House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026 Video: https://vimeo.com/1171134411 (a timestamp t plays at https://vimeo.com/1171134411#t=s) Page: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-06/house-rules-3 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. [0:29:50] Yeah. [0:29:53] Chairman Parrish, uh, asked that I notify everyone that we're trying to get printing finished. Uh, and as a result, we're gonna stand at ease here till 7:00. The House will be at ease till 7:15 to allow for printing. [1:10:07] Okay, good evening, everybody. Sorry for the delay. We've had to get some of these printed, and I wanna thank the clerk's office for jumping in there and really trying to move this as quickly as they can. They had a lot to do, and we appreciate their efforts, and our group for passing them out, and thank y'all for your patience. Okay, what we're gonna do is set a, uh, supplemental calendar for today. [1:10:36] And what we will do to start with, we've got a couple of substitutes. I'll call on, uh, Chairman Newton to, to, uh, explain, uh, House Bill 1276. Substitute, give them the LC number and your explanation, please. [1:10:52] All right, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Rules Committee members. Um, House Bill 1276, working off of LC521072S, this is a bill that, that helps us in our, uh, Medicaid verification process with DCH and DHS, and it does it, uh, in such a way that we'll hope to avoid multi-hundred million dollar penalties to the program when, uh, verification starts on look back in 2027. The change we made on this bill from what we had earlier, uh, that was sent to the floor, uh, has to do in the section starting with line 20 and following, where we made an exception for ABD, age, blind, and disabled. [1:11:28] We allowed some extra time and, uh, resources available for verification. Uh, everything else, uh, is pretty much along the lines of much of the stuff that DCH and DHS already do. We just wanted to make sure we had it codified so there was never a ball dropped and, uh, and significant penalties to the program. [1:11:48] Okay, you've heard the explanation. We have a question. Leader Hugley, is that you with a question? [1:11:54] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would you explain to me again why we need to codify what would normally be under rules and regs, uh, for this program? [1:12:05] It, this is just an effort. There's, there have been years of waivers during the public health emergency to where a lot of the, the things that were routinely done, we know about redetermination, and they got, they got put off for years, and it caused such a problem. We just wanna make sure we don't look back and have the same problem starting in 2027. And, and in particular, because some of these duties are shared between multiple departments, we wanted to make sure that it was codified in a clear line of, uh, well, chain of command, if you will, to where we could make sure that the programs were not, a- as they're examined for eligibility error rates and all, that we did not inadvertently cost several hundred million dollars to the program. [1:12:44] May I ask one other question? [1:12:45] Yes, ma'am. [1:12:45] The penalties are new. [1:12:46] Um, so what happens if, uh, the federal guidance changes? Uh, will we have to come back and redo this bill? [1:12:58] We have looked at that, and certainly I know there's some things coming out in May of this year, possibly in November. If you noticed on lines, uh, that, where it says, "Except as required under federal law," on line 2032109 and other places, we did wanna make sure that we left room for the departments, whichever one it is, to make sure that, uh, they were gonna comply with the federal law that was in effect. That's, that's who's gonna determine the penalties. Um, and the penalties are new. That's a new, uh, effort to, uh, root out, uh, potentially waste or fraud. [1:13:34] Okay, w- you've heard the, uh, explanation on that. Is there a motion to approve this substitute? [1:13:41] So moved. [1:13:42] Second. [1:13:42] Have a motion and a second to approve. Is there any objection? Okay, it's approved. [1:13:51] Next, we're gonna call on, uh, Chairman Martin to explain substitute to House Bill 1413. Give him the LC number. [1:13:59] Thank you, Chairman Parish. I have LC 610470S. Uh, the first thing I'd like to, uh, point out is the, the section, uh, that Representative Evans brought up earlier, they've had, uh, good conversations with. That section has been removed, so we won't be, uh, uh, working with, um, uh, a change to the reserve, um, percentage at this time. The only other change in the bill is on lines 81 through 83. I thank Chairman Parish, um, and, and some of his staff for, uh, helping us to further define, um, what is necessary to, um, be, um... [1:14:39] Uh, what is necessary for one to get the scholarship that, that we're offering under that section, and that's accreditation by the Council of Grad- uh, Graduate Medical Examiners. So that's a technical change, but that gets to what we were looking for in the scholarship. [1:14:52] Okay. We have a question. Uh, Leader Hugley has a question for you. [1:14:59] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the bill, but, um, this looks more like work study than a scholarship because you're requiring the students to, uh, have to participate in some type of work requirement. These are already low-income students, and they need to be in class. [1:15:19] Uh, okay. Uh, are you talking about the, the, the scho- uh, the scholarship that's added on lines, uh, 181, or are you talking about the, um, needs-based scholarship w- that was the primary portion of the bill? [1:15:30] I'm sorry. I might be on the wrong bill. I'm, I'm looking at 1413. Is that what we're talking about? [1:15:35] The substitute. You gotta- [1:15:36] Yes, the substitute, LC 610470S. [1:15:40] Yes. [1:15:40] What, what line are... Could you- [1:15:42] So y- you're- [1:15:44] When you go to line 67, 68, 69, 70, you say, um, "The student shall complete a financial literacy course and be engaged in paid or unpaid work at least part-time." So most scholarships, our Hope Scholars d- uh, don't have to do that. Why are we asking these scholars to do that? Uh, yes, ma'am. And, and to, to be clear, the la- the lady is back on the Dream Scholarship. That was, um, the original proposal from the, the university system, uh, and the governor's office. [1:16:17] That has been in the bill, um, since day one. The work requirement was discussed, uh, in committee, and it, it will be determined what that is, paid or unpaid work at least part-time, at, um, the discretion of the financial office at each, uh, college. I think it's, it's a very, um, reasonable approach to allow the students to engage. One of the part-time works that, that could, uh, satisfy this could be working with the financial aid office to, to help other students get the program. [1:16:53] So, um, it's, it's not restrictive, and it'll be set by rules, but that's been in the bill, uh, since day one. [1:17:03] You've heard the, uh, explanation to that. Is there a motion to approve this substitute? So moved. I second. I have a motion and a second to approve House Bill 1413 by substitute. Any opposition? Okay, it's approved. [1:17:22] Okay. Uh, next, gonna call on Chairman Blackmon to, uh, speak to House Bill 1116 Substitute. [1:17:33] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Uh, it's LC339902s. Um, this legislation has a, a few components to it. It, uh, things that have been recommended or in the bill prior, but, uh, couple things I wanted to go over. It caps the local sales tax to the current 5%, uh, rate. It enables, uh, the LHOST for cities and counties only, and some conversions from lost and host and from FLOST. [1:18:04] Um, it puts a cap on, uh, ad valorem property tax of 3% or CPI, with certain exceptions, uh, like we have seen in about 36 other states that do some form of that. Um, it includes some truth in taxation, uh, kind of enhancing our taxpayer bill of rights so that in addition to, uh, an ad in the paper, you would, you would mail each, uh, tax paying, uh, parcel, uh, and the, um, of notice of the tax increase, and then you would, uh, also have the referendums enabled, uh, for twice a year in the primary and in the general election. [1:18:47] It takes the school reserve fund from 15 to 25, uh, percent, or it enables as such. It has the, um, information, uh, regarding our, our data center, uh, exemption and the intent of the general assembly to provide property tax relief a- at the expiration of that, and it has a non-binding, uh, ballot question. There's a couple of, um, cleanups in there, a duty to notify regarding, um, a, a, a homestead exemption, and then, uh, something regarding back assessments. [1:19:27] Okay. You heard the explanation. Is there a motion? So moved. I second. I have a motion and second to approve this substitute. Is there any objection? It's approved. [1:19:45] I'm gonna recognize Whip Park to speak to us about substitute to House Bill 1390. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, House Bill 1390 would declare motor vehicles used in the commission of reckless stunt driving offenses- Give them that E- LC number, please. Make sure they got the right one. Yes, sir. This is House Bill 1390, LC39-5050S. Uh, again, this would declare motor vehicles used in the c- used in the commission of reckless stunt driving offenses contraband that would authorize them for forfeiture upon conviction. [1:20:17] The rule substitute provides two exceptions. One, if a motor vehicle is stolen, and if a motor vehicle is a, a rental vehicle. Can I ask a question? I have a question. Kelley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whip Park, currently it would be possible to seize these vehicles through civil asset forfeiture. Is that correct? Perhaps. And does this prevent civil asset forfeiture in these situations? Well, my understanding would be, you know, if this would be based on a conviction of a criminal matter, not a civil matter. [1:20:53] And would ... And if I can follow up, so that would undercut any s- uh, any civil proceeding in which the asset could be seized and these vehicles could get off the road? I think those may be two separate matters, but happy to talk offline. Okay. I just don't want us to weaken anything for reckless stunt drivers. Certainly. Thank you. [1:21:13] You've heard the explanation. Is there a motion? So moved. I have a motion and a second to accept the substitute 1390. Is there any opposition? If so, it's accepted, brother. Okay. All right. Now ... [1:21:40] Excuse me. Sorry about that. Under modified structure, House Bill 467. Moved. I have a move and a second. Is there any opposition? [1:21:53] Is there objection? Objection. Have an objection. All those in favor of putting it on, say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. No. It's on. House Bill 570. Move. [1:22:09] Second. [1:22:09] Move and second. Any opposition? No. It's on. House Bill 669. Move. [1:22:18] Second. [1:22:18] Have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 686. Move. [1:22:27] Second. [1:22:27] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 868. Move. [1:22:34] Second. [1:22:35] Move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1028. Move. [1:22:44] Second. [1:22:44] Move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1095. Move. [1:22:50] Second. [1:22:51] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1116. Move. [1:22:59] Second. [1:22:59] Moved and second. Any opposition? There's a substitute. And that's the substitute now we're talking about. Okay. There is an objection. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, no. No. Ayes carry. House Bill 1130. Move. [1:23:19] Second. [1:23:19] Move and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1137. Move. [1:23:27] Second. [1:23:28] Moved and second. Any opposition? No. Have an objection. All those in favor of putting it on, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. It's on. House Bill 1142 substitute. Move. [1:23:45] Second. [1:23:45] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1197. Move. [1:23:54] Second. [1:23:54] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1221. Move. [1:24:01] Second. [1:24:02] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1223. Move. [1:24:11] Second. [1:24:11] Moved and second. Any opposition? Objection. Have an objection. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, no. No. Ayes carry. House Bill 1224. Move. [1:24:24] Second. [1:24:25] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1254. Move. [1:24:33] Second. [1:24:33] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. [1:24:41] House Bill 1276 substitute. Move. [1:24:45] Second. [1:24:45] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? Objection. Have an objection. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Those opposed, no. No. It's on. House Bill 1318. Move. [1:24:59] Second. [1:24:59] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1390 substitute. Move. [1:25:09] Second. [1:25:09] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1394. Move. [1:25:17] Second. [1:25:17] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1403. Move. [1:25:25] Second. [1:25:25] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1409. Move. [1:25:32] Second. [1:25:33] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 14, uh, 1413. Move. Substitute. [1:25:43] Second. [1:25:44] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1415. Move. [1:25:52] Second. [1:25:52] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1465. Move. [1:25:59] Second. [1:26:01] Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1470. Move. [1:26:08] Second. [1:26:08] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Resolution 450. Move. [1:26:17] Second. [1:26:17] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, now under structured. Under structured rule, House Bill 276. Move. [1:26:29] Second. [1:26:30] Moved and seconded. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1116. Move. [1:26:37] Second. [1:26:38] Substitute of House Bill 1116, moved and seconded. Any opposition? 1116. 1116. House Bill 1116 substitute. Rule substitute. Under structure. LC 3399-02S. We'd already done, we just need to move it to structure. Yeah, moving it to structure. Okay. [1:27:05] House Bill 1132. Move. [1:27:08] Second. [1:27:08] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. House Bill 1240. Move. [1:27:16] Second. [1:27:16] Moved and second. Any opposition? Objection. Have an objection. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All opposed, no. No. Ayes carry. [1:27:28] House Bill 1285. Move. [1:27:31] Second. [1:27:32] Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Thank you very much. That'll keep us busy for a while.