Sesión en el pleno del Senado, 31 de marzo de 2026 (día legislativo 39, parte 1)

Transcripción

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1. 0:20:51

   Good morning. Good morning. The time for convening has arrived. Senate will come to order.

2. 0:27:37

   Recognize the senator from the 6th.

3. 0:27:40

   Good morning, Mr. President. Happy d- happy day 39.

4. 0:27:45

   Let me know.

5. 0:27:46

   We got two days left together. Gonna miss you.

6. 0:27:50

   Oh.

7. 0:27:51

   But we'll get to that later. Mr. President, we got a great group of pages here from all over this great state, and there's so many of them, I'm just gonna get right to it. Out of Bogart, Luke Addison. From Statesboro, we have Mackenzie Banter. From Woodstock, Madison Kate Beck. From C- Cumming, we have Rishab Bhatt. From Locust Grove, Turner Breedlove.

8. 0:28:22

   From Cumming, Eli Brown. From Marietta, we have Hampton and Hazel Greene, brother and sister, and they're also niece and nephew of Capitol friend Will Bentley. From Kathleen, Georgia, we have Abigail and Brayden Head, brother and sister. From... Oh, actually, and they're also... No, I'm sorry. W- next we have from Marietta, Mary Paxton Herron, who is the niece of our very own Senator McNeill.

9. 0:29:00

   From Athens, we have Bennett Hicks. From Atlanta, brother and sister George and Elizabeth Jeffers. From McDonough, TJ Kopack. From Senoia, Benjamin Lear.

10. 0:29:17

    You all right?

11. 0:29:19

    Then we have Alexander Lucas from Macon.

12. 0:29:26

    Then we have from Lithonia, Whitley Nelson. From Jefferson, Anabelle Pritchard. From Dacula, brothers Jacob and Joshua Rogers. From Duluth, John Michael Singbush. From Dallas, Emily Smith. And from Lithonia, Cameron Smith. And last but not least, from Savannah, we have Charis Wilson.

13. 0:29:56

    Y'all give these pages a big round of applause.

14. 0:30:00

    Whoo.

15. 0:30:00

    We appreciate your service in serving the great people of the great state of Georgia. Mr. President, I've been flipping through the journal and I've found no errors. It is correct, so I'd like to make a motion we dispense with the reading of the journal.

16. 0:30:24

    Is there objection to dispensing of the reading of the journal? Chair hears none. The reading of the journal is dispensed with. Is there objection to the confirmation of the journal? Chair hears none, and the journal is confirmed. Wanna thank all our pages for being here today. Hope y'all have a great day and-

17. 0:30:40

    Oh.

18. 0:30:40

    It's gonna be a great two days, Senator. You got your hair cut and everything.

19. 0:30:47

    I did.

20. 0:30:48

    L- all right.

21. 0:30:49

    Take what's left.

22. 0:31:28

    Secretary will read reports of the standing committee.

23. 0:31:33

    Mr. President, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations has had under consideration the following legislation and has directed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. Senate Bill 629, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1500, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1548, do pass. House Bill 1549, do pass. House Bill 1550, do pass. House Bill 1553, do pass. House Bill 1557, do pass. House Bill 1567, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1570, do pass. House Bill 1571, do pass.

24. 0:32:05

    House Bill 1578, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

25. 0:32:15

    It is now time for the morning roll call. Are there any motions to excuse?

26. 0:32:22

    Any motions to excuse? Recognize the senator from the 18th.

27. 0:32:29

    I would ask the senator from the 19th District be excused for business within the Capitol.

28. 0:32:33

    All right. Without objection, the senator from the 19th is excused. Any motions to excuse? Hearing none, secretary will call the roll. Senators, signify your presence by voting yay, switch. Secretary will unlock the machine.

29. 0:34:30

    If I could have everyone's attention real quick, uh, we're gonna, uh, uh, go a little bit out of order today. Um, we've got, uh, special guests here. As, as we do with every one of our congressional members that come here to this chamber, we always like to give them, number one, to welcome them and thank them for their service, but also, uh, give them opportunity to address this body. Today we have Congressman Andrew Clyde, who's the congres- uh, congressman from the 9th Congressional District. Um, Congressman, uh, Clyde has been serving, uh, going on six years now in, in Congress.

30. 0:35:04

    Uh, he reigns from Jackson County. Uh, and, uh, originally he's got an Athens address, but he's in Jackson County, believe it or not. But he's a, he's a small business owner. Uh, he's a very, uh, common sense conservative person. He's doing, doing a great job representing the Ninth Congressional District. And, uh, if y'all could give him a warm welcome, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

31. 0:35:31

    Thank you very much, Lieutenant Governor, and, uh, good morning. It's a great honor to be here in the chamber of the Georgia Senate and to have the opportunity to share just a few words about my work in c- in the US Congress for our great state and how Washington needs a lot more of what Georgia already has. For the past five years, I've had the privilege of representing Georgia's Ninth Congressional District. I serve on both the House Appropriations and the Budget Committees. Washington isn't known for fiscal responsibility, so fighting to ensure everything from our 12 annual appropriation bills to budget reconciliation are done in a fiscally responsible manner is tough but important work.

32. 0:36:06

    As a staunch fiscal hawk, I'm truly honored to be part of these processes, and we've been pretty effective through my work in the, on these committees, especially in the One Big Beautiful Bill. First, I want to thank you all for maintaining a balanced budget in our state, and now Georgia even has a significant surplus. I speak about that accomplishment quite regularly in DC as I consider it a Georgia value that Washington desperately needs. Last week, our national debt surpassed $39 trillion, the very same day the House voted on a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution.

33. 0:36:39

    That House floor vote was not only something that I helped secure last year during negotiations involving the One Big Beautiful Bill, but it also put members of Congress on record as to where they stood. Our national debt is truly our greatest internal threat, and it's not being taken seriously in Washington. It takes a two-thirds majority vote to pass a constitutional amendment, but only one Democrat voted with all Republicans for this critical reform. Though the vote got a simple majority, it did not get a two-thirds majority, so it ultimately did not pass.

34. 0:37:11

    Yet it was important to have this vote so American people could see who truly cares about our nation's fiscal future and who does not. Again, I commend our great state of Georgia for operating under a balanced budget. I've long told my constituents that I aim to bring North Georgia values to Washington, and fiscal sanity is at the top of that list. So thank you for being responsible stewards of Georgia's dollars and for staying on course. I also want to thank you for your work to improve election integrity. Our republic cannot stand without free, fair, and secure elections.

35. 0:37:44

    In fact, our great state of Georgia knows that all too well. Your successful work on SB 202 was the very beginning of the turnaround for Georgia, and for that I'm very grateful. My Republican colleagues and I are also fighting on this front from the federal side in Washington through the Save America Act. This critical bill requires three simple things. One, photo ID to vote. Two, proof of US citizenship to register to vote, and three, states must purge their existing voter rolls of all non-citizens.

36. 0:38:15

    I proudly voted for the Save America Act last month, and I will continue using the US, urging the US Senate to pass it immediately by using a talking filibuster. Fiscal restraint and election integrity are arguably two of the most important issues for the Peach State and our country. It's critical that both state and federal lawmakers are working together on these matters, and so I deeply appreciate you leading on these efforts here in Georgia as my conservative colleagues and I carry on the battle in Washington. Northeast Georgia is a special place for me, and I consider it a true honor to serve the folks of the Ninth District, to represent our shared values, and to advance our common sense priorities.

37. 0:38:53

    I always stand ready to work with my state and local partners to improve the lives of Georgians. So please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance on the federal side. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. May God protect our troops that are in harm's way as they protect our nation. May God bless our great state and our country. Thank you. Soli Deo Gloria.

38. 0:39:13

    All right. Good job.

39. 0:40:40

    It is now time for the morning devotion. And all senators, please take your seats and cease all conversation. I would ask that the doorkeeper secure the chamber at this time. I now recognize the senator from the tenth, who I guess since this is day 39, this will be his last pastor of the day. He's been doing this a long time. So, but, uh, I'll recognize the senator from the tenth, and he'll introduce our pastor of the day and lead us in our pledge.

40. 0:41:12

    Senator?

41. 0:41:15

    Thank you, Mr. President. Please stand as we pledge allegiance to the American flag. I pledge allegiance

42. 0:41:21

    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.

43. 0:41:32

    And now the Georgia flag.

44. 0:41:34

    I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and the principles for which it stands, wisdom, justice, honor, courage.

45. 0:41:42

    Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. I am excited to introduce our pastor today. Uh, Dr. Don Brawley III is a trusted voice to leaders navigating both the marketplace and ministry. He served for over 30 years as a senior pas- pastor of Impact Church in Snellville in Gwinnett County, and 20 years as a coach to executives, entrepreneurs, church leaders. He earned his doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University and advanced training really in AI, artificial intelligence, from the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School.

46. 0:42:19

    Uh, he has also served the vision of influential ministry leaders such as Bishop Dale Bronner, Dr. Samuel Chan, and Bishop Tudor Bismark.

47. 0:42:28

    As an executive coach, Dr. Brawley has worked with C-suite leaders and mid-level managers and global companies including Uber, Salesforce, Microsoft, KPMG, Coca-Cola, Northweth- um, Northwestern Mutual, and the list goes on and on and on. Uh, as a consultant to local churches, Dr. Brawley helped pastors and ministry teams engage in strategic planning to lead culture tran- cultures transformation and achieve organizational alignment so their congregations can flourish.

48. 0:43:01

    He has come alongside church leaders to unleash their God-given potential, align vision with calling, and cultivate ministry cultures where people thrive and kingdom impact multiplies. Dr. Brawley is joined by his wife, Ms. Mona Brawley, and members from his church as well. She is co-pastor of Impact. And Dr. Brawley also serves as the president of Don Brawley Consulting, where he bli- blends biblical insight and practical leadership tools, innovative strategy, and emerging technologies to ignite transformation and help leaders around the world.

49. 0:43:40

    It is indeed my great honor and privilege to introduce our pastor today, Pastor Brawley.

50. 0:43:49

    Thank you, sir. Appreciate that.

51. 0:43:54

    Thank you, Senator Jones and Lieutenant Jones for having me here, and to all the senators here. It's truly a honor to stand before you this morning. I understand that you have a lot of work to do today, that it's gonna be a long day. So, um, they told me that my devotional was short, so I'ma make sure that I give you the short version. I'ma give you the miniskirt version. That's the one that's short enough to keep it interesting, but long enough to cover the subject matter.

52. 0:44:24

    I want to just sort of share my heart. It's been over 30 years that I, um, accepted the call from God to relocate from Long Island to come to Atlanta to plant Impact Church. And after three decades, there's some things that I learned about service to the community, some things that I learned about, um, leadership and decision-making. And one of the lessons that I learned is real simple: leadership would be a whole lot easier if every issue were straightforward, if every outcome were predictable, and if all stakeholders agreed.

53. 0:45:00

    But that's not the reality that we get to serve in or the reality that we get to lead in. The reality is that leadership and service are lived out in complexity. I found out that it's lived out when you have competing priorities, limited resources, multiple perspectives, and we're called to make decisions that have real-world consequences. And so the deeper question becomes, is not so much, you know, what decision do we make? The deeper question is, what kind of leadership brings clarity in complexity, and what kind of leaders can lead well in that context?

54. 0:45:39

    And I, I want to just spend the next few moments sort of sharing around that and, and what I found in scripture about what that looks like, because it, it, it, although we have different complexities today in 2026 than when the scriptures were recorded, they too had their share of complexity and had to find a place of clarity to serve and to lead from. And, uh, there's a person in scripture by the name of King David, and David was Israel's second king after Saul's failed leadership.

55. 0:46:09

    And when David assumes the throne, David doesn't just assume the throne, he assumes complexity, because during that time, Israel was divided politically. They were divided between if they were gonna follow the house of Saul and Saul's son Ishbosheth or if they were gonna follow after David and, uh, what they believed to be Israel's, what Judah believed to be Israel's second king. So they were divided politically. They were threatened externally by the nations around it, threatening to attack and overcome it.

56. 0:46:39

    They were strained internally because there was a lot of conflict on the inside. And spiritually, they had drifted far from God. They were caught in this cycle of spiritual drift and unfaithfulness to God. And it's in that context that after rehearsing all that Israel had done and failed to do as in following after God, that this one verse shifts the whole entire of Psalm 78. It's Psalm 78, verse 72, and it reads this way: "And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them." David does two things that turns a whole Psalm that shows nothing but challenges and failed leadership, it turns it around and ends on a positive note.

57. 0:47:28

    Two things he does. One, it says is that he shepherds them with integrity of heart. What does it mean when it says integrity of heart? You know, integrity of heart is describing who David was. It's been said that our integrity is who we are when no one is looking, that, you know, our integrity, our resumes do a good job of showing what we do, our bios do a great job of showing what we do, but it's our integrity that shows who we are. And so David's integrity is shown, and the scripture says that it was his integrity that gave him success.

58. 0:48:03

    And the second thing is that he led his nation, he led his people, even in the midst of complexity, with skillful hands. What does that mean, leading with skillful hands? It means that not only did David, uh, have good judgment on what he should do, but he knew how to get it done. He knew how to execute on what should be done. And I submit to you this morning that if we're gonna be the leaders that we need to be, and I don't just mean here in this Senate, and I don't mean, uh, in, just in the House, I mean in our houses, in our communities, in the marketplace that we, that we may be a part of, in our faith communities.

59. 0:48:39

    If we're gonna be those leaders, we too have got to have skillful hands, that we can get things done in the middle of complexity. Now here's the challenge. The challenge is it's easy to find one or the other. It's hard to find both. So some folks have integrity of heart. They know exactly what to do, they know why they need to do it, and they know to get it done, right? But they don't have skillful hands. And so when you have integrity of heart but you don't have skillful hands, you have, you know what to do but you can't execute it.

60. 0:49:11

    And when you have skillful hands but you don't have integrity of heart, you can't get it done because you can't sustain the trust that's required to get it done. My prayer for us as, and a- as, as y- as you guys continue with your day, as I continue in the, in the place that the Lord has sent me to labor, is that we would be leaders known not just for our integrity but also for our skillful hands. Leaders not just known for our skillful hands but also for our integrity. Because when we are known and when we walk in integrity of heart and skillful hands, we bring clarity in the midst of complexity.

61. 0:49:44

    And, and our testimony will be whenever we finish our assignment, I don't know how long I'll pastor Impact Church for. It's 32 years. I don't know if it's 35, if it's 40, if it's 50. But when I leave that assignment, my prayer is that the people that I have served would say, "He served me well. He served me with integrity of heart and with skillful hands." I don't know how long you're going to be sitting in the seats that you're sitting in, but my prayer for you as well is that the people that you serve will be able to look to you and say, "He or she served us well with integrity of heart and skillful hands." And with that, I'd like to close out in a word of prayer.

62. 0:50:18

    Would you bow your heads with me as we stand together?

63. 0:50:24

    Let's pray. Lord, thank you for the opportunity today, Lord, to lead and serve. I pray for every leader in this space. That's every mother, every father, everyone that leads a family, leads in their community, leads in the house of worship, leads in the marketplace, and leads here in this Senate floor. I pray, oh God, that you would strengthen their hearts and sharpen their hands. God, I pray that you would give us integrity in who we are and wisdom in what we do, oh God.

64. 0:50:55

    I pray that you would lead, uh, that you would help these to lead well in complex moments, oh God. To remain steady under pressure and to make decisions that reflect what is right. God, may their leadership bring clarity and stability and good to the people that they serve. We ask all these blessings in Jesus' name we pray, amen. Amen. Thank you.

65. 0:51:18

    Good job. Thank you.

66. 0:51:20

    Good job.

67. 0:51:20

    Thanks, Pastor. Amen. Thank you, thank you.

68. 0:51:22

    We are good out here now. We-

69. 1:00:50

    We, uh, like to, uh, introduce the doctor of the day. And, um, I'm gonna recognize the senator from the 29th to introduce our doctor of the day. Senator?

70. 1:01:00

    How are you?

71. 1:01:01

    Thank you, Lieutenant Governor. Friends, I'm honored today to introduce the doctor of the day. Dr. L. Joy Baker is a board-certified general obstetrician and gynecologist in LaGrange, Georgia. She's worked in both urban and rural communities for over 15 years. After completing her medical school and residency training with honors at Morehouse School of Medicine and Grady Health System, she currently serves as director for quality and safety for women's health and vice chair at the Department of OBGYN and Pediatrics at WellStar West Georgia Medical Center.

72. 1:01:44

    She is one of the first physicians in the United States to complete the HRSA Fellowship in Transformational Healthcare Leadership at Morehouse School of Medicine. Devoted to servant leadership since her time at LaGrange College, Dr. Baker was selected for the American College of OBGYNs prestigious selepho National Leadership Institute and Medical Association of Georgia's Physician Leadership Academy, earning her recognition as Georgia Trend's top doc in OBGYN.

73. 1:02:24

    In 2024, Dr. Baker was named WellStar West Georgia's Physician of the Year. Dr. Baker holds several special certifications in prenatal mental health as well as treatment of addiction in pregnancy. She's designated as a surgeon of excellence in robotic and minimally invasive gynecological surgery by the SRC. Her clinical and research interests include health equity, reduction of maternal morbility and mortality, statewide prenatal quality improvement in mentally invasive GYN surgery.

74. 1:03:07

    She speaks on these topics both locally, regionally, and nationally. In response to COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Baker launched Delivering Joy MD on social media platforms to provide reliable women's health information. In 2023, she partnered with PTV 33 to broadcast her Well Women Wednesday segment on local TV and Roku stations.

75. 1:03:38

    Dr. Baker is a Georgia native, born in LaGrange, Georgia to a family with a long history of service in LaGrange and surrounding communities. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and The Links Incorporated. She is married to Mr. Alvin Link Sr., and attends Impact Methodist Church, where she is a certified lay minister. Dr. Baker enjoys roller skating, music, books, discount shopping, and interior design.

76. 1:04:10

    Ladies and gentlemen, senators, peers, please help me welcome Dr. Joy Baker.

77. 1:04:20

    Good morning, senators. I'm Dr. Joy Baker. I am a practicing OBGYN in LaGrange, Georgia. So I thank my senator for that kind introduction. I am delighted to be here today with you all to serve you as your doctor of the day. I see some familiar faces in the audience, probably some people whose nerves I've got on, um, talking about things. But, uh, I'm so happy to be here with you guys. As the senator said, I am a obstetrician and gynecologist, and so I would like to thank you for the work that you are doing to help us promote healthy mothers and healthy babies.

78. 1:04:56

    We all know that Georgia has faced some challenges, and we know that turning those numbers around depends on what I do in the exam room in the hospital, but also what you do right here under the Gold Dome. So I am very appreciative of all of your work here, and if you have a medical question, you need your blood pressure checked, you need a little aspirin or Tylenol, I will be there for you and I'm happy to serve. Thank you so much for having me.

79. 1:06:04

    Are there any am- unanimous consents?

80. 1:06:11

    You need to excuse somebody? Well, go ahead and be recognized, Senator.

81. 1:06:18

    Recognize the senator from the forty-third.

82. 1:06:20

    Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the twenty-eighth.

83. 1:06:26

    Without objection, the senator from the twenty-eighth is excused.

84. 1:06:30

    I'm sorry, a- and the senator from the twelfth.

85. 1:06:33

    The twelfth? Hendersia, with the, uh, without objection, the senator from the twelfth is excused.

86. 1:06:48

    I understand on points of personal privilege, there's a number of people who will be, uh, giving their farewell to the Senate, and, uh, so it's, uh, look forward to those speeches, and I appreciate all those who have served in this body and those who will continue on to something else. I know a lot of you guys, a lot of the ladies and gentlemen here are running for higher office. I wish them the best of luck, and I appreciate their service.

87. 1:07:20

    It is now time for points of personal privilege, and I recognize the good senator from the fourteenth. Personal, point of personal privilege.

88. 1:07:37

    Thank you, Mr. President. There's plenty of time for sentimentality later. Uh, this will be the last dose of, uh... Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate that. This will be the last dose of some Trump news that I give you as a member of this body. A little bit of Trump news, just to keep you guys apprised of the health of your democracy. Um, as of March 2026, the Small Business Administration will no longer be issuing loans, small business loans, to green card holders, lawful permanent residents of the United States.

89. 1:08:11

    And to my knowledge, that prohibition goes so far as to exclude any business that is partly owned by somebody who is a green card holder and not a US citizen. Uh, I shouldn't have to remind this body how important those loans are to small businesses, and for somebody who has gone through all the, the steps, followed all the rules to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, to exist, to live here, to work, raise a family, just like US citizens, uh, it is, uh, there's no reason to do it.

90. 1:08:43

    There's no reason to cut them off from these small business loans. They invest hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, uh, per small business owner in our economy. Uh, I know of a case actually where there's a national of another country who is being detained by ICE, who has collectively invested over a million dollars into this economy, into Georgia specifically, uh, but is being detained by ICE simply because she isn't from here. So, uh, I know that this is not news to you that the government is cracking down, quote-unquote, on immigration in every way it possibly can.

91. 1:09:16

    But, uh, as we move into the middle part of the year and later this year, I think it's important to remember that this government is making draconian, senseless decisions to cut off investment, cut off our nose to spite our face just because in 2024 the, the president ran on a platform of being anti-immigration. So there's your quick reminder. I hope somehow this traverses the blo- blood brain barrier of your attention span into your long-term memory and consciousness so that in the 2030s and 2040s you think back, "Oh yeah, cutting off small business loans.

92. 1:09:51

    That was one of many things that this administration cruelly and senselessly did to people who followed all the rules." Thank you, Mr. President. Yield the floor.

93. 1:10:00

    Recognize the senator from the thirty-eighth.

94. 1:10:20

    Thank you, Mr. President. my folks are on their way up, but I want to recognize some really special folks that I have here at the Capitol today. Um, as, uh, many folks in this chamber know, I'm very passionate about education, having served as a school leader. And so each year-- Well, this is only my second year, I bring, uh, principals from my district up, and so I just wanted to recognize them, and I'll have them come into the chamber at some point once they make their way up. But I have, uh, from the Howard School, which is a language-based school that helps students with learning disabilities, uh, and her, uh, the school leader's name is Anna Moore.

95. 1:10:58

    That school has been in Atlanta since nineteen fifty. Buckhead Prep is a small private school that was founded in two thousand and is in the North Buckhead area, and Miss Amanda McGee is here. KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, the school principal is Arthur Washington, uh, and they are over in West Atlanta. And Dr. McCormick is the new leader of KIPP Metro Atlanta schools. They have Atlanta school-- eleven schools in the Metro area. He was formerly the deputy superintendent in Jackson, Mississippi.

96. 1:11:30

    And we all know the great work that is happening in Mississippi and that we are looking to replicate here and going to even go further and, uh, and, uh, further and above what they've done with the Mississippi Miracle and doing some great things here in Georgia as it relates to early childhood literacy. And so I just want to recognize them as well as Oakley Elementary School. Miss Uche is here, who is in Fulton County Schools. And we all know the importance of education, but it's so important to have a school leader who knows what they're doing and supports their leaders.

97. 1:12:05

    Uh, there has been studies that have shown that school leaders that are effective can, uh, add an additional three months of success in math and reading, uh, by supporting their teachers. And so I just want to recognize those leaders and recognize all of the school leaders across the state for the work that you do because it can sometimes be a very thankless role and you're only approached when there's someone has a problem. But I just want to make sure that you know that folks in this Senate appreciate the work that you do across the state, uh, and we'll continue to do all that we can as far as education to improve outcomes for students and support our educators across the state.

98. 1:12:41

    And with that, Mr. President, I yield the will.

99. 1:12:51

    I recognize the senator from the fifth for a point of personal privilege.

100. 1:13:03

     I didn't know that it would be that quick. Thank you, Mr. President. I didn't realize it would be that quick. Anyway, I appreciate. Dear colleagues, as you know, we passed, uh, Resolution SR thirty-four recognizing, uh, the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeeper at the UN around the world. And you know that I appreciate your vote, a-and we passed it unanimously. Stand by, Senator. Stand by just a second. Senators, y'all please cease all audible conversation.

101. 1:13:34

     If you need to meet with somebody, take it off the floor. Let's give the senator our attention, please. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. So I'm honored today. We have s-some of the re-retired army officers. They are in Georgia residence. They are some of my re-- my constituency, some of your constituency. They are here at the gallery today. And it's my privilege and distinct honor to introduce to you my friend, the Army Chief of Staff of Bangladesh, General Waker-uz-Zaman is standing right here.

102. 1:14:09

     So please give him, senators, him and the other guy. Please rise. Now.

103. 1:14:22

     I, I just want to mention something. This is not his first time here. He went, uh, you know, he spent some time doing his early career at Fort Benning in Columbus. So he knows Georgia well enough to be here. So I appreciate his coming all the way from Bangladesh to receive this resolution for us. And, uh, he met with the governor today. Hopefully, we're gonna spend some time with the Lieutenant Governor. And we're gonna be-- I get a meeting room one set up for, for him from twelve to three.

104. 1:14:54

     Please come and join him and say thanks to him for his contribution. And, uh, some of the officers that we have, they served honorably at the United Nations peace-peacekeeping to make sure the peace around the world, do whatever it takes. Not necessarily they serve as a peacekeeping, but they do a lot of work in terms of uplifting all around the world, you know, helping the needy, the war-torn folks, to make sure they have a better life in, uh, the country prosper.

105. 1:15:27

     And in Bangladesh, he has done so much. As you know, recently, we had election in Bangladesh, so he helped make sure democracy flourish. He's for democr-- He's for democracy, and I can say go on and on, but I know limited time, I can say myself. But thank you. Thank you and appreciate it. Come and meet him whenever time later on if we have, you know, in between. You can meet him as in from twelve to two. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.

106. 1:16:25

     Does any other senator wish to rise on a point of personal privilege?

107. 1:16:32

     Seeing none, we'll move on. You have before you a consent calendar of privileged resolutions. Does any senator wish to remove a resolution from the consent calendar?

108. 1:16:46

     Is there objection to the adoption of the resolutions on the consent calendar? Chair hears none, and the resolutions on the consent calendar are adopted.

109. 1:17:02

     Senators, if I could get your attention, we have, today's a special day. Not only is it, uh, day 39 and a busy day here in the, at the General Assembly, but it's, uh, Mr. Robert Brown's birthday today. Um, so-

110. 1:17:40

     So, uh, y'all please pay attention, and I will ask the secretary to read a resolution. Senate Resolution 1076 by Senator Walker of the 20th and others. A resolution honoring Robert Brown on the occasion of his 80th birthday and further purposes. Whereas Bob Brown was born on March 31st, 1946 in the town of Jellico in East Tennessee. And whereas upon c- after completing high school, Bob answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Army and serving honorably for 15 months in Vietnam, including during the Tet Offensive and earning a Bronze Star for his courage and sacrifice.

111. 1:18:11

     And whereas upon returning home in 1968, Bob made Georgia his home and began a long and distinguished career with General Motors, working at the Lakewood plant in Southeast Atlanta and later at the Doraville plant, where he dedicated 35 years of service before retiring in 2003. Whereas Bob continued his commitment to public service when he joined the Georgia State Senate in 2017 as a doorkeeper, serving under then Sergeants at Arms John Long and Jerry Cooley. And whereas in recognition to, for, of his dedication, leadership, and integrity, Bob was elected Sergeant at Arms of the Georgia Senate in 20- 2023.

112. 1:18:41

     And whereas Bob has demonstrated deep and abiding passion for the Georgia State Capitol and the Georgia State Senate, generously sharing his knowledge, stories, and appreciation for his- for the history and architecture of the Capitol with its visitors, many of whom have remarked on the lasting impression he leaves. And whereas his professional c- in addition to his professional accomplishments, Bob enjoys camping, hiking, serving as a longtime member of the Over the Hill Hiking Club, and gardening, having served as president of the Buckhead Men's Gardening Club. And whereas known for his warm and welcoming spirit, Bob has never met a stranger, forming lasting friendships through simple acts of kindness and conversation.

113. 1:19:13

     Now therefore, be it resolved by the Senate that the members of this body honor and commend Robert Bob Brown on the joyous occasion of his 80th birthday and extend their sincere congratulations and best wishes for many more years of health and happiness and continued service. Mr. President, that completes the order. Is there objection to the adoption of the resolution?

114. 1:19:45

     Is there objection to the adoption of the resolution? The chair hears none, and the resolution is adopted. We sure appreciate Mr. Robert. He's a true Southern gentleman. Uh, he served his country and served his state and now serves the Senate and looks after us, and I appreciate your friendship, Mr. Robert. Happy birthday.

115. 1:20:33

     Are there any motions to withdraw and commit?

116. 1:20:38

     You have before you a consent calendar of local bills. Mr. Secretary, have any objections been filed to any of the bills on the local consent calendar? Mr. President, an objection has been filed. As provided for in Senate Rule 4-2.8B, we the undersigned senators hereby file an objection to House Bill 1567, which is on the local consent calendar for today, and hereby request that it be moved to the Senate local contested calendar. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the 11th, Jackson of the 41st, and Orrock of the 36th. Mr. President, that completes the order.

117. 1:21:26

     All right, so House Bill 1567 has been removed from the consent calendar due to the objection, uh, but we will, uh, take up the other bills on the consent calendar.

118. 1:21:44

     Is there objection to r- agreeing to the report of the committee on state and local government operations, which is favorable to the passage of the bills on the local consent calendar? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. The question on the passage of the bill on local consent calendar, all those in favor will vote yay, opposed nay. The secretary will unlock the machine.

119. 1:22:26

     Senator from the 14th, what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. President. State your inquiry. Mr. President, just for clarification, this vote does exclude House Bill 1567. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay. Thank you, Mr. President.

120. 1:23:06

     On the pass of the bills on the local consent calendar, the yeas are 45 and the nays are zero. The bills on the local consent calendar having received the requisite constitutional majority are therefore passed.

121. 1:23:22

     Secretary will read the caption of House Bill 1567.

122. 1:23:27

     House Bill 1567 by Representative LaHood of the 175th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to repeal an act to amend, consolidate, and supersede the several acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia pertaining to the City of Quitman in the County of Brooks. Approved March 3rd, 1962, as amended, to provide for transfer of duties and obligations to Brooks County, to provide for transfer of all legal rights, privileges, and assets to Brooks County, to establish a special tax and service district for outstanding bonded indebtedness and other obligations to provide for related matters, to provide an effective date to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr.

123. 1:23:57

     President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District, Chairman.

124. 1:24:05

     Through Brooks County.

125. 1:24:06

     Mr. President, Senator Watson of the 11th District offers the following amendment to Senate bill, to House Bill 1567. A bill to be entitled an act to amend, to, a bill to be entitled an act to repeal under certain conditions an act to amend, consolidate, and supersede the several acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia pertaining to the City of Quitman in the County of Brooks. Approved March 3rd, 1962, as amended, to provide for a referendum on the concept of consolidating, consolidating the governments of the City of Quitman and Brooks County and for other purposes. Mr. President, I complete your order.

126. 1:24:36

     I recognize the senator from the 11th to speak to House Bill 1567.

127. 1:24:44

     Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, members, uh, this is a important piece of local legislation, uh, for me back home. Uh, we've, uh, made multiple accommodations and tried to, uh, assist the local government in helping them with this situation. And so, uh, we've actually got a sub here where we've made further changes to try to accommodate them and make things work out for them. So just would, uh, greatly appreciate your support o- on this issue for me back home. Thank you.

128. 1:25:28

     Is there any other senator who wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? The chair hears none and the previous question is ordered. Questions on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing the report of the committee which is favorable to pass the bill? The chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? The chair hears none and the main question is ordered. Questions on the pass of the bill by substitute.

129. 1:25:59

     All those in favor will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

130. 1:27:35

     On the pass of the bill, the yeas are 31 and the nays are 16. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

131. 1:27:55

     You, you have before you a consent calendar for study committees. Is there objection to any of the study committees on the consent calendar? Hearing none,

132. 1:28:09

     we will, uh, vote on the consent calendar for Senate study committees. All those in favor will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

133. 1:29:20

     On the adoption of the resolution on the consent calendar, the yeas are 48, the nays are zero, and the resolutions on the Senate consent calendar for study committees, having received the requisite constitutional majority, are therefore adopted.

134. 1:30:24

     Senator from the 36th, what purpose do you rise?

135. 1:30:28

     Uh, I, I, I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the fifth district-

136. 1:30:33

     Without-

137. 1:30:33

     ... for business inside the Capitol.

138. 1:30:35

     Without objection, the senator from the fifth is excused.

139. 1:30:47

     Senator from the 31st, you're recognized for a motion.

140. 1:30:52

     Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following bills be engrossed. HB 52, HB 248, HB 963, HB 964, HB 1001, HB 1077, HB 1116, HB 1129, HB 1132, and HB 1209.

141. 1:31:14

     Secretary will read the captions. House Bill 52 by Representative Rice of the 139th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 48-5-48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to homestead exemption by qualified disabled veteran filing requirements, periodic substantiation of eligibility persons eligible without application and retroactive reward so as, and for other purposes. House Bill 248 by Representative Jasper of the 11th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to income taxes so as to provide for a tax credit for certain expenses incurred by taxpayers for certain geothermal machinery installations at residential dwellings and for other purposes.

142. 1:31:51

     House Bill 963 by Representative Martin of the 49th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to government transparency in campaign finance so as to prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to or participating in any campaign to bring about the approval or rejection by the voters of any proposed question which appears on the ballot and for other purposes. House Bill 964 by Representative Cannon of the 172nd and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to revenue and taxation so as to exempt from the state and local title ad valorem tax fee certain motor vehicles used in the provision of fire protection services for local governments and for other purposes.

143. 1:32:25

     House Bill 1001 by Representative Wade of the 9th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits relative to income taxes so as to reduce the rate of the tax and for other purposes. House Bill 1077 by Representative Williams of the 148th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes so as to extend the sunset date applicable to the exemption for sales of tickets, fees, and change, charges of admission to certain museums and fine arts performances or exhibitions at non-profit facilities and for other purposes.

144. 1:32:59

     House Bill 1116 by Representative Blackmon of the 146th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 and ti- and 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to ad valorem taxation of property and sales and use taxes respectively so as to provide for the acceptance of tax digests in the event of a publication error made by a newspaper, to amend Part 4 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to financing under the Quality Basic Education Act so as to include amounts attributable to certain exemptions from ad valorem taxation from the equalized adjusted school property tax digest for the purpose of calculating the local five mil share and equalization grants and for other purposes.

145. 1:33:33

     House Bill 1129 by Representative Sebaugh of the 34th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 36-88-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to criteria for enterprise zones so as to provide for designation of enterprise zones and for other purposes. House Bill 1132 by Representative Franklin of the 160th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions relative to states and sales and use tax so as to exempt from state and local sales and use taxation materials used in construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing by purely public charities and for other purposes.

146. 1:34:05

     House Bill 1209 by Representative Stephens of the 164th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to exemptions relative to state sales and use taxes so as to provide for a sales and use tax exemption for purposes of tangible property and construction materials used for or in the construction and furnishing of certain buildings and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. The Majority Leader has moved that House Bill 52, House Bill 248, House Bill 963, House Bill 964, House Bill 1001, House Bill 1077, House Bill 1116, House Bill 1129, House Bill 1132, and House Bill 1209 be engrossed.

147. 1:34:47

     Is there objection? Object. There is objection. Would the Majority Leader like to speak to his motion? No. He waives.

148. 1:34:58

     Does the Senator from the second wish to speak to his motion? He waives.

149. 1:35:05

     Majority Leader has moved that all the pre-named bills be engrossed. All those in favor of the motion will vote yay. Those opposed will vote nay. The secretary will unlock the machine.

150. 1:36:18

     On the motion to engross, the yays are 33 and the nays are 15. The motion has prevailed, and the House Bills that we listed are engrossed.

151. 1:36:37

     Ms. Secretary, please read a message to us from the House of Representatives.

152. 1:36:51

     Mr. President, the following message was received from the House through Mr. Riley, the clerk thereof. Mr. President, the House insists on its position in disagreeing to the Senate substitute and has appointed a committee of conference to con- confer with a like committee on the part of the Senate on the following Bill of the House. House Bill 974 by Representative Burns of the 159th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to make and provide appropriations for the state fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027, and for other purposes. The Speaker has appointed on the part of the House, Representative Hatchett of the 155th, Representative Estration of the 104th, and Representative Jones of the 47th.

153. 1:37:25

     Mr. President, that completes the order.

154. 1:37:39

     I recognize the senator from the 19th for a motion.

155. 1:37:48

     Mr. President, I move that the Senate adhere to substitute to House Bill 974 and that a committee of conference, the best and brightest that this body may have. If you don't know, Mr. President, the House had walk-up music to Here We Go Round in Circles on this. So I think, Mr. President, I need something from your side, if you don't mind, for this appointment of this, hopefully, a committee on conference.

156. 1:38:25

     Mr. Chairman, uh, you're welcome to come speak to your motion. Yes, sir. Um, being the upper chamber, the more deliberative chamber, the more dignified chamber, we're gonna stick by our decorum and forego any walk-up music, Mr. Chairman.

157. 1:38:54

     The devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show."

158. 1:39:01

     Senator, you're out of order.

159. 1:39:04

     Mr. President, they did it again. As you know, we've been working on this budget for nine months. Lines in this budget that cross all areas of the state. People in this budget from every single corner of our state are impacted. And after your work, diligent hours, you know, we didn't leave at 2:30 on Friday, boys. Somebody did. So as we stayed here working, the House, in its infinite wisdom, we passed this budget over twice.

160. 1:39:41

     You know they insisted to their position the first time. We sent it back and just asked them to reconsider one more time. Oh, come on. But Mr. President- Please ... they did not.

161. 1:39:54

     We stand now with a position that the Senate is in, the House has insisted on its position as it relates to House Bill, I think it's 974.

162. 1:40:06

     We do have it now. On Friday before they left, when they left this chamber, left this building, do you know what they chanted as they sent back the perfect document you had prepared? No. What? They chanted, "Send it back." Send it back. Send it back. Send it. Send it back.

163. 1:40:27

     Special session. Mr. President, I would first ask this body that we adjourn, move right now to adjourn sine die, but in-

164. 1:40:42

     And see if they don't consider the errors of their ways and possibly recede from their position. But if that not be the will of this body, then I ask that three appointees be appointed, that Mr. President, you would choose our best and brightest. That's wrong. Go north. Not our oldest and feeble.

165. 1:41:03

     Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Those who are prepared- For battle ... to either come back behind their shield or on it.

166. 1:41:12

     And Mr. President, with no further, if there are no questions, I'd ask that the Senate appoint its best and brightest, prepared for battle, as it relates to House Bill 974.

167. 1:41:26

     There he goes. There he goes.

168. 1:41:26

     Are you, do you want to take any questions, Senator?

169. 1:41:29

     I will take them if you need me to, Mr. President.

170. 1:41:31

     I recognize the senator from the second.

171. 1:41:34

     Move close.

172. 1:41:34

     Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, it is my humble request that with this committee of conference, the senator from the 26th be appointed, and I think he would come back with victory. Is that not true?

173. 1:41:49

     It is true. I do want to point out that that would take a waiver of the Senate rules, but as I look in the eyes of those in the crowd, I think every single member would vote to waive the Senate rules for that proposal.

174. 1:42:04

     Oh. Oh. Any other questions?

175. 1:42:05

     Recognize the senator from the 42nd.

176. 1:42:09

     That's Senator Ewell.

177. 1:42:10

     Yes, sir.

178. 1:42:11

     To my seatmate, I was really inspired by the song you played, and I think you made it clear that Lucifer is in our, in our midst here. I just wondered, wanted to know, have you identified who the devil is that's behind all of this?

179. 1:42:23

     Whoo. Mr. President, I yield to another question.

180. 1:42:31

     Are you speechless for once?

181. 1:42:33

     I, thank, thank you, Mr. President.

182. 1:42:36

     You, you yield the well?

183. 1:42:38

     I'll yield the well.

184. 1:42:39

     All right.

185. 1:42:42

     The senator from the 19th District has moved that the Senate adhere to its position on House Bill 974 and that a conference committee be appointed. Is there objection?

186. 1:42:55

     S- Senator from the 17th.

187. 1:42:58

     Thank you, Mr.-

188. 1:42:59

     What purpose do you rise?

189. 1:43:01

     President. I rise to ask unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 43rd.

190. 1:43:05

     We'll do that in a minute. Thank you.

191. 1:43:07

     Okay. Thank you.

192. 1:43:08

     Is there objection? Hearing none, the Senate has adhered to its position, and a conference committee will be appointed.

193. 1:43:28

     At this time, I will appoint the following senators to the conference committee on House Bill 974, the senator from the 20th, the senator from the 31st, and the senator from the 19th.

194. 1:43:53

     Senator from the 26th, what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Mr, Mr. President, if the House insists on its position as hard as we worked on it, I would move that the Senate adjourn, and therefore we'll get some resolution on that Appropriations Act, because they don't want to leave here without an appropriations bill, and sometimes you have to play hardball if you're gonna get anything done.

195. 1:44:33

     Uh, Senator, that's, you make a good point. Um, I got a lot of confidence in the, uh, conference committee that we'll get it worked out. Chair recognizes the senator from the 19th. Mr. President, I have a motion. St- state your motion. I move that the senator from the 26th be appointed as a committee of escort to the conference committee- ... on House Bill 974.

196. 1:45:05

     He's, he's a wise one. He'd be helpful, that's for sure. All right.

197. 1:45:31

     All right, we're gonna take a, the Senate will stand at ease for five minutes.

198. 1:57:01

     Senate, before we come back to order, I'm gonna give the senator from the 51st an opportunity to recognize some guests in the gallery.

199. 1:57:13

     Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning, senators. I'm, uh, honored to have some guests from back home up in the gallery. It is the Lumpkin County High School wrestling team, and these aren't males. These are females. They're state champions, and we have one female wrestler that has won, I believe, five or six. Raise your hand. State champion, raise your hand. Five or six. Is it, is it five or six championships? Six. There you go. Ladies and gentlemen, let's give them a warm welcome to the State Senate.

200. 1:57:45

     Lumpkin County girls wrestling champions.

201. 1:57:52

     Thank y'all for being here today.

202. 2:00:13

     The Senate will return to order.

203. 2:00:19

     Senate will return to order.

204. 2:00:32

     Secretary will read the caption of House Resolution 1300.

205. 2:00:38

     House Resolution 1300 by Representative Ford of the 170th and others. A resolution recognizing the Honorable Penny Houston and dedicating a roundabout in her honor and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Transportation recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dolezal of the 27th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the c- Senate Committee on Transportation offers the following substitute to House Bill 1300, a resolution dedicating certain portions of the state highway system and for other purposes.

206. 2:01:08

     Mr. President, Senator Dolezal, Senator Dolezal of the 27th District offers the following amendment. Amendment one. Amend the Senate Committee on Transportation to substitute the House Resolution 1300 by inserting lines 249 and 250 the following, "Whereas Mr. Robert Daniel Lockhart was born in Junction City, Georgia, and received his early education at the County Line School of Taylor, Georgia, and, and for other purposes." Mr. President, that completes the order. I recognize the senator from the 27th. Mr. President, so good to see you presiding today.

207. 2:01:38

     We do have a few, uh, late arriving changes to our annual road naming bill. So I'm gonna move that the Senate table House Resolution 1300. Senator from the 27th has moved that HR 1300 be placed on the table. Is there objection? Hearing none, HR 1300 is placed on the table.

208. 2:02:03

     Secretary will read the caption to House Resolution 251.

209. 2:02:17

     House Resolution 251 by Representative New of the 40th and others. A resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that all probate judges shall be elected in nonpartisan elections to provide for related matters, to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Judiciary recommends that this resolution do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Strickland of the 42nd District, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order. I recognize the senator from the 42nd to speak to HR 251.

210. 2:02:51

     Thank you, Mr. President. House Resolution 251 is the bill we voted on a couple weeks ago that failed to get the constitutional majority we needed. What this bill does is it allows the citizens of our state to vote to amend our constitution to make our probate court judges nonpartisan. These are the last judges we have in our state that still, in certain places, still run with a Republican or Democrat by their name, and this is a great way to continue to try to build more trust in our judic- judicial system by making certain that people aren't identifying as a party when they run for probate court judge.

211. 2:03:30

     I'm hopeful this time around we will have a unanimous vote on this, but happy to take any questions. No questions, Senator. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered?

212. 2:03:49

     Chair recognizes the senator from the 17th.

213. 2:03:56

     Thank you very much, Mr. President. I ask for unanimous position, uh, uh, to, um, excuse the senator from the 43rd and the 55th. Time's already expired. Without objection, the senator from the 43rd and 55th are excused.

214. 2:04:20

     I- is there objection to the previous question being ordered? The chair hears none and the previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing the report of the committee which is favorable to the passage of the resolution? Chair hears none and the report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none and the main question is ordered. Question is on the adoption of the resolution. All those in favor of the resolution will vote yay, oppose nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

215. 2:05:48

     On the adoption of the resolution, the yays are 46 and the nays are zero. The resolution having received the requisite two-thirds constitutional majority is therefore adopted.

216. 2:06:03

     Secretary, read the caption to House Resolution 1243.

217. 2:06:10

     House Resolution 1243 by Representative Martin of the 49th and others, a resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize creation of the Georgia Next Generation 911 Fund to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Public Safety recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Albers, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

218. 2:06:32

     Recognize the senator from the 30th to speak to the resolution.

219. 2:06:45

     Thank you, Mr. President. Just like, uh, House Resolution 251, we voted on this, uh, resolution, HR 1243, a few weeks ago. Did not get the votes needed. What this bill does, it sets up the framework to establish the NexGen 911 system to help our citizens and first responders in time of emergencies. If there are no questions, Mr. President, I will yield the well. I don't know if I called you speaker or not. There are no questions, Senator. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none.

220. 2:07:16

     Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none and the previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee which is favorable to the adoption of the resolution? The chair hears none. Report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none and the main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the adoption of the resolution. All those in favor of the resolution vote yay, oppose nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

221. 2:08:44

     On the adoption of the resolution, the yays are 49 and the nays are zero. The resolution having received the requisite two-thirds constitutional majority is therefore adopted.

222. 2:09:09

     It's good news, ladies and gentlemen. Lunch has arrived, so we are gonna take a lunch break and stand at ease until 1:00 PM. Enjoy your lunch.

223. 3:31:56

     The Senate will come back to order, and what a productive order it is.

224. 3:32:05

     Two bills? Yeah, I was gone and y'all got two bills done? We had to eat lunch. Is that what it was? All right.

225. 3:32:48

     Senate will come back to order. Secretary Reed. Secretary Reed, House Bill 1193.

226. 3:32:56

     House Bill 1193 by Representative Erwin of the 32nd and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 20 of the OCGA relating to education so as to promote and advance statewide literacy and reading education efforts to substantially revise the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on, Senate on Appropriations recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Tillery, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Appropriations offers the following substitute to House Bill 1193, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to education so as to promote and advance statewide literacy and reading education efforts to provide for funding for school-based literacy coaches in all public schools in this state with students in any of grades kindergarten through three, to encourage families to have their children attend school or a home study program beginning at age five, to provide for literacy coaching endorsements for certified professional personnel, to revise the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act, to provide for definitions, to revise provisions of said act relative to the selection of and requirements for universal reading screeners, and for other purposes.

227. 3:33:56

     Mr. President, Senator Tillery of the 19th offers the following amendment. Amendment one, amend the Senate Committee on Appropriations Substitute to House Bill 1193 by replacing lines through the end with the following, "To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to education so as to promote and advance statewide literacy and reading education efforts to provide for funding for school-based literacy coaches in all public schools in this states with students in any of... and for other purposes." Mr. President, that completes the order.

228. 3:34:41

     Recognize Senator from the 19th.

229. 3:34:52

     Thank you, members of the Senate. I bring to you House Bill 1193.

230. 3:35:01

     Almost four years ago now, our state began to address literacy. We realized, thanks to the efforts from the senator from the fourth, uh, from Statesboro, that our third-grade reading level was, um, at best, uh-

231. 3:35:19

     46%

232. 3:35:19

     ... yeah, 36%, I think, in most schools. It fell to a level of 29% over this time period that we've been watching it, and that simply is not sufficient. I heard someone say just a few days ago that up until third grade you learn how to read, and after third grade forward you read to know how to learn. There's a lot of truth in that statement, as, uh, as, as funny as it may sound. If someone's not reading on the third-grade level, we already know that that's what we use as a prediction for our prison beds for two decades later.

233. 3:35:57

     And it also is somewhat disconcerting since we spend so much on education overall. You know the budget itself, 54% is spent on education, 38% total for K-12. Billions of dollars each year, and I think this year it eclipses $13 billion in the QBE formula. So not only is it a huge issue for us to resolve from workforce, it's a huge issue for us to resolve from a dollar standpoint. And if only 29% of kids are reading on grade level, then that doesn't work well for employers, it doesn't work well for families, and it certainly does not work well for schools.

234. 3:36:36

     The House has been working on a proposal, I wanna back up a little bit more. I told you three years ago we began working on this as a dyslexia pilot, looking at screening for schools and seeing how dyslexia was affecting our reading programs. Thanks to the senator from the fourth, we moved forward in that and also set up the Literacy Council. This Literacy Council's been in commission now for three years, four years? Three years? And has met around the state, visited with various schools, visit- various administrators, and also worked with our RESA districts.

235. 3:37:12

     Through their deep effort, we arrive at 11, House Bill 1193. The House's version set up a system to put coaches in classrooms, funded it through a QBE formula. They also set up a, a proposal to have regional coaches, and then set up several task force and other entities that seemed a little bit heavy on the bureaucratic side to the Senate. The Senate's version in your committee substitute stripped out a lot of that, uh, bureaucracy, eliminated the Literacy Council, which has been in place for three years, for the purpose of getting us to the, today's event, and focused more on the classrooms.

236. 3:37:53

     In fact, the Senate's version pulled the literacy coaches out of what's in the QBE formula, meaning that local systems would have to fund 20% of each coach, stuck it instead into a non-QBE grant, meaning that the state could pick up the entire share, and the Senate's version of the budget that you passed just a few days ago included over $70 million to put a literacy coach in every single K-3 school in Georgia, 1,313 coaches. There's an amendment you're gonna see that's placed on your desk.

237. 3:38:25

     It's a little big for amendments that we normally have, but I wanna walk you through how this amendment interacts with the Senate Committee on Appropriations Substitute to 1193. In Section 1.1, the name stays the same. It stayed the same through every single version that we've had. It's the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. Section 1.2 addresses the coaches. We put that up front for a reason. We don't think the bureaucracy is the most important thing. We don't think task force, councils, or anybody at Governor's Office of Student Achievement or DOE is the, are the most important things in this bill.

238. 3:39:01

     We think the most important things in this bill are what we're accomplishing in the classrooms. So the Senate's committee substitute and the amendment you see take in place coaches at the very front of this budget. We state that coaches, literacy coaches in each school shouldn't be doing other things. They should spend l- no less than 70% of the school day in the classroom. They should have no other activities like, uh, coaching and mentoring. They should literally, they may, while they may be doing coaching and mentoring as it relates to the literacy, that we don't want them to have other administrative duties.

239. 3:39:35

     In Section 1.3 goes to the RESAs, the Reg, um, Regional Education Service Agencies. We're gonna provide oversight and coaches to help with implementing the coaching program at our RESA districts. And we walk through the experience and the training needed to be a RESA coach. In Section 1.4, the Professional Standards Commission is gonna in- create a literacy coaching endorsement, and there will be a budget impact there of a couple of hundred thousand dollars that you'll see reflected most likely on any type of, um, conference committee report that may include House Bill 974 later on.

240. 3:40:16

     And we also address things related to dyslexia. It's the intent of the General Assembly that early literacy instruction shall be comprehensive, but that shall focus on structured literacy and foundational literacy skills. We're talking about phonics, guys. It shall align with the science of reading. There's no reason for us to do something that's to break a or create a new will when the will that's working for other states isn't already broken. And it's gonna be anchored in high-quality instructional material. The Senate's version allows, or the Senate's amendment is slightly different from the committee substitute and allows the high-quality instructional materials to still be picked by the task force and, uh, relate back to things we're al- otherwise doing in the literacy bill.

241. 3:41:01

     In

242. 3:41:05

     Section 2.2, you will see that the State Board of Education shall prescribe high-quality instructional materials, kindergarten through the twelfth grade. And notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, it shall be the policy of this state that only high-quality instructional materials that are aligned with the science of reading are gonna be able and available for state funds. Local boards of education and other public school governing bodies can approve high-quality materials, and we want to make sure that we're still involving the local governments with this literacy and endeavor.

243. 3:41:46

     In Section 2.4, you'll see we tie back in again some of the stuff related to dyslexia, and we also support the creation of a state literacy director. This is something we saw done in Mississippi. We think it's important for someone to actually be tasked with this, as important it is for the state as a whole. And, uh, you will see the funding for that person most likely reflected in House Bill 974 later on.

244. 3:42:12

     The House, uh, requested that we re-include their task force, the Georgia Literacy Task Force, into our version of 1193. The amendment will include the task force. The Senate Appropriations Committee's first substitute did not. One thing that we did agree on, though, with the House in the elimination of bureaucracy is to sunset the Literacy Council. As I told you, I don't think we'd be at the position we are today had the Literacy Council not began convening three years ago.

245. 3:42:42

     Many of you in this room have had a part of it. You have constituents who are parts of it. It involved members from the Department of Education, the Governor's office, different legislators, different RESA districts, and of course, local boards of education, and parents of children who were not on grade level reading at that time. The good work cannot go unheralded. It has brought us to where we are today. But one thing that this bill does, House Bill 1193 does, is sunsets some bureaucracy. The council has served its purpose.

246. 3:43:13

     It has done us a great job, and the members of that council, uh, are due our highest praise. But what we should do in government is always be evaluating whether or not it's needed any further as we move now into this new bill and into the l- the Literacy Task Force. We don't think it's any longer needed, and we wanna take the funds that were previously devoted to it and use it in other parts for literacy.

247. 3:43:39

     The, in Section 3.2, the amendment to House Bill 1193 states that children shall be enrolled by their sixth birthday. You may have not known it used to be by their seventh birthday in schools. Um, and that, you see that on line seven, uh, seven seventeen through seven twenty-one.

248. 3:44:02

     It also states, if you look in Section 3.3, that school systems shall offer full-day kindergarten programs. In the past, that was a may. I think most of them already did, but we wanted to go ahead and update the code while we were here. And it shall be the policy of the state that before any child is enrolled in first grade, a state suppor- or any other of the state-supported primary grades, that he or she shall attend a full-day kindergarten program unless he or she has been assigned as ready for first grade, which is provided for in another section of this bill.

249. 3:44:32

     Assessments. You know we do assessments at various times for our children in K through three The Senate committee substitute, the original House bill, and the amendment you see all agree in one space, and that's that we sh- that is that we should evaluate our children in first grade before they are promoted, make sure that they're already reading on grade level then. The amendment, the committee substitute, and the original House bill provide different ways for parents to be informed that their children may be held back.

250. 3:45:05

     But what we do stop here is any type of social promotion to make sure that a child is ready to proceed out of first grade, and that they are reading on grade level, are understanding the science of reading or understanding our reading programs, uh, before we just socially promote them to a higher grade. And it sets up a procedure in place if a parent wished to appeal that.

251. 3:45:36

     Section 3.4 continues this, and you'll see it involves the State Board of Education in adopting a policy that doesn't just socially promote

252. 3:45:46

     or th- when a child is significantly at a risk of not attaining grade level reading prof- proficiency.

253. 3:45:55

     Section 4.1, as we get to the end, makes this, uh, this bill effective upon the governor's signature or it becoming law without him signing so as approved by law, and all parts or any other type of article that is in conflict with this act are thereby, uh, repealed. Mr. President, that's the presentation as to House Bill 1193, the committee substitute, and the amendment, amendment one. Happy to take any questions, or I'll be happy to yield the well and let others speak. You do have one question, Senator.

254. 3:46:26

     Recognize the senator from the 35th. 38th, excuse me. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Senator Yoop? Yes, sir. Uh, first, thank you all so much for your hard work on this. I know it's been, uh, some work that was invested in this, and I think it's gonna produce some great dividends across the state of Georgia. One thing that I've been concerned about is all of the hands that are in the pot. And if we look at some of the other states that have increased, uh, reading scores, you don't have so many agencies involved. And so I'm curious about, uh, section 2.4, the Director of the Office of Student Achievement, uh, they're just gonna have a state literacy director that reports to them.

255. 3:47:06

     Can you, uh, speak- Can you tell me which, are you talking about the committee substitute or the amendment? The substit- the amendment. Uh, page 21. The yellow copy or the green? Yep. The green? Page 21. Okay. Page of the, of the amendment. Okay.

256. 3:47:18

     Can you, uh, speak a little more about the- Section 2- ... state literacy director? Is this somebody that's gonna kind of serve as a coordinator that kind of leads the efforts and make sure all the folks are kind of singing on the same tune? Is it 2.- can you, 2.1, I'm try- I'm sorry. I was doing the committee and the amendment, and I wanna make sure that what, which amendment's the- On page 21, section 2.4. 2.4 of 21.

257. 3:47:44

     Line 532. Gotcha. Mm-hmm.

258. 3:47:51

     Yeah, so the s- the state literacy director, that will be housed at the governor's Office of Student Achievement for now. Okay. Um, I think we have a really, really good one in a lady named Amy D- Amy Dente that already works at the Department of Education. I'd love to see if she gets hired for that position. But that will be a coordinator role. Its job titles and its duties will inquir- require oversight and maintenance of amendments and making sure that we align the state, uh, literacy plan, that it stays aligned with the, what the stakeholders provided for in OCGA 20-31, or 20-2-1531.

259. 3:48:23

     Okay, great. Thank you. I think that, it's a very important role, so thank you.

260. 3:48:33

     Yep. Recognize the senator from the 37th. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the gentleman yield? Yes, sir. I appreciate the work on this. I, I know literacy is, is really front and center to our education system. I was, was surprised in the sub here, um, on line 718 and 721, uh, changing the compulsory at, is, is, does this change the compulsory attendance age for school from seven to six? It does. Yes, sir.

261. 3:49:05

     That's a massive policy shift, isn't it true? Uh, it's a, it's a policy shift. Uh, I think right now, though, that most children are going to school by the age of five, and so I'm not sure how many folks it's really gonna affect. Uh, but all children enrolled for 20 days or more in public schools of the state prior to their sixth birthday shall become subject to the provisions of this article. Yeah. A- again, I just appreciate the clarity. I, I needed to make sure I was, I was reading this properly. To your point, most kids go to school in, at, at age five for kindergarten. Uh, but changing the command that the state has on families as to when their kids shall be in school by law, that's a big policy change.

262. 3:49:42

     I want to make sure members understand what that is. I don't support that as a matter of policy, but I just wanted to, wanted a clarification. I appreciate your clarity. Yes, sir.

263. 3:49:56

     Mr. President, I'm happy to yield the well if there are no further questions. You do have one more question. Okay. Recognize the senator from the 35th. Thank you so much. Does the senator yield? Yes, sir. Um, thank you again. Great work on this, and it reads pretty well, kinda logical, so really appreciate that. I'm just glad you can read it, Senator. Yeah, I'm, I'm, you know, I'm- There's only 29% of our third graders could. Yeah, exactly. Um, and not, not all of us began reading, you know, well in our early years. So is it, is it true that there are some kids that it, it takes a little time before they can get their, their sea legs under them when it comes to reading?

264. 3:50:31

     Yes, sir. Um, did you, can you tell us more about the, uh, assessments of first graders and how that, you know, I just wanna hear a little bit more about what this bill does and, um, looking at your other options, how you chose that over assessing maybe second graders, that type of thing, so if you can share more about that. Yeah. Well, if you, yeah, it starts probably about page 33, 34. Um, but the report shall include, but not be limited to, information on grade level reading proficiency.

265. 3:51:01

     And we actually want one of tho- that same report to come to the general assembly each year as well, so we can track whether or not the implementation of this bill has been effective. Um, there's an old saying that, you know, the only things that actually get done are those things you check behind and make sure happen, right? So we wanna make sure that we're following behind and making sure that those things are happening. Thank you. Does the senator yield? Yes, sir. Um, would those assessments be via computer or w- ha- like, computer-based? Because the younger the child and how you do the assessment, um, can be a challenge.

266. 3:51:35

     So can you help clarify that when it comes to assessing our first graders? Right. I, I don't think we specify that it has to be computer-based or, or not. What we are relying on, again, is those literacy coaches and classroom teachers and RESA coaches to tell us if they're on grade level or not. And if the child is not on grade level, what we wanna stop is the social promotion of just saying, "Okay, well just, you'll be somebody else's problem next year." We wanna get to the root of that problem, solve that problem before the child is socially promoted, so that when they get to the second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, that they're able, able to actually read what we're counting on them being able to read for the purposes of continuing their learning.

267. 3:52:13

     Okay. And is it true that it's a possibility that whatever tool is used could inadvertently hold back a greater number than, a greater number of first graders than what we anticipated, which could cause some significant, um, population challenges with our elementary schools? Uh, um, how do we account for that? It, it, it very well could. Well, of course, we hope that doesn't happen. We hope that going back to teaching phonics instead of some of the ways we've taught literacy over the past 10 to 15 years will, would alleviate that problem. Uh, but, uh, you're, you're right, Senator, which is, again, why when you get down to the lines about 810 through 823, we want that report coming back to the general assembly each year.

268. 3:52:51

     Um, what we don't wanna do is bury this issue. Right. For way, far too long, and I think the senator from the fourth raised it first with his local school superintendent, says, "Why were you not telling our community that only 30% of kids are reading on grade level? Why weren't you telling us, let's say it backwards, that seven in 10 students in our schools weren't reading on grade level?" We think that employers, we think that teachers, we think that, uh, just civic-minded individuals would have caused this issue to fester up to the top much quicker had they known.

269. 3:53:23

     And if we can continue to get that report, while it might be causing more people to stay in first grade, if they're being reported, promoted to second grade but they can't read the material once they get there, then what good are we really doing for them anyway? Yeah. I think you make some good points. Senator yield for one final question. Sure. Um, does this bill, um, acknowledge or kind of work in tangent with any efforts for pre-K? Uh, being that we're assessing first graders, uh, that doesn't give our schools a lot of time to, uh, get some kids ready. Everybody comes into kindergarten in very different ways- Very different ...

270. 3:53:56

     uh, or even coming into first grade in very different ways. Uh, does this bill kind of amplify or speak to any efforts, uh, when, when it comes to pre-K literacy education? Right. It does speak to the fact that schools are no longer, uh, voluntarily able to have pre-K programs, that if they're gonna have kindergarten programs, that it's mandatory now that they have a pre-K program as well. Okay. Thank you.

271. 3:54:24

     Uh, recognize the senator from the 55th. Thank you, Mr. President. Will the gentleman yield? Of course. Uh, s- we certainly do applaud this move to bring in Georgia in line to be a leader and not trailing in such states as Mississippi. I always thought that when you were trailing Mississippi, you were pretty bad off. But to what extent have we looked at what Mississippi did to improve their literacy rate?

272. 3:54:55

     Would you share with us how that has, um, and played a part, if it, if at all- Yeah ... in moving this legislation? Well, I, I'm probably the second best person in this chamber to present that to you. The senator from the fourth, I think, can speak to that even better. But essentially what we said is, "Why do we need to create a new model if somebody's already been able to move from 48th in reading to 6th?" And that's literally what the state of Mississippi did. So why do you not just pick up their model and adopt it? So in many, many ways, what you see in the Senate committee substitute, and then the amendment there, too, that's exactly what we tried to do.

273. 3:55:32

     We don't have to reinvent the wheel. Let's just use what people are already doing and what worked for your family, my family, the families in this, in this room, and the families before for the past century. Senator, is it not true that this is one of the best pieces of legislation that I feel that I have be a- have the privilege of voting on this year? Well, Senator, I, I'm not gonna say that's because I'm carrying it, but I think that that probably has something to do with it. Thank you, sir. You're very kind.

274. 3:56:04

     Mr. President, if there are no other questions, I'll yield to the well. There's- Yeah. One more? ... no other questions. Okay. I don't think it's Senator Wa- Senator 20th over there? His light's on. There he is. Okay. Set. Good job, Senator. Uh, would you yield for a question, please? Sure. Yes, sir. So my understanding is the compulsory age for school attendance in the state of Georgia is age six currently under current statute. Okay. Is that not true? Is that not correct? Uh, if, if the senator so speaks, it may be so.

275. 3:56:36

     It's just age, you have to go to school age six to 16. Gotcha. And then this bill does not change that. Understood. Thank you.

276. 3:56:48

     No other questions, Senator. Thank you so much, Mr. President. I urge your favorable consideration of House Bill 1193 as amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee, and then as to amendment one.

277. 3:57:00

     Recognize the senator from the fourth. Speak to the bill.

278. 3:57:16

     Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, I want everybody to know that the, uh, that I am in favor of this bill. I support it and will vote for it, the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. I have been so pleased over the last several years to work so closely with the chairman of education in the House, and we all know, as he stated so many times, we want every child in Georgia to be reading on grade level. I appreciate and respect the work of, work on literacy that the Senate has done, all of y'all in this room, the House has done in their chamber, and of course, the governor's staff.

279. 3:57:56

     Just remember, all the work that's been done on the literacy, the literacy stuff has happened in only three years. Three years. Not three twelve-month years, three three months each year. We've, we've done all this work in nine months, people, and that's what happens when people work together on things. It all started in April of 2023 on Senate Bill 211, which created Georgia Council on Literacy. We identified four working groups, birth to five, K to three, our college and universities teaching our students how to be teachers, and then how well are our communities involved in literacy.

280. 3:58:40

     But we also passed a great bill, House Bill 538, which brought back the science for reading. Most of the people in this room, I think all the people in this room, learned how to read based on phonics. Now our students are really learning how to read based on phonics. Prior to April, prior to April 2023, all we were told in Georgia was how proud we are of our graduation rates. "Oh, we're so good. We graduated 89.9% last year, and this year we graduated 90%.

281. 3:59:12

     Let's all give an applause and thank everybody for it." Now we know the graduation rates were not reflected of the true answer. The true answer was our children could not read. Our students could not read. We, we were to- we were not told, we were not told that in two thou- 2019, even prior to COVID, everybody wanted to blame this on COVID, but we were not told in 2019 prior to COVID that only 36% of the students in Georgia were reading on grade level.

282. 3:59:47

     In fact, one of my counties, which the senator from the 19th now represents, it was 29% were reading on grade lev- grade level. We were not told that our reading scores in 2010 were higher than they were in 2019, prior to COVID. Y'all tell me why nobody told us this. Y'all tell us why Department of Education didn't step up and tell us why this was not true.

283. 4:00:17

     Let me tell you who did tell you it was, it was like that. The Education and Youth Committee in the House, and Ed- Education Committee in the House, and Education and Youth Committee in the Senate. We told you. We told you that the thir- three, five, and eight grade reading levels were so very low, and not only did we tell you that in Georgia, senator from the 26th, we were able to tell you in your particular district. We were able to tell you, senator from the 14th, in your particular district. In my, my district, senator from the fourth, we were able to say in each individual county and each individual school what the grade, what the reading score was.

284. 4:00:56

     And you know what? Y'all were shocked. Y'all could not believe what we were saying. Y'all were shocked. More than that, I think you were embarrassed about it. I was. I was embarrassed to know that children in our, in my county couldn't read, and I was embarrassed to know that we were the greatest state in the nation, but yet our children couldn't read. And then you asked us, you said, "Why? Why is this happening?" And you then, then you said, "What can we do about it?" And that's what we're doing about it.

285. 4:01:31

     I actually had one of the, one of the people from another, another chamber call me one day. I was at the office working one Sunday afternoon, and they said, "I just got back from this conference," and called me by my first name, which I'm not supposed to repeat, but he called me and he said, "I can't believe," uh, he said, "I'm so embarrassed." I said, "What are you embarrassed about?" He said, "I didn't realize our children couldn't read on grade level in Georgia." And he said, "It's all my fault." I said, "What do you mean it's your fault?" He said, "I've been up here 18 years, and nobody's ever told us that." Now we're telling you that.

286. 4:02:12

     In less than three years, which is only nine months, the General Assembly has introduced and passed, passed the following bills. I want you to remember this, 'cause this'll tell you where we've come from on this stuff. We passed a bill creating a Georgia Council on Literacy, which the senator from the 19th said a few minutes ago, has really been the foundation of all this. And then we coupled that with the, um, se- with House Bill 538, which, uh, brought back phonics. We also passed a bill that tested all, all students three times a year in K through three on their reading skills.

287. 4:02:49

     And if they didn't meet certain levels, then they were given an individualized, uh, program. We also passed a bill to require dyslexia testing in grades K through three. What about that great big... Safety bill. School safety bill we passed last year. What about the bill that we passed to eliminate electronic devices in all K through three classes, or K through eight classes? And what about this year, the bill that's, I thought I saw, uh, in, back in the back, but it's not there, that we passed a bill electronic- to eliminate electronic devices on nine through 12.

288. 4:03:30

     What about the bill we passed to increase teacher leave days, three to five? What about the bill we passed over the House earlier today, Senate Bill 150, to re- a return to work bill for teachers? What about the math bill we passed a few weeks ago? What about the bill that senator from 38 passed last year to eliminate, um, sight words in classrooms? What about the bill that senator from 50 introduced this year addressing absenteeism?

289. 4:04:04

     What about the t- bills we had to address the accountability of school boards and superintendents for the lack of, uh, handling the finances in the school? Teacher tax credit bill that we passed here in this thing. We've got a bill coming up to look at student teacher pay. We got bills dealing with vision and hearing, and a, and a great bill on excellent teacher preparation. And now we got House Bill 1193.

290. 4:04:35

     Look what we've done in three years and three months a year when we decide as a, as a general assembly to work together. Yes, I'm proud of Mississippi. Yes, I'm proud of Alabama, and I'm proud that they, I'm proud that they took us under their arms or, and shouldered us and helped us m- build our literacy, uh, bill on what they've already accomplished.

291. 4:05:07

     I am so proud that they did it, but you know who did it in those states? The state school superintendent did it in those states. Guess who did it in Georgia? Everybody in this room is the one that did it in Georgia, and everybody in the, in the House chambers is the one that did it in Georgia. The general assembly really tackled the literacy bill. And you know what we're finding out? We're finding out that as, as literacy rates goes up, absenteeism goes down.

292. 4:05:40

     As literacy rates goes up, drug use goes down. As literacy rates goes up, teenage pregnancy goes down. As literacy goes up, crime goes down. As literacy rates goes up, bullying goes down. Y'all see the general theme here is our children have got to be reading on grade level. I want to personally thank the lieutenant governor, who's back here somewhere,

293. 4:06:10

     and his team, the Education and Youth Committees in, in the Senate, the House members, which I see here, and all, everyone else for making, making literacy a priority in the general assembly. I wanna do something a little bit different now. I think this, I think it, it's, it's worth it this. I want each of you in this room, each of you in this chamber, to give yourself a round of applause for supporting our children being able to read in Georgia.

294. 4:06:53

     That was pretty unusual, wasn't it? I like that. Again, I support this bill, and I thank y'all so much for your effort, and we, you know what? We're gonna continue working on this, uh, senator. We, this is a big deal for all of us, and, and we'll, we, we, we'll, we'll get parts and we'll move forward, and we'll look forward to next year when we can have some more literacy bills. Thank you, Mr. President, and again, I support House Bill 1193. Please vote green. Thank you.

295. 4:07:37

     Secretary read amendment 1A. Mr. President, Senator Setzler of the 37th offers the following amendment to amend House Bill 1193, Amendment 1A, by restoring the word seventh and striking the word sixth on line 718, restoring the word seven and striking the word six on line 721. Mr. President, that completes the order.

296. 4:08:08

     Recognize senator from the 37th.

297. 4:08:23

     Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to thank the senator for the 16th. There has been a misunderstanding. Um, it was s- stated earlier that, uh, uh, language in the bill was gonna change the compulsory attendance age for school in Georgia. The bill, the, the underlying bill, the amendment does not do that. Um, and I think the gentleman will correct his earlier statement. Uh, what, really what, uh, um, senate, uh, what, what the amendment does with respect to changing age seven to age six deals with qualification for certain program funding. It does not, um, specifically lower the compulsory attendance age in Georgia by a year.

298. 4:08:58

     I, I say that. I'll be in- I'll be withdrawing Amendment 1A because Amendment 1A deals only with qualification for a funding program, not compulsory attendance age.

299. 4:09:07

     But I will take just a quick second to say, uh, the tender age at which kids are required by law to attend school is a big deal. That is not small policy. Thankfully, most parents choose to put their kids in an educational program, whether it's a home study program, private school, or public school. Um, many kids are at going at age four, most by age five. It doesn't come down to really what most kids do, but the, the, the powers of the state to say you shall be in, in school by a certain date is a really big policy question that thankfully is not in fact addressed by this bill.

300. 4:09:43

     So with that, I'm gonna withdraw amendment 1A, but again, it was stated earlier that the bill did do that, which should have precip- precipitated quite a response from our members 'cause that would be a very, very big policy shift. That now being the case, Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion here in a moment to withdraw 1A and, uh, proceed as, uh, as we've considered this bill. Uh, much to consider. With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

301. 4:10:19

     Recognize the senator from the 37th. Mr. President, I'd like to ask unanimous consent to withdraw amendment 1A. Is there objection? Objection to amendment 1A is withdrawn. Senator from the 41st, what purpose do you rise? Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, point of order. Uh, I believe that this, uh, amendment is really a substitute, and I'm just asking your ruling on that because our Senate rules do not allow for us to provide a substitute on the floor.

302. 4:10:51

     Well, Senator, I'm up here talking to your leader right now, so why don't you come up here and join us real quick?

303. 4:14:32

     Uh, apparently, uh, we've had a little miscommunication on a couple of fronts, so we're just gonna take a break real quick, about a 10-minute break, uh, to hash out, hash out that. I like that tie, Senator. You look good today. Very cosmopolitan right there. Look at you. All right, we're gonna take about a 10-minute break so we can sort through these couple issues. All right?

304. 4:15:01

     And conferees on appropriations, conferees on appropriations, y'all can go ahead and take your moment, too.

305. 4:35:14

     All right, the Senate will come back to order.

306. 4:35:20

     Senate will come back to order.

307. 4:35:32

     All right. Senate will come back to order.

308. 4:35:41

     We just had, uh, one of those moments where you had a failure to communicate, and the s- leader of the 22nd, the 41st, and the 44th were gracious enough to, "Let's get down in a room and get it all figured out," and we got it all figured out. So we probably appreciate that, senators.

309. 4:36:08

     Does any other senator wish to speak to the bill? You good?

310. 4:36:15

     Senator from the 19th.

311. 4:36:21

     Oh, I'm sorry, Senator. Let me... Uh, majority leader wants to speak. I'm sorry.

312. 4:36:32

     Thank you, Mr. President. I'm just gonna be very brief. Um, you know, this is a pretty significant policy move overall, and I know our friends in the media with all the TV cameras in the back of the room are watching this and everything else we do. Um, but this all started with the senator from Statesboro, and I think when politics and games and everything else that happened in this building between the parties and the chambers and whatever, sometimes we forget where great things started.

313. 4:37:09

     This literac- literacy conversation started over three years ago in a small room somewhere down in South Georgia, um, with some like-minded individuals that said, "Hey, we got a problem." And, you know, as we find in government and we find in m- most ways and things today, it's elected officials who have gotten in the, in the way over the years. Things that have been done have gotten in the way of teachers like my wife that have basically, whether it's created burdens or barriers or financial problems, and some of those honestly are even created locally.

314. 4:37:48

     But I think through all the challenges and all the study committees and conversations, for nearly four years, the senator from the 4th has spent tireless effort dedicating literally almost his entire life outside of maybe during tax season when he's doing his constituents' taxes, probably like you are doing right now, um, trying to solve this problem for millions and millions of Georgians and children and families so that they can live a better life, that they can read by third grade, and one day they don't end up like a, like a hoodlum ending up in prison because they didn't get the education that they deserve, and families can raise their kids how they want.

315. 4:38:35

     So I just want to just publicly commend the senator for the, from the fourth for being the one in the state capital that started all this work, all these conversations, and led us to where we're at today as a Senate, Mr. President. Um, and I think we ought to show him our recognition and our gratitude for the work that he has done, um, and the people of Bullock County should be proud of where, what you've done and where you led us today. So Senator, I just want to say thank you.

316. 4:39:20

     Senator from the 54th.

317. 4:39:33

     Thank you, Mr. President. I'll be quick as also, but I just want to say thank you, senator from the fourth, um, for the, what we've done in education and I am, I am so proud of the education committee for what we've accomplished in this regard because it's not just been one person, it's been a team effort for everybody on that committee with a great leader in charge. But I will tell you this, I don't think, we think of this in just terms of literacy and getting children to read and getting them an opportunity for a greater education.

318. 4:40:07

     It's bigger than that. It's far greater than just children reading. This is about establishing kids the ability to have hope for their own futures. The kids I had in my office for 30 years were broken kids from broken homes, from broken families who were all behind in every regard, not just reading and literacy. But to have these kids reading by the end of the third grade and on grade level, all of a sudden they have changed their aspiration of their own future because you've changed the traj- trajectory of their own life because now they can see something good down the road for them that they could never see before.

319. 4:40:55

     That's what this literacy bill, it's going to be the greatest criminal justice form we could ever accomplish in the adult world is done by changing, getting all of our children reading by the end of the third grade. I can tell you that with complete confidence with 30 years of e- of evidence behind me in my youth working with those kids. So I just want to say this is a monumental moment for all of us in this body. We should all be proud of this accomplishment and Mr. President, I will yield the well. Thank you.

320. 4:41:30

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure, measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Now I'm ready for your motion, senator f- from the 19th.

321. 4:41:45

     Thank you, Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent to suspend Senate rule 7-1.6B to allow the immediate consideration of House Bill 1193 upon the adoption of the lengthy floor amendment.

322. 4:41:55

     Is there objection? Without objection, unanimous consent is had. And I, once again, I do want to thank, um, the, the minority leader and senator from the 44s, 44 first and the 44th, um, because it had not been communicated properly to the leadership there in the minor- minority party. Uh, that was the whole reason why we took a break and, and very, uh, very gracious and very understanding, uh, and showed good leadership themselves in, uh, making it so we didn't have a long, lengthy debate.

323. 4:42:31

     Uh, and sometimes communication works, doesn't it? Open dialogue does work, doesn't it? So I appreciate that very much and, uh, everyone who's worked very hard on these, this, this issue, thank you very much. And, um, now the question is on the adoption of amendment number one by senator from the 19th. Is there objection to the adoption of amendment number one? Hearing none, amendment number one is adopted. Question is on the a- adoption of the committee substitute as amended. Is there objection of the adoption of the committee substitute as amended?

324. 4:43:04

     Hearing none, the committee substitute as amended is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the, on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

325. 4:44:30

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 49 and the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute. Good job, senators. Appreciate all your help and, um, hopefully we'll get it all worked out with the House now. Recognize the senator from the 51st. Thank you, Mr. President, and I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 8th for outside the Capitol.

326. 4:45:00

     All right. Without objection, senator from the 8th is excused.

327. 4:45:10

     Y'all want to take another break?

328. 4:45:15

     You want to go home?

329. 4:45:18

     Yeah.

330. 4:45:18

     We, we, we can probably adjourn right now.

331. 4:45:24

     No.

332. 4:45:24

     Secretary, read House Bill 1193.

333. 4:45:29

     House Bill 445, excuse me.

334. 4:45:33

     House Bill 445 by Representative Martin of the 49th. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to ad valorem taxation of property so as to revise the language required to be included in the notices of current assessment, to add hearing officer review for tax assessment of certain business personal property, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. Pres-

335. 4:45:53

     Keep going.

336. 4:45:54

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Rules recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Brass of the 6th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Rules offers the following substitute to House Bill 445. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to revenue and taxation so as to add hearing officer review for tax reassessment of certain business personal property, to revise the definition, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President- Mr. President, a fiscal note has been attached. Mr. President, that completes the order.

337. 4:46:32

     Recognize the senator from the 6th.

338. 4:46:39

     The Rules chairman, look at you running.

339. 4:46:44

     Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I bring to y'all HB 445. The underlying bill that came over from the House allows owners of certain personal property worth more than $200,000 to appeal to a hearing officer. So this adds a third step of appeals process. Um, they've- the hearing officer must be either an appraiser for or chief appraiser, and they may apply to be approved as these hearing officers by the Georgia Real Estate Commission and the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board.

340. 4:47:15

     However, they cannot serve as a hearing officer in an- any county in which they have served as an appraiser for or chief appraiser. Section one was added. This adds water and sewer to the definition of public utilities, so an assessment would be handled by the Department of Revenue exactly like power, gas, telecom, cable, et cetera. These properties are already on the tax roll, and this language would only apply when the utility corridor is reassessed.

341. 4:47:45

     I'll yield for questions.

342. 4:47:50

     Uh, you have no questions.

343. 4:47:51

     All right, I urge your favorable consideration for HB 445.

344. 4:47:56

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Question is on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute.

345. 4:48:27

     All those in favor will say yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, allot the machine.

346. 4:49:46

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 46 and nays are 0. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute. Secretary, read House Bill 1116.

347. 4:50:06

     House Bill 1116 by Representatives Blackmon of the 146th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapters 5 and 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to ad valorem taxation of property and sales and use taxes respectively so as to provide for the acceptance of tax digests in the event of a publication error made by a newspaper. To amend Part 4 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to financing under the Quality Basic Education Act so as to include amounts attributable to certain exemptions from ad valorem taxation from the equalized adjusted school property tax digest for the purpose of calculating the local 5 mil share and equalization grants.

348. 4:50:39

     To amend Article 1 of Chapter 81 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to local government budgets and audits, to provide for a short title, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Finance recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hufstetler of the 52nd District, Chairman.

349. 4:50:58

     Through tax digest and for other purposes.

350. 4:51:00

     Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Finance offers the following substitute to House Bill 1116, a bill to be entitled an act to amends- to amend Titles 20, 21, 36, and 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to education, elections, local government, and revenue and taxation respectively so as to provide for property tax reform, to establish a local homestead option sales tax, to provide for imposition, collection, and distribution of proceeds, to provide for definitions, to exclude amounts attributable to certain exemptions from ad valorem taxation from the eq- equalized adjusted school property tax digest, and for other purposes.

351. 4:51:31

     Mr. President, a minority report has been attached. Mr. President, that completes the order.

352. 4:51:42

     Recognize senator from the 52nd.

353. 4:51:55

     Thank you, Mr. President. After two unanimous votes, I hope we're headed for a third in a row here. This is the major property tax legislation for this session. It restores the mandatory opt-in requirements for the cap on increased assessments. That cap is 3% for homeowners or the CPI, whichever is greater. The Senate passed this by a vote of 42 to 7, and the House has now finally agreed two years later to this mandatory opt-in.

354. 4:52:32

     Because of the mandatory opt-in, all cities and counties will now be eligible for the floating local option sales tax that we know as the FLOST. They can join the other 34 counties- Passed a referendum to implement this tax last year. If all counties implement this, two-thirds of the cities will completely eliminate their property taxes for all classes. That's two-thirds of cities and virtually every city and county will reduce their property taxes on city and county taxes by more than half.

355. 4:53:09

     But in this bill, we give them another option. They can pass a local homeowner option sales tax instead. Under this method, the sales tax revenue would go to homeowners first. Under this method, just about every city and county would eliminate their homeowner property taxes. A few, such as Fulton, would only eliminate ninety-one percent of their homeowner property taxes. I say only ninety-one percent, but that is still a big improvement. And the rest of city and county taxes would be eliminated in some counties and reduced in other counties.

356. 4:53:42

     Some examples are Paulding and Cobb County, who would eliminate their homeowner taxes on cities and counties and reduce their non-homeowner property taxes by forty percent. The same for Clark County and non-homeowner by fifty-eight percent, Fayette County by fifty percent, Glenn County by ninety-two percent, Peach County by eighty-one percent, and I could go on. It, it, it affects large and small counties, some more than other depending on the tax base.

357. 4:54:15

     But under this version right now, and we're still working with the House, they're, they're doing a version as well, but under this version, the homeowner option would not be available until next year because it would require local legislation. Section three one and three two are in the bill at the request of the school systems. They had concerns they could be hurt by the five mil share formula under QB. This section makes sure that they're not. Section three three M states that there are revenue increase caps.

358. 4:54:46

     The local budgets cannot increase more than three percent of the CPI, but there's numerous exceptions to this. Any new construction, new growth doesn't apply. Any resold property, homes being resold or other property based on the new selling price, any property coming off tax abatements, TADs, et cetera, would be exempt from the cap. So there's a lot of allowances plus the rate of inflation, and I'll give an example. On the inflation in 2022, the CPI was eight percent, so that would be allowed eight percent plus all these other growth and new construction allowances.

359. 4:55:24

     In 2023, the CPI was four point one percent. So again, those would be allowed plus the addition of resold property growth, TAD, et cetera, legislation. Some people say this is too lenient. Others probably say it's too tough. I believe it's a good starting point, and it will not take effect this year. It would not affect any taxes this year. It takes effect next year. And this is not a tax increase. This is using sales tax available under existing law.

360. 4:55:59

     No increase in sales tax options that aren't currently available now.

361. 4:56:05

     So I saw something from the ACCG that I didn't get it to me, but to some other members, and I'm kinda disappointed because I look on here and it talks about cost of consent degrees, where there's emergency provisions in the bill. It talks about capital projects. This bill doesn't touch SPLOST at all, either the school SPLOST or the local SPLOST. Tax revenue from property which was previous exempt due to a development authority, that's exempted as well. Property tax revenue which was previously redirected through a tax allocation district, a TAD, that's exempt as well.

362. 4:56:41

     I don't know why we're getting this kind of information when we made allowances for all of that. You know, I have to say the only people that you're hearing from, and probably who I'm hearing from, are the people who get the tax money. I'm not hearing any complaints from anybody who's paying the tax money. And let's look at some other states. Thirty-six states have caps on revenue. This isn't a new concept. Some are more strict than us. Ours, again, excludes new growth, home sales, construction, emergencies.

363. 4:57:15

     It's supported by the Tax Foundation, the National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, Georgians for Public Policy Foundation. Some limit it to the rate of inflation. Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and South Dakota tie growth to the inflation rate. Others have a fixed percentage cap. Massachusetts, two and a half percent. Idaho, three percent. Wisconsin, new construction only. Texas requires a voter referendum if local governments wish to increase property tax revenue by more than three point five percent.

364. 4:57:54

     North Dakota has a three percent cap on revenue. Ohio caps property tax growth to the rate of inflation unless voters approve new levies. This is not a new concept. This is done and worked in many other states that haven't seen the increases that we've had here. Um, and the fact is, we've had property tax increases in a five-year period in some of our districts of seventy, eighty-four, ninety-two, a hundred and seven percent.

365. 4:58:25

     In many cases, with a declining school population, taxes are going up one way, student enrollment is going down. Our citizens who have to live within their means are frustrated with no choice but to see their taxes increase by double digits, and we're not asking them to do anything that the state has not done. For twenty years, adjusted for CPI and population, the state has lived within its means.

366. 4:58:52

     And we are returning rebates. We're reducing the income taxes. We'll do it again. We're suspending gasoline taxes to help our citizens be able to afford the expenses thrown on them. We can all live within our means, local governments, state governments, as well as our citizens. The state is living within its means. I urge you to vote for this legislation. I urge your vote for this important measure, and I'll yield for any questions.

367. 4:59:21

     You have no questions, Senator? Thank you. I yield the will. Bringing on Senator from the 14th.

368. 4:59:43

     Thank you, Mr. President.

369. 4:59:48

     People in this chamber like to brag a lot that Trump, the national politics don't affect state politics, that we somehow live free and clear of the effect of Trumpism. Let's use the analogy of rainwater at the top of a mountain. You know, like a mountain range, the very top of the ridge. When water falls, the top of a mountain, it either breaks this way or it breaks that way, and that determines what ocean it en- ends up in. Well, the rainwater of twenty twenty-four campaign season was the word affordability.

370. 5:00:20

     And there's two options this year in twenty twenty-six, now that we're gonna have a referendum on what happened in twenty twenty-four, two options for that water to break when it hits the top of the mountain ridge, and it either goes this way or that way. Republicans in both the Senate and the House heard the word affordability, saw the formidable rain clouds of twenty twenty-four politics, the rain dropped on the mountain, and when the majority in the Senate and the House convened before session, they decided the water would break this way, towards tax cuts.

371. 5:00:53

     Now, Democrats, of course, have a bunch of ideas about how the water should break and subsidize healthcare and pay for childcare and make sure public schools are within reach and fully funded according to poverty rates. We have a bunch of ideas, but we're not talking about that right now. Instead, the majority sets the agenda. Senator from the 31st and our visitor, Mr. Gullo from the House, the Senate and the House majority set the agenda, and the agenda is tax cuts. And one of the things the majority leader from the 31st district knows is that we had a big debate over income tax earlier this session.

372. 5:01:25

     It was not long ago at all. In fact, it was in February. And in honor of the outgoing senator from the 44th, I will quote some of her words which resonate in this chamber. This is from the Georgia Recorder, which does great work. Everybody give it up. Senator from the 44th said, "For the families that are struggling to pay rent, childcare, utility bills, buy their groceries, it's- groceries, it's worse than a slap in the face. It is a flat out scam." That this was, quote, "complete magical thinking that would inevitably lead to the state raising its sales tax." And we heard vociferous complaint from the majority back in February, 900 years ago at this point.

373. 5:02:03

     When you passed the income tax break, you said, "Sales tax? Raise the sales tax? Such a thing is unthinkable. Couldn't possibly happen." Why we've gone into the laboratory of budget math, where serious and great math is done on a regular basis, and the result of that alchemy, that magical math, is that there will be no increase in sales taxes. I feel like Dr. Seuss, not here, not now, not ever. Those promises in February were made about future increases in sales tax in a future session.

374. 5:02:39

     Not even this one. My, how times have changed. It's not even April yet. It's March. It's the next calendar month after that debate. And here we are looking at one of the strangest, most Minotaur-looking sales tax increases I've ever seen in my life. It's like you put into ChatGPT, "ChatGPT, make me the weirdest possible sales tax increase you could imagine." And ChatGPT said, spat back out, "Well, what if we made 159 special districts that were coterminous with the counties of the state of Georgia so that we could bypass a two-thirds vote requirement on homestead exemptions?

375. 5:03:17

     What if we did that? Is that weird enough?" And the majority thought, "Should we re-prompt ChatGPT for an even we- weirder sales tax? No. We'll go with this one." Friends, what you have before you is a property tax cap that is reflective of how water breaks when it comes down the side of a mountain. Now, let me chart it out for you. You've got the Democratic and Republican split at the top of the mountain, but on the Republican side of the mountain, there's another little split. There's a big rock. And there's a split that the stream takes toward the House side, and there's a stream that goes toward the Senate side.

376. 5:03:55

     And the House side said, "Well, we think this income tax cut is kind of crazy." You know, in closed doors, in back rooms, down at the red phone booth with a couple old fashions and cigars, the House said, "We think that cutting $9 billion out of the state's budget on an annual basis is a little too extreme." So the senator from the 31st, who is the majority leader of the Senate, is well aware that what the House decided to do instead was promise blanket property tax relief, so much so that their young upstart, you know, the future, the bildungsroman of Houston Gaines becoming a man and becoming a congressman, they decided to give him the homestead tax exemption that would eliminate homestead taxes completely on your first residence in the entire state of Georgia.

377. 5:04:40

     Well, even that was a little bit crazy, too. Both the Senate and the House writing campaign checks that their appropriations could not cash. So the House said, "Let's moderate this property tax proposal. Instead, we'll go with the ChatGPT strangest sales tax increase of all time. What we'll do for our property tax relief is this."

378. 5:04:59

     We will cap property taxes arbitrarily at a level, by the way, that the own- the state's own appropriations or public school teacher salaries would have been unduly constrained by. And I have colleagues who I think will speak to that more. But we'll do a completely unrealistic property tax cap at a level of percent that is unsustainable, that local governments can't survive under, and the safety valve that we will give them so that they can make sure to pay their bills is what? A sales tax. A consumption tax on motor fuels, food, food ingredients, alcoholic beverages.

379. 5:05:35

     Now, the great compassionate and merciful gods of the Republican majority have said that they will only impose the motor fuel tax if the price of gas is $3 or below. So if we're in an Iran war, we might not impose that one. But otherwise, yes, citizens of Georgia, the message is clear. In fact, the author said this, which I thought was highly clippable. I'll ask my team if we wanna clip it later. But the quote was, "We are doing the sales tax to pay homeowners, to fund a homestead exemption." So let's imagine the flow of water, this rainwater again.

380. 5:06:12

     The water starts at people who buy groceries and pay for gas, and it flows to people who own property. Starts with people who pay for basic essentials, and that money flows as a subsidy to people who own houses. So if you're a senior who already benefits from substantial property tax relief, if you're a renter who does not own property because you haven't turned 40 yet, so you're not able to afford your first home 'cause it's 2026, then you will be subsidizing under House Bill 1116 property owners who likely have six or seven figures in wealth already, if not more.

381. 5:06:55

     That is the nature of this bill. It is a regressive transfer of wealth from people paying sales tax to homeowners. Now, you heard from the senator from the 52nd this isn't new sales tax authority. Well, let's, let's break that down. It's not new sales tax authority. Under current law, maybe these sales taxes could be imposed pursuant to a sales tax maximum, but it is a new sales tax. I want you to imagine going to somebody in line at Kroger or Publix or Piggly Wiggly and saying, "Don't worry, this isn't a new sales tax that you're paying, that extra 1%, because the state already had the authority to do it." I don't think a voter would like that argument.

382. 5:07:38

     A 1% tax is a 1% tax, and this is a new consumption tax. Now, obviously, the local governments are, are pressed about this. You know, they are up against a wall. They've got a gun to their heads revenue-wise. Look, they're just trying to survive the rainwater. We're all trying to survive the affordability rain from the storms of 2024, all of us. But what the local governments are willing to do, unfortunately, if their backs are to the wall and they can't budget, they will pass the cost. If you strangle them, if you tie their hands behind their back and say, "You can't have your main source of revenue available to you," which is sensible inflation-adjusted increases in their primary revenue source, if you can't have that, yes, they're gonna be forced to ask you to put something in the bill that taxes consumers.

383. 5:08:27

     I hope that the sunlight that a vigorous debate has or will shed on this argument will enable you to see the light prior to the last bell of sine die, to see that if voters are actually given a taste of what you're actually doing to them, the same session that you promised it would never happen, that this sort of relentless chase of whatever talking points we thought we could materialize in response to the affordability crisis, that maybe we will put the guns down.

384. 5:09:01

     Because this is a talking point in search of a policy. That's all this is. The talking point, affordability, breaks down to either income or property tax, keeps rolling down the hill through local governments, and then it reaches the bottom of the mountain. And who's at the bottom of the mountain? The taxpayer. The person who doesn't own property. The person who can't afford rent or who is housing-burdened. You know, I just saw a study recently that when all is said and done, people might have a few hundred dollars left after paying their rent, an average family that's just trying to make ends meet.

385. 5:09:36

     And that's a, a few hundred dollars for healthcare, childcare, food, you name it. So when the water starts at the top at Donald Trump and it rolls down through a bunch of legislators and a bunch of counties, it lands with the people who end up paying for it, and that is the Georgia consumer. You should vote no on House Bill 116- 1116, but you won't, and the reason I know you won't is because the senator from the 52nd is ordinarily a very sensible guy when the handcuffs of politics are taken off of his wrists.

386. 5:10:09

     He's, he's taken some hard votes this session. I like him a lot. But he's, he's having to carry the water for the team. He's having to carry this caucus priority because ultimately, when the rain falls, it's gotta go somewhere. Mr. President, I'll yield for any questions. No, I think everybody's breath is taken away, so, uh, you have no questions. Thank you, Mr. President. See y'all again soon.

387. 5:10:39

     Senator from the 52nd, you're not carrying anybody's... You're not, you don't feel like you're carrying... I, I've got... You, wait one second before we close debate. There's a couple people who wanna talk real quick. Senator from the 39th.

388. 5:11:02

     Thank you, Mr. President. I too rise in opposition to HB 1116 because this bill is being framed as a path to home ownership or tax relief. But when you walk through what it actually does step by step, it tells a different story. It doesn't eliminate costs, it moves them. It moves them from property taxes to what will be sales taxes, from what you own to what you spend. And that sounds subtle, but for families it's not, because property taxes are something you can plan for.

389. 5:11:34

     They're visible, predictable, built into the cost of owning a home. Sales taxes are different. They show up every single day at the grocery store, at the gas pump, on everyday purchases that families don't have the luxury of avoiding. So what this bill does is take a cost that is fixed and visible and replace it with one that is constant and cumulative. And for many families, especially working families, middle class households, and seniors on fixed incomes, that shift is not neutral.

390. 5:12:06

     They spend more of their income on daily needs, which means they will feel this more, not less. So while this may be described as a tax relief, for many Georgians it will feel like something else. Not less, just different. Not eliminated, just redistributed. And that's only part of it, because at the same time, while the bill places a hard cap, 3% or inflation, on how local governments and schools can grow their revenues, we all know that's not how the real world works.

391. 5:12:39

     We've seen health insurance costs for school systems more than double. We've seen transportation costs increase dramatically. We've seen our own state budget grow dramatically over the last decade, and we're not capping our growth and revenue. So when real costs exceed an artificial cap, something has to give, and what gives is what people rely on. Fewer resources in the classrooms that are funded by these property taxes, pressure on public safety, deferred investments in the very infrastructure that holds communities together.

392. 5:13:16

     This is the opposite of local control. This is the opposite of flexibility for our counties and our cities. It is constraint. And when you put these things together, it's a shift in who pays and a limit on how communities can respond, you begin to see the full picture. Because home ownership is not just about reducing one line item on a tax bill. It is about the total cost of living. It's about whether your community is strong, whether your schools are stable, whether your local government can respond when something unexpected happens.

393. 5:13:52

     That's what protects property values, and that's what creates long-term stability. And when we shift costs in ways that hit families every day, while also constraining the systems that support them, we're not strengthening that foundation. We're putting pressure on it. So Mr. President, this bill does not remove the burden. It simply moves it, and it limits the abilities of our communities to respond to it. And for that reason, I respectfully urge a no vote.

394. 5:14:22

     And I will yield unless there are questions. You do have one question, Senator. Recognize Senator from 36. Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, does the gentlelady yield? I do. Uh, you and I, of course, share representation of school systems and the families, uh, the communities that depend upon, uh, stable schools and schools that can meet their obligations and schools that can move into this space of literacy by third grade. Yes. Uh, are you familiar with that, that the Georgia School Boards Association has some concerns around this bill?

395. 5:14:59

     Yes. The limitation on property... Obviously, our schools are funded primarily through local property taxes. And, um, that cap on being able to generate that revenue does put more pressure on our schools, so many of whom actually are already feeling pressure because of the rising costs, um, that they're already having to carry and those burdens that the state has even shifted onto the local districts that we have ourselves moved away from, from a budgeting perspective at the state level for education.

396. 5:15:35

     Uh, thank you for that. And isn't it true that school districts don't have access to a penny through the FLOST or the HOST, uh, the way counties and cities do? That is correct. It takes a constitutional amendment, uh, that would be required to add a penny for schools. Isn't that correct? The senator knows of which he speaks. Uh, a- and, uh, finally, tha- thank you for, uh, illustrating, along with the, the, uh, earlier s- speaker in the well, the, uh, the fact that, uh, a consumption tax, uh, really weighs on those who are battling every day with the affordability issue, and it's a reaction, it's a, it's a regressive form of taxation, uh, indisputably.

397. 5:16:18

     Is that not the case? Yes. When you take what is effectively s- sales taxes today and force them to first be able to, um, claw back property owners, homeowners' tax burden, then you are placing additional pressure on the people who do not own homes and don't have property. We are choosing to say that the people who own homes really are more important in that case than the other residents who may live in any particular city or county across the state of Georgia.

398. 5:16:50

     Uh, and, and ironically, it's, isn't it true also that homeowners will feel the bite of, uh- They will- ... sales tax increases as well ... because they will also be every day in the grocery store and at the grocery pump and every day buying the things that you cannot avoid buying. So they will be paying more in their own sales taxes despite the ability to have a reduction or elimination of their property taxes. Thank you, Senator. And sales taxes end up costing more generally every year than one's property tax bill does, substantially more.

399. 5:17:25

     And as you, you made the point, of course, that, that the, the property tax is predictable. Yes. It, you, you are informed at several stages through the year what your, uh- Will be ... obligation is going to be, and you have, uh, uh, they, they have a pathway to challenging an assessment- You do, to appeal the assessment ... and being in a process to, uh-

400. 5:17:47

     Control, you know, uh, the, the, the, the, the, uh, huge property increases. Ah, isn't that the case as well?

401. 5:17:53

     That is absolutely correct.

402. 5:17:53

     The predictability point that you made.

403. 5:17:55

     Yes. We have the ability to appeal your assessment, your property tax bill, bill. There's homestead exemptions that every county across the state offers to homeowners. So there are ways that homeowners right now today are already able to avoid some of that property tax burden that is not something that everyday consumers can avoid through sales tax.

404. 5:18:19

     Thank you, Senator.

405. 5:18:20

     Thank you. I shall yield. No more questions.

406. 5:18:26

     Okay. Thank you.

407. 5:18:28

     Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Recognize the senator from the fifty-six.

408. 5:18:34

     Thank you.

409. 5:18:41

     Senator.

410. 5:18:41

     Thank you, Mr. President. Just want to take a moment to, uh, correct some, uh, misstatements that may have been made from the well. Very much appreciate my friend from the thirty-ninth, and I know she always speaks very, uh, responsibly and rationally. But the state budget in the last twenty-six years since the year two thousand, when you adjust for the increase of population and inflation, is up a net total of one hundred and eight dollars. So what we're asking local governments to do is what we have been doing here under good conservative budgeting for a quarter of a century.

411. 5:19:18

     And there was a question from the senator from the thirty-six. Well, they won't have access to education for a FLOST. That's right. They have an E-FLOST. They've had it in your area for many years, and they have it currently. Now, the senator from the fourteenth said, "No young person under the age of thirty could afford to buy a house." Well, timing is great.

412. 5:19:41

     Forty.

413. 5:19:41

     Uh, forty, I'm sorry, 'cause my twenty-three-year-old ninety minutes ago closed on his house. Here's a picture of him holding up his keys. So, and you know what helps him get affordability from renting to buying? Lower property taxes, because now you can afford to fulfill the American dream, to buy a house. You take off a couple hundred dollars a month, that's the differential from homeownership. What happens with homeownership? People invest in their communities. They lay down roots. Their kids go to school there.

414. 5:20:13

     They invest as, as room moms and coaches. They become a part of their church, their rotary clubs, et cetera. People who own homes tend to invest more in their communities. They volunteer at charities. They become the fabric of our society. We've talked and talked and talked about the top issue being affordability. This is exactly what this is. Is it gonna probably get changed a little before it comes back for a final vote? Sure. That's the legislative process. But do not let the perfect be the enemy of the possible today.

415. 5:20:46

     Thank you. I yield the well.

416. 5:20:50

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure?

417. 5:20:54

     Thank you. Appreciate it.

418. 5:20:56

     Senator from, uh, fifty-second, you can close.

419. 5:20:59

     He doesn't do that. I'll, uh... Should you tell Paul to step out of his way right now? No, he, he hadn't informed me. He told me to go crap on his basement. Kind of gross. I know. I, I'm, I'm, I'm, I heard an apology from somebody making me carry this. They had to do that to me. Well, nobody made me do anything. Back in two thousand and two, we put some caps on the Floyd County Commission when I was there, and the newspaper was, uh, "Businesses are gonna flee town, and local government won't be able to pay their bills," all these horror stories, and funny, it's still in place from two thousand and two to two thousand twenty-six, and none of that happened.

420. 5:21:40

     I'm very familiar with this. I lived in Texas twice, where they've got the cap and require a voter referendum, and, uh, they seem to be booming as a state very well. So, um, I don't think anybody's getting strangled. I heard talk about predictability. When somebody's taxes in a five-year period go up a hundred and seven percent, their school taxes went up a hundred and seven percent, that's not predictability. Where was everybody crying for those people when that happened?

421. 5:22:13

     When Douglas County went up eighty-four percent in five years, who was crying for the affordability of those people who suddenly had a mortgage that was hundreds of dollars higher, if not more? And I've worked on affordability issues for a long time here, as you know, taxes, electricity, home affordability. I also want to say again, this is not a new sales tax. We're given an option to transfer from one to another that's already eligible. It's been eligible.

422. 5:22:43

     This is not a sales tax increase, and I do think there's several points on sales tax. One, a lot of that tax is paid, uh, from people who come visit Georgia, and so that reduces the burden on Georgians as a whole. A lot of those, um, taxes will mean lower payments for, uh, a loan for rental property, which is gonna factor into the price of rent, and it's certainly gonna help that homeowner who will see a third of their property taxes go away.

423. 5:23:18

     The school taxes will still be there, but most all their other taxes, city and county, will be completely gone, and, and the others won't be having the, the massive increases we've seen of twenty, thirty percent in one year. Um, and I didn't look at ChatGPT either. I, I think there's a district attorney who did that recently here and had all these fake court cases, so I try to stay away from that and, and deal in the facts that are there. Um, we've seen collective fund balances

424. 5:23:52

     From our school systems more than double in a five-year period, more money in the bank than we've got in the state. I think the revenue is there. I think that what has happened is our homeowners had the money transferred from their bank account, their savings account or their checking account into somebody else savings account. And I'm all for healthy fund balances, but we've got to address that when you're increasing taxes by over 100% in a five-year period.

425. 5:24:23

     I think, uh, everyone is right. This bill's gonna change a little bit more. We're gonna get with the House, we're gonna work on some things. They're gonna work on some things. I think we'll have a good, uh, product when it finishes up. I hope it can, uh, be something we can all vote on at the end, but we'll just have to see. With that, Mr. President, I yield the whale and I certainly urge your favorable support. Do this for your people back home. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator. The question is on the adoption of the committee substitute.

426. 5:24:55

     Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the forwarded committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The forwarded committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. The question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

427. 5:25:19

     Order.

428. 5:25:35

     Order. Gray green. Gray green.

429. 5:26:31

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 31, the nays are 19. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

430. 5:26:49

     Secretary, read House Bill 1215. Saturday at 4:00 PM. House Bill 1215 by Representative Parish of the 158th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the number of judges of superior courts so as to provide for a third judge of the superior courts of the middle judicial circuit, to provide for the appointment and term of such additional judge by the governor, to authorize the governing authority of the counties compr- comprising the middle judicial circuit to provide facilities, office space, supplies, equipment, and personnel for such judges, to declare inherent authority to provide for related matters, to provide for effective dates, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

431. 5:27:25

     Mr. President, the Committee of the S- Senate on Judiciary recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Strickland of the 42nd District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Judiciary offers the following substitute to House Bill 1215, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the number of judges of superior courts so as to provide for a third judge of the superior courts of the middle judicial circuit, to provide for a sixth judge of the superior courts of the northwe- northeastern judicial circuit, to provide for a 12th judge of the superior courts of the Gwinnett judicial circuit, to provide for the appointment and term of such additional judges by the governor, to provide for the election and terms of successors to the judges initially appointed, and for other purposes.

432. 5:28:01

     Mr. President, that completes the order. Good gracious, that's a lot of times. Me too. Recognize the senator from the 42nd. Old country lawyer from McDonough, Georgia, right here. Excellent choice of suit. Thank you, Mr. President. It's the country lawyer bill to bring more judgeships out in the country and a little bit to the city as well. Um, what this bill does, we combined some of our requests for new superior court judgeships into one bill.

433. 5:28:32

     As some of y'all, uh, discussed before, there's a process through Judicial Council where they review our circuits and determine which circuits qualify to have new judges. This obviously is very important in these circuits to help move criminal cases and civil cases and make sure that justice happens quicker for people in these areas. The three circuits that are included in this bill are the northeastern judicial circuit, which is Hall County, the middle jus- the middle judicial circuit, which is down by where the senator from the 19th is from, and also the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit.

434. 5:29:05

     Happy to take any questions.

435. 5:29:09

     Yeah, no questions. Thank you. Oh.

436. 5:29:17

     Yield. Get out of the well. No, yield. No, yield. Yield, yield. It's, it's... I'll take one question. It could save a floor speech if you take a question.

437. 5:29:32

     Recognize the senator from the 36th. Don't make me regret it now. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Uh, does the gentleman yield? Yes, ma'am. I, I just wondered if you've picked your predecessor now that you're gonna vacate this, uh, chairmanship of judiciary. Have I picked someone? Have you got... Yes, do you have any ideas about that? Well, I know there's some people that would be very qualified

438. 5:29:54

     Um, that have spent years being a floor leader that might be a good person to come in potentially. But I-

439. 5:29:59

     Well, I'll be doggone

440. 5:30:00

     ... I don't know.

441. 5:30:01

     Does his-

442. 5:30:01

     But yeah

443. 5:30:01

     ... does his uncle serve down here as well? I'm just curious to know.

444. 5:30:03

     I, I believe he does. But, uh-

445. 5:30:04

     We got one that's got a whole lot of experience right there.

446. 5:30:07

     Whole lot of experience.

447. 5:30:07

     Whole lot of it.

448. 5:30:08

     Is, is his daddy a doctor? Is that, would that be honing in on the-

449. 5:30:11

     What's that?

450. 5:30:12

     I said, is his daddy a doctor by any chance?

451. 5:30:14

     Oh, I think he might be. But luckily for everyone involved, no matter what happens in the elections, I will not make that decision next year.

452. 5:30:20

     Hey.

453. 5:30:21

     So.

454. 5:30:22

     You will be missed. Thank you.

455. 5:30:23

     He was a collegiate swimmer, too, at Georgia Tech as well.

456. 5:30:27

     That's right. That's right.

457. 5:30:27

     Besides being a longtime floor leader-

458. 5:30:30

     Wow

459. 5:30:31

     ... a career, a career floor, floor leader, he was a top-notch swimmer at Georgia Tech. Can you believe that?

460. 5:30:39

     And it true, noted, uh, or I have made note of the fact that since the first year he got here, he, he has promoted, uh, young entrepreneurs and young, uh, bus- business people and local crafts- crafts people by bringing down their wares and their creations and sharing-

461. 5:30:57

     That's right

462. 5:30:57

     ... them generously with his fellow senators, isn't that true?

463. 5:30:59

     I'm just glad we can use this bill to recognize the senator from the 50th and all of his service over the years to this body. And is this your farewell speech? You mean to give that right now? But-

464. 5:31:08

     All of his wonderful talents as a-

465. 5:31:10

     He plans to come back, I think-

466. 5:31:12

     Yeah

467. 5:31:12

     ... Mr. President.

468. 5:31:12

     Thanks, Senator

469. 5:31:12

     ... if the voters so choose.

470. 5:31:14

     Thank you.

471. 5:31:14

     Or he could get a judgeship potentially somewhere if he moves.

472. 5:31:16

     Well, there you go. The, the, never say, never say never.

473. 5:31:20

     I think it's time to yield the will.

474. 5:31:21

     All right.

475. 5:31:21

     Thank you.

476. 5:31:23

     Aw. Thank you.

477. 5:31:24

     The old country lawyer yields the will.

478. 5:31:32

     Uh, see, we played so much, now we got an amendment.

479. 5:31:35

     Ah.

480. 5:31:36

     Secretary, read the amendment.

481. 5:31:40

     Late arriving amendment.

482. 5:31:43

     Mr. President, Senators Halpern of the 39th District and others offers the following amendment, amendment one. Amend the Senate Committee on Judiciary substitute to House Bill 1215 by inserting after provide for a on line 2, 21st judge of the Superior Courts of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, a sixth judge of the Superior Courts of the Clayton Judicial Circuit, and, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

483. 5:32:08

     Recognize the senator from the 39th to speak to her amendment, her late arriving amendment.

484. 5:32:23

     Thank you, Mr. President. Hello again, colleagues. Um, this amendment is seeking additional judge, I'll speak to the Fulton, the Atlanta Judicial Circuit piece, and it also includes Clayton County. On, as you know, every year the Judicial Council ranks the circuits most in need of a new judge. And traditionally, we, the General Assembly, create new judgeships in the top three circuits.

485. 5:32:54

     Fulton, or the Atlanta circuit, was fourth on the list by a decimal point. We often argue about the way the waiting is done, to be very honest, because we have additional pressures on our court because of the complexity of the cases. We must, we are, because we are the capital city and capital county, we have more cases, more complex cases, so we missed it by a decimal point. It's high enough, the load is high enough to support 26 judges.

486. 5:33:27

     Currently there's 20. This would give us a 21st.

487. 5:33:33

     And I will just say that the Judicial Council message is that they're happy for us to support more circuits with more judges as long as this doesn't supplant one of the top three, which is not the plan, of course. And this bill was, this amendment was unanimously passed in the House, and the county supplement will help to offset some of the costs that, um, are hopefully gonna be in the budget, should it, should it pa- the budget pass.

488. 5:34:05

     If the budget, if, if the money's not there, then we just don't get a judge. But if the money ends up being in the budget, then we have created the vehicle to get this done. Thank you.

489. 5:34:17

     Yes.

490. 5:34:17

     Okay. I yield.

491. 5:34:30

     Secretary, read the second amendment that we have.

492. 5:34:34

     Mr. President, Senators Tillery and others offers the following amendment to amend House Bill 1215, Amendment 1A, by adding after B on line 15, subject to appropriations. Mr. President, that completes the order.

493. 5:34:47

     Senator from the 19th, would you like to speak to it? I think it's pretty self-explanatory.

494. 5:34:54

     I do not.

495. 5:34:55

     The senator from the 44th, would you like to speak?

496. 5:34:58

     Yes.

497. 5:34:58

     You recognize senator from the 44th.

498. 5:35:15

     Thank you, Mr. President. Just wanted to quickly speak to the Clayton County portion of the amendment. Um, Clayton County entered the list, qualifying list that the Administrative Office of the Courts puts together to, uh, be eligible to receive a new judge as of 2020, um, and, and meaning the 2021 legislative session. Highest it got was fourth before, um, falling off. This year I was running the process as a new member of the delegation, followed the process, and in July after the committee met, the word came back to myself and, um, the chief judge, Judge Robert Mack, that- Clayton's numbers were too low to qualify for the list.

499. 5:36:02

     Immediately, the chief judge said something's wrong because we've been on for five years and our workload has only gone up. So without making this story too long, the, uh, the, they resubmitted their numbers. They discovered that there had been a clerical error in the numbers submitted. And when they finally reran the numbers and approved them, it turned out that Clayton Judicial Circuit has the highest workload of any circuit in the entire state. The Judicial Workload Council, who does do great work and gives us good advice, uh, some of the time, um, sent a letter to me and Judge Mack December 17th saying, "Sorry, it's far too late to put you on the list," even though the numbers had gotten to them on September 4th.

500. 5:36:49

     And I feel that that process, um, is not producing the results that they claim it is intended to, and I think we could all agree in that. Um, I've got the letter here showing that, that Clayton indeed is the very highest workload circuit in the entire state. And for that reason, colleagues, we should all be able to agree that they should get a new judge this year. And I really appreciate all the hard work, um, on this issue of my, my friends, the senators from the 50th, 42nd, 19th. A lot of people have been really supportive, understanding that this clerical error should not stand in the way of justice.

501. 5:37:24

     And one more thing before I sit down. Many of you know, but many probably don't, that the Clayton Judicial Circuit handles the crimes out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. And with the World Cup coming, we know that there will be a lot of human trafficking and other crimes that our system is gonna need to be watching for and cracking down on. Um, and we want this circuit, which does handle a relatively high number of serious crimes like human trafficking, like murder, who keeps all of us in the entire state safe by handling Hartsfield-Jackson.

502. 5:38:04

     When they are the highest circuit, they do deserve and should get a new judge this year without further delay. Happy to answer any questions or yield the well, Mr. President. You have one question, senator from the 35th. Thank you, Senator. Do you yield? Certainly, I yield. Um, isn't it not, is it not true that with this amendment we can fix a clerical error and make sure that we are promoting safety, um, and make sure that our judges are not overworked? That's exactly right. I, I, you said it, you said it perfectly. Okay. Thank you.

503. 5:38:35

     Thank you, Senator. You have no more questions, Senator. Thank you. I urge your favorable consideration. Um, it would, it would seriously help this circuit as well as, as Atlanta and, uh, the amendment from the 19th. Fine amendment. And, um, it is not a budget-busting proposition in any case. I yield the well. Thank you, Senator. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measures? Hearing none, is there objection to the previous question being ordered?

504. 5:39:06

     Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. So now we're gonna take up the amendments.

505. 5:39:14

     Take up Amendment 1A authored by the senator from the 19th. Is there objection to 1A? Without objection, 1A is amended. Question now is on the adoption of Amendment 1 authored by the senator from the 39th. Is there objection to the senator from the 39th? It is objection. All right. All those in favor of Amendment Number 1 authored by the senator from the 39th will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

506. 5:39:50

     Red. We have a process for a reason. Yes.

507. 5:40:06

     Senator from the 44th. What purpose does she rise? A parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Wouldn't it be true, Mr. President, that because of Amendment 1A, this, this legislation does, would not impact our budget and simply tease things up for these high workload circuits? Senator knows when she speaks.

508. 5:40:31

     There'll be more reverence. It's just a process. I don't disagree with the judge's process. There's pretty cool judges that can carry the block, the chief judge. You haven't voted like that.

509. 5:40:48

     On the adoption of Amendment 1, the yays are 28 and the nays are 20, and this amendment passes. Simple majority. You just, you won, Senator. There's no, no need to, no need to reconsider. You, you won.

510. 5:41:12

     Just takes a simple majority.

511. 5:41:19

     They're so shocked right now. Y'all want to take a break, take a victory lap real quick?

512. 5:41:27

     I'm so proud of y'all.

513. 5:41:33

     All right.

514. 5:41:38

     All right, the question is on the adoption of the committee substitute as amended. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute as amended? Hearing none, the committee substitute as amended is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

515. 5:42:10

     Red. Well, even if it's just you and me, Randy, what do you think? We're, we're role models. Well, that's actually not true, but but we may vote red on this bill. That is,

516. 5:42:45

     that is probably true.

517. 5:43:08

     On the pass of the bill, the yeas are 47, the nays are three. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

518. 5:43:34

     Secretary Reed, House Bill 1245.

519. 5:43:37

     House Bill 1245 by Representatives Cameron of the First and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act providing for the election of the members of the Board of Education of Walker County, approved March 8th, 1968 as amended, so as to provide that future members of the board shall be elected by the voters of the respective education districts of, by the voters of the entire school system, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws or other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman, Mr. President, that completes the order.

520. 5:44:17

     Senator,

521. 5:44:20

     come on, 45. You, uh, you're a long way from Buford on this, on this bill here, Senator.

522. 5:44:40

     Thank you, President. Uh, Mr. President, you are correct. Uh, that is not in my district. Uh, Senate colleagues, uh, the next five bills before you will be all local bills. Uh, the reason we're having to take them up as general bills is we have vacancies in the chamber, um, and wanting to move this local legislation along. Um, had we not had those vacancies on the next five bills, you would've been voting green on the consent calendar. Just wanted to let everybody know that. Um, the first bill, uh, what it has to do with is Walker County and it's creating, uh, districts for their board of education.

523. 5:45:11

     With that, Mr. Chairman, I'll yield the will.

524. 5:45:15

     There are no questions. Does any senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the poor committee which is favorable to the passes of the bill? Chair hears none. The poor committee is agreed to. Is there objection for the main question to be ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. The question is on the passes of the bill. All those in favor of the bill will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, enlighten the machine.

525. 5:45:48

     You want red?

526. 5:46:01

     Now filling them with gas now. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. We can do these next. These are all local bills.

527. 5:46:18

     What number's next?

528. 5:46:21

     1245.

529. 5:46:26

     What's that?

530. 5:46:27

     17.

531. 5:46:28

     That's where we're on now, or next rather. Next.

532. 5:46:39

     You said 13, 17, right?

533. 5:46:41

     Coming up next, yeah.

534. 5:46:42

     These are all the local bills for Freddie Powell.

535. 5:46:45

     On the pass of the bill, the yeas are 48, the nays are zero. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

536. 5:46:54

     Secretary Reed, House Bill 1317.

537. 5:46:58

     House Bill 1317 by Representatives Honer- Horner of the Third and others, a bill to be entitled an act to authorize the governing authority of the City of Fort Oglethorpe to levy an excise tax pursuant to subsection B of Code Section 48-13-51 of the OCGA, to provide procedures, conditions, and limitations to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman, Mr. President, that completes the order.

538. 5:47:28

     Recognize the senator from the 45th.

539. 5:47:46

     Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, another local bill. Uh, senators, please vote green. This has to do with levying a excise tax in, uh, the City of Fort Oglethorpe. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the will.

540. 5:47:57

     I have a question. I have a question.

541. 5:47:58

     Senator.

542. 5:47:58

     We have a question about this. Yes. You don't want a question? You have the will. Run. Run. Run.

543. 5:48:07

     Senator.

544. 5:48:11

     Recognize the senator from the 19th.

545. 5:48:12

     Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, you yield?

546. 5:48:15

     I do.

547. 5:48:16

     Um, senator, uh, my friend, the senator from the 50th, was afraid to ask you this, but he's a little bit worried. He knows that he's, uh, obviously the most famous floor leader, but he's wondering now, are you the senator from the 53rd's floor leader after these past two bills?

548. 5:48:30

     Well, you know-

549. 5:48:30

     Former senator

550. 5:48:30

     ... I can see where you, you've drawn that, that conclusion. Uh, but when I was the floor leader, uh, a few sessions ago, uh, I was given an award for being the First Lady's floor leader instead of the, the Governor's floor leader, so.

551. 5:48:46

     No further questions, Senator.

552. 5:48:47

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

553. 5:48:51

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the fourth committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none, and the fourth committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. Main question is ordered. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

554. 5:50:58

     All on the passage of the bill, the ayes are forty-one, the nays are three. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

555. 5:51:15

     Secretary read House Bill 1523. House Bill 1523 by Representative Ciokas of the 151st and others. A bill to be entitled an act to act to create the Sumter County Public Facilities Authority and to provide for the appointment of members of the authority to confer powers upon the authority to authorize and provide for the issuance of revenue bonds, to provide that credit is not pledged, to provide for the security, validation, and protection of revenue bonds, to provide bondholder remedies, to fix and provide the venue and jurisdiction, to provide for proceeds as trust funds, to provide for tort immunity, to provide for the tax statutes of property and revenue bonds of the authority, to provide for reversion of assets, to provide for construction and severability, to provide a short title, to provide for definitions, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

556. 5:51:54

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman. Mr. President, I complete your order.

557. 5:52:06

     Recognize the senator from the 45th.

558. 5:52:14

     1523. Repeat that, Senator. I'm sorry. Will do, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move that the Senate table HB 1523 in honor of the senator from the 12th. All right. That is her district. She want... The motion is for us to table House Bill fi- 1523. Is there objection?

559. 5:52:41

     I'm, I don't recognize his objection. So is there objection besides anybody from the 6th?

560. 5:52:48

     Okay. Without objection, it is tabled.

561. 5:53:00

     Secretary read House Bill 1526. House Bill 1526 by Representative Green of the 154th. A bill to be entitled an act to repeal a former local constitutional amendment, which former local constitutional amendment was continued in ef- effect as statutory law pursuant to Article 7, Section 2, Paragraph 4 of the Constitution of Georgia, and which provided a five-year exemption from local ad valorem property taxes to any person who built, equipped, established, completed, or enlarged a plant for manufacturing or processing in Early County. To provide that exemption sh- granted prior to the effective date of this act shall continue for the remainder of their unexpired terms to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

562. 5:53:35

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman. Mr. President, I complete your order. Recognize the senator from the 45th.

563. 5:53:54

     Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, this, this deals with Early County, and it removes a five-year requirement before you can start getting a homestead exemption. With that, Mr. President, I'll yield the will. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the fourth committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The fourth committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill.

564. 5:54:24

     All those in favor of the bill vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

565. 5:55:29

     On the passage of the bill, the ayes are 47, the nays are 0. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

566. 5:55:38

     Secretary read House Bill 1543. House Bill 1543 by Representative Lumsden of the 12th. A bill to be entitled an act to amend an act providing a $40,000 homestead exemption from certain ad valorem taxes levied by, for, or on behalf of the Chattooga County School District for residents of that district who are 70 years of age or older and whose gross income does not exceed $20,000 approved April 23rd, 1998, so as to increase the income cap on such exemption, to increase the value of the exemption in steps over a two-year period, to revise the definition, to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements, to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

567. 5:56:19

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman, Mr. President, that completes the order. Recognize the senator from the 45th.

568. 5:56:37

     Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, this bill, it increases the homestead exemption for Chattanooga County and also increases the, uh, income limit as well for seniors. With that, Mr. President, I'll yield the will.

569. 5:56:49

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporter committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporter committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

570. 5:57:18

     S- s- some of you young, young guys could learn from the senator from the 45th. He, uh, he passes, he gets in there and gets out.

571. 5:57:36

     Senator from the 52nd, for what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Could the senator from the 45th pronounce it Chattooga County when he does the next bill? I'm, I'm sure he can, Senator.

572. 5:57:59

     Senator from the 35th, what purpose do you rise? Um, parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Is it true that this is home of the Sloppy Floyd State Park? You know, Senator, I think you might be right.

573. 5:58:17

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 44 and the nays are 0. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

574. 5:58:30

     Secretary, read House Bill 1544. House Bill 1544 by Representative Lumsden of the 12th. A bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Chattooga County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in the amount of $70,000 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are 70 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $38,000, to provide for definitions, to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto, to provide for applicability, to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements, to provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

575. 5:59:08

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman, Mr. President, that completes the order.

576. 5:59:23

     Recognize the senator from the 45th.

577. 5:59:35

     Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, on that last bill, colleagues, I think I needed my glasses on. I apologize. Um, but this last one here has to do with, uh, creating school, uh, districts for school board members, uh, in, uh, Walker County. With that, Mr. President, I'll yield the will.

578. 5:59:55

     Uh, you did have a question, Senator.

579. 6:00:08

     I think he had his counties mixed up.

580. 6:00:15

     Probably need your reading glasses. You got your counties mixed up, but I think you're still gonna pass. I think you're all right, Se- senator. Just to be clear, Chattooga County. It's Chattooga County is who we're talking about. Chattooga County.

581. 6:00:30

     The, the man from Gwinnett is just pinch-hitting for somebody who's not here.

582. 6:00:39

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporter committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporter's committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

583. 6:02:10

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 46 and nays are 0. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. Secretary, read, oh, special action. Read the message from the House. Mr. President, the following message was received from the House through Mr. Riley, the clerk thereof. Mr. President, the House has passed by the requisite constitutional majority the following bill of the House. House Bill 1522 by Representatives Burnow of the 77th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act to create the Clayton County Water Authority approved March 7th, 1955, as amended, so as to authorize the board of the authority to fix the compensation and reimbursement of expenses for members of the board, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

584. 6:02:53

     Mr. President, that completes the order. State and local government

585. 6:03:00

     Put it in state and local government.

586. 6:03:04

     Secretary read the House Bill 1129.

587. 6:03:16

     House Bill 1129 by Representative Sebaugh of the 34th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 36-88-6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to criteria for enterprise zones. So as to provide for the designation of enterprise zones, to provide that enterprise zones shall not qualify for exemption from state sales and use tax, to provide exemption, to provide for collection assessment of fees, to provide for the use of the principle of revenue bonds, to li- to limit the number of enterprise zones in urban redevelopment areas, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Rules recommends that this bill do pass by substitute.

588. 6:03:49

     Respectfully submitted, Senator Brass, the 6th District chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Rules offers the following substitute to House Bill 1129, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 88 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to enterprise zones so as to provide that enterprise zones shall not qualify for exemption from state sales and use tax, to provide for an exception, to provide for collection assessment of fees, to provide for the use of the principle of revenue bonds, to limit the number of enterprise zones in ur- rede- redevelopment areas, to provide a sunset date, to make allowances for enterprise zones in, in existence and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

589. 6:04:21

     Senator from the 50th, the longest serving floor leader in the history of the Georgia Senate. Give him a round of applause right there.

590. 6:04:36

     Amazing. Amazing. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I rise to bring House Bill 1129. This bill is about modernizing Georgia's enterprise zone law to make sure incentives are targeted, accountable, and fiscally responsible. Right now, enterprise zones can be applied too broadly, and in some cases expose the state to tax losses without significant guardrails. This bill fixes that. First, it targets incentives only to truly distressed areas. Projects must be located in an urban redevelopment area and certified as underdeveloped for at least 20 years, and it applies only to transformational projects with a minimum $400 million private capital investment.

591. 6:05:17

     Second, it protects state taxpayers. Local governments can offer local sales tax exemptions, but state sales tax exemptions are no longer automatic. Any state exemption must be approved by the governor, ensuring accountability and fiscal review. Third, it gives local governments a smart way to build infrastructure without risking the general fund. The bill allows infrastructure fees capped at the value of the exemption to fund roads, utilities, and public improvements through revenue bonds, and it clearly prohibits using public funds to guarantee or repay private investment.

592. 6:05:50

     The bottom line is this bill supports economic growth, protects taxpayers, and ensures enterprise zones are used for real redevelopment, not blank checks. Ask for your favorable consideration, and I yield the will. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, you had questions. You had a lot of questions, Senator. Line.

593. 6:06:14

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the, the bill? Chair hears none. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Question is on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favor to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. Main question is ordered. Question is on passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor will vote yay.

594. 6:06:45

     All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machines.

595. 6:08:24

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 45, the nays are 2. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed by substitute.

596. 6:08:44

     We're gonna take a 10-minute recess. Secretary's got a little... There's a little log jam and so having a little technical difficulty. So, uh, we're gonna take a 10-minute recess, and we'll be back. Don't worry. We're coming back. I would advise the leaders to go ahead and order dinner for your people.

597. 6:09:10

     And senator from the 50th, if you need any help being the sole floor leader in this room, we, we can help you with that, so.

598. 6:09:20

     10-minute break. Stand at ease.

599. 6:54:33

     Did y'all hear a little classical music over there? Hold on. Wait a minute. Uh, stop that, stop that lady right there. Did we hear some classical music? Let's hear that.

600. 6:54:55

     Oh, all right.

601. 6:55:02

     All right. Good job, representative. We ain't actually come back to order yet, so it was s- she was fine. She was fine. Now we're back to order here, so.

602. 6:55:16

     Better be glad 'cause Russ was about to break out his Elvis.

603. 6:55:22

     Senate will come to order.

604. 6:55:26

     Secretary, House Bill 1415

605. 6:55:32

     House Bill 1415 by Representative Seabolt of the 34th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Part IV of Article VI of Chapter 3 of Title 12 and Article I of Chapter 16 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Stone Mountain Memorial Association and public property of state generally, respectively, so as to require such association to hold all real property attained before January 1st, 1971 in trust, to prohibit such association from selling such real property, to provide for an exception, to provide for requirements for the exceptional sale of real property by such association, to provide for applicability, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

606. 6:56:05

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Government Oversight recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Bearden, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

607. 6:56:14

     Recognize the senator from the 49th.

608. 6:56:25

     Gentleman's farms.

609. 6:56:29

     I'll take it, Mr. President. Thank you. Good afternoon, colleagues. Uh, this afternoon I bring to you HB, uh, 1415 on behalf of Governor Kemp. This bill is about protecting Stone Mountain Park while ensuring responsible stewardship of state-owned property. The Stone Mountain Memorial Association was created to assemble and preserve the land that became Stone Mountain Park. Between 1959 and 1970, the association acquired the property that forms the original park footprint as we know today.

610. 6:57:00

     This legislation fully preserves and protects that original footprint exactly as it was intended. Over the decades, the association has acquired additional properties outside the original footprint. Some of those parcels were purchased, purchased for special projects, uh, Olympic-related needs, employee benefits, or anticipated development that ultimately did not move forward. At the same time, Stone Mountain Park faces more than a $40 million in deferred maintenance. In that context, it is appropriate to ensure the association has the tools to responsibly manage non-core properties while maintaining full protections for the park itself.

611. 6:57:42

     This bill accomplishes three things. First, it preserves and protects the original Stone Mountain Park footprint. Second, it provides flexibility for the responsible management of non-core properties acquired in later decades. And third, it strengthens transparency and accountability by bringing Stone Mountain real property transactions under the review and approval of the State Properties Commission, aligning the association with standard state practices. Mr. President, I yield for questions.

612. 6:58:12

     You only have one question. Senator from the 42nd. Does Senator yield? To my good friend from the 42nd. Is this a governor's bill?

613. 6:58:23

     Yes, sir. Do you further yield? Yes, sir. I'm just a little bit concerned. We've had a lot of celebrations lately about the longest serving floor leader in, in Georgia history, I think in the nation's history, after 15 years as a floor leader, um, three different governors, I think. And I'm just worried, is there some reason that the nationally recognized longest serving floor leader in US history didn't get to carry this governor's bill? I, I heard a little rumor that the hatchet got dull. Oh.

614. 6:58:55

     Mr. President, I yield the

615. 6:58:59

     floor. Wow.

616. 6:59:03

     Wow. That was, that wasn't very nice, Senator.

617. 6:59:12

     I mean, there's a lot of people, I mean, you've been floor leader so long, I mean, like 12 years now, that, I mean, there's a direct correlation for us being the number one place to do business for the last 12 years, and your, and your leadership as floor leader. Yeah, I think so.

618. 6:59:33

     Tell you what, Senator, they just don't give you enough credit. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous ques- question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporter committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporter committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

619. 7:01:50

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 47, the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

620. 7:02:02

     Secretary, House Bill 1077. House Bill 1077 by Representative William of the 148th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes so as to extend the sunset date applicable to the exemption for sales of tickets, fees, and charges of admission to certain museums and fine arts performances or exhibitions at nonprofit facilities to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Rules recommends that this bill do pass by substitute.

621. 7:02:35

     Respectfully submitted, Senator Brass at sixth District chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Rules offers the following substitute to House Bill 1077, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes so as to extend the sunset date applicable to the exemption for sales of tickets, fees, and charges of admission to certain museums and fine arts performances or exhibitions at nonprofits facilities to create an exemption for sales of tickets, fees, or charges for admission to the Georgia National Fair held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

622. 7:03:09

     Mr. President, that completes the order. Recognize the senator from the fourth.

623. 7:03:23

     Mr. President, thank you, sir. Um, this House Bill sev- two seventy-seven extends an, an existing sales tax exemption. Um, this actually extends it through December 31, 2032, and it's a sales tax exemption for tickets and related fees for fine arts performances or exhi- or exhibitions if they are held, held by or take place at a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit or culturally significant museum focused on arts, education, or cultural programming.

624. 7:03:55

     And as, as requested from the senator from the 11th, we've also added into it as an amendment by the Senate, this bill now includes a sales tax exemption for admission to the Georgia National Fair at the, uh, Georgia National Fair Fairgrounds and Agricenter. As I stated early- earlier, this extends the exemption to December 31, 2032, is the sunset. Mr. President, I yield the wheel. Thank you.

625. 7:04:27

     Recognize senator from the 56th. Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the senator from the 4th. He's always so eloquent in his delivery. Uh, I rise in opposition to this bill because we're picking winners and losers. If you go to a non-for-profit location and hear an artist perform, a band perform, et cetera, you're not gonna pay tax.

626. 7:04:58

     If that very same artist goes to a for-profit a mile down the road, you're gonna pay tax on it. Either everybody pays or nobody pays. It just doesn't make sense, uh, and we should do better than picking winners and losers. Thank you. I yield the wheel.

627. 7:05:18

     Recognize the senator from the 14th.

628. 7:05:28

     Mr.- Mr. President, thank you. I rise in enthusiastic support of this bill. I think to address the senator from the 56th concerns, uh, any venues that are in a county that has a medical examiner instead of a coroner should be exempt from the tax. Of course, anybody who is in a county with a coroner should pay the tax. Now, I don't subscribe to that. I just think the senator from the 56th, if he thinks that all should be consistent, that might be an amendment that he would want to propose to, uh, align with his philosophy. Thank you, Mr. President.

629. 7:06:00

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Questions on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

630. 7:07:35

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 43 and the nays are five. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

631. 7:07:58

     Secretary read House Bill 1202. House Bill 1202 by Representative Corbett of the 174th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 35-6A-17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention and Advisory Board membership and termination so as to correct a scrivener's error in a cross-reference, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Public Safety recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Albers of the 56th District. Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

632. 7:08:30

     Recognize senator from the 56th.

633. 7:08:41

     Get you a haircut. Yeah, hindsight, huh? Thank you, Mr. President. This will probably be the easiest bill we do all day. House Bill 1202 simply corrects a scrivener's error for a code section that was inadvertently done last year. If there are no questions, I'll yield the wheel. No questions, Senator. Thank you. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill?

634. 7:09:12

     Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. The question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

635. 7:10:04

     Senator from the 6th, we sure are getting a lot of House members over here. Are they passing our bills over there, Senator?

636. 7:10:15

     Recognize the senator from the 6th. Mr. President, I checked on the House a little while ago. They're, they're, they're doing a little bit of work over there. Some- They're passing some. I mean, we're getting a lot in this chamber right now. I mean, it's- Oh, we're knocking it out. That's 'cause you got such a great calendar before you

637. 7:10:32

     Somehow I knew you'd turn it back to you. I mean, you see the collection of nos right here.

638. 7:11:06

     I think y'all got together over there.

639. 7:11:11

     Senator from the twenty-seventh, what for, what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Mr. President, is it not true that all of us over here in Freedom Corner believe that all scriveners errors should be sunset?

640. 7:11:24

     The Freedom, the Freedom Corner, huh? Is that what y'all call yourselves? On the passage of the bill, the yeas are forty-one, the nays are six. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

641. 7:11:39

     Senator from the thirty-eighth, what purpose do you rise? Uh, Mr. President, I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the thirty-sixth. Without objection, senator from thirty-sixth is excused. Secretary Reed, House Bill 1238.

642. 7:11:56

     House Bill 1238 by Representatives Dempsey of the thirteenth and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical assistance generally so as to direct the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification of certain caregivers for Medicaid reimbursement for the provision of respite care and related services, to provide for implementation upon approval, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Health and Human Services recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the First District, Chairman.

643. 7:12:28

     Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services offers the following substitute to House Bill 1238, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical assistance generally so as to direct the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to authorize the qualification of certain caregivers for Medicaid reimbursement for the provision of respite care and related services, to provide for implementation upon approval, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

644. 7:13:04

     Call on the longest serving floor leader of all time. Senator from the fiftieth.

645. 7:13:22

     Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, today I rise to bring House Bill 1238. What this bill does is it takes legislative approval for certain Medicaid waivers. This will allow families the opportunity to get a Medicaid waiver for children under the age of twenty-one that need in-home care so that they don't have to put their, uh, child in a nursing home. I'm happy to answer any questions. You have no questions, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

646. 7:13:52

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Question is on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute.

647. 7:14:23

     All those in favor of the bill will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

648. 7:15:31

     On the passage of the bill, the yeas are forty-six, the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

649. 7:15:42

     Secretary Reed, House Bill 506.

650. 7:15:52

     House Bill 506 by Representatives Helton of the forty-eighth and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical assistance generally so as to provide Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments, to provide for requirements, to provide for submission of a state plan amendment on or waiver if necessary, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Health and Human Services recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the First District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services offers the following substitute to House Bill 506, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 20E of Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act, so as to provide for insurance coverage for certain out-of-network ambulance transportation services, to provide for the minimum allowable reimbursement rate for such service, to provide for maximum amounts on co-payments, co-insurance, or deductibles for such service, to provide for definitions, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

651. 7:16:46

     Mr. President, that completes the order. Recognize the senator from the forty-eighth.

652. 7:17:03

     Thank you, Mr. President. So as we just heard, the underlying on this was a bill on, um, stopping smoking. Good bill, but it is not that bill anymore. This is, uh, this is an ambulance billing bill, not an ambulance chaser bill. Floor Leader Emeritus, it's not a floor, it's not an ambulance chaser bill, just an ambulance billing bill in case you were confused on that.

653. 7:17:35

     I just want you to be locked in on me on this one. All right, sir? So we're, we're good.

654. 7:17:39

     I got you good. This bill passed February the 18th out of this body. It is the exact same language that we put back in it. Happy to answer any questions. We have been through it pretty thoroughly a couple of times now, but if y'all do have any questions, happy to answer.

655. 7:18:04

     Seeing none?

656. 7:18:05

     No questions, Senator.

657. 7:18:06

     Happy to yield. Thank you.

658. 7:18:10

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Question is on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to the previous, to agreeing to the poorer committee which is favorable to the pass of the bill? Chair hears none. Poorer committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. Main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor will vote yay or po-opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

659. 7:19:43

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 48 and the nays are zero. This bill, having received a requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

660. 7:19:56

     Secretary, read House Bill 382.

661. 7:20:05

     House Bill 382 by Representative Stephens of the se- 164th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 16-13-25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to Schedule 1 controlled substances so as to revise the provision relating to psilocybin, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Health and Human Services recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson, the first district chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

662. 7:20:30

     Recognize the good doctor from Savannah, Georgia. Senator from the first, present the bill.

663. 7:20:44

     Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, let me just say first of all that there are n- no, uh, psychedelics that are on the market, uh, here in the State of Georgia or anywhere in the United States. Uh, they are Schedule 1 drugs, but they are in Stage 2 trials. If you'll remember, there's Stage 1, 2, and 3. Stage 2 really establishes the dosage, and this, uh, this bill, uh... I should note that those medicines, or potential medicines, are in, um, they're in a fast track relating to the FDA approval.

664. 7:21:19

     So the, what this does is allow that if medicines like that should be approved, uh, then we would not have to wait till next year, which basically means about a year, year and a half before, uh, people would be able to get these. Veterans right now are going to Mexico and getting these, uh, medicines. And I will say the articles published in the Journal of American Medical Association does show significant, uh, improvement. As a matter of fact, one dose will equal to, uh, a month's worth of symptoms markedly reduced relating to a generalized anxiety disorder.

665. 7:21:54

     So this basically, uh, allows us, as we do a drug update bill, as I've done here, uh, this will, uh, preempt that. And if, this will automatically trigger that we could use it here in Georgia if it gets FDA approval and gets off the Schedule 1 and drops down to Schedule 2, 3, or 4. And with that, uh, Mr. President, uh, I, I... Let me just say it also has a pharmacy technician on there that, uh, increases the number of technicians that a pharmacy can supervise, so there's two parts to the bill, uh, relating to that.

666. 7:22:25

     And lastly, let me just say this bill has nothing to do with the senator from the 50th, uh, the governor's floor leader, at all.

667. 7:22:36

     So with that, uh-

668. 7:22:37

     You have no questions, Senator.

669. 7:22:39

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

670. 7:22:42

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee is, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor will vote yay, opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

671. 7:24:59

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 38 and the nays are 10. Oh, wow, I'm looking at this coalition here.

672. 7:25:12

     There's nothing wrong with the red.

673. 7:25:13

     Red? There's nothing wrong with the red button now. I used to use mine a lot when I was in the Senate, so. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

674. 7:25:31

     Secretary, read House Bill 943.

675. 7:25:36

     House Bill 943 by Representative Silcox of the 53rd and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to programs and protection for children and youth so as to establish a pilot program relating to the provision of screenings, clinical evaluations, training services, and resources for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care, to provide for definitions, to provide for the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to develop and implement such pilot program, to provide for a final report and recommendations, to provide for rules and regulations, to provide for automatic re- repeal, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

676. 7:26:10

     Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Children and Families recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Kirkpatrick of the 32nd District. Chairman, Mr. President, that completes the order.

677. 7:26:20

     Recognize the senator from the 19th.

678. 7:26:30

     Thank you, Mr. President. First, I want to start by thanking the senator from the 50th for his work on this, um, Senate Bill 943.

679. 7:26:39

     As you know, we've been working for many, many years to, uh, on our foster care program, and we identified that children in our foster care program are six to seven times more likely to have autism. Obviously, the autism is not caused by foster care. The reason they're in foster care, it appears, is probably because of the autism. We passed a similar Senate version a few weeks back. The House has a version they've sent over in an effort to make sure that it passes both chambers and makes it to, uh, final signature of the governor.

680. 7:27:11

     Um, Representative Silcox sent this our way. It's House Bill 943. It would do three pilots to complement what we've already done as one pilot in Region 12 and, uh, to see if that, um, correlation that we saw is identified across other geographic regions as well. Happy to take any questions or I'll yield the floor. Yeah, no questions, Senator. Thank you so much. Uh, Mr. President, I urge favorable consideration of Senate Bill, House Bill 943.

681. 7:27:42

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporter committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporter committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

682. 7:29:11

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 46 and nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

683. 7:29:25

     I am sorry that I missed Mr. Robert Brown's birthday recognition earlier today. I, I'd just like to wish him a happy birthday.

684. 7:29:40

     That's a good man right there, ladies and gentlemen. He's been doing this a long time, and, uh, we appreciate you, Robert, and everything you do here for this chamber, and, uh, I just hope you've had a great day today. So happy birthday, my friend. Happy birthday. Mm-hmm. Mr. President, it's been over the top. Oh, good, good. That's good to hear.

685. 7:30:04

     943. Secretary read House Bill 943. 1015. 1015, House Bill 1015. House Bill 1015 by Representative Workhiser of the 157th, a bill to be entitled an Act to Amend Article 10 of Chapter 9 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Self-Insurer's Gu-Guaranteed Trust Fund regarding workers' compensation so as to revise certain funded levels of such fu-fund, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Insurance and Labor recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Harbin of the 16th District.

686. 7:30:35

     Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

687. 7:30:41

     Recognize the senator from the 32nd.

688. 7:30:59

     Thank you, Mr. President. This is a workers' comp bill, and it is brought on behalf of the Self-Insured Guaranteed Trust Fund. They have, uh, reached their cap, and in order to avoid assessing their members, they need to raise the cap to guard against bankruptcy, and I'm sure that the governor's floor leader is very familiar with this situation. Um, there's been no opposition to the bill. I'll be happy to answer any questions. You have no questions, Senator.

689. 7:31:30

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporting committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporting committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

690. 7:34:17

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 46 and the nays are one. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

691. 7:34:38

     Secretary Reed, House Bill 1283. House Bill 1283 by Representatives Panitch of the f- fifty-first and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 13 of Title 19 and Chapter 16 of Title 17 of the OCGA relating to family violence and discovery, respectively, so as to authorize the creation of family justice centers to provide for related matters to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the commette- the committee of the Senate on Public Safety recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Albers, chairman. Mr. President, Jackson offers the first amendment. We're all the way through to the second.

692. 7:35:12

     Mr. President, Senators Jackson of the forty-first district and others offers the following amendment. Amendment one, amend House Bill 1283 by replacing lines one and two with the following, "To amend Chapter 13 of Title 19 and Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to family violence and criminal procedure, respectively, so as to authorize the creation of," by replacing lines 218 through the end with the following, "Section two, and for other purposes." Mr. President, Senators Jackson of the forty-first district offers the following amendment to amend House Bill 1283, Amendment 1A, by striking 30 on line 15 and replacing with 10.

693. 7:35:44

     Mr. President, that, that completes the order.

694. 7:35:48

     Recognize the senator from the twenty-ninth.

695. 7:35:57

     All right, senator. Looking good. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, House Bill 1283 is a very serious piece of legislation. It deals with family violence, and if you need to know the need for this, you'll find it on lines 18 through 20. The General Assembly finds that victims of family violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking often face fragmented and duplicative systems of support that can re-traumatize survivors or impede access to justice.

696. 7:36:34

     What this legislation does is it gives the opportunities, the framework if you will, for every municipality in the state of Georgia to create a place, a single place that a victim can go through to go to, to see, to get the help that they need. What it does is it creates a family justice center so that the victim can go there, find the services that they need, find the resources that they need to get the help that they need. There's no money in this right now, but it's a very good piece of legislation.

697. 7:37:07

     I would appreciate your support on this. And as I wait for your vote, I'll be sitting next to the longest serving governor's floor leader in North America. Thank you.

698. 7:37:21

     He's, senator has yielded. Senator.

699. 7:37:32

     Senator from the forty-first, would you like to speak to your amendments?

700. 7:37:47

     What are you doing, huh? Huh? What are you doing? Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I rise, this is a, a whip team, uh, amendment that we are bringing, but I rise to ask your favorable consideration on Amendment one and 1A, which adds provisions to make sure that rape kits are maintained for 10 years, um, after someone receives a rape kit. Right now, the law only allows, or only calls for those to be held for 12 months, so for one year.

701. 7:38:23

     Um, to move it to 10 would be a substantial, um, real help for women who, or people who are victims of rape. And so, um, really do ask, this is quite consequential, and, um, ask your favorable consideration. I appreciate the whip, the majority leader whip for joining me in this amendment to increase this to 10 years. So with that, I will yield for questions. You do have a question, Senator. Recognize the senator from the forty-sixth. Thank you, Mr.

702. 7:38:53

     President. Will the senator yield? Absolutely. I like your Amendment 1A better than one because that 30 years just seemed extraordinary to me. Do you know what the statute of limitations is on sexual assault or on rape? I do not know that. Um, if you, if you know the answer, I'm happy to receive that information. I, I don't, but I don't think it's that long, and I just don't know why you should keep the, you know, documents longer than you could potentially prosecute anybody anyways. And I want to do everything we can to prosecute them, but I just don't wanna overburden, you know, the, uh, evidence collectors.

703. 7:39:27

     Yeah, no, thank you. I appreciate that. And you know, this is work that we've been doing for a long time. Um, first we did an audit to just count the number of rape kits that were even out there. I know there's been a lot of work in the House on, um, processing rape kits. We've been able to catch a number of serial rapists as a result of the, the money that this chamber, that this body has put into processing rape kits. And so, um, I think we believe that 10 years is a, is a good compromise in terms of keeping, uh, in terms of keeping that evidence. And, you know, should we determine that we need longer time, well, we've got 10 years to figure that out.

704. 7:40:01

     So, um, I think this is a really good compromise and, and really grateful for the work. Recognize the senator from the twenty-fifth. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? I'd be happy to yield. Were you aware that the GBI released a, um, press release today that they have solved a 19- 1984 rape and murder of Sandra Kay Davis in Ware County, Georgia?

705. 7:40:32

     It's 42 years with DNA evidence. Yes, sir. I think we don't need to put a time limit on it. We need to put it in CODIS and leave it and catch these people and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

706. 7:40:48

     Thank, thank you so much. And I know you've done a lot of work with DNA and in your own bills. Um, to be clear, these, this DNA will be put in CODIS. It's just about how long we keep the kit itself and the evidence. Um, so it's not that people are only gonna be in CODIS for 10 years. Um, they will be in CODIS, um, going forward. So I, I hope that will address your, your, the heart of your concern here. This is really about the actual kit, the evidence that, you know, takes up space on a shelf, not about the DNA that's taken from it.

707. 7:41:18

     All right. Thank you. Recognize the senator from the 14th. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? I'd be happy to yield to the senator- Senator ... from the 14th. Senator, is it not true that depending on the nature of the sexual offense, there's actually a variety of statutes of limitation in the code, some of them ranging from a few years up to 15 years, and when there's actual rape, but is it not true, I just got a text message from somebody in the hallway who would definitely know, and I won't out exactly who it is, uh, that there is no statute of limitation in certain cases of rape. Is, is that not true?

708. 7:41:49

     The senator knows of what he speaks. Thank you very much, and, uh, thank you so much for bringing this amendment. Thank you. You have one more question, Senator. Recognize the senator from the 48th. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? I'm happy to yield to my good friend from the 48th. Senator, is it not true that the author of this amendment is sitting in the back of the room and has been working on this bill for nearly four years? Senator, you know of what you speak. She has been a passionate supporter of this work, of victims and survivors of sexual assault.

709. 7:42:21

     A lot of energy, blood, sweat, and tears really have gone into fighting to advocate for rape survivors and, and, and victims. And so I'm proud to be able just to be a small part in this journey towards getting this type of legislation passed. Is it also, uh, not true that a yes vote on this shows great bipartisanship in doing great things for victims in the state of Georgia? That's right. Thank you so much, Senator. In the same way that the bill, the underlying bill is incredibly bipartisan, um, this is truly a bipartisan amendment as well.

710. 7:42:53

     I'm really proud to be able to join with the sponsor, um, the Senate sponsor to have this amendment. So thank you all so much. And with that, I will yield the well. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question be enordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Question is on adoption of Amendment 1A. Is there objection to adoption of Amendment 1A? Without objection, Amendment 1A is added.

711. 7:43:24

     Now we're on to Amendment 1 authored by the senator from the 41st. Is there object- objection to adoption of Amendment 1? Hearing none, Amendment 1 is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the referring committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. Referring committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question be enordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered.

712. 7:43:50

     Question is on the passage of the bill as amended. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary will allot the machine.

713. 7:44:58

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 48 and the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed as amended. Now, see, we have passed Democratic bills, we have passed Republican bills, and the AJC writes about me this morning that I'm holding up some House members' bills- Oh ... because of who they may or may not support.

714. 7:45:28

     I don't think there's any danger. I love the representative back there and, and she probably loves me, but I doubt she's voting for me. But guess what? We don't let good legislation not get passed because of political affiliations. So thank you, Representative.

715. 7:45:51

     So wherever you are, AJC, one of these days you're gonna write the truth. It'll probably be after this election cycle, though. But-

716. 7:46:02

     Moving on. Recognize the senator from the 6th.

717. 7:46:07

     Mr. President, we're on such a good roll. I would hate to hit a speed bump. So to give a little more time for opposing sides to work some things out, I would move that we table HB 1259. All right. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 1259 by Representatives Dubnick of the 29th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Part 4 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to financing relative to the Quality Basic Education Act so as to prohibit virtual instruction to out-of-sys- system students if the local school system has a college and career ready performance index below the state average to require an agreement between local school systems to allow for an out-of-system student to attend a virtual school to require out-of-system students to not be counted towards equalization funds received by a local school system to provide for an effective date, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

718. 7:47:08

     All right. Is there objection to the senator from the 6th's motion? Okay. Without objection, 1259 is tabled. LG.

719. 7:47:22

     Recognize the majority leader for a motion.

720. 7:47:28

     Mr. President, I move that we table HB 963. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 963 by Representatives Martin of the 49th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to government transparency in campaign finance so as to prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to or participating in any campaign to bring about the approval or rejection by the voters of any proposed question which appears on the ballot to provide for definitions to require certifications by certain campaign committees as to compliance with such prohibition to prohibit the disclosure of certain protected donor information to provide for a penalty to provide for related matters to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

721. 7:48:03

     Is there objection? Without objection, 963 is tabled.

722. 7:48:16

     Secretary, read the caption on House Bill 9- 256.

723. 7:48:24

     House Bill 256 by Representative Wydower of the 121st and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to programs and protection for children so as to revise provisions relating to the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights to provide for definitions, to provide that such rights include relative caregivers and fictive kin, to provide for the development of administrative procedures, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Children and Families recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Kirkpatrick, 32nd District Chairman.

724. 7:48:55

     Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Children and Families offers the following substitute to House Bill 256, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provil- provisions related to the Juvenile Code so as to require the recording of all proceedings under the Juvenile Code, to establish the right of parties to obtain a full and complete record of proceedings under the Juvenile Code, to establish the right of the Department of Human Services and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

725. 7:49:27

     There he is, my favorite reporter. Recognize the senator from the 6th, the Rules Chairman.

726. 7:49:43

     Thank you, Mr. President. This is very simple. Foster Care Bill of Rights, been working on this for several years. It allows any party to, to a proceeding in juvenile court and the Department of Human Services, when permitted to participate, to obtain a full and complete record of juvenile court proceedings without a court order. The bill is also renames this, the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights to the Foster Placements Bill of Rights and allows all foster placement- placements to have access to non-identifying information from a placement or child protective service record.

727. 7:50:18

     I'll yield for questions.

728. 7:50:26

     Okay, I have no questions, Senator.

729. 7:50:27

     Thank you. I urge your favorable support for HB 256.

730. 7:50:32

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. The question is on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. Reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. Main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor vote yay. Opposed nay. Secretary, enlighten the machine.

731. 7:52:29

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 47, the nays are 0. This bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed by substitute.

732. 7:52:43

     Secretary will read House Bill 659.

733. 7:52:52

     House Bill 659 by Representative Green of the 154th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 34, Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical professionals for rural assistance so as to expend medical education funding and the Service Cancelable Loan Program to include optometrists, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Health and Human Services recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the 1st District. Chairman. Mr. President, Senator Kirkpatrick of the thir- 32nd District and others offers the following amendment. Amendment 1, amend House Bill 659 by replacing lines one through four with the following, to amend Chapters 7 and 34 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to regulation and construction of hospitals and other healthcare facilities and medical professionals for rural assistance respectively so as to per- permit administration of certain medica- medications to residents of personal care homes and assisted living facilities, to expand medical education funding and the Service Cancelable Loan Program to include optometrists, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

734. 7:53:51

     Mr. President, that completes the order.

735. 7:53:56

     Recognize the senator from the 6th.

736. 7:54:05

     Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. House Bill 659 simply adds optometrists to the list of healthcare practitioners who may have their loan forgiven if they practice in rural areas. Of course, the idea here is to entice more optometrists down to our rural areas that are in much need and have a critical shortage. The current list includes physicians, dentists, physicians assistants and advanced practice registered nurses and we're simply adding optometrists. I'll yield for questions.

737. 7:54:45

     Recognize the senator from the 51st.

738. 7:54:48

     Thank you, Mr. President. Will the senator yield?

739. 7:54:50

     Absolutely.

740. 7:54:51

     When describing rural Georgia and you say down to rural Georgia, would you also refer to up to rural Georgia and north Georgia as well? Would that be a true statement?

741. 7:55:02

     Well, it just depends on what part of Georgia you're in there, Senator. If you're up in rural Georgia, you would be talking about down in rural Georgia.

742. 7:55:11

     Or around.

743. 7:55:11

     But if you're anywhere else, you could say up or down or around.

744. 7:55:16

     Up and down and all around. Sort of like a merry-go-round or a circus.

745. 7:55:20

     Sort of.

746. 7:55:20

     Would you compare that to a senate?

747. 7:55:22

     Sort of.

748. 7:55:23

     Thank you, Senator.

749. 7:55:23

     More like, more like a-

750. 7:55:23

     Just making sure you didn't forget us little people up there in the mountains. Thank you.

751. 7:55:28

     I certainly would never forget y'all

752. 7:55:32

     You have no more questions, Senator. I support the amendment.

753. 7:55:37

     Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there...

754. 7:55:46

     Senator from the 32nd, I apologize. Come speak to your amendment.

755. 7:55:57

     Everybody's going set? Mm-hmm. Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment is also about healthcare, and this has to do with, uh, the certified medication aids that can give medications in our nursing facilities like insulin, epinephrine, and B12 shots. This just adds the GLP-1 medications to that list. Very simple. Happy to answer any questions. That's the, um, drugs that are being used against diabetes.

756. 7:56:29

     You have no questions, Senator?

757. 7:56:34

     Thank you. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Question is on the adoption of amendment number one by the senator from the 32nd. Is there objection? Without objection, amendment number one is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the referred committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. Referred committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill as amended.

758. 7:57:04

     All those in favor will vote yay. Opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

759. 7:58:28

     On the passage of the bill, the yays are 46, the nays are 0. And this bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed as amended. All right, so we're going to take, I know, uh, the pro tem has a dinner bre- dinner coming at 6:00, I believe. It's, it's 5:50 right now, and so we're gonna take a little, uh, dinner, dinner break. Um, I do... Y'all want one more bill?

760. 7:59:01

     I mean, you know if we're not here till midnight on Thursday, they're gonna whine over there, right? You know that, don't you? One more.

761. 7:59:17

     All right. Secretary, read House Bill 297.

762. 7:59:29

     House Bill 297 by Representative Anderson of the 10th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 40-1-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to definitions relative to motor vehicles and traffic so as to revise the definition of multipurpose off- off-highway vehicle to amend Article 10 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to ad valorem taxation of motor vehicles and motor homes so as to define multipurpose off-highway vehicle and subclassify such vehicles for ad valorem taxation purposes, to provide that such vehicles shall not be returned or taxed for ad valorem taxation purposes, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Transportation recommends that this bill do pass by substitute.

763. 8:00:01

     Respectfully submitted, Senator Dolezal of the 27th District. Chairman. We have a little business to actually handle first. Okay. All the way through. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Transportation offers the following substitute to House Bill 297, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Titles 12, 32, 36, 40, 45, 48, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to conservation and natural resources, highways, bridges, and ferries, local government, motor vehicles and traffic, public officers and employees, revenue and taxation, and state government respectively, so as to abolish the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, to change the name, jurisdiction, governance, and powers of the Atlanta Region Transit Link, the ATL, Authority, to transfer all assets, obligations, liabilities, employees of such authorities to the Georgia Transportation Efficiency Authority, to provide a board, and for other purposes.

764. 8:00:53

     Um, I tell you what, if I'd known it was this bill.

765. 8:00:59

     If I'd known it was this bill. Mr. President, Senator Anavitarte of the 31st District offers the following amendment. Amendment one. Amend the Senate Committee on Transportation substitute to House Bill 297 by replacing lines 39 and 40 with the following. Compliant zone county means a county with a non-attainment area, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. Yeah, we're gonna stand at ease real quick. All right, let's go to dinner. I'm not sitting here listening to this for the next 30 minutes, so stand at ease