Georgia CommonsHouse Rules Committee, March 6, 2026
2025-2026 Regular Session · 341 CAP · 47 min
This is a machine transcript of the General Assembly's video, made by a speech-recognition model. It is not an official record and can mishear words, names, and numbers. Speakers are not identified. The video is the record: every timestamp links to the moment it plays.
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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 heard presentations on a domestic violence registry, charter school changes, automatic contract renewals and temporary fireworks stands. It also discussed and approved a substitute for HB 812, concerning housing, permits and zoning, after questions about exceptions for certain local governments. The committee then placed 11 measures on a supplemental floor calendar for that day, including HB 812. That bill drew objections during both substitute approval and calendar placement, but both motions passed. The other calendar placements passed without stated opposition. No further action was recorded on the four bills presented earlier.
Bills discussed (15)
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.
HB 1142. Courts; require certain agreements for certain offenses to be eligible for a Pretrial Intervention and Diversion Program
From 0:34:34 · turns 3 to 29
The sponsor described HB 1142 as creating a public, searchable domestic violence offender registry maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sponsor said its purpose was accountability for repeat offenders and helping people check someone’s history before entering a relationship. One committee member asked whether a fight between siblings would be covered. The sponsor said the language was designed to exclude those relationships. A second member asked whether being listed would prohibit gun possession. The sponsor said registry placement would not, although an underlying conviction might. A third member asked whether the information would inform prosecutions. The sponsor said the registry’s sole purpose was public awareness of repeat domestic violence offenders. No vote was recorded.
HB 1257. Education; incentive grants for local boards of education to approve charter school petitions; revise provisions
From 0:37:44 · turns 31 to 38
The sponsor described HB 1257 as a charter school cleanup bill. The sponsor said it would clarify state board rulemaking authority in collaboration with the commission, adjust the timing of authorization incentive grants, and place a $2.25 million cap on new incentive programs at the governor’s office’s request. The sponsor also said it would clarify that locally authorized charter schools could transfer only to state authorization and require closed schools’ records to be transferred within six months rather than a year. No questions or vote followed.
HB 1224. Contracts; termination of certain automatic renewal provisions; reduce applicable period
From 0:38:53 · turns 40 to 42
The sponsor presented HB 1224 as addressing automatic renewals of contracts and subscriptions and said it had been recommitted to the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. The sponsor described it as a protection for families and seniors and said it had received overwhelming bipartisan support. No specific changes to renewal requirements were explained, and no questions or vote followed.
HB 1095. Fire protection and safety; establish permanent consumer fireworks sales facilities
From 0:39:37 · turns 45 to 51
The presenter said HB 1095 would allow Georgia-licensed fireworks businesses with permanent locations to operate three temporary satellite stands during holidays and special events, rather than two. The presenter said those locations could use tents or stands and reported that a committee had passed the bill earlier that day. After the chair requested clarification because of difficulty hearing, the presenter repeated the explanation. No Rules Committee vote was recorded.
HB 812. Buildings and housing; revise process by which a local governing body may propose amendments to state minimum standard codes
From 0:40:48 · turns 52 to 73 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2139
The presenter explained a substitute for HB 812, saying changes in Sections 3, 5 and 6 addressed school equalization grants and unusual zoning circumstances involving a new municipality. The presenter said the bill retained its goals of improving housing affordability and streamlining permits and zoning requests. A committee member asked whether the substitute exempted Mulberry and Paulding County from a requirement treating an application as approved if no response was given, describing that requirement as burdensome. The presenter confirmed the exceptions and said Mulberry faced a unique transition involving previous county decisions and the new city’s assumption of responsibilities. The committee approved the substitute after an objection and a show-of-hands vote; a complete tally was not announced. The committee later placed the substituted bill on the day’s supplemental calendar under modified structure. That motion also passed after an objection and a show-of-hands vote, with five opponents counted.
HB 382. Controlled substances; Schedule I; psilocybin; revise a provision
From 0:43:40 · turn 65 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2139
The committee placed HB 382 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no objection stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 641. Public utilities; require electric supplier to hold the proposed discontinuation of electrical service to a residential customer who suffers from a serious illness in abeyance for a certain period of time
From 0:43:52 · turn 66 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2139
The committee placed HB 641 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 668. Crimes and offenses; change references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs
From 0:44:01 · turn 66 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2139
The committee placed HB 668 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 1058. Insurance; authorize tax-exempt organizations to be beneficiaries of employee group life insurance policies
From 0:44:55 · turn 74 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HB 1058 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 1166. Local government; zoning decisions shall not affect or be required for certain residential dwellings of 400 square feet or fewer; provide
From 0:45:06 · turn 74 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HB 1166 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 1177. Development authorities; certain affordable housing uses of property qualify as projects; provide
From 0:45:16 · turns 74 to 76 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HB 1177 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure after confirming a motion and second, with no objection stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 1267. Motor vehicles; increase penalties for certain offenses; provisions
From 0:45:34 · turn 76 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HB 1267 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HR 1300. Representative Penny Houston Roundabout; Cook County; dedicate
From 0:45:52 · turns 76 to 77 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HR 1300 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 1434. Aviation; air facilities; identification of airport affected areas; provide
From 0:45:42 · turn 76 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HB 1434 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under modified structure following a motion and second, with no objection stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
HB 951. Insurance; require health benefit policy coverage for medically necessary orthotic and prosthetic devices and their materials and components
From 0:46:18 · turn 77 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2140
The committee placed HB 951 on the day’s supplemental floor calendar under a structured rule following a motion and second, with no opposition stated. No substantive discussion occurred.
Official records of this meeting
- 2026 House Journal, pp. 2001 to 2338 (March 6, 2026)
Transcript
78 turns. Select a time to play that moment of the video.
- 0:34:08
Good afternoon, everybody.
- 0:34:13
If you would, go ahead and take seats and we'll, we'll get started. Uh,
- 0:34:22
Chairman Hagan has a, uh, request. And-
- 0:34:31
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee. I have House Bill 1142.
- 0:34:36
That's one passed that, should, you should have.
- 0:34:37
Just received that one. This bill creates a domestic violence offender registry for the State of Georgia. It would function similarly to our sex offender registry and would be maintained by GBI. The purpose is simple, accountability for repeat offenders and awareness for those who are contemplating entering a relationship.
- 0:35:00
Okay. Have a question, have a question. Uh, Leader Hugley, do you have a question?
- 0:35:07
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- 0:35:08
Wait a minute. Now.
- 0:35:10
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the, uh, gentle lady who presents the bill. I have one question, and that is, uh, will this capture, uh, like relationships? Like if I, if I get into a fight with my brother, would the, would it capture that kind of thing?
- 0:35:30
No, ma'am. That is a very good question. That was a question that wa- that we went over and over again in, in JUDI non-civil, and we believe we have got the, uh, on lines 32 through 36, the description of who would be included on this registry to make sure that we did not include relationships like those.
- 0:35:55
Okay. Uh, Representative Miller, do you have a question?
- 0:35:59
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your bill. I just had a question, and I was trying to find the answer, but I haven't gotten it fast enough, so I have to ask you. I'm sorry. If a person is on this domestic violence registry, would they also be prohibited from having a gun?
- 0:36:16
No.
- 0:36:16
Okay.
- 0:36:17
That, that is not addressed here at all, unless, unless their conviction somehow did that. That, the, being on the registry does not do that.
- 0:36:26
Okay.
- 0:36:27
Okay.
- 0:36:31
Holden, Representative Holden, you have a question? Yes, sir.
- 0:36:33
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In what way will this information be used? I certainly understand what you're trying to do, but will it be used to inform prosecutions, or can you give us some context in terms of how this will be-
- 0:36:47
It-
- 0:36:47
... operationalized?
- 0:36:48
Sure. It's simply a searchable website maintained by GBI, much like the sex offender registry is, but solely for the purpose of allowing the public, individuals who are potentially c- contemplating entering a, a relationship with someone, to check and see if they are a repeat offender in regards to these domestic violence offenses. No other purpose than that.
- 0:37:16
I understand. So, so raising the awareness of just who you might be getting involved with.
- 0:37:21
Repeat offenders of that, of that nature.
- 0:37:23
Okay.
- 0:37:23
Yes.
- 0:37:23
Makes sense. Thanks.
- 0:37:25
Okay. Representative Park, do you have a question? You wave? Okay, good. No other questions. Thank you.
- 0:37:32
Thank you.
- 0:37:34
Yes, ma'am. Representative Rice.
- 0:37:38
All right, thank you, Chairman. So my bill is not on the blue seat, sheet. It's, um, House Bill, um, 1257. Um, do you want-
- 0:37:46
It's in the book, 1257.
- 0:37:48
Do you need the LC number on that?
- 0:37:51
Please.
- 0:37:51
No. No. Okay. So what this is, is a charter school revision bill. It's revising the Senate Bill 82, just a cleanup bill. It does f- uh, five things. It clarifies the rulemaking authority with the, uh, state board in collaboration with the commission. And two, it adjusts the timing of the authorization incentive grant. And three, uh, per request of the governor's office, it places a $2.25 million cap on new incentive programs. And, um, four, the bill clarifies, uh, that locally authorized charter schools may transfer to state authorization only.
- 0:38:24
And five, it makes a technical improvement, um, improvement on the record transfer. If a charter school closes down, those records must be transferred within six months instead of a year. This is sim- again, simply a cleanup bill.
- 0:38:39
Okay. Don't see a question. Thank you.
- 0:38:42
Thank you.
- 0:38:43
Commissioner Barrett.
- 0:38:48
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen. I'm here to present, uh, House Bill 1224 to you th- uh, this afternoon. This is a bill that was recommitted to, to Ag and Consumer Affairs. Uh, it's a bill that speaks to, uh, automatic renewals of contracts and subscriptions. Uh, this bill has, uh, received overwhelming bipartisan support, uh, it's a great protective measure for families and seniors all across the state, and, um, uh, it's an issue I've been very passionate about for five years now.
- 0:39:21
Okay. Don't see any questions. Thank you, sir.
- 0:39:23
Thank you, sir.
- 0:39:24
Okay. Anybody, any member got anything? We all covered?
- 0:39:31
Chairman Powell has.
- 0:39:32
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, at lunch we passed a bill that cleaned up a bill, uh, House Bill 1095. It was something fireworks bill right now. Uh, Georgia-based, uh, licensees, let's say, with a permanent location can have two satellite stations during holidays and all. We moved that to three. They can actually put them up in tents or a stand at some point.
- 0:39:56
Okay.
- 0:39:59
Yeah. Would, would you hold that mic right up? We're having difficulty hearing. Say that again for me, please.
- 0:40:04
Fireworks Bill.
- 0:40:08
House Bill 10- House Bill, House Bill 1095.
- 0:40:12
What does it do?
- 0:40:13
What it does is it currently, if you're in the fireworks business and licensed as a Georgia business, you can have two satellite temporary stands during special events and holidays. This says you can have three of them, and you can do them in tents or a stand. Thank you.
- 0:40:30
Okay. Thank you. Okay. All right. Let's set us a calendar for a supplemental calendar for today. Uh, before we do that, though, wait a minute. Let's call on Leader Efstration to, uh, speak to, uh, substitute to House Bill 812.
- 0:40:51
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, this committee previously considered House Bill 812. Um, the substitute that's before you really makes, um, the only change in consideration of the equalization grants necessary for, uh, schools and some of the struggles that, that have been had around that, as well as unique zoning circumstances, uh, from a new municipality. It's necessary to, uh, include those in Sections 3, 5, and 6.
- 0:41:21
The objective of House Bill 812, addressing affordability in the area of housing and streamlining the process for, um, uh, for permits and zoning requests, that that would be streamlined. That is maintained elsewhere in the bill. And I'd ask for the committee's favorable consideration.
- 0:41:40
Okay. You've heard the explanation. We have a question. Whit Park has a question for you.
- 0:41:44
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Leader Efstration, uh, per lines 249 to 255, along with 292 to 297, we are, uh, exempting the city of Mulberry, along with, I believe, Paulding County, from this very burdensome requirement in which if an application is filed and there's no response, it's considered approved. Is that correct?
- 0:42:07
So that's correct. There's a unique nature because of, uh, in, in both of these areas where, um, where that exception's necessary. Certainly, uh, with respect to Mulberry, which is an area I'm very familiar with, uh, you've had, uh, determinations that were made. You've had an interplay really between existing determinations that had been made by the county previously and now a new municipality that's in place that, um, that is, uh, working to or that has taken over these responsibilities.
- 0:42:37
So because of that, it's, uh, it's important that that unique situation, that be, uh, considered in the bill.
- 0:42:44
Thank you.
- 0:42:45
Thank you.
- 0:42:49
No other questions? No other questions. Okay. I'll entertain a motion to approve the rule substitute to House Bill 812. So moved. Have a motion and a second to approve the sub. Is, is there any objection?
- 0:43:04
Objection.
- 0:43:05
Have an objection. All those in favor of approving it, raise your hand.
- 0:43:20
Okay, all opposed. Two, three, four, five. Okay, it passes.
- 0:43:32
Okay. Now, let's set a supplemental calendar for today under modified structure. House Bill 382. Moved. Second. Have a motion and second. Is there any objection? It's on.
- 0:43:52
House Bill 641. Move. Move and a second. Second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 668. Move. Second. A move and second. Any opposition? It's on. The, uh, substitute, rule substitute to House Bill H12 LC 474179 S. Move. Have a move and a second. Is, y- any opposition?
- 0:44:25
Objection.
- 0:44:29
12.
- 0:44:29
812.
- 0:44:30
812. 812, I'm sorry. 812. Is there any objection?
- 0:44:35
Objection.
- 0:44:36
There is an objection. All in, all objection, raise your hands. One, two, three, four, five. Okay. All in favor raise your hand.
- 0:44:51
It passes, okay.
- 0:44:55
House Bill 1058. Move. Second. Have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1166. Move. Second. Move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1177. Move. Second. Is there a move?
- 0:45:24
Three moves.
- 0:45:24
There's three moves right over here. And we've got a second. Is there any objection? It's on. House Bill 1267. Move. Second. Have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1434. Move. Second. Move and second. Any objection? It's on. House Resolution, House Resolution 1300.
- 0:45:55
Move. Second. Have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, under structured, under structured, House Bill 951. Move. Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, that'll get us started for some more this afternoon. Thank you, and we'll be in touch.