Sesión en el pleno de la Cámara de Representantes, 20 de marzo de 2026 (día legislativo 35)

Transcripción

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

1. 0:13:41

   Well, good morning. All members, all members will please come to the floor. All members.

2. 0:14:06

   All members will please come to the floor. Because the hour for convening having arrived, all members will please come to the floor. Jutt. All members will please come to the floor. Mr. Clerk, will you ring, please ring the bell.

3. 0:15:15

   All members will please come to the floor because we're going to have the roll call vote about right now. All members present will please vote green to signify their presence in the chamber, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

4. 0:15:54

   Jenny, if you'll come up here a second. I mean, excuse me, Representative Ehrhart.

5. 0:16:41

   Pages, I'm gonna ask y'all to suspend for a moment or two. We're gonna move on to the, uh, chaplain. So pages will also ... Ladies, if you'll have them suspend for a little, for a minute. We'll get our chaplain in, and then we'll go back and let our pages do their work. Doorkeepers, will you close the doors. Excuse me. Forgot something, didn't I? All members voted. I think all members have voted.

6. 0:17:11

   If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine.

7. 0:17:17

   Thank you, pages.

8. 0:17:24

   Doorkeepers, you can close the doors now, and keep them closed if you will.

9. 0:17:31

   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. This morning, our chaplain will be introduced by the gentleman from the 146th house district over in Perry and Warner Robins area. That's pretty close, isn't it? Houston County. Thought that's where you were from. Chairman Shaw Blackmon. Chairman Blackmon.

10. 0:18:03

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, fellow members, good morning.

11. 0:18:05

    Good morning.

12. 0:18:06

    It is, uh, certainly, uh, an, an exciting day for me to be able to welcome, uh, Pastor Gabe Cox to the chamber. He serves as the, uh, founding and lead pastor of the Grove Church in Perry, Georgia. And he has devoted 19 years to full-time ministry, driven by passion for helping people encounter Jesus in a clear, authentic, and life-shaping way. And I, I'd just like to ask you if you'd join me in welcoming his wonderful family, his wife Jessica and his son Eli.

13. 0:18:37

    Uh, he has four o- other siblings that couldn't make it today, and his parents this morning, if you would.

14. 0:18:49

    Just a quick note. They started, uh, the, their ministry in a, in a living room with four people, and it has grown now to over 2,000. They have four services, and it is a tremendous blessing, uh, for all of middle Georgia. So, uh, without any further ado, I, I just, I just wanna tell you what a pleasure it is, um, for me to present to you this morning Pastor Gabe Cox.

15. 0:19:17

    You can raise brother.

16. 0:19:18

    Thank you. Thank you so much. Well, first I wanna publicly thank Speaker Burns and Chairman Shaw, uh, for this wonderful opportunity. And I don't wanna take up too much of your time, but I, I do understand, uh, a little bit in my context, which I think might overlap into your context, the, uh, the challenge of leadership. Uh, and this is one of the things that I've learned about leadership, uh, in my 11 years of senior pastoring from taking a church that started with four people to now over 2,000, is that leadership can be heavy.

17. 0:19:54

    Uh, I can't even imagine the weight that some of you gentlemen and ladies in this room carry. Uh, whether it be here on the House floor, or personal things going on, or things in your marriage, or, uh, bills that you're trying to get passed, or people that you're trying to connect with. Uh, and I know this, that leadership at times can be extremely heavy. But the Bible has a lot to say about that. Uh, I'll be reading out of Isaiah, uh, chapter 40, and the prophet is speaking here, and this is what he says.

18. 0:20:31

    He, talking about God and God alone, He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, He increases strength. Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength daily. One of the challenges about leadership, uh, that I've learned in just my 43 years of living in pastoral work, is that when you try to lift something by yourself, it's almost impossible. I know the value of teamwork.

19. 0:21:02

    I know the value of cooperating and learning to give a little in one area, uh, and stand firm in others so that the ultimate job can be accomplished. And again, I don't know the weight that you gentlemen and ladies might be under, but I just wanna encourage you this day, no matter how heavy the leadership is that your s- your, uh, uh, county or, or district might have that you're trying to meet and assess the needs of the people that you serve, let me just challenge you with this.

20. 0:21:33

    Don't try to do it alone. You've got people across the aisle that sit in front of you and behind you, and I would just encourage you to work together, to listen to each other. And when you do feel faint, right, my Christian faith informs me to lean into God, and to God alone. One of the things I want to just encourage you with is this. Uh, times in my life where leadership has become more complicated, it's usually because I'm trying to lift things that God's not asked me to lift, and it complicates things.

21. 0:22:04

    And so I would just ask that you have a personal assessment of your own life and devotion, of what you are doing. Is there anything in your life that is complicating what God's potentially calling you to do? Things that He's encouraging you to get done. Uh, so take a self-assessment of your own heart, right? God is the only one that can forgive. God is the only one that can wash away sin. And I know in times of my life where things have gotten complicated or overwhelming, it's usually because there's something going on in my life that I should not be doing, or things that I should not be.

22. 0:22:37

    Uh, and so just challenging you with that. I, I, I'm grateful for the men and women in this room, and your leadership, and the things that you are doing for the state of Georgia that even helps, uh, areas, rural areas that I live in, kind of Perry and Houston County. It's a great agricultural area, and so I am grateful and thankful, uh, for your leadership. But again, in closing, I just want to encourage you, right? Leadership is heavy And so don't carry it alone. The Bible instructs us that God and God alone gives strength to the faint. And so if you're weary this morning, I would encourage you to bow your head and talk to your Creator.

23. 0:23:09

    He knows everything that you're carrying. He knows everything that's going on in your life, and He is the only one, listen to me, that can lighten the load. And then do personal assessment. Is there anything in your life today that should not be in your life that is complicating your leadership or your integrity? The enemy loves for the mighty to fall, for it affects more people. And by God's grace, you men and women have been placed in a position of authority in our state. Your voice carries a lot further than mine does.

24. 0:23:40

    And so I would encourage you in that leadership voice to use it wisely. Steward your words well. Be a team player, and in all things, glorify God. Let us pray. If you would stand. Father Lord, I thank you for the mighty men and women in this chamber. I thank you for the leadership of Speaker Burns, for all the men and women represented, Lord, in this room. And Father Lord, I don't know the weight that they're carrying.

25. 0:24:11

    I know the leadership, God, that's been placed on them, and I pray, Lord, that they wouldn't crumble, they wouldn't compromise their integrity. Lord, that they would be a team player, that they would learn to listen before they speak. And Lord, in all things, Father, I pray, Lord, at the root of who they are, their goal would be to glorify you. In doing so, it would bless this state, bless families in this state. And so, Father Lord, if there's anything in their life, God, that should not be there, Lord, I pray, God, that they would repent of it and look to you to clean their soul.

26. 0:24:44

    'Cause leadership is heavy, but we have a Heavenly Father that can lift all weight. Christ, you say in the New Testament that your burden is easy and your weight is light. And so, God, I just pray over these men and women today a blessing, God, a leadership calling in them, Father, uh, Lord, to get things done that bless this state and lead with character and integrity. It is in Christ Jesus' name we pray, the strong and risen Son of God. And everyone says amen.

27. 0:25:15

    Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

28. 0:25:20

    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. Excellent. Good stuff. Thank you.

29. 0:25:43

    Thank you, Brother Gabe, for that message. Doorkeepers, you may unlock the doors. Members, you may join Brother Gabe and his family in that south ante room. Uh, thank him for his service to us today, and, uh, certainly appreciate the message and that devotion. It's always important to us. We appreciate you being, being here.

30. 0:27:26

    Members, our Doctor of the Day is brought to us today by Representative Esther Panitch of the 51st. It's Dr. Thaddeus K. Lynn. So if you need Dr. Lynn's services, you know where he is. But I hope you don't. But he certainly will be there, and we appreciate him serving us today. Chairman Hilton, the Chair of the Committee on Information and Audit is recognized. Chairman Hilton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My bracket may be busted, but the journal is not. Your Committee on Information and Audit has read the journal of the previous legislative day, and we have found it to be correct.

31. 0:28:01

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your diligence. Chairman Hilton, the Chair of the Committee on In- Information and Audit reports that the journal of the previous legislative day has been found, and read and found to be correct. Is there objection to dispense with the reading of the journal? 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 read the resolution establishing the order of business for the day.

32. 0:28:31

    Representative Efstration of the 104th moves follow me establishes the order of business during the first part of the period unanimous consent. Introduction of bills and resolutions. First reading and reference of House bills and resolutions. Second reading of bills and resolutions. Reports of standing committees. Third reading and passage of uncontested local bills and resolutions. 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?

33. 0:29:06

    Hearing none, the resolution is adopted

34. 0:29:08

    First reading of bills and resolutions, Mr. Clerk will read. House Bill 1581 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Mathiak of the 82nd, Jackson of the 68th, and Bazemore of the 69th. The bill being titled, "An Act to provide a homestead exemption for City of Fayetteville ad valorem taxes." Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1582 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Mathiak of the 82nd, Jackson of the 68th, and Bazemore of the 69th. The bill being titled, "An Act to provide a homestead exemption from Fayette County School District ad valorem taxes." Intergovernmental coordination.

35. 0:29:45

    House Bill 1583 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, Mathiak of the 82nd, Jackson of the 68th, and Bazemore of the 69th. The bill being titled, "An Act to amend an act to provide for residents of specified ages a homestead exemption." Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1584 by Representative Newton of the 127th. The bill being titled, "An Act to amend an act providing for the consolidation of Richmond County and the City of Augusta." Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1585 by Representative Blackmon of the 146th, Stinson of the 150th, Crawford of the 89th, Williamson of the 112th, Ballard of the 147th, and others.

36. 0:30:24

    The bill being titled, "An Act to amend Article 2, Chapter 7, Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to imposition, rate computation, exemptions, and credits regarding income taxes." Ways and Means. House Bill 1586 by Representative Gaines of the 120th. The bill being titled, "An Act to provide a new charter for the Town of Boga."

37. 0:30:47

    Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1587 by Representative Sanchez of the 42nd, Wilkerson of the 38th, Jones of the 60th, Campbell of the 35th, Ridley of the 22nd, and others. The bill being titled, "An Act to abolish the office of elected County Surveyor, Cobb County." Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1588 by Representative Cummings of the 39th, Wilkerson of the tw- 38th, Smith of the 41st, Campbell of the 35th, and Al-Asim of the thir- 43rd, and others.

38. 0:31:17

    The bill being titled, "An Act to amend an act changing the compensation of the Clerk of the Superior Court." Intergovernmental coordination. House Resolution 1789 by Representative Wade of the 9th, Kelly of the 16th, Momtahan of the 17th, Clifton of the th- 131st, Martinez of the 111th. A resolution expressing support for dissolving the United States Department of Education. Special rules. House Resolution 1790 by Representative Lupton of the 83rd, Wendt of the 98th, Barnes of the 86th, Beckles of the 96th.

39. 0:31:53

    A resolution creating a House Study Committee on Long COVID. Special rules. House Resolution 1791 by Representative Sainz of the 183rd, and the 99th, and Thomas of the 21st. A resolution urging the federal government to establish a National Data Protection Authority. Special rules. Mr. Clerk, suspend just for a minute.

40. 0:32:34

    I would really hate to put one of y'all's resolutions in the wrong committee and then you'd blame me when it fails. Thank you. Mr. Clerk will proceed. House Resolution 1792 by Representative Franklin of the 160th, Gaines of the 120th, Wade of the 9th, Gambill of the 15th, Leverett of the 123rd, and others. A resolution urging the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to refrain from adopting the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code.

41. 0:33:05

    Special rules. House Resolution 1793 by Representative Berry of the 56th, Stevens of the 164th, Jones of the 143rd, Sainz of the 180th, and Willis of the 55th. A resolution urging the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations for placement. Special rules. House Resolution 1794 by Representative Berry of the 56th, Herring of the 145th, Park of the 107th, Frye of the 122nd, Hugley of the 141st, and others.

42. 0:33:39

    A resolution urging the Commissioner of Insurance to conduct a comprehensive review.

43. 0:33:48

    94. Special rules. House Resolution 1795 by Representative Berry of the 56th, Crawford of the 89th, Evans of the 57th, Westbrook of the 163rd, Ali of the 106th. A resolution urging local school systems to adopt policies. Special rules. House Resolution 1796 by Representative Berry of the 56th, Bell of the 75th, Holly of the 116th, Román of the 97th, Cannon of the 58th.

44. 0:34:19

    A resolution urging all state departments and agencies responsible for management of public funds to review.

45. 0:34:28

    Special rules. House Resolution 1797 by Representative Bell of the 75th, Cannon of the 58th, Gilliard of the 162nd, Williams of the 168th, Jackson of the 165th, and others. A resolution urging for the renaming of Grady Memorial Hospital to Grady Bell Memorial Hospital. Special rules. Senate Bill 620 by Senator Dixon of the 45th, Cowser of the 46th, and of the 47th. The bill being titled, "An Act to amend and enact to create the State Court of Barrow County."

46. 0:35:11

    Intergovernmental coordination. Senate Bill 621 by Senator Dixon. The 45th Council to the 46th and get to the 47th. The bill will be titled an act to create the Barrow County Public Facilities Authority.

47. 0:35:26

    Intergovernmental coordination. That completes first readers.

48. 0:35:51

    Members, if I could have your attention for a moment. And if you'd move closer to your desk, I'd like to introduce

49. 0:36:01

    a fellow Georgian who's now serving

50. 0:36:08

    in our nation's capital. So, members, if you will, uh, come back in and cease conversations. I want to introduce him.

51. 0:36:22

    Thought he had his grandson with him. He is somewhere around here. Well, there he is. He's a proud grandfather. You know, we have exemplary service from a number of Georgians then serving in Washington, and we're proud of their service, but we want to, uh, welcome one of our own from this general assembly who served in the Senate very honorably. Did great work over there rep- and worked in his community and here in Atlanta.

52. 0:36:53

    And, uh, now moved on to DC and is serving as the 46th Treasurer of these United States. Let's welcome Brandon Beach to the Georgia House.

53. 0:37:17

    Now, you know y'all have no time limit in the Senate. I just want you to remember that when you're over there. You don't have one here either, but you just take what you need to tell us. We appreciate you being here, and thanks for your service. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's always good to be back here in Georgia. I served 13 years in the Senate and in this general assembly, and I miss it, but I am very proud to serve as your 46th Treasury of the United States up in Washington, DC. And let me tell you what, we got a lot of great things going on. You know, when President Trump took office, he hit the ground running.

54. 0:37:47

    He signed several executive orders. Then he did the tariffs to make sure we had a, a business climate that was fair throughout the world, and we could bring manufacturing jobs back. And then we passed the one big, beautiful bill, which was really 17 bills in one big, ominous bill. So, we laid the foundation last year, and I think this year you're gonna see the fruits of that labor. And I'll, I'll tell you why I'm optimistic and bullish on 2026. One, it's our 250th birthday. It's our celebration as America, our 250th birthday.

55. 0:38:21

    We're gonna be talking about American exceptionalism, American pride, American spirit, and American success stories. And I want to tell you two s- success stories real quick. One is a, a Georgian, a guy named Jeff Sprecher, came to Georgia 30-plus years ago with $1,000, and now he owns the Intercontinental Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, and he's a multi-billionaire. That only happens in America. Another s- story is from my home state in Louisiana. He was actually a University of Georgia grad. He wanted to open a restaurant, couldn't get a loan, went and worked on oil rigs for two years, and now he's worth $22 billion.

56. 0:38:56

    He owns a little restaurant chain called Raising Cane's. That only happens in America. So, I think we've got a lot to be proud of, a lot to talk about. We also have the FIFA World Cup coming, which is gonna come to Atlanta. We're gonna be able to showcase Georgia, showcase America, and really show the international community what our country's about. I'm fortunate I'm involved in that, 'cause we're doing the medals and the FIFA coins at the US Mint. Then we have a new Fed chair coming, and, and we're gonna have interest rates go down, where people are gonna be able to afford housing.

57. 0:39:28

    And then I wanted to talk a little bit about the big, beautiful bill. No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security. You're gonna see money flowing in. I talked to a, a waiter the other day who was at, uh, a restaurant that I was in. I said, "Have you filed your taxes yet?" He said, "Yes, I got $7,500 back. Thank you for passing that bill." That's good for all Americans. Also, we're gonna be oil, not just independent, we're gonna be oil dominant. Gas prices will come down. GDP's at 4.4. We're just gonna go to five.

58. 0:39:58

    And we've had a record stock market, 53 record days since President Trump came into office of record stock market days, and the Dow, three weeks ago, hit 50,000 for the, the first time ever. I am bullish and optimistic about where we're going in our country. And I, I will tell you, Georgia's a shining example, and I wanna thank you for the work you do. I'll, I'll just close with this. Um, I was, uh ... Two things. One, I was lucky enough to go to Fort Knox, and I wanna assure y'all the gold is stacked to the ceiling. It is there.

59. 0:40:29

    Secondly, I was honored, and it is, it was a real honor to strike the last penny. We did away with the penny. It's gonna save the taxpayers $56 million annually. But when I struck that last penny, I held it up, and it went to auction. And for two weeks, we auctioned off. We thought we were gonna get five million. Somebody paid 16.7 million for that penny. So, I think the economy's in pretty good shape. But I wanna just, again, say this. Thank you for what you do. We are blessed. I want you to just think about this, how blessed we are to live in this nation.

60. 0:41:01

    Let's celebrate our 250-year anniversary and just be grateful to live in the great country we live. And so, God bless Georgia, and God bless the United States. Thank you very much. Is that all right? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

61. 0:41:18

    Treasurer Beach, we appreciate your service here in Georgia, but we certainly appreciate what you're doing in Washington, DC, and we look forward to continue to work with you. And you, uh, and it's good to have your grandson here with you this morning, so we're proud to see him. So a proud granddad. Look at that. We're glad to have you. Thank you for being back here, and thank you for always being part of our family.

62. 0:41:38

    Let me, let me mention one other thing. We, we just announced, and you can sign up July 4th for Trump accounts. It's for kids under eighteen. It's gonna create financial literacy for kids under eighteen. They're gonna learn about com-comp-compounding interest. This is a great program. It's a savings program for our youth, and it can have a really generational wealth, and it's gonna be great for these young kids. Go to trumpaccounts.gov. You fill out one form, IRS Form forty-five forty-seven, and you can, we can help these kids have money to buy a house and have higher education.

63. 0:42:13

    Thank you very much.

64. 0:42:14

    Awesome. I'm sure you already signed up.

65. 0:42:16

    Yep.

66. 0:42:53

    Thanks, Mr. Treasurer. Thanks, members. Second reading the bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk will read.

67. 0:43:01

    House Bill fifteen sixty-seven by Representatives LaHood of the hundred and seventy-fifth, Cannon of the hundred and seventy-second, Taylor of the hundred and seventy-third, Dickey of the hundred and thirty-fourth, Ford of the hundred and seventieth. A bill to repeal an act to amend, consolidate, supersede the several acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia pertaining to the City of Quitman. House Bill fifteen sixty-eight by Representatives Thomas of the twenty-first, Parsons of the forty-fourth, Jones of the forty-seventh, Jaspers of the eleventh, Scoggins of the fourteenth, and others. A bill to amend an act reincorporating and recreating the City of Woodstock. House Bill fifteen sixty-nine by Representative Sanchez of the hundred and seventeenth and Kahana of the eighty-first. A bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Municipal Court of the City of McDonough.

68. 0:43:36

    House Bill fifteen seventy by Representative Mathis of the hundred and thirty-third. A bill to amend an act creating the Cochran Blackley Airport Authority. House Bill fifteen seventy-one by Representative Stevens of the hundred and sixty-fourth, Petrie of the hundred and sixty-sixth, Franklin of the hundred and sixtieth. A bill to amend an act establishing the State Court of Bryan County. House Bill fifteen seventy-two by Representative Westbrook of the hundred and sixty-third, Kelley of the sixteenth, Tran of the eightieth, Au of the fiftieth, and Roberts of the fifty-second. A bill relating to food service establishments. House Bill fifteen seventy-three by Representatives Gaines of the hundred and twentieth and Persinger of the hundred and nineteenth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Statham ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes.

69. 0:44:10

    House Bill fifteen seventy-four by Representatives Donahue of the thirty-first, Smith of the eighteenth, Mathis of the hundred and thirty-third, Petrie of the hundred and sixty-sixth, Clark of the one-hundredth, and others. A bill relating to serious traffic offenses. House Bill fifteen seventy-five by Representative Sainz of the hundred and eightieth and Corbett of the hundred and seventy-fourth. A bill to amend an act to provide a homestead exemption from all City of Kingsland ad valorem taxes for ci- any city purposes. House Bill fifteen seventy-six by Representative Sainz of the hundred and eightieth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Kingsland ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes. House Bill fifteen seventy-seven by Representative Sainz of the hundred and eightieth.

70. 0:44:42

    A bill to amend an act providing a new charter for the City of Woodbine. House Bill fifteen seventy-eight by Representatives Gaines of the hundred and twentieth and Donahue of the thirty-first. A bill to amend an act providing a new charter for the Town of Arcade. House Bill fifteen seventy-nine by Representatives Jackson of the hundred and sixty-fifth, Westbrook of the hundred and sixty-third, Gilliard of the hundred and sixty-second, and Hitchens of the hundred and sixty-first. A bill to amend an act amending the several acts relating to and incorporating the mayor of and aldermen of the City of Savannah. House Bill fifteen eighty by Representatives Holly of the hundred and sixteenth, Douglas of the seventy-eighth, Sanchez of the hundred and seventeenth, Lewis-Ward of the hundred and fifteenth, Flournoy of the seventy-fourth.

71. 0:45:14

    A bill to amend an act creating the Henry County Airport Authority. House Resolution seventeen forty-eight by Representative Clifton of the hundred and thirty-first, Persinger of the hundred and nineteenth, Gambill of the fifteenth, Fleming of the hundred and fourteenth, Erwin of the thirty-second. A bill, a resolution creating the House Study Committee on Local Governmental Professional Contracting. House Resolution seventeen forty-nine by Representative Clifton of the thir- hundred and thirty-first, Persinger of the hundred and nineteenth, New of the fortieth, Camp of the one hundred and thirty-fifth, Smith of the eighteenth, and others. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on the Impact of Multiplayer Online Gaming Platforms. House Resolution seventeen fifty by Representatives Taylor of the hundred and seventy-third, LaHood of the hundred and seventy-fifth, Campbell of the hundred and seventy-first, Greene of the hundred and fifty-fourth, Cannon of the hundred and seventy-second.

72. 0:45:52

    Resolution honoring the veterans of World War I and dedicating a bridge in their memory. House Resolution seventeen fifty-one by Representative Lewis-Ward of the hundred and fifteenth, Hilgave of the hundred and forty-first, Greene of the hundred and fifty-fourth, Wilkerson of the thirty-eighth, Powell of the thirty-third. Resolution urging condominium associations, property owner associations, and any corporations or voluntary entities formed for the purpose of exercising the powers of homeowners or property owners association governing a common interest com- community to provide transparency to members of such associations. House Resolution seventeen fifty-two by Representative Efstration of the hundred and fourth, Burns of the hundred and fifty-ninth, Persinger of the hundred and nineteenth, Gaines of the hundred and twentieth, Hatchett of the hundred and fifty-fifth, and others.

73. 0:46:27

    A resolution recognizing the Honorable Terry England and dedicating an intersection in his honor. House Resolution fifteen, seventeen fifty-three by Representative Cox of the twenty-eighth, Barrett of the twenty-fourth, Jaspers of the eleventh, McDonald of the twenty-sixth, Jones of the twenty-fifth, and others. A resolution urging the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to continue to conduct official business within the designated county site. House Resolution seventeen fifty-four by Representative Lupton of the eighty-third, Ali of the hundred and sixth, Lemmon of the ninety-eighth. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Georgia Teacher Planning and Duty-Free Lunch. House Resolution seventeen fifty-five by Representative Anderson of the tenth, Williamson of the hundred and twelfth, Chastain of the seventh, Cannon of the hundred and seventy-second, Williams of the hundred and forty-eighth.

74. 0:47:03

    A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Alternative Investments for Local Governments. House Resolution seventeen eighty-eight by Representative Giesler of the hundred and twenty-first, Ali of the hundred and sixth, Bell of the seventy-fifth, Berry of the fifty-sixth, Park of the hundred and seventh, and others. A resolution creating the House Study Committee on Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence. Senate Bill 619 by Senator Lucas of the 26th, a bill to amend an act to reconstitute the Board of Education of Hancock County. Three second readers.

75. 0:48:05

    Reports of standing committees, Mr. Clerk will read.

76. 0:48:09

    Representative Chris Erwin of the 32nd District, Chairman of Committee on Education, submitted the following report: "Mr. Speaker, Committee on Education has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate, and has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 369, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Chris Erwin of the 32nd District, Chairman."

77. 0:48:34

    Representative Lauren McDonald of the 26th District, Chairman of the Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination Local, submitted the following report: "Mr. Speaker, Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination Local has had under its consideration the following bills of the House and Senate, and has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. House Bill 1485, do pass. House Bill 1487, do pass. House Bill 1489, do pass. House Bill 1519, do pass. House Bill 1523, do pass.

78. 0:49:06

    House Bill 1525, do pass. House Bill 1526, do pass. House Bill 1528, do pass. House Bill 1529, do pass. House Bill 1531, do pass. House Bill 1532, do pass. House Bill 1533, do pass. House Bill 1539, do pass. House Bill 1540, do pass. House Bill 1541, do pass. House Bill 1545, do pass. House Bill 1547, do pass. Senate Bill 349, do pass.

79. 0:49:38

    Senate Bill 457, do pass. Senate Bill 4- 543, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 612, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Lauren McDonald of the 26th District, Chairman."

80. 0:49:54

    Representative Gunter of the 8th District, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, submitted the following report: "Mr. Speaker, Committee on Judiciary has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate, and has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 406, do pass by committee substitute. Senate Bill 542, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Gunter of the 8th District, Chairman."

81. 0:50:21

    Representative Sharon Cooper of the 45th District, Chairman of the Committee on Public and Community Health, submitted the following report: "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Public and Community Health has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate, and has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 440, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Sharon Cooper of the 45th District, Chairman." Representative Shaw Blackmon of the 146th District, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following report: "Mr.

82. 0:50:55

    Speaker, your Committee on Ways and Means has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate, and has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 306, do pass by committee substitute. Senate Bill 446, do pass by committee substitute. Senate Bill 382, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Shaw Blackmon of the 146th District, Chairman." That completes the reading of the reports of standing committees.

83. 0:52:14

    Members, will you please... We do have a local calendar, but we're gonna take that up in a few minutes. We're gonna move on to something else right now if you will, um, members will please...

84. 0:54:39

    What?

85. 0:54:40

    Local calendar is turned in.

86. 0:54:42

    Local calendar.

87. 0:54:43

    So I just-

88. 0:54:44

    Local calendar.

89. 0:54:44

    Do you need your notebook?

90. 0:54:46

    I'd like it.

91. 0:54:48

    Start with third reading?

92. 0:54:50

    Yes.

93. 0:54:51

    Third reading and passage of uncontested local bills. If there's no objection, we'll vote on the local calendar as a whole with a recorded vote. Hearing none, it is so ordered. The clerk will read the local calendar.

94. 0:55:07

    House Bill 1485 by Representative Gunter of the 8th Union County. House Bill 1487 by Representative Anderson of the 10th, City of Cornelia. House Bill 1489 by Representative Baker of the 64th- City of Douglasville. House Bill 1519 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd, City of Peachtree City. House Bill 1523 by Representative Cheokas of the 151st, Sumter County. House Bill 1525 by Representative Efstration of the 104th, City of Auburn. House Bill 1526 by Representative Green of the 154th, Early County.

95. 0:55:41

    House Bill 1528 by Representative Powell of the 33rd, City of Franklin Springs. House Bill 1529 by Representative Powell of the 33rd, City of Cannon. House Bill 1531 by Representative Jasperse of the 11th, City of Ball Ground. House Bill 1532 by Representative Carpenter of the 4th, City of Dalton. House Bill 1533 by Representative Carpenter of the 4th, City of Dalton. House Bill 1539 by Representative Burchett of the 176th, Ware County. House Bill 1540 by Representative Burchett of the 176th, Ware County.

96. 0:56:16

    House Bill 1541 by Representative Burchett of the 176th, Ware County. House Bill 1545 by Representative Rhodes of the 124th, Putnam County. House Bill 1547 by Representative Williams of the 168th, Liberty County. Senate Bill 349 by Senator Lucas of the 26th, Hancock County. Senate Bill 457 by Senator Dixon of the 45th, City of Mulberry. Senate Bill 543 by substitute by Senator Williams of the 25th, Butts County.

97. 0:56:47

    Senate Bill 612 by Senator Walker of the 20th, City of Cochran.

98. 0:56:59

    Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered on the local calendar? The chair hears 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 bills? The chair hears none. The report of the bill committee is agreed to. Shall these bills now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bills on the local calendar will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no and the clerk will unlock the machine.

99. 0:57:51

    Have all members voted?

100. 0:57:56

     Yes, sir.

101. 0:58:04

     Have all members voted? If so, the clerk will lock the machines on the passage of the bills. The local calendar, the ayes are 153, the nays are zero. These bills having received the requisite constitutional majority are therefore passed. The House will stand at ease for the next 10 to 15 minutes.

102. 0:58:27

     There you go, ma'am. Thank you.

103. 1:35:51

     House will come to order. Thank you all for, uh, allowing us to take that break. Great day for Georgians and great announcements. Mr. Clerk, will you ring the bell and let everyone know we're about ready to get started?

104. 1:36:34

     We're gonna have a special moment here in just a minute. Maybe a couple moments. We'll see how that works out. But at this time, I'm going to recognize while everybody has an opportunity to, to make their way to the chamber and to their seats, we're going to, uh, have a couple motions. For what purpose does Representative... For, for what purpose Rep- Representative Thomas rise?

105. 1:37:01

     To make a motion.

106. 1:37:03

     State your motion.

107. 1:37:04

     Motion Senate Bill 23 be recommitted to Rules.

108. 1:37:07

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?

109. 1:37:11

     Senate Bill 23 by Senator Albers of the 56th and others to be entitled an Act to Amend Article 7 of Chapter 20 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Public Retirement Systems Investment Authority Law.

110. 1:37:24

     On the gentleman's motion that SB 23 be withdrawn from the calendar and recommitted to the Rules Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered.

111. 1:37:42

     For what purpose does

112. 1:37:46

     Representative Thomas rise?

113. 1:37:50

     Make a motion.

114. 1:37:51

     State your motion.

115. 1:37:52

     Motion Senate Bill 395 be recommitted to Rules.

116. 1:37:57

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption of Senate Bill 395?

117. 1:38:00

     Senate Bill 395 by Senator Kirkpatrick of the 32nd to be entitled an Act to Amend Chapter 2A, Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Department of Public Health.

118. 1:38:12

     On the gentleman's motion that Senate Bill 395 be withdrawn from the calendar and recommitted to the Rules Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, it's so ordered.

119. 1:38:54

     Representative Berry. There he is. Would you like to be recognized for a motion? For what purpose Rep- Representative Berry rise?

120. 1:39:06

     To make a motion.

121. 1:39:07

     State your motion.

122. 1:39:08

     I move that House Resolution 1793 be moved from the Committee on Special Rules to the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, and both chairmen are in agreement.

123. 1:39:17

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?

124. 1:39:19

     House Resolution 1793, uh, urging the Department of Natural Resources to establish regulations for placement of lifeguards on Georgia's public beaches.

125. 1:39:32

     On the gentleman's motion that House Resolution 1793 be withdrawn from the Special Rules Committee and recommitted to the Economic Development and Tourism Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, it's so ordered.

126. 1:39:58

     Members, if you will give the gentleman that will be in the well in just a moment your attention. Not just him, but several of our members that we know that will not be returning. For me, I'll tell you personally, and for this body, it's a bittersweet moment to hear from these members that have done s- such great work here over the years. With that, I'm going to, uh, recognize my friend from Tennille, Georgia, down in Washington County, Chairman Matt Jackson, for some remarks.

127. 1:40:36

     Chairman Jackson.

128. 1:40:38

     Thank the speaker. I wanna recognize my family. My family here with me. My wife, my sons, and some family in the gallery. I wanna recognize them, too, for being here with us today.

129. 1:41:00

     Today I rise, colleagues, to say goodbye to the Georgia House of Representatives. A wise man once said, "To everything there's a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Another wise man also said, "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run." And that time has come for me. But as I leave these hallowed halls knowing that it was only by God's grace that I was elected to serve as one of 180 distinguished legislators in this great state of Georgia.

130. 1:41:43

     As we celebrated with Representative Carl Gilliard, the 33 Black legislators that were elected during Reconstruction to this very same Capitol, it made me realize that this was a sacred honor to carry the title of Georgia State Representative. The original 33 African American legislators paved the way for me and other people of color to sit in this very chamber. So as I leave here, I leave with hope. Hope that the relationships that were made over these 18 years were built on a solid foundation that will stand the test of time.

131. 1:42:21

     I've met so many wonderful people in this chamber. Representative Al Williams, and I travel across the state of Georgia. And there's so many things to say about Representative Al Williams, but I don't have the time to tell it all. But I learned all of his sayings, Leader Hugley. When elephants fight, the grass suffers. Only eat shrimp, crabs, and oysters during the month with an R in them. When you put your hand in the lion's mouth, pull it out slowly.

132. 1:42:55

     It's as useless as blank on a bull hog.

133. 1:43:01

     We stayed in an Airbnb on one of our trips in North Georgia, and Whip Burchette remember this one, but we didn't see any Black people up there. We ... And when we attended the meetings on water rights, one of the young men invited us to come back that Sunday and attend church with them, but of course, we didn't go. But he always told us about eating pig feet in Portugal.

134. 1:43:33

     So one night we were in a restaurant, and they had stuffed pig feet on the menu. And yes, you know he ordered it. And that same night, he had to go home and cook something, because it was the most awful meal that he had ever had.

135. 1:43:49

     But I can't tell you all the Al Williams stories. But I can tell you thank you to Chairman Allen Powell. We had some late nights when he was chairman of public safety, and we debated gun bills sometimes through the night here. Thank you to sh- chairwoman Sharon Cooper. I'll always remember driving for her in one of those South Georgia towns during one of our rural council meetings. Thank you to Chairman Jesse Petrea for always coming through on Savannah day, along with Representative Carl Gilliard.

136. 1:44:20

     Chairman Butch Parrish, I'm looking forward to driving down to Swainsboro and eating at the Coleman House. Representative Billy Mitchell, let's keep showing up at the Convenience Store Expo in Macon. Thank you to all my suite mates in 611, where Ms. Kimberly Wideman greeted me on my first day in 2009. And she thought to herself, "He's not gonna make it." I'm the last one in my freshman class to still be here after 2009.

137. 1:44:50

     Thank you to all my friends on my row of seats in the chamber. Representative O'Steen left peanut brittle in my office on yesterday. Thank you to Appropriations Chair Matt Hatchett for all your help during my 19, 18 years here. Thank you to all my friends who come up here every year to keep the doors open. Every one of the doorkeepers, I consider them my friend. Chairman Lee Hawkins, who will call me and ask can I meet him for dinner, and when I get there, he's ordered giant lobsters that neither one of us can finish eating.

138. 1:45:26

     Dean Green, who told me who to call to lease an apartment at the Landmark when I first got elected in 2009. And I can't forget the kindness of the late Speaker of the House, David Ralston, who believed in me and came to visit me on a Sunday morning at the church. And I was so overwhelmed, and I asked him, "Why, Mr. Speaker?" And he said, "Because you are my friend." That's the kind of man he was, a great man that believed in me.

139. 1:46:00

     And those words will forever echo in my mind of how Mr. Speaker considered me as his friend. I remember one night I was in a dilemma in Gwinnett County, and Leader Efstration came to my rescue. I'll always remember your kindness, Mr. Leader. Thank you, Speaker Jon Burns, for making me co-chair, along with Dean Green, of the Rural Development Council. The information that was shared during those meetings as we traveled acros- across the state was incredible, and it helped me to get so many things done in the rural communities that I represent.

140. 1:46:42

     Funds for rural broadband, funds for so many infrastructure projects in my district, the Rural Physician Tax Credit bill that I passed to incentivize physicians and dentists to practice in rural Georgia. The funding for the communities was incredible, and I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me an opportunity to have a leadership role on the Rural Development Council. Thank you to Leader Hugley, who helped me to get my first bill passed when I was a freshman in this chamber.

141. 1:47:16

     She did it with so much kindness and with a smile, and showed me how to go across the Senate and advocate for my bill through the committee. Thank you, Chairman Join- John Corbett, for being a friend. Thank you, Chairman Lauren McDonald, for cooking Boston butts during Hurricane Helene, and Chairwoman Lisa Hagan's calling me to bring a U-Haul truck to Vidalia, Geo- Georgia, to pick up food and supplies for victims of the hurricane. I'm forever grateful for your acts of kindness.

142. 1:47:49

     Whip Sam Park, thank you for your calls. And my friend and suite mate, Representative Marvin Lim. And my friend David Sampson for traveling to Sandersville to participate in our annual health fair. Thank you to my friend Floyd Griffin, Representative Floyd Griffin, for your kindness and being a neighbor in Baldwin County. Thank you to Representative Gabe Okoye for always letting me know that he's thinking about me. Representative Casey Carpenter for being a person of character and full of joy.

143. 1:48:21

     I've never seen you upset, even when people are, were upset with you.

144. 1:48:30

     Chairman Jesse Petrea, thank you for your kindness. Chairman Danny Mathis and my delegation members from Augusta. Chairman Mark Newton, Chairman Brian Prince, Representative Gary Richardson, Representative Carlton Howard, Representative L.C. Miles. I'll miss riding over to Augusta and having dinner with the delegation. To all my friends in this chamber, thank you for being who you are for these 18 years. But there's one special person besides my wife that I owe a debt of gratitude to, and that's Ms.

145. 1:49:03

     Kimberly Wideman, who is here with us today. Won't you stand?

146. 1:49:15

     She's been with me since that first day in 2009, and she has kept us steady in 611 and the CLOB. She's got so much wisdom and understanding, and sometimes she even preach the gospel to me when I'm down. She knows the word of God. Thank you for all that you do in Suite 611 in the CLOB. There's a poem that we had to learn in elementary school called The Bridge Builder, and it goes like this: An old man going a lone highway, came at the evening cold and gray, to a chasm vast and deep and wide, through which was flowing a solemn tide.

147. 1:49:58

     The old man crossed in the twilight dim. The sullen stream had no fear for him. But he turned when safe on the other side and built a bridge to span the tide. "Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near, "You're wasting your strength with building here. Your journey will end with the ending day. You never again will pass this way. You crossed the chasm deep and wide. Why build this bridge at evening tide?" The builder lifted his old gray head. "Good friend, on the path I have come," he said, "There followed after me today a youth whose feet must pass this way.

148. 1:50:35

     This chasm that has been is naught to me. To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He too must cross in the twilight dim. Good friend, I am building this bridge for him." May the bridges that I've built over these 18 years help someone else along the way. May God bless you, and may the life I've lived speak for me. Mr. Speaker, I yield the will.

149. 1:52:03

     Daryl and Michael. Yeah. Would you guys come up, Mack's sons? Um, Valerie, where'd you go?

150. 1:52:10

     Right here. Oh, you're already here, girl.

151. 1:52:16

     These are Mack and Valerie's, excuse me, Chairman Jackson, I'm sorry, sons. And, uh, they're much better looking men than their daddy. What can I say? But we're glad to have them and y'all's support for your dad, your mom, and Valerie. Thank you for standing besides Mack and sharing him with us all these years. I want to say one thing while you guys are here.

152. 1:52:43

     I was thinking about Speaker Ralston and what Mack said. I bet you ... He's not going anywhere anytime soon, but I bet you anything you want to bet Speaker Ralston's whispering into somebody's ear, old Saint Peter or Jesus, some of those folks up there, and saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant, Mack Jackson."

153. 1:53:57

     Members, the Jackson family will be in that South Anney Room if you would like to go say hello to them and thank them, uh, for ... And how many years have you put up with? 18 years. 18 years. Wow. You're a woman of great strength.

154. 1:54:16

     Thank you for your service to your member in taking care of him over these years. He's, uh, uh, he's done a lot of things right, so I know he's had some good direction at home and in the office. So, thank you. And thanks to all the family members that are here and the friends from down home. Thank y'all for being here.

155. 1:54:36

     Members, we're gonna give Chairman Jackson just a minute to get over to that South Anney Room, and you can go over and get some photos with him.

156. 1:57:16

     Members, uh, I want to recognize someone while we're kind of at ease w- for just a moment, but a former member of this house, former majority leader of this house, a dear friend, Jerry Keene. Let's make Jerry and his family welcome today.

157. 1:58:49

     Members, we're gonna get started on the morning orders calendar, if you will. We have a number of folks that have waited patiently in our gallery this morning, so we want to recognize folks up there. If you could do it a minute or something like that, that'd be awesome. We have a, a, a fair number of morning order. We'll start with Chairman Gullett.

158. 1:59:10

     He's right here. And then Representative Waker- Wafer Bak- Re- Representative Baker, you'll be next.

159. 1:59:24

     Gentleman's recognized.

160. 1:59:26

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my honor today to present this resolution, House Resolution 1193, uh, to our friends from Reflections of Trinity, headquartered right in Powder Springs and serving families across Cobb County, uh, and far beyond. Under the leadership of Lori Wong Burns, this organization has made an incredible impact since its founding in 2003. In 2025 alone, they served over 100,000 individuals, including more than 24,000 children and 14,000 seniors, and distributed two million pounds of food to families in need the most.

161. 2:00:02

     But what stands out to me isn't just the scale of their operation, it's the heart behind it. In a year that tested so many families, they showed up and showed out. They expanded their reach, met people where they are, and provided not just food, but dignity and hope. What started as a small act of kindness and service has touched hundreds of thousands of lives here in Georgia, and that's something truly special. Lori, you and your team, will you please stand for us? Thank you so much for your a lifetime to so many, a lifeline for so many, and on behalf of the Georgia House, it's truly an honor to recognize you today.

162. 2:00:37

     So thank you so much. Let's give them a round of applause.

163. 2:00:47

     Thank you, Chairman. Good to have y'all. Members, if you will, uh, join me in standing for Representative Baker. Give her your attention

164. 2:01:00

     and respect here. Doorkeepers, if you maybe would close the doors. Lady's recognized.

165. 2:01:09

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the House, today I rise to honor the life and memory of Nazir Shakur-Lay, a young man whose life was taken s- far too soon at the age of 21 years. Nazir had the brightest smile and the most infectious laugh. He lit up any room he entered. Even when he was having a bad day, he wanted to make sure that you had a good one. His family was his world, especially his six-year-old niece, who referred to her Uncle Naz as her best friend.

166. 2:01:45

     Nazir was deeply loved by his family, and as they, and as they mark the anniversary of his first year passing, we recognize that the loss of a child, no matter their age, is a sorrow no parent should ever have to endure. Today, we pause as a body to recognize Nazir's life and to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. If Mrs. Clark Bethune, Nazir's mother, would please stand.

167. 2:02:18

     Would everyone join me in a moment of silence?

168. 2:02:25

     While Nazir's life was far too short, the light he brought into this world remains. May his memory inspire us to lead with the same kindness he showed to others. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will.

169. 2:02:38

     Thank you, Representative Baker. Mom, our condolences go out to you, prayers. Sounds like a wonderful young man taken far too soon, so our prayers are with you and the family. Thank you for being here with us. Chairman Hilton and friends. Chairman Hilton and friends. So if you'll, if you'll join.

170. 2:03:08

     We'll allow that any time.

171. 2:03:10

     Mr. Speaker, they've been waiting a while. They've been patient. You can tell they're excited. It's a great day to be a Georgian because today is World Down Syndrome Day, and we are, yes, we are- Wow.

172. 2:03:42

     Mr. Speaker, each year, March 21st, we celebrate the lives, contributions, and limitless potential of people with Down syndrome. Here in the United States, about one in every 700 are born with Down syndrome, each one offering unique gifts, talents, and perspective that strengthens our communities. We're especially grateful for the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, their executive director, Shel Arnaud, uh, who works tire-

173. 2:04:08

     Who works tirelessly to connect families with resources, education, and the support they need to thrive. To our guests, thank you for being here. Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you for s- uh, making all of us proud, and thank you. We are honored to stand with you. Let's give them one more round of applause, ladies and gentlemen. Yes.

174. 2:04:32

     And make sure, ladies and gentlemen, you come find me because today we have our socks on, the mix-matched socks here, celebrating World Down Syndrome Day. So thank you, everyone, and God bless. Appreciate you.

175. 2:04:48

     Nice.

176. 2:04:48

     I tell you what I heard, limitless. Limitless potential. Thank y'all for being here. Thank you for your patience. Good luck to y'all, and God bless you all. Thanks for being here. You have a great champion, a number of great champions here. Thank you.

177. 2:05:17

     Representative Park Cannon is recognized for a morning order, then Representative Kendrick would be after Representative Cannon.

178. 2:05:37

     Representative Park Cannon and some friends. The ladies are-

179. 2:05:40

     Yeah. Yeah

180. 2:05:41

     ... recognized.

181. 2:05:42

     Mm-hmm. Yeah. Thank you. Hold on. I actually have to read this one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, we rise to honor more perinatal providers in Georgia on today, Perinatal Provider Appreciation Day. We understand that perinatal responders increase the safety of families in the childbirth period. Perinatal responders are certified by CAPPA, DONA, BADT, and other agency. They primarily work in rural and underserved areas of Georgia, and can assist families in birth that honor traditional and ancestral linkages.

182. 2:06:22

     Today, we are honoring 28 birth workers with a reception in the Senate mezzanine until 2:00 PM. All members are invited to come and to learn about the work of these individuals who do work in your districts across the state. And we're excited to announce that we have a resolution making May 8th as Birth Responders Day in Georgia. Congratulations.

183. 2:06:54

     Thank you so much for being here. Come down and take a photo on the third floor. Thank you.

184. 2:07:11

     Representative Kendrick and Representative Reese.

185. 2:07:17

     Thank-

186. 2:07:17

     Ladies recognized.

187. 2:07:18

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You can come on down if you have a MBA, but we have some special guests in the gallery, and I wanna tell you a little bit about them. They are from the Atlanta chapter of the National Black MBA Association. And for those of you that don't know, I earned my MBA from Kennesaw State my first year serving here. And so we have some friends that are coming up that are supporters. But the National Black MBA Association Atlanta chapter is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing leadership, economic mobility, and educational opportunity across Greater Atlanta.

188. 2:07:54

     Through strategic programs and partnerships, they create pathways that expand access to careers, strengthen communities, and empower the next generation of leaders. So if you could stand up so that we can acknowledge the Atlanta chapter of National Black MBA Association. Thank you so much for coming down. We appreciate you. And if you can come downstairs to third floor of the ante room-

189. 2:08:20

     Thank you

190. 2:08:20

     ... um, then I think some people have some pictures they would like to take with you.

191. 2:08:25

     Hey, Dar'shun. I'll be

192. 2:08:27

     Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

193. 2:08:31

     Thank you. Good to have y'all. Appreciate you being here. Your work is important. Representative Gilliard. Represent- Representative Gilliard, are you by yourself or you have some folks with you? You flying solo today?

194. 2:08:47

     You are right.

195. 2:08:47

     Oh, no, you were.

196. 2:08:49

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, and members of the great Georgia General Assembly, we have champions with us on today. Gold medal champions. And they just happen to be in a good age group. They are ladies, the Atlanta, the, the ladies that are 50 to 64 years of age playing basketball.

197. 2:09:17

     They are, they are the Atlanta Lady Hawks. W- the, the champions are here. Would you please celebrate them with us on today? The champions are here.

198. 2:09:30

     And, and Mr. Speaker, and they're gonna be down in the ante room if you wanna take pictures. And Mr. Speaker, we have with us a magician on today, and a servant that is known all over the nation. Uh, his, he is a servant to not only Savannah, but all over. He is, uh, the curator of the Magic Mark Show and Magic Nation. And if you've ever seen a yellow python around his neck, I stay closely away from it. Magic Mark is here on today. Would you please give him a hand?

199. 2:10:07

     There's Magic Mark right there.

200. 2:10:09

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

201. 2:10:09

     Welcome.

202. 2:10:10

     I yield the well.

203. 2:10:12

     Boy, they all look fit, too, Representative Gilliard. Good to have y'all. Congratulations. Basketball's awesome. Representative Lewis-Ward and Representative Schofield, are y'all ready?

204. 2:10:24

     Yes.

205. 2:10:25

     It's your time. And friends. Who's in charge?

206. 2:10:30

     She's in charge.

207. 2:10:32

     There she is, Representative Lewis-Ward. Lady's recognized.

208. 2:10:36

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So today, our state celebrates single parents for their dedication, for their hard work, and their sacrifice. In 1984, former President Ronald Reagan, he established the National Single Parent Day to coincide with the founding of the Parents Without Partners. Today in our gallery, we acknowledge former House Representative Valencia Stovall and single parents from across the state of Georgia. Please stand so you can be recognized.

209. 2:11:11

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the well.

210. 2:11:46

     Representative Lisa Campbell. Lady is recognized. Is Representative Bell on the floor?

211. 2:12:07

     Representative Dawson, you will be on deck. Oh, there you are. You're already on deck. Representative Campbell and friends.

212. 2:12:15

     Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. Today, with our Cobb delegation members, who are welcome to stand, and all KSU alumni, I would like to welcome and recognize Kennesaw State University's Student Government Association, who were with us today. I'm sure their dedication to their studies, they might have gone on back. Um, as leaders in our community, I extend appreciation and encouragement to these active, engaged students who are contributing their time and energy to serve their fellow students. A special thank you to Elisa George, the current SGA president, former SGA senator, and one of our current interns, Tasia Good, and all of the SGA delegates, their sponsors, including Andrea Allison, our beloved KSU legislative liaison, and always KSU President, Dr.

213. 2:13:03

     Kathy Schwacke. Thank you, and I yield the will.

214. 2:13:10

     Where is everybody at? It's like, what kind of tr-

215. 2:13:13

     Members, we have a former member of this house, Representative Valencia Stovall, up in the galleries. It's good to see you again. Always good. We appreciate you and your service. Thank you. Representative Dawson. Gentleman's recognized. Chairman Martin, you're on deck.

216. 2:13:33

     Hey, good morning. If any South Fulton delegation members are here, you're more than welcome to join me here. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the House, I rise today to welcome the leadership and citizens of a city that's not just a part of my district, but a part of my heart, my home, the City of South Fulton. We had our mayor. Some of them moved over to the Senate, Council over here, and the leadership of the city. If anyone knows me, you know that I love South Fulton. I carry this city with me every day, and when I walk into the, uh, chamber, I know that we're South Fulton strong.

217. 2:14:06

     Few things. South Fulton is the future of the Fulton County region. We currently boast the most undeveloped land in all of Fulton County, and paired with our strate- strategic proximity to the world's busiest airport, that makes us a premier destination for global commerce. In the short nine-year span that we've achieved cityhood, our progress has been miraculous. We started with a modest budget of $47 million. Today, I'm proud to announce that our budget has grown tenfold, and we're reaching nearly a half billion dollars, 500 million.

218. 2:14:40

     We're the third-largest municipality in the city of, uh, or in the state of Georgia. So if you all would help me welcome my, uh, my team, my, my city members with a round of... house round of applause.

219. 2:14:58

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

220. 2:15:01

     Good to have y'all. We met earlier, so thanks for being here and thanks for hanging out and being patient with us. Thank you, Representative Dawson. Chairman Martin. Representative Chuck Martin is recognized. Look at this one. All right. Gentleman's recognized.

221. 2:15:17

     Ladies and gentlemen, all these moments that we've recognized this morning are important, but we have the opportunity right now to recognize truly one of the rarest and longest lasting marriages in America. Married February 14th, 1945, Gene and Dovey Brinson celebrated their 81st anniversary. G- yes.

222. 2:15:49

     They were gonna try to be with us today, but they weren't able to make it down here. Gene turned 99 yesterday. Dovey is, he, he had a child bride. She's only 98 now. And, and they are, are celebrating and, and at home. But I want you to listen to their, their legacy, if you would. Family members that they have, evidenced by six wonderful children, 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and three great-great-great-grandchildren, some of which have joined us and been patient with us this morning in the audience.

223. 2:16:35

     If you would join me in rising and giving applause for the legacy of Gene and Dovey Brinson.

224. 2:16:43

     God, I had to wait so long.

225. 2:16:48

     The, i- if you're counting, that's six generations. Uh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm gonna invite you down, if you would, to, to the ante room. We'll make some pictures, and I yield the will.

226. 2:17:41

     Members, we're gonna move on to the rules calendar.

227. 2:18:57

     I mean, y'all are aware we took a couple of bills, I think, off the rules, rules calendar this morning and moved them back to committee. So we're going to hear. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 284? 284.

228. 2:19:12

     Senate Bill 284 by Senator Walker, the 20th and others to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008. So as to authorize the issuance of orders by the Commissioner of Securities directing persons who have violated certain securities provisions to return to investors. This bill have, have been referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs. That committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute.

229. 2:19:59

     Representative Scott Hilton is recognized to present Senate Bill 284. Mr. Chairman is recognized.

230. 2:20:10

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 84 has two parts. I'll start with the second part, and this is, uh, the second part is House Bill 669 which passed out of the House Education Committee earlier in this session. It would allow school systems access to roofing improvements through a cooperative purchasing agency. Using this method for roofing improvements would also make these school projects eligible for capital outlay reimbursement funds in the case of low-wealth school systems.

231. 2:20:41

     Um, I do have to recognize Chairman Meeks, who is the author of House Bill 669 and is bringing ba- that on behalf of his local community. The crux of the legislation, the first part, uh, there's currently not a statutory means for the securities division to pursue a perpetrator of fraud outside the leveling of civil penalties. This would allow the agency to pursue those criminals and get dollar for dollar reimbursement back to the victims of, of fraud.

232. 2:21:13

     Think financial pyramid schemes and, and the like. So strengthening our securities division so that they can make right, uh, by those investors and get justice for victims of financial fraud. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will yield for questions.

233. 2:21:32

     Gentleman has no questions.

234. 2:21:34

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the well.

235. 2:21:35

     You do have, we do have one member who wants to speak in favor of your bill, so you have no question. Gentleman's yielded the well.

236. 2:21:45

     Repres- Representative Dar'shun Kendrick is recognized to speak in favor of the bill. The lady is recognized.

237. 2:21:56

     All right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, members. Um, I specifically wanted to ask for your support of this bill, specifically related to lines 35 through 41 of the bill that's gonna give the Secretary of State, um, securities division the opportunity, um, and the authority to redirect funds from unscrupulous, um, issuing companies so that they can pay back investors and companies and, uh, and customers and clients. You know, one of the things that I do outside of the legislature as a corporate attorney is doing arbitration for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

238. 2:22:33

     So I get to arbitrate cases between investors and issuing companies. And it is so sad to see so many investors getting taken advantage of and not being able to be fully whole, um, when it comes to investing their money. So I support this bill, particularly that provision, because it's gonna help empower our Secretary of State to really get money, as much money as they can, back to these investors that, um, otherwise would not have the means to do that. I'm actually s- pretty surprised that they don't have the authority already.

239. 2:23:06

     So, um, please support SB 284, and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

240. 2:23:43

     Ladies, you ordered the well.

241. 2:23:47

     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? 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.

242. 2:24:17

     Have all members voted? All

243. 2:24:35

     members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of Senate Bill 284, the yays are 155,

244. 2:25:14

     the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

245. 2:27:35

     I gotcha.

246. 2:27:58

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 384? 3-8-4. Senate Bill 384 by Senator Hatchett of the 50th and others being titled an act to amend Article 2, Chapter 9 of Title 12 and Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to motor vehicle emission inspection and maintenance and motor vehicles and traffic. This bill having referred to the Committee on Motor Vehicles, that committee recommends that this bill do pass by rules committee sub.

247. 2:28:30

     Representative Martin, Chairman Momtahan is recognized to present Senate Bill 384. Members, he's going to make an announcement and give you some, so you'll understand exactly what we're considering here when he comes to the well. So I'm gonna recognize the gentleman right now, and then we'll make sure everyone's on the right page.

248. 2:28:51

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, we are gonna be withdrawing the House Rules sub and just traveling with the underlying bill, which is LC 39-48-93S. Um- That's the original underlying bill, correct? That's correct, Mr. Speaker, and that copy is, is in y'all's books. So, uh, Mr. Speaker, uh, members, I rise today, uh, to present, uh, Senate Bill 384. And what Senate Bill 384 does is creates a new five-year, uh, tag and registration for your vehicles.

249. 2:29:27

     Uh, so it's gonna eliminate, especially for those counties where you don't have to pay emissions, uh, it's gonna eliminate that yearly drive out to the tag office to get, uh, that new registration. Uh, and so we're just gonna cut down on some of this government red tape. Um, if you're living in emissions county, you're still gonna have to make sure that, uh, you turn again those emissions timely. Of course, that's federal law. We don't have anything to do with emissions, uh, but we do administer that on the state level. So just to be very clear, it creates, this bill here creates a five-year decal, uh, and so you won't have to go back and forth.

250. 2:30:06

     Uh, but you will, again, you'll have to make sure you get your emissions per federal standards. Uh, but, but this, if you don't live in one of those areas, uh, it would just create a five-year, uh, decal for your vehicle. With, with that, Mr. Speaker, it's a pretty simple bill. I'll stand for just one or two questions. Gentleman, yield to Representative Jasmine Clark to your left. I will. Lady's recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield? I do. I love the idea of not having to go and get a tag every year because my birthday is in, um, the day after Christmas, and it takes a long time, or I always forget.

251. 2:30:44

     Anyway, um, my question my question is on the emission side. So if we're not having to, or so we don't have to get a new tag, but we still have to get an emissions, what will be that process? Well, it's kinda no different than what you're doing now. So you gotta go get your emissions by, you know, your birthday, the, at, on the regular day that you normally go get your registration annually for those folks that are in an emissions county. Now, that's not every county.

252. 2:31:14

     Actually, most counties, uh, are not emissions counties. Um, but, uh, I know, uh, you may be headed up to Washington. If you do, maybe you can work on that issue for us and get us out of those emissions too. Thank you.

253. 2:31:29

     Representative McQueen- You ain't getting out of them ... is recognized for a question to your left, right behind Representative Clark. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield? I do. Uh, can you talk to us about why alternative fuel, uh, vehicles are excluded? I mean, if they're cleaner, wouldn't it be easier to just include them? Yeah. So I think it's the way that we, uh, we assess fees on those vehicles. It's a little bit different. Uh, that w- that policy was set years ago. And because there's so many moving parts, we really didn't want to, uh-

254. 2:31:58

     But we didn't really wanna make big changes to that. It's working pretty good right now. I think as we get into the next year, maybe we'll start contemplating those. And may- and look, I'm, I'm all for, uh, reducing red tape just like you, and, uh, I think that would be a good provision in the future.

255. 2:32:12

     Okay, thank you. And do, do, do you have room for just one more?

256. 2:32:15

     For my friend sure.

257. 2:32:16

     Thank you. Um, and then, uh, so we're buying it in five, like, a five-year block. So what happens if, like, I buy my car and then I sell it within a year? Am I d- have I just purchased four years worth of unusable...

258. 2:32:29

     In the committee, I think it was contemplated that you would just transfer that tag to your new vehicle. That's what-

259. 2:32:33

     Oh, you transfer it with your title?

260. 2:32:34

     That's correct.

261. 2:32:35

     Oh, okay. Thank you.

262. 2:32:36

     All right. With that, Mr. Speaker, I'll yield the will. Thank you.

263. 2:32:40

     Gentleman's yield the will. He had several more questions, but he yields the will. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to withdrawing the substitute altered by the Committee on Rules? Hearing none, it's withdrawn. 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.

264. 2:33:13

     Those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

265. 2:33:36

     Have all members voted? For what purpose does Representative Roberts rise?

266. 2:33:42

     Is it on? Oh, there.

267. 2:33:43

     There it is.

268. 2:33:44

     Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, isn't it true that I was gonna ask the question, how do they enforce whether or not you've had your emissions when you have a five-year tag now? So hopefully the author can answer my question offline.

269. 2:33:59

     I'm sure he will, because I'm in one of those non-attainment areas, so I'm not sure about the emissions, to be honest about that. So I think the gentleman... Does, does gentleman have a inquiry on that point?

270. 2:34:19

     Did you hear her question, her inquiry?

271. 2:34:21

     Mr. Speaker, I didn't. If she could repeat the inquiry.

272. 2:34:24

     Another inquiry. The lady's recognized for inquiry.

273. 2:34:29

     Wait.

274. 2:34:31

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sorry. Um, isn't, isn't it true I was going to ask the author how does law enforcement or whomever enforce a violation of not getting your emissions checked if your tag says five years? I'm just curious how that's gonna work.

275. 2:34:49

     Yeah. L- thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I'll answer that inquiry. Just to say that if you don't, uh, if you don't register with your emissions, if you're in one of these, uh, non-attainment areas, then, uh, it, it would be, you know, canceled, just like it is today if you didn't go register, re-register.

276. 2:35:06

     Is it not true?

277. 2:35:07

     Is it not true, Mr. Speaker?

278. 2:35:09

     Sounds like a good answer to me.

279. 2:35:10

     Thank you.

280. 2:35:10

     I'm gonna take one more inquiry. For what purpose does Representative Barnes rise?

281. 2:35:15

     Parliamentary inquiry.

282. 2:35:17

     State your inquiry.

283. 2:35:18

     Is it not true that I, too, had a question to understand, um, how you, it, go get your emissions? Do you just... When do you go get your emissions? Do you just wait a year, or do you just go get it willy-nilly?

284. 2:35:35

     The gentleman can correct me, but I think whenever your emissions next, um, time that you go get an emissions, uh, check, that's when you would go do it. Is it annually?

285. 2:35:45

     Mr. Speaker, uh, is it not true, I probably should just come back up there, but, uh, is it further not true that, uh, you have to do these on your birthday? So it's not gonna change any of the emissions type standards in these non-attainment areas. You have to go back on, on or before your birthday with- I think it's within 60 or 90 days of your birthday. You gotta go get your emissions if you're in a non-attainment area. And then you up- it gets uploaded to a portal. So you go do your emissions, it goes online, it gets sent to the Department of Revenue, and then at that point, you know, it, they inform the, uh, Department of Revenue whether or not you've got your emissions done.

286. 2:36:24

     Is it not true, Mr. Speaker?

287. 2:36:27

     Sounded pretty true to me. Uh, thank you for those answers. All members now voted. I'm glad I live in a place where there's plenty of pine trees and oak trees to keep the air clean. All members voted. This, uh, Mr. Clerk, will lock the machine. On the passage of Senate Bill 384, the yeas are 151, the nays are seven. This bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

288. 2:37:00

     Members, we're getting close to that point you're all looking for, as well as myself. We're gonna take up a further action here. I'm gonna recognize Represent- Representative O'Steen for a motion. The lady is recognized.

289. 2:37:17

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House substitute to Senate Bill 170.

290. 2:37:25

     Mr. Clerk will read the caption.

291. 2:37:27

     Senate Bill 170 by Senator Jackson of the 41st and others to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 12 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to commissions and other agencies so as to create the Georgia Interagency Council for the Homeless.

292. 2:37:45

     Representative O'Steen is recognized to explain the Senate amendment.

293. 2:37:53

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

294. 2:38:02

     Before I get started, I don't know if I can get through this or not. I wanna thank this House and everybody that's in here for the kindness that you have shown me through the death of my daddy.

295. 2:38:17

     It hit me today, it's okay. It hit me today that when I was going to ask for an agree to this bill, that this was my first bill last year, and I flashed my daddy up on that screen with all of us. He was in the hospital, and he was in the hospital during Hurricane Helene when that hospital was without power for seven days. And that's why this bill was given to me, because my own hospital was without power almost five days.

296. 2:38:49

     We didn't have enough generation to make our hospitals work. And y'all know that my daddy passed away last week, and we buried him last Wednesday.

297. 2:39:01

     And I was just thinking when I was gonna present this, that what a way to honor him this week

298. 2:39:11

     is to get, I'm sorry, I'm so upset, is to get this bill passed

299. 2:39:19

     so that we can keep these hospitals when there's more things that are coming, more disasters that are coming. We can, all these hospitals can have generators so that everybody in there can get the care that they need. Thank yous, y'all, for staying, and I really appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you for honoring my daddy. Thank you for making me feel loved.

300. 2:39:43

     I'm not really sure that I can explain these amendments, but I don't mind going through them. They're here on the paper if you need them.

301. 2:40:03

     If the lady will yield for one second, do you know what her mother told her last week?

302. 2:40:09

     That what her daddy would want her to do, and that was to come back to work, and so she did. It's been hard. You've been in our prayers, uh, you have and your entire family. So thank you for honoring your daddy's wishes. You came back to work, and you're a valued member of this body. We appreciate you. Now we recognize you to continue.

303. 2:40:29

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

304. 2:40:33

     If you would just look at the piece of paper. Let's get this bill passed, and let's get generators in hospitals that need it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will.

305. 2:40:58

     On the lady's motion that this, that the House, this House agree to the Senate amendment to the House substitute to Senate Bill 170, all those in favor will say, will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

306. 2:41:31

     Have all members voted? All members voted.

307. 2:41:39

     If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machines. On the lady's motion that this House agree to the Senate amendment to the House substitute of Senate Bill 170, the yays are 158, the nays are zero, and the House has agreed to that Senate amendment to the House substitute to SB 170. Thank you, members. Thank you, Representative O'Steen.

308. 2:42:14

     For what purpose does Chairman Hilton rise?

309. 2:42:17

     Motion.

310. 2:42:18

     State your motion.

311. 2:42:20

     Uh, I would like to move to recommit Senate Resolution 23 back to the Rules Calendar.

312. 2:42:26

     To the Rules Committee?

313. 2:42:26

     Rules Committee.

314. 2:42:27

     Yes, sir. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?

315. 2:42:30

     This is Senate Resolution 23 by Senator Cowser to the 46th and others. The resolution applying to the United States Congress to call a convention under Article 5.

316. 2:42:42

     On the gentleman's motion that Senate Resolution 23 be withdrawn from the calendar and recommitted to the Rules Committee, is there objection? Hearing none, it's so ordered.

317. 2:42:54

     Thank you, members. We'll roll on to the, to afternoon orders right now. Representative Stinson. Representative Patty Stinson. Representative Stinson.

318. 2:43:14

     I want to ask the members if you would join Representative Stinson and myself in standing.

319. 2:43:25

     Lady will suspend just for a moment.

320. 2:43:27

     Yes.

321. 2:43:27

     He went to kindergarten with my-

322. 2:43:28

     Yes.

323. 2:43:28

     And friends.

324. 2:43:30

     Thank you.

325. 2:43:30

     Members, give the lady at the will your attention, please.

326. 2:43:33

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I invite other members from down Southwest Georgia to join me. Southwest Georgia, if you will be so kind to join me.

327. 2:43:47

     Father, we stretch our hands to thee, no other help we know. If you withdraw yourself from us, we will have nowhere to go. It is with sincere sympathy the Davis Funeral Home of Ocilla, Georgia, pause to announce the passing and homegoing celebration in honor of Mr. Jonathan Tyrone Fuller of East Point, Georgia. Formerly of Gladys, Georgia, and you see his picture on the, the screen. Mr. Tyrone Fuller was heavily involved in the funeral industry.

328. 2:44:21

     Originally from Ocilla, Georgia. Jonathan leaves to cherish his memories his parents, Ms. Joanne Fuller of Ocilla, and his father, Mr. Ja- Jimmy Lee, and Judy Hall of Sylvester, Georgia. His ongoing celebration will be this Sunday, March 22nd, at 3:00 PM in the Irvin County High School gymnasium. He will lie in state at the Davis Funeral Home in Ocilla, Saturday morning from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

329. 2:44:55

     And Mr. Tyrone Fuller was very grateful to this body for passing the bill that will require funeral directors and embalmers to be, uh, sep- pertain, um, maintain separate licenses. So, um, we just want to pause for a moment and remember the life and legacy of our brother,

330. 2:45:20

     Jonathan Fuller, who was very well-loved across the state of Georgia in the funeral industry. May we bow for a moment of silence.

331. 2:45:34

     In Jesus' name, we thank you, and thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you members of this, of this body for your love and support shown to the Davis and, uh, Fuller family this afternoon. May God bless you all.

332. 2:45:50

     Thank you. Condolences to the family. Thank you, members.

333. 2:45:58

     Okay, we have five or six of you signed up for afternoon orders. We're gonna give you a, a good solid m- minute, uh, just a little longer if you need it. Representative Romman, then Representative Ali, and then Representative Au. Rep- Representative Romman.

334. 2:46:18

     Hi.

335. 2:46:19

     Rep- And friends.

336. 2:46:22

     Every time. You sound so surprised.

337. 2:46:23

     At least one.

338. 2:46:24

     Good Lord.

339. 2:46:24

     Lady's recognized.

340. 2:46:25

     Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I rise to wish Muslim Georgians an Eid Mubarak. Today is Eid. It marks the end of Ramadan, so Muslims all around the state will be going to prayers like I did this morning, uh, enjoying amazing food with their friends and their family, and hopefully getting a chance to spend some time with loved ones. I think it's really, really important to recognize today and holidays like this one, because as I've mentioned, there are so many holidays happening around this time of the year.

341. 2:46:56

     But in particular, there are a lot of people attempting to pretend as if Muslims do not belong in Georgia. They absolutely do. We have been a part of the state's history since before its founding, particularly Black Muslims. And so today I wanna wish all of them an Eid Mubarak. And for those of you that have Muslim constituents, make sure to reach out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the floor.

342. 2:47:19

     Ladies, you yield the floor. Thank you. Representative Ali. Representative Au, you'll be... She's right there. Gentleman's recognized.

343. 2:47:29

     All right. Members on, members on the screen. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members on the screen are siblings Isabelle and Noah, age 14 and 12. They are extremely close, learning piano together, learning about their favorite subject, science, together, and strengthening their bond. We can make their adoption possible at itsmyturnnow.dhs.georgia.gov, since they are foster children that are in need of a home. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I yield the floor.

344. 2:48:07

     Representative Au. Y'all pay attention to this one. Lady's got some imp- important information.

345. 2:48:12

     Very important information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I won't need a full minute. Just wanted to remind people it's, um, our second blood drive of the session. Today, the blood mobile is parked where it usually is between CLOB and the Capitol. Remember that each unit of donated blood can save up to three patients, so it's a very meaningful thing that we all can do, um, before we head home for the weekend. Remember to drink enough water before you go to the blood truck. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the floor.

346. 2:48:46

     Pay attention to what lady told you. Go down and share your blood. Representative Reeves. Chairman Reeves is recognized.

347. 2:48:54

     Thank you, Speaker Burns. House colleagues, on Monday at lunch, the municipal court judges and clerks will be here. They will have a lunch on the second floor in room 216. Let's come appreciate our 500 cities', uh, judges and clerks on Monday. Enjoy lunch with them. Thank you. I yield the floor.

348. 2:49:25

     Representative Parrish. Parrish, there she is right there. And friends. Yes, ma'am. Glad to have friends in. I'm always glad.

349. 2:49:33

     Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All right, y'all. If you look at the board, you will see what time of year it is, right? So everyone that wore pink today, thank you. I was channeling you. Those of you that didn't get it, be a little bit more attentive, okay? Um, the Cherry Blossom the Cherry Blossom Festival is starting tonight with our gala. Uh, it is a 10-day event, and this year's festival promises something for everyone.

350. 2:50:06

     Live entertainment, delicious food, vendors, arts and crafts, fa- family-friendly activities, and of course, the breathtaking beauty of thousands of cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Whether you're a longtime attendee or visiting for the first time, you'll experience the joy, color, and connection that makes this event so special. Like I said, it is from, uh, March the 20th, which is tonight, the gala, and, uh, through the 29th.

351. 2:50:34

     Thank you. Good? Good. Good? All right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

352. 2:50:45

     Cherry Blossom Festival. All good. Are, is, are they blooming good? Yes, they are. Awesome. Representative Carter.

353. 2:51:02

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is an exciting time in my family. We have birthdays from the 14th to the 21st. Of course, mine was yesterday. And today, I'd like to wish my sister Patricia a happy birthday. And tomorrow, my favorite youngest son will turn 25, so happy birthday, Joshua. And my, our intern, James Ruff, who's in my office, birthday is today. So if y'all come by 509, wish James a happy birthday. Thank you, and you're the will.

354. 2:52:07

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to a group of privileged resolutions?

355. 2:52:15

     Honoring the life and memory of Dorothy Cofer. Recognizing May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month. Recognizing, commending Ebony Ward.

356. 2:52:31

     Honoring the Dar e Hadas Islamic Center. Recognizing, commending Liz Fernandez. Recognizing, commending Carrie's Code. Recognizing, commending Atlanta Gas Light on its 170th anniversary, and congratulating Gene and Dovey Brinson upon their 81st wedding anniversary, and for other purposes. That completes the reading of the privileged resolutions. Is there any objection to adopting the privileged resolutions?

357. 2:53:04

     Hearing none, the resolutions are adopted. Members, we're gonna move on to announcements. I'm gonna make one to begin with before we hear from Chairman Guenther. A, um, a good friend of this House and this Capitol Hill is our good friend Marty Smith, who heads up over at GVA. Marty's father passed away a couple days ago. His funeral is today. So I'll ask you to keep Marty and his family in your prayers as they go deal with the loss of their father, uh, his father.

358. 2:53:41

     So Marty, we're thinking about you. And he's a good man, and we appreciate his friendship and the work he does. He's done great work on what we are enjoying here in this chamber and in this building. So thanks to Marty and his team, but condolences to he and his family. Chairman Guenther, recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Judiciary will have a meeting upon adjournment here in the chamber for a photo. Please be here. Or be square.

359. 2:54:12

     You'll be out of the photo if you aren't here, right? Representative Berry.

360. 2:54:20

     Representative Carter, you're on deck.

361. 2:54:26

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The City of Atlanta will be meeting today upon adjournment in Capitol 230. We have a special presentation from Metro Atlanta Chamber about the World Cup. Lunch will be provided. Cap 230, City of Atlanta delegation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

362. 2:54:41

     Representative Carter is recognized for an announcement. Thank you. Tomorrow is National Single Parent Day. I wanna thank my former seatmate, former State Representative Stovall, uh, for ensuring that Georgia celebrated it, and it just happened again to be my baby boy's birthday. So on tomorrow, we'll be hosting a breakfast and honoring some amazing single moms, single parents, uh, at the Rockdale Piedmont Hospital.

363. 2:55:12

     So if anyone's in, uh, the Rockdale area and would like to join us for breakfast, let me know. Thank you. And you're the will. What time?

364. 2:55:22

     9:00 AM. 9:00 AM. I'd be eating my second breakfast by 9:00 AM. That's a great... Thanks for doing that. That's a nice group to, to thank. That concludes our announcements. We do have a birthday. Representative Mekyah McQueen. Mekyah, Mekyah McQueen, where'd she go?

365. 2:55:48

     Representative McQueen, happy birthday.

366. 2:55:56

     Members, you see, uh, if you have a page that served us well today, you see who y- who they are and who you are, which is important sometimes, up on the board. And so we'll ask you to join us down front. We'll take some page photos. Members, thank you for your work this week, your attention, and your patience. I appreciate you all. With that, that concludes our work for the week.

367. 2:56:34

     I recognize the majority leader of this House for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that this House stand adjourned until Monday, March 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Thank you, Mr. Leader, Leader. On the motion of the majority leader, that this House stand adjourned until 10:00 AM on Monday, March the 23rd, 2026. All those in favor will say aye.

368. 2:57:06

     Aye. No. Those opposed will say no.

369. 2:57:11

     No. It's very clear to me. Was it to you? The ayes have it. This House is adjourned.