humanities, a hundred and eighty-eight thousand.

153. 1:25:42

     And then again in 23.10.6, we're increasing funds for operational expenses, uh, that were restore, that we're restoring from the pre-pandemic area, uh, uh, time. Uh, F- Forestry Commission, uh, 26.1.6, funds to promote, uh, the forestry industry of a hundred and thirty thousand dollars. And then down in forestry protection, 26.3.6, we are, uh, providing funds for, uh, on-time call for personnel, uh, who were on call during the fire season.

154. 1:26:14

     It's a very targeted, uh, group of individuals that we are providing that for, those who are doing the work in the fields. Uh, on to Public Service Commission, 40.1.6, providing for an administrative assistant. Um, in 2019, due to budget cuts, uh, one of the administrative assistant positions was not refilled. Uh, there is one administrative assistant currently for the chairman and one other commissioner, so we're providing funding for that additional administrative assistant. And then providing in 40.1.7, uh, additional funds for rent and, uh, DOAS premium shortfalls of fourteen thousand, uh, two hundred and sixty-eight dollars.

155. 1:26:54

     And then down at 40.3, uh, utilities regulation, providing funds for, uh, an engineer, uh, to monitor, uh, construction projects of, um, um, of Georgia Power, and then additionally providing for one financial, uh, financial analyst, uh, to monitor Georgia Power's upcoming construction projects as well. And then finally in 40.3.7, twenty-five thousand for universal access funding auditing. Uh, those are the cha- changes to the Department of Economic Development budget.

156. 1:27:26

     What is the will of the committee?

157. 1:27:27

     Do pass.

158. 1:27:28

     Hear a motion do pass. Do I have a second?

159. 1:27:32

     Second.

160. 1:27:32

     I have a second. All those in favor say aye.

161. 1:27:34

     Aye.

162. 1:27:34

     Any opposed likes aye. Thank you. Uh, it is, uh, adopted and we are adjourned.

163. 1:28:27

     Morning everybody. Uh, we're about 25 minutes behind schedule, and, uh, I'm sure y'all are glad to see me as I'm the, I'm the last subcommittee here today. So I'm gonna get right to it, and I'm, I'm gonna cut out some of the usual commentary I have. So, uh- Uh, I'd like to call the Public Safety Appropriation Subcommittee to order. And we begin on Section 18, Department of Community Supervision. On line 18.2.6, increased funds for rent at the West Georgia Circuit, the Geechee Circuit, Mountain Circuit. The House recommends an adjustment to the Governor's recommendation for a new total of $726,194 to account for increased rent projections from the State Properties Commission.

164. 1:29:09

     This funding keeps the field office in West Georgia the department was contemplating closing because of a spike in rental costs. Section 19, Department of Corrections. On line 19.1.5 in the Department of Administration program, the budget adds a new line item for one mechanic position at 69,837. There's a backlog on service requests within the Fleet Services Department. The department would like to hire a mechanic from the transition center after release that the department has trained and certified. On line 19.3.7 in the Food and Farm program, the sub- subcommittee adds $4,890,000 for food services contracts due to rising food costs.

165. 1:29:47

     And on 19.3.8 increases funds of $850,000 for a combine at the farm in Reidsville. Most people don't know that there's an extensive farm in Reidsville, and they grow about 95% of all the food for 50,000 inmates. On line 19.4.6 in the health program, the House provides $48.6 million for a per diem increase, and it provided for an increase in the number of inmates served by the physical health contract. Line 19.4.7 and 19.4.8 provides an increase for staff retention in a, m- in a mental and dental health contract.

166. 1:30:25

     In the Offender Management program, line 19.5.6, and you'll see this later in the State Prison program on line 19.7.20, provides a total increase of $1.25 million for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program contract. 19.5.7 is reimbursement for local county jails where over 20% of their capacity is occupied by detainees with contraband or drone drop related charges because of a nearby state prison. Total amount funded is $1.5 million.

167. 1:30:55

     In the private prison program, there's a small true-up adjustment on li- on line 19.6.1. On 19.7.8 in the state prisons program, the subcommittee recommends an increase to the governor's recommendation to hire new correctional officers in the amount of $34,914,395 to continue to bring down the correctional officer-to-offender ratio. Now, 19.7.9 provides funding of 695,000 for six K-9 handlers. Right now, there are only 26 handlers and 57 K-9s.

168. 1:31:27

     There's a slight increase from the governor's recommendation to account for the ongoing cost for drones funded and amended. Uh, last year, they had 4,000 K-9 call-outs in the prison. Line 19.7.10 funds 1,443,000 for the personnel and the overwatch and logistics known as the OWL unit. This is a small increase to account for these positions being hired and at a salary above a correctional officer one position. Line 19.7.14 increases funding for Lee Arrendale State Prison to 3.8 million to allow 200 state prisoners to remain at the prison instead of all state prisoners moving to McCray's women's facility.

169. 1:32:06

     The current plan is to move all state prisoners other than the fire service state inmates and the transition center inmates. The house would like to keep 200 state prisoners for a number of reasons. There's a Georgia Correctional Institute's packaging plant that has 45 to 60 state inmates working at any given time to package food and personal item goods for state prisons. These inmates earn money for working at the plant. The remaining state prisoners need to work in the laundry, the kitchen, and maintain the facility and grounds. The additional state prisoners would be housed in B unit, which was renovated just a sh- few short years ago in 2022 with state funds.

170. 1:32:39

     Further, in an environment where we're struggling for bed space, this adds another 200 beds to the prison bed shortage. The female offender population is predicted to rise along with the male population over the next few years. 19.7.18 analyzes the rental increase provided in amended budget for a total of $219,000. 19.7.20, we spoke about earlier to add the funds for residential substance abuse treatment program contracts. 19.7.21 increases the offender call monitoring contract of 1.1 million due to an increase in usage of wall phones because our prisons are doing such a good job of shutting down cell phones in prisons where our managed access systems are operational.

171. 1:33:20

     19.7.22 increases funds for a data, data intelligence annual maintenance of 1,750,000. Section 20, Department of Fence, there's no changes. Section 27, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Line 27.8.4, the House says no to an increase in funds for the Federal Match for the EMPG grant because FEMA announced they are no longer requiring a one-year performance period to GEMA has more time to perform. Line 27.8.5, the subcommittee decided against moving the gang case management system support from the GBI to GEMA.

172. 1:33:55

     Line 27.8.7 increases $928,000 in state funds for operations. The subcommittee recommended this change because GEMA Homeland Security relies on federal funding to operate, and frequent feder- federal government shutdowns and slow reimbursements have made operating tenuous for the agency month to month. Line 27.8.8 provides two million for emergency services. Section 30, Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In the Forensic Science Services Program on line 30.3.7, the House is continuing our long-standing support of retaining and recruiting medical examiners in our state by adding one million to bring the salaries up to compete at a national market.

173. 1:34:33

     This appropriation will bring up the starting salary from 270,000 to 300,000 and adds two steps to the salary structure. Right now, a medical examiner with 20 years of experience is making the same as a medical examiner with five years of experience. Fully staffing our medical examiner's office is a priority of this House and has been for the last decade. While we've made lots of progress over the last several years with our fellowship program, loan repayment program, and location stipends, the medical examiner's office continues to have doctor vacancies. Um, 30.3.8 and 30.3.9 provide salary increases for the crime lab to continue to retain and recruit at 1.6 million as our salaries have begun to fall behind other local and federal crime labs.

174. 1:35:16

     In the Regional Investigative Services Program on line 30.4.8, the subcommittee has a slight adjustment to account for some one-time expenses not funded in amended budget for a total of 838,000. Line 30.4.11 leaves the gang case management support, and GBI increases the funding by 2.1 million for a total of 3.1 million to ensure local enforcement agencies can con- continue to access critical gang member information. Look down in the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Accountability Court Judges Program. On line 30.6.4, a new line item adds 3.1 million to support an increase in accountabi- um, poun- accountability court participation.

175. 1:35:55

     For every $1 we spend here, the state saves $9.32 by not incarcerating this person and providing them services. And on 30.6.5, it provides 93,000 for a new veterans treatment court in Rockdale County. In the Family Violence Program, our s- subcommittee took several hours and heard from our service providers, domestic violence shelters, sexual assault centers, child advocacy centers, and, uh, CASAs. The population they serve are citizens who have been victims of crime. The state requires a number of mandates in order for these centers and shelters to receive state funding, but the amount of money the state provides is not commensurate with our requirements.

176. 1:36:33

     For this reason, our subcommittee's making strong show of support and gratitude by providing these pr- m- uh, 20.7 point million. A lot of you know, but the federal government had grants for all these programs, and they have, they have gone away and, uh, diminished in the, in the last six or eight years, so we're trying to catch up. Line 30.7.2 provides 9.4 million for domestic violence shelters. Last year, more than forty thousand victims were served and fifteen thousand more were turned away because this place was at capacity.

177. 1:37:05

     These are women and children who typically have an irate male on the outside that's pursuing them, and I can't believe that we're having to turn them out in the street. Line 30.7.3 provides three point three million for sexual assault centers. In nine-- in twenty twenty-five, these centers served more than nine thousand victims across the state. In line 30.7.4 transfers the base funding of one point eight million from the Department of Human Services to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for Child Advocacy Centers. Line 30.7.5 adds five point two million for child advocacy centers.

178. 1:37:39

     These centers provide critical victim services for children that have been sexually or physically abused or witnessed a homicide or domestic violence event by providing a forensic interview where a trained provider interviews one child one time so they aren't re-traumatized over and over again. Sadly, more than twenty-one thousand children were served last year. Line 30.7.6 provides nine hundred and twelve thousand for eight full-time and twenty satellite child advocacy centers not currently receiving state funding. Section 31, Department of Juvenile Justice. Line 31.4.7 in the Secure Detention Program annualizes an increase of two point five million for personal services to reflect decreased turnover for our juvenile correction officers.

179. 1:38:20

     Section 33, Department of Law. Lines 33.1.3 and 33.2.2 have some true ups for the state health benefit program rate change. Uh, Section 35, State Board of Pardons and Paroles, no changes. Section 39, Department of Public Safety. In the Field Services Program on line 39.5.7, the subcommittee provides three hundred thousand for exterior hardening of patrol cars, which are bulletproof windows. And the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council on line 39.8.4, we are funding a hundred and sixty-seven thousand for one more safety and compliance business in metro areas.

180. 1:38:57

     This will completely cover the state. This is the last, last, uh, the metro area is the last place, so every fire department in the state can be inspected every year. The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council program on line 39.9.9 adds six hundred and thirty-four thousand for statutory training provided for the chiefs of police and Georgia sheriffs. State law requires them to do this training, and, uh, we feel that, uh, we ought to be funding it. In the Georgia Public Safety and Training Center, line 39.10.3 adds ninety-two thousand for the Georgia Public Safety T- Training Center, which was err-erroneously excluded from the law enforcement retirement adjustment.

181. 1:39:34

     Throughout the fiscal year twenty twenty-seven budget, or f- uh, retirement benefit was increased specifically for our law enforcement officers across state agencies. This change allows employer match for law enforcement on the state's 401to increase from nine percent to fifteen percent of their salary after ten years of service. Line 39.10.9 adds ninety-seven thousand five hundred for ongoing costs of a statewide radio system purchased in amended year budget. Line 3910.10 provides a hundred and seventy-one thousand for one new officer training position for, per House Bill 238 from the 2025 session to train officers on how to investigate elder abuse.

182. 1:40:13

     And that includes, concludes the presentation. Do I have a motion?

183. 1:40:16

     Moved.

184. 1:40:18

     Is there a second?

185. 1:40:20

     Second.

186. 1:40:20

     Any discussion?

187. 1:40:21

     None.

188. 1:40:22

     All in favor signify by saying aye.

189. 1:40:24

     Aye.

190. 1:40:24

     All opposed? Motion carries, we're adjourned.

191. 1:40:28

     All right.

192. 1:45:22

     Good morning again. Before we get started on the meeting, I just wanted to, again, thank all of you. Some of you have been in here since we started at 9:00, so thank you for staying and listening to everything. Um, as you know, we went through line by line on all the changes. Um, and I've made sure that Chairman Carpenter knows how to work this machine, so make sure the mics are on and off when they need to be on and off.

193. 1:45:53

     Um, so with that being said, I'm gonna go over House Bill 974 and turn it over to Chairman Carpenter.

194. 1:46:12

     You know how the old saying goes, "It only takes one time to learn a lesson."

195. 1:46:19

     All right.

196. 1:46:24

     Tough crowd this morning. Let's go. I know it's Monday. I know it's Monday, but that was a joke.

197. 1:46:33

     All right, I'm gonna put you live on the podium there, Captain.

198. 1:46:35

     Yes, sir. Is it on? Is it on? All right, I'll never live it down. Well, thank y'all. It's my honor to present House Bill 974, the fiscal year 2027 budget, which begins July the 1st. The budget before you today is set by a modest revenue estimate of $38.5 billion. This estimate is a $738 million, or 2% increase, over the fiscal year 2026 original budget.

199. 1:47:09

     As previously said, I won't go over every line, but I am gonna share what I think are some highly important highlights. Let's start in the biggest area of our state spending in our budget, education. This budget includes several new educational investments, particularly in the early grades. This budget fully funds the QBE program, almost $15 billion in state funds. That's just a hair under 40% of our state total funds in the budget.

200. 1:47:43

     Some of our more targeted items include $41.1 million in additional funding for pupil transportation, an 11% increase. An increase in funds for social worker grants by $5 million to help underserved districts who do not currently have a social worker. We also add an additional two and a half million dollars to the BOOST grant funding to provide after-school and summer programming, bringing the total appropriation for this program to $15 million.

201. 1:48:15

     And we provided $2 million for a summer nutrition program that will unlock significant federal matching funds. I mentioned early grades a moment ago, and know you've heard a little something this session about literacy. To help our kindergartners show up on pace, we're investing in some items for kids under five. We provided $9.7 million to the Department of Early Care and Learning to support the expansion of the extended day program to the pre-K priority group, as well as seven hundred thousand to add twenty-five classes to the Rising pre-K program during the 2026-2027 school year.

202. 1:48:56

     This budget fully supports HB 1193. We funded $60.8 million related to literacy in this budget. This is a massive down payment on a historic investment that will get our kindergarten to third graders reading on grade level, effectively moving them from learning to read to reading to learn. We're gonna begin funding literacy coaches through the QBE program, just like teachers, counselors, and principals.

203. 1:49:29

     Each elementary school will earn the base teacher salary to hire a coach and additional funds to pay for the level of education experience of the coach they hire. This budget includes $31.2 million in base salary funds to advance school systems the money they need to hire a coach. And the funds for the associated training and experience for the actual coaches hired will flow to these schools in the amended budget. In addition to the school-level coaches, we also recognize $18.4 million for RESA-based literacy coaches, $2.7 million for vision and auditory screening equipment, and $5.5 million to design professional development for literacy coaches and elementary teachers.

204. 1:50:14

     We're serious about solving this problem, and this budget puts our money where the legislation calls for it. I also wanna touch on an item related to the state health benefit plan that you may have already been hearing about from your school systems. The governor recommended an increase in SHBP employer contribution for teachers and all additional school personnel by $143 per member per month. While the PMPM increase for teachers is largely funded by the state, the increase for non-cert school personnel is solely borne by local school systems, and this increase would hit them hard.

205. 1:50:54

     State Health Benefit Plan is currently in good financial shape and consistently producing reserves. Over the last two years, $590 million in SHBP funds were transferred to the OPEB fund. The House agrees that measured increases into the fund are needed to continue to address OPEB. But our budget recommends a smaller increase of $50 per month per member. This change will save both the state and locals money in this budget.

206. 1:51:29

     We believe that this measured increase will maintain the health of the system. Moving on to higher education portion of the budget, we've included an, an add of $252 million to fully fund enrollment growth at the university system and technical college systems of Georgia. We've also provided $13 million in cash and $15.7 million in bonds to the Graduate Research Alliance to expand its membership to Kennesaw State University and Georgia Southern University, and to continue meeting the growing research needs of its existing eight-member institutions.

207. 1:52:07

     In the arena of public safety, the House provides the Department of Corrections with a total increase of $101 million over the agency's prior year budget. We've made great strides improving our correctional office work- officer workforce, and this budget provides an increase of $34.9 million to continue the hiring trajectory to reduce the inmate-to-correctional officer ratio. This budget also provides an additional $70 million to the department to continue providing for the physical, mental, dental, and pharmaceutical needs of a growing prison population.

208. 1:52:44

     This budget appropriates $12.7 million to establish pay parity between assistant district attorneys and assistant public, uh, public defenders, both of which will have a starting salary of $78,000. We also appropriate $3.1 million to increase the annual salary of district attorneys and public defenders to $175,000. When it comes to health and human service, this budget includes approximately $45.3 million in additional state funds to increase reimbursement rates for providers treating patients on Medicaid across the state.

209. 1:53:23

     We've also provided $18.2 million in new funding for graduate medical education. To address the healthcare access in rural Georgia, this budget provides $3 million for one-time grants for emergency preparedness in rural Georgia, $3 million for the Rural Hospital Stabilization Grants, and $2 million to develop and implement a solvency evaluation process for our rural hospitals. The House version of the budget doubles the governor's recommendation for NOW/COMP waivers, providing an additional $4.6 million to fund a total of 200 new waivers.

210. 1:54:01

     We also provide 6.69 million to the Department of Human Services for memory care and treatment of home-delivered meals, respite, caregiver support, and other services for older adults and their families. This budget also includes an additional $27 million to annualize our amended FY26 investment into out-of-home care. We continue to invest in our transportation infrastructure, and this budget increases the capital construction pro- program budget by $112.8 million and local maintenance and improvement grants by 13.6 million.

211. 1:54:38

     The House provides an additional 10 million in airport aid to bring the base salary to nearly 40 million. This budget includes a bond package for the first time in a few years. It includes significant school safety equipment grants, investments in local libraries, traditional outlays for projects in K through 12 and higher ed, and major repair and maintenance projects in state-owned facilities throughout the state. Thank you to the committee chairs, to the members, our House budget champions for their hard work on this budget.

212. 1:55:15

     I believe the document before you will help maintain our status as the best state to live, work, and raise a family. And Mr. Chair, if there's any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

213. 1:55:30

     Do we have any questions?

214. 1:55:35

     Yep. I don't even know how to make that go down there. Let's try that. There you go. Uh, Chairman Dunavant.

215. 1:55:41

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At the appropriate time.

216. 1:55:53

     It appears the time is appropriate. We have a, a motion. Is there a second? We have a second. All members in favor say aye.

217. 1:56:02

     Aye.

218. 1:56:02

     Opposed?

219. 1:56:04

     Nay.

220. 1:56:04

     Seems like the motion is unanimous.

221. 1:56:06

     Thank you.

222. 1:56:06

     Thank you for your time, guys. Y'all have a great morning.

223. 1:56:20

     Nope.