Georgia CommonsHouse Special Rules Committee, February 5, 2026
2025-2026 Regular Session · 515 CLOB · 22 min
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Summary
Written by an AI model (gpt-6.1-sol) from the transcript. It is not part of the record, and the video is what was said.
The committee approved three resolutions: HR 1049, establishing an annual fentanyl awareness observance in October; HR 1177, urging pedestrians to wear bright or reflective clothing at night; and HR 999, encouraging Georgians and local governments to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. A student witness explained the research and school outreach behind the fentanyl proposal. Members also discussed making reflective vests available to warehouse workers through a proposed grant-supported effort. All three resolutions passed by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
Bills discussed (3)
Each account covers the stretch of the meeting it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda.
HR 1049. Fentanyl and Opioid Awareness Day; last Wednesday of October each year; designate
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The sponsor presented HR 1049 as an annual October fentanyl awareness observance during Red Ribbon Week, developed by a high school senior as a Girl Scout project. The student witness said education and awareness were needed to address fentanyl and other manufactured drugs. The witness described arranging a school presentation with public health and medical representatives. Citing Georgia Department of Public Health data, the witness reported a 100% increase in opioid overdose deaths from 2012 to 2021 and, for 1999 through 2023, 183 opioid-related deaths in Columbus and 17,764 statewide. The witness said Georgia’s highest annual total was 1,976 in 2022. The sponsor said specifically identifying fentanyl during Red Ribbon Week would help current and future students understand its dangers and prevent unnecessary deaths. Several committee members praised the project, and one emphasized reaching children early. No substantive questions or opposition were raised. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
HR 1177. Pedestrians; wear bright or reflective clothing at night to improve visibility to drivers; urge
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The sponsor said HR 1177 urges, rather than requires, pedestrians to wear bright or reflective clothing at night. The sponsor reported that about 84% of Georgia pedestrian deaths occur at night and that more than 294 pedestrians were killed in 2024. The sponsor argued that reflective clothing improves drivers’ ability to see pedestrians and complements Georgia Department of Transportation investments in crossings, signals and lighting. One committee member supported the proposal, describing poor visibility on roads without lighting or sidewalks. A second member asked how people who cannot afford reflective vests would obtain them. The sponsor described a proposed grant-supported pilot in transportation board District 6, with hopes of expanding elsewhere. The sponsor said vests could be kept at warehouses for workers to pick up when leaving at night and stated that transportation department grant money was available. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard.
HR 999. Georgia citizens, cities, and counties; remember and honor the sacredness of America's 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026; urge
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The sponsor said HR 999 encourages Georgia residents, counties and municipalities to organize celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The sponsor pointed to the sacrifices of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence and said the anniversary deserved statewide recognition. No substantive questions or opposition were raised. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and the chair indicated it would move to the Rules Committee.
Transcript
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- 0:03:13
Okay, good morning, everyone. Uh, welcome to the Committee on Special Rules. Um, we have three, uh, resolutions to hear today. Uh, this is the first meeting of the year for Special Rules, and, uh, I'm gonna ask Representative Campbell if he will lead us in a word of prayer.
- 0:03:31
If y'all bow your heads, please. Father, we just thank you for the opportunity you give us to, uh, serve the people and to serve the state, and, uh, thank you for that. And we pray that we look to you in all that we do and pray your guidance in, uh, this, our meeting today. In Jesus' name, amen.
- 0:03:49
Amen.
- 0:03:49
Thank you, Representative Campbell. Um, Leader Huguley, will you come on up?
- 0:04:01
I know you've got plenty of things to do today, so we'll try to get you out of here pretty quick.
- 0:04:06
Uh, I appreciate that. Then maybe they won't kick me off the Rules.
- 0:04:12
Um, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and ladies and gentlemen of the committee.
- 0:04:18
Resolution 1049, and I would like to say I'm the author, but I'm not. The author is Kayla Green. Uh, Kayla is a senior at Carver High School, and fentanyl awareness has been her project as she is trying to earn her gold badge for Girl Scouts.
- 0:04:37
That's where I'll probably-
- 0:04:39
Mm-hmm
- 0:04:39
... motion's focused.
- 0:04:39
So it's, it's a simple proposition to make, uh, fentanyl awareness a permanent observation each year, uh, in October, and that's what she's asking. So if, if you don't mind, I will yield to her, and she can tell you why she thinks it's important.
- 0:04:56
Absolutely. Come on up.
- 0:04:59
Good morning.
- 0:05:00
Good morning.
- 0:05:00
Good morning.
- 0:05:00
Good morning.
- 0:05:01
Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Representative Scoggins, and Special Rule committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. I am Kayla Green, a senior, Class of 2026, from George Washington Carver STEM High School in Columbus, Georgia. I am grateful for our Minority Leader, Carolyn Huguley, for her support and encouragement for my senior project to designate one day in Georgia, uh, to fentanyl awareness. Specifically, I requested that one day during Georgia's Red Ribbon Week be designated as Fentanyl Awareness Day.
- 0:05:35
This crisis is so huge that to fight it will take a change in culture and mindset of people, and I believe a first step towards that is advocating to change policies and laws that govern education and a- awareness. Why is this issue important? It is fentanyl today and other more deadly manufactured versions already on the streets. I did, I di- I did, ident- sorry, identifying a community need for fentanyl awareness developed out my research at the beginning of my STEM magnet y- school year in ninth grade.
- 0:06:09
That is year 2022 to 2023, which were also the peak years of this crisis. Th- that year, I invited a rep- that year, I invited a representative from the Department of Public Health, and Dr. Edwards, program manager from Morehouse School of Medicine Opiate Awareness Overdose Prevention Initiative, to my school, where they did a presentation with the STEM magnet students about the dangers and many forms of street fentanyl. Initial research addressed the impact of the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Georgia, supported by the Department of Public Health statistics showing a 100% increase in opioid overdose death from 2012 to 2021.
- 0:06:51
The Columbus Muscogee County chart shows key data from 1999 to 2023. Total opioid, opioid-related deaths were 183 in Columbus and 17,764 in Georgia. Columbus' highest year was 2023, 2021, I'm sorry, which resulted in 23 deaths. Georgia's highest year was 2022, which resulted in 1,976 deaths.
- 0:07:22
Columbus' most a- affected age group is 30 to 39, which results in 53 deaths. Youth impacted age group is 18 to 24 account, which accounts for 19 deaths. The impacted age group statewide mirrors Columbus. This data comes from OASIS, an online mapping tool pr- fr- that the Department of Public Health makes available to the public to research all public health statistics. I've been, I have been committed to combining my work of bringing society awareness and prevention of health issues that affect children in the community with my passion for science and math, which has developed along the way on my journey in high school STEM education.
- 0:08:05
Okay, you're good.
- 0:08:06
Okay.
- 0:08:09
Say thank you.
- 0:08:11
Thank you.
- 0:08:11
Thank you so much. That's great information, and, and you should get a badge like you are trying to get. And, uh, if I had one, I'd give you one, too.
- 0:08:19
Thank you.
- 0:08:21
Uh-
- 0:08:21
Thank y'all so much for listening.
- 0:08:22
All right. Um, Madam Leader, do you have anything else on the bill?
- 0:08:26
I, we'll be happy to answer any questions. I mean, it's, it's just a straightforward request-
- 0:08:30
Mm-hmm
- 0:08:30
... for every October, uh, that we, uh, designate fentanyl awareness as part of Red Ribbon Week. And of course, you know Red Ribbon Week, we're talking about all kinds of things in that nature. And so, uh, Kayla wants to make sure that it is specifically identified so that not only current students, but students coming along after her will be aware of how dangerous that this is in an effort to, uh, prevent unnecessary deaths.
- 0:09:01
So we, we ask for your favorable consideration.
- 0:09:04
Yes.
- 0:09:04
Thank you, ma'am. We have a couple of questions. Uh, Representative Ballard.
- 0:09:09
Well, Kayla, I just wanna say how proud I am of you for taking on this project and coming here. I know that it's not easy to come here and present in front of us, and I just wanna say I'm proud of you. And Mr. Chairman, at the appropriate time.
- 0:09:21
Yes, ma'am
- 0:09:23
Thank you.
- 0:09:24
Uh, Representative Taylor?
- 0:09:26
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to do, make the appropriate, at the appropriate time, make the motion as well.
- 0:09:31
Thank you.
- 0:09:33
And one more, uh, Re- Representative Baker.
- 0:09:36
I don't have a question, but I just wanna say thank you for bringing this incredible presentation to our, um, to our committee, and thank you for raising, um, the fact that this is happening at such an early age. You mentioned middle schools. We're talking about 12 and 13-year-old kids. So, the sooner we can get out there-
- 0:09:55
Mm-hmm
- 0:09:55
... and target these issues, the better chance we have of combating this. So thank you for-
- 0:09:59
Yes
- 0:09:59
... an awesome presentation.
- 0:10:00
Of course. And I do have a presentation left that y'all can go over with additional information.
- 0:10:05
Thank you for your presentation.
- 0:10:05
You're welcome. Enjoy the rest of y'all's day.
- 0:10:08
Thank you.
- 0:10:09
Uh, Representative Griffin?
- 0:10:10
I, I don't have a question.
- 0:10:11
Wait, wait, wait.
- 0:10:12
No, I don't have... I don't have a question, but I just wanna let you know, I, uh, cosign this. Floyd Griffin from Milledgeville, Georgia.
- 0:10:21
Aw, thank you.
- 0:10:24
Thank you. Any other discussion from, uh, the committee? None? At this time, I'll en- entertain a motion.
- 0:10:31
I move.
- 0:10:32
Second.
- 0:10:33
Got a motion to do pass and a second. Uh, any further discussion? None? Okay. Uh, at this time, um, all in favor of the passing of, uh, House Resolution 1049, um, say aye.
- 0:10:50
Aye.
- 0:10:50
Any opposition, same sign? Okay.
- 0:10:53
Okay, go and shake the chairman's hand.
- 0:10:55
Thank you.
- 0:10:55
It, it does pass, and you're on the road.
- 0:11:14
Thank you all.
- 0:11:14
Thank you.
- 0:11:14
Appreciate it.
- 0:11:14
Yep.
- 0:11:14
Thank you.
- 0:11:14
Awesome. Thank you.
- 0:11:14
Thank you.
- 0:11:14
Okay, Representative Glaize, you wanna come on up?
- 0:11:17
You gonna call me after that act?
- 0:11:21
That's, that's a hard act to follow.
- 0:11:23
Hard act to follow.
- 0:11:32
Thank you.
- 0:11:33
Okay, Representative Glaize, we have House Resolution 1177. Is that correct?
- 0:11:37
That is correct, and I'll give you the proper LC number.
- 0:11:41
Okay.
- 0:11:42
LC650030.
- 0:11:46
Yes, ma'am, that's the one we have. Okay.
- 0:11:48
Well, good morning, Chairman Scoggins, and as well as our vice chair. We appreciate all the members of Special Rules. Thank you so much for, um, considering Georgia House Resolution 1177. It is a bipartisan, uh, resolution, and it's about saving lives. Uh, in Georgia, we have about an 84% pedestrian death rate at night. Visibility then becomes a matter of life and death.
- 0:12:23
That single fact of this resolution makes it worthwhile. Across Georgia, pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming, and yet unacceptable rate. In 2024 alone, more than 294 pedestrians were killed, and the vast majority of those deaths occurred at night. So these are not isolated incidents.
- 0:12:54
They are a clear pattern demanding action. So lines nine and 10. House Resolution 1177 responds to the crisis with common sense, a data-driven approach focused on one critical factor: visibility. When drivers cannot see pedestrians in time, tragedy follows. But when pedestrians are visible, lives are saved. Lines one through three. According to the US Federal Office of Transportation, the most effective way to increase pedestrian visibility at night is to use bright and reflective clothing that is visible both from the front and the back.
- 0:13:40
This is not speculation. It is evidence. Reflective materials dramatically improve how quickly a driver can recognize a pedestrian and respond safely. In this resolution, it builds on the important work that's already underway with GDOT. GDOT has a program called See and Be Seen campaign. It's across our state, and it continues to improve pedestrian safety through better medians, upgrade cross- upgraded crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and additional lighting.
- 0:14:19
These investments have been made from the state, and they've been critical and necessary, and they are saving lives. But infrastructure alone cannot solve the crisis. Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. And HR 1177 does not punish pedestrians. It empowers them. It encourages simple, affordable, and effective steps that people can take to help protect themselves when walking at night.
- 0:14:51
So wearing reflective and bright clothing is not just an inconvenience, but it is something that will help save lives. It helps drivers see sooner, faster, and avoid irreversible consequences. This resolution recognizes safety as the strongest when public investment and awareness work together. So at its core, it's about prevention. It's about education, and most importantly, it's about saving lives among Georgia's road- roads.
- 0:15:30
This is the presentation for House Resolution 1177, and I will take questions. Thank you.
- 0:15:37
Thank you, Representative Rhodes. We have a, we have a couple of questions. Um, Representative McQueen?
- 0:15:43
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Rep. Glaize, for bringing this, uh, resolution. I know in my district, and you know as well, in, in parts of South Fulton County, um, and even in parts of Cobb where streets are not lit, even on my, the road that I- my subdivision is on, if you bend that corner and somebody is walking, especially on roads with no sidewalks, um, it's very hard to see people. So this is very important, um, like you said, for safety. It's not, uh... I don't, I did not read it and take it as a, uh, punishment for, uh, pedestrians, but as you said, to keep them safe.
- 0:16:19
So thank you so much for bringing this, uh, to us, and Mr. Chairman, at the appropriate time, I move we do pass.
- 0:16:26
Thank you. Thank you. Um, Representative Taylor.
- 0:16:31
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, and thank you. The bill is a great bill. I do notice that the word that you use, uh, is urging. So do you have a plan or strategy such as working with nonprofits to f- because I'm picturing those that would be walking at night are those that do not own vehicles-
- 0:16:52
That's correct
- 0:16:52
... and who are maybe cash-strapped and may not be able to f- afford a vest, or that would be the last thing that they would put on their priority list. So do you have a strategy in order to be able to make these available?
- 0:17:05
I'm so glad you asked that question. So GDOT, um, I don't... You guys remember former Representative Doug Stoner. He's in, um, on the GDOT board. He is in r- uh, District 6. So we want to open the door for getting a grant and pilot it in District 6, and hopefully all of the other board members for GDOT will also pilot this so that we can actually put these kinds of vests in warehouses.
- 0:17:37
Because in, um, our community, the greatest number of people walking at night are walking from work, um, from the warehouses, and we believe that if we just have them there, they can actually leave them and pick them up so that no one has to be without one, um, when they're leaving. So we do have grant money with GDOT, and we believe that this will be helpful.
- 0:18:03
Thank you. No further questions, Mr. Chairman.
- 0:18:06
Thank you. Any other discussion or questions from the committee? If not, um, what's the pleasure of the committee?
- 0:18:17
Move to pass.
- 0:18:17
A move do pass. Second. I got a second. Any other discussion? If not, all those in favor of House Resolution 1177 LC65-0030, say aye. Aye. All opposed. Okay.
- 0:18:35
Thank you so much.
- 0:18:35
Resolution passes.
- 0:18:36
Thank you.
- 0:18:37
Thank you.
- 0:18:47
Okay, Representative Cox, I just got one question before you start. How did you beat Representative Momtahan with this bill, getting it dropped first?
- 0:18:57
He dropped mine from first.
- 0:19:01
Okay. All right, uh, Representative Cox, you have, uh, House Resolution 999 LC1123681. That's the copy we have. Is that correct?
- 0:19:12
Yes, sir.
- 0:19:13
Okay. All right. Uh, tell us about your resolution.
- 0:19:16
Yeah. Well, this upcoming year is obviously a very important year to everyone in this room, which is our 250th anniversary as a country. And I, the reason that I did this is, uh, one of the signers of the declaration is Lyman Hall, which I represent part of Hall County, and of course, we know Button Gwinnett, as well as George Walton, who risked everything they had to, to sign something so sacred to us, which is, uh, giving us, you know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- 0:19:48
And I just think it's really important that we urge everybody in the state of Georgia, our counties and municipalities, and make sure that they put together some type of celebration. Um, we're all here because of it, and one of my favorite presidents of all time was John Adams and what he stood for. So I, uh, am thankful to do this and also ask for y'all's favorable consideration. But God bless America, and glad that, that we're here.
- 0:20:19
Okay. Thank you, uh, Representative Cox. Any discussion or questions from any member of the committee? If not, um, I'll enter... Oh, excuse me. One. Okay. Uh, Mr. Oh, okay. Representative Campbell. I was gonna ask, would this be the proper time to make a motion to pass? Okay, this would be the proper time. I make a motion to pass. Okay, got a motion to pass. Got a second. Any, any other discussion on, uh, House Resolution 999?
- 0:20:52
If none, we'll take a vote. Uh, all those in favor of House Resolution 999 say aye. Aye. All opposed. Okay. Thank you, Representative. It moves on to rules, I guess.
- 0:21:04
Thank you, Chairman.
- 0:21:04
Thank you so much.
- 0:21:09
Thank you.
- 0:21:12
Thank you.
- 0:21:16
Thank you.
- 0:21:17
Thank you.