House Special Rules Committee, March 12, 2026 Video: https://vimeo.com/1172565220 (a timestamp t plays at https://vimeo.com/1172565220#t=s) Page: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-12/house-special-rules 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. [0:07:34] Welcome to... [0:07:41] Okay, welcome to Special Rules. We have a quorum now. And, uh, Chair Lady Silcox, if you'll come on around to the podium. I know you gotta go present another bill elsewhere. [0:07:55] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [0:07:56] Yes, ma'am. [0:07:57] Can you hear me? Yeah. [0:07:58] Yes. [0:07:59] Thank you for, uh, starting early, um, 'cause I do have to be in another meeting at 1:00. So I appreciate y'all coming, um, those members that are here as well. Um- [0:08:07] And I gotta go home too. [0:08:09] Yes, yes. And Senator Williams, um, is, is, I know is coming. Um, but he was gonna present his House Bill 240, but it is identical to what we have already passed. Um, this is the bill that would change the state flower from the Cherokee rose to the sweetbay magnolia, so it's as simple as that. It's word-for-word id- identical to my bill. [0:08:29] So we, we voted that out a couple of weeks ago, so it's the same exact bill. [0:08:33] Yes, sir. [0:08:34] Okay. Uh, any, um, any discussion from the committee? [0:08:38] It's the appropriate time, Mr. Chairman. [0:08:40] Okay. This would, this would be it. [0:08:43] Uh, I'd like to make a motion to pass. [0:08:45] Okay, we got a motion to pass. [0:08:47] Second. [0:08:47] We got a second. Uh, any other discussion from the committee? Hearing none, what is the will of the committee? Say, "Aye." Aye. All opposed? Okay. [0:08:58] Great. Thank you so much. [0:08:59] All right. Thank you. [0:08:59] Y'all have a great weekend. [0:09:00] Yeah, thank you. [0:09:14] Okay, Representative Bryce, if you wanna come on up. [0:09:27] And if you'll give us your resolution number and LC number, and we'll start. [0:09:32] Okay, thank you. My, uh, that, that number is LC650084, House Resolution 1582. Um, what this re- resolution seeks to do is to, um, establish a study committee over the summer to look at a step increase for our veteran teachers at year 28. Um, and currently they, the last step increase they receive is at year 21. And so looking at the fiscal impact and how we can retain our veteran teachers. [0:10:03] Okay. Any, uh, any questions from the committee? None? [0:10:09] It's the appropriate time. [0:10:10] Okay, uh, this would be the appropriate time. [0:10:13] Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this time- [0:10:16] Michael [0:10:17] ... uh, thank you, Mr. At this time, I'd like to move that, uh, HR1582 receive the due pass designation. It's LC650084. [0:10:29] Okay, thank you. Do I hear a second? [0:10:31] Second. [0:10:32] All in favor, say, "Aye." Aye. All opposed? None. Okay, on the rules. Thank you very much. [0:10:42] Thank you. [0:10:48] Okay, Chair Lady Taylor, come on up. [0:11:03] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Today, I bring you HR1522, LC600290. Uh, the purpose of this measure is to create a s- house study committee to evaluate and review the Department of Community Health. As we all know, health for the citizens of Georgia is extremely important. Providing those services has many applications, and it touches a variety of areas and needs. As the size of our state has grown, so have the needs. The department regulates and oversees a wide and diverse array of healthcare, including a number of agencies, uh, healthcare facilities, rural health, the medical board, the dental board, the pharmacy board, medical education and the residency slots, Medicaid, which in itself has many parts to it. [0:11:52] Um, we did a study committee last year on public health, where we were able to identify some areas where we can help. And at this time, we feel like it is a good time to have a review of the functions and how the department is working, and how we can help and enhance those services for our citizens. [0:12:09] Okay, thank you very much. This is a big undertaking it sounds like. [0:12:12] Yes, it is. [0:12:13] So, um, anyone else to speak on the bill? Did you have anybody else speak on the bill? [0:12:17] No. [0:12:17] None? [0:12:17] No. [0:12:17] Okay. Any, uh, questions from the committee? [0:12:21] It's the appropriate time. [0:12:22] Okay. Okay. [0:12:25] Yes, sir. I move that, uh, House Bill, I mean, House Resolution HR1522 receive the due pass designation. That's LC600290. [0:12:38] Okay. Do I hear a second? Second. Hear a second. Any other discussion from the committee? Hearing none, what is the will of the committee? Uh, all everybody say, "Aye," that favors the bill. Aye. Any, uh, discussion or any opposition to the bill, let me say? Nay. Seeing none, on the rules. [0:12:58] Thank you. [0:12:58] Thank you very much. [0:12:59] Appreciate it. [0:13:13] Okay, uh, Vice Chair Ballard has a resolution. She's gonna present from the podium here or from the desk. [0:13:21] Oops. [0:13:21] Go ahead. [0:13:26] Okay. Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. I have HR15- Uh, 29, and that is LC610433. And this proposes a house study committee to examine the College and Career Ready Performance Index, uh, or CCRPI, that, um, is a scoring system used to, to score our schools. And it was created in, in about 2012, so it's about time we examined it. [0:13:56] Okay. Okay, any, uh, discussions, or do you have anybody to speak to the bill today? Mm-mm. Nobody? Okay. Any discussion from the committee? I make a motion to move. Okay, we have a motion to pass. [0:14:09] Second. [0:14:09] We have a second. Any other discussion? [0:14:15] Hearing none. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed same sign. Okay, on the rules. [0:14:21] Okay, thank you. [0:14:21] Thank you. [0:14:22] I'll get you my form. [0:14:23] Okay. [0:15:45] Ladies and gentlemen, if there's anybody who wants to speak to either one of these resolutions, there's a sign-up sheet on the table there if you wanna sign up to speak. Thank you. [0:15:55] We were gonna sign up to speak for the compensation one, but we hear y'all already passed it, so I guess we can say on behalf of the teachers, good work and thank you. [0:16:05] Have a good day. [0:16:23] Okay, this would be for, uh, House Resolution 1527, which, uh, you don't look like Lauren McDonald. You might be a skinnier version of Lauren McDonald. But we're gonna let you present the bill today if you want to. Thank you. [0:16:38] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I learned up here a long time ago that you never argue with the chairman. Especially when he's right. [0:16:44] That's, that's right. [0:16:45] And, uh, Mr. Chairman, I am a pinch-hit here for, uh, Chairman McDonald, who had a family commitment he needs to be at this afternoon. So I appreciate you accommodating him by allowing me to present House Resolution 1527, working on LC395009, which basically creates a study committee, uh, under the, uh, Georgia House of Representative compiled of 10 members that can meet up to five days, uh, to examine the utility adjustment schedule used in highway construction contracts in Georgia. [0:17:18] Uh, Chairman McDonald had introduced legislation earlier this year, uh, that would had an impact on how some of our utilities and our Department of Transportation, uh, operate together. Uh, it drew a lot of conversation, uh, and he wants to continue that conversation through a study committee, and that's what I'm here presenting to you today, Mr. Chairman. [0:17:38] Okay, thank you very much. Any questions from the committee for, uh, Representative Kelley? That's the proper term, Mr. Chairman. Okay. Is there anybody to speak to this le- uh, resolution? I see some utility folks back there in the back. Nobody? Okay. Uh, okay. Representative Rhodes, what was your motion? Move to pass, Mr. Chairman. Okay, we have a motion to pass. Do I hear a second? [0:18:06] Second. [0:18:07] Have a second. Any other discussion from the committee? Hearing none, what is the will of the committee? Uh, everybody in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed. On the rules. [0:18:19] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the committee's support. [0:18:22] Thank you. [0:18:25] Is there anyone who wants to speak on this bill? I saw Chair Lady Cooper come in. Um- [0:18:37] Mm-hmm [0:18:38] ... come on up. [0:18:48] Okay, thank you for being here today. If you'll give us your resolution number and your LC number, please, ma'am. [0:18:53] Okay. It's House Resolution 1052, and it's LC1123696. [0:19:00] Okay. [0:19:00] Okay. And this is to, uh, basically just have a state, have a s- uh, state, uh, state Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Day. Um, Prader-Willi Syndrome is a syndrome that would seem simple when you first look at it. It is a genetic syndrome. It's very rare, thank goodness. But these children that have it, and they can be adult children, they are living longer, have to be watched 24 hours a day because they will literally eat for 24 hours a day if they can get ahold of food. [0:19:37] They have other metabolic problems, too, uh, and some behavior characteristic. But what makes it so difficult for parents is if they can get food, they'll eat it, and they won't stop eating it. And so it is a very difficult, uh, thing for families, and they would like an awareness day of it. That's it. [0:19:57] Okay. Chair Lady, does this specifically state a date, or is it just making us aware of this? [0:20:02] It's, it... No, it's just, it's asking for the state- [0:20:05] Okay [0:20:06] ... to effectively come up with a, a date. [0:20:09] Okay. [0:20:10] Designated as the State Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Day. So you can, if you wanna pick a date or however the state does it on those. I've never had one. [0:20:19] Okay. [0:20:19] None. [0:20:20] Any questions from the committee? I've got two. Okay, let me see if we... Do we have anybody to speak to the bill? None. Okay. Uh, Representative Campbell. Move to pass. Okay, I have a motion to pass and a second. Uh, any other discussion by the committee? Seeing none. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed same sign. Okay, on the rules then. Thank you. [0:20:46] Hope everybody has a safe trip home. [0:20:47] Thank you very much. [0:20:48] And hug your children, and especially if they don't have any of these awful genetic problems and they're healthy, and your grandchildren. [0:20:55] I appreciate that. [0:21:02] Come on up, uh, Representative Wade. I know you got a meeting with the governor this afternoon. [0:21:07] All right. [0:21:07] So we're gonna try to run you through. [0:21:09] All right. [0:21:09] So. [0:21:12] Thank you. [0:21:12] Okay, tell us your resolution number and, uh, what LC you're working from, please. [0:21:17] Um, I don't have the LC, but, uh ... Well, maybe I do. No, I don't. Um, I'll let you tell me 'cause I don't have the current one, but it hadn't changed since the last meeting, but it is House Resolution 1299. [0:21:27] Okay, it's, uh, nothing's changed. We're looking at LC 394931. [0:21:32] That's right. [0:21:33] Okay. [0:21:33] That's right. [0:21:34] All right, go ahead. [0:21:35] Thank you. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, um, House Resolution 129, or 1299 expresses support for returning greater authority over education to the states and reducing the federal bureaucracy currently centered in the United States Department of Education. This resolution recognizes that education has historically been governed at the state and local level, and that states are often best positioned to respond to the needs of students, parents, and communities. It also acknowledges and concerns that decades of increased federal spending and regulation have not translated into improved academic outcomes and have contributed to significant administrative overhead. [0:22:17] Importantly, discussions in Washington about restructuring or dismantling the Department of Education do not eliminate key student services. Programs such as school nutrition are already administered through the United States Department of Agriculture. Funding for special education through the individuals with, uh, disabilities act would continue under federal law even if administrative responsibilities are shifted to other agencies or return more directly to the states. This resolution simply affirms Georgia's commitment to educational federalism while recognizing the importance of maintaining support for students, including nu- nutrition programs and services for children with special needs. [0:22:56] There were some questions the first time I presented. I want to just address this. A lot of this is about not necessarily completely and totally getting rid of what we are doing from the federal level to help schools. It is reorganizing and dismantling a, in my opinion, an arcane department that should have never been formed the way it was formed. So there are things like the transfer, uh, programs from the Department of Education. Department of Labor will ha- handle grant programs, Title I funding for low-income schools. The special education fundings would continue, and it would be under statutory law, but allow the states to administer those things instead of having what I see as a former school b- board member, a lot of duplicitousness and a lot of positions that are there just to comply, and it doesn't actually directly give impact to those students that need some of the most help in, in our state. [0:23:49] Um, also, this is a what we would call a interagency breakup strategy. Obviously, this is an urging resolution. It is a form to say Georgia is ready to take on more responsibility for our students. It is not necessarily gonna be able to get Washington to be as, um, effective as many of us would like to see them be, but I think that this is a important step for Georgia to stand up and say, "We are ready for the Department of Education to be completely and totally reorganized," and allow these other st- um, federal agencies to continue to do the critical programs, but let's get rid of the, the, the excess that we don't need. [0:24:28] Okay, thank you very ... We have a couple of questions. Um, number six, uh, Representative Au [0:24:36] or Doctor. [0:24:38] Good afternoon. [0:24:39] There we go. [0:24:39] Thank you for presenting to us again. Uh, I have a couple questions, but first I want to say how much I value our friendship, and I enjoy working with you. [0:24:48] You as well. [0:24:49] So a couple of questions. We, we talked about this a little bit last time you presented the bill in terms of the responsibilities that the DOE currently has and how that's gonna transition over and who's gonna take responsibility for things like the massive student loan program that DOE currently administrates- [0:25:06] Right [0:25:06] ... which is, like, $1.7 trillion, and hundreds of thousands of students, uh, would be affected. I, I know you talked about transitioning over to other agencies. You had mentioned the Department of Treasury and talked about- [0:25:19] Yeah [0:25:19] ... the states taking over some of those responsibilities. But, you know, even in that transition, because of the size of it and the, the amount of change that's gonna take place, um, I would think reasonably you would exce- expect some amount of disruption in the transition process, and that would impact a lot of students with respect to loans, lead to maybe more student loan defaults, that kind of thing. How do you, um, address that issue? [0:25:44] Well, I, I, I think I would answer it this way. Um, it would be transferred over to the, actually, the SBA, at the SBA department since it's an existing loan program, and they have the ability to manage and deal with large pools of bucketed loans for lots of things, whether it's an SBA 504 loan, a 7A loan. I actually was a part of a financial institution that did private, uh, student lending, um, kind of trying to come out of the Great Recession to help students when funding was impacted at all levels in our country. [0:26:16] Um, and I personally believe in a private lending system much more than a government subsidized one. However, it does exist, and those loans are out there. It can be easily, and in my mind, quite frankly, better managed by the United States, um, Small Business Development. They already have lending programs. I just think it's one of these things where we've had an agency add, an agency add, an agency add over the years, and I'm 48 years old. This thing was established in 1979, and I don't think that it has ne- benefited children the way that maybe some were well intended, and I just think it's time for us to stand up as a state and say, "You know what? [0:26:55] We do need to do things differently," and that's what this message does. [0:26:59] This is a follow-up. Um- [0:27:00] Yes, ma'am. [0:27:01] I think, I think I understand that in terms of saying that other agencies may be able to handle this transition or handle those responsibilities, but it's not gonna be a seamless transition. It's not gonna be an instantaneous transition, so that's just what I was alluding to. [0:27:14] Well, I would argue that there's never been anything seamless, um, in transitions in government for many, many years. That's for all state, local, and federal. But in my mind, this is not benefiting children, and if we don't start now, when? And I think that that is my entire point, and the reason that I wanted to support this resolution is let's, let's go out and have a conversation. And there's too many children that I think are being systematically put through bureaucratic processes that reduce the actual teacher-student relationship because teachers oftentimes, especially in the areas of special education, are forced to be paperwork pushers, not doing what they were trained and what they love to do, which is actually making a m- a major difference in that student's life. [0:28:00] Sure. [0:28:00] It will affect adults, I do agree with that. [0:28:02] Yeah. [0:28:03] But I think the kids are worth that change and that transition. [0:28:05] Well, with respect to that and with respect to DOE's responsibility over Title I schools- [0:28:11] Mm-hmm [0:28:11] ... and funding for those and support for those schools, I know you personally represent, um, Dawson County- [0:28:17] I do [0:28:17] ... and Pickens County overall. So in those counties, um, you have quite a few Title I schools. In Dawson's Black Mills. Kylo, is that how you said? [0:28:27] So it's Blacksmith Elementary School, Kylo Elementary. [0:28:30] Kylo, uh, Riverview. [0:28:30] And Title I funds under this current- [0:28:33] Roberson, right [0:28:33] ... the current administration's plan for this transition would actually, some of those programs are already administered, uh, through the Department of Labor and that's where they would house that transition. [0:28:43] So another transition. [0:28:44] Well, I mean, that's the entire point. [0:28:46] Mm-hmm. [0:28:46] What we're trying to do is say we don't need the Department of Education as it is today. We already have interagency, um, capabilities to address some of the most crucial funding formulas that we have. That's the reason. I mean, there, you can objectionally disagree and think the Department of Education has done well. I see no data to back that up. [0:29:04] And you've talked to your Title I schools about this possible disruption in funding before? [0:29:08] I've talked to my schools about what we're trying to do and they understand that Title I funds will continue to be adminis- uh, the receipt of those, the calculations are not changing. It's which bureaucracy is gonna be managing the delivery of that and I don't think that it is a major transition for the Department of Labor, just like I don't think that it's a major transition for the SBA department to handle student loans since they already handle small business loans. [0:29:32] Okay. And we can disagree on that, but I appreciate the conversation. [0:29:34] Thank you. Yeah, always. [0:29:37] Chairman Cheokas. [0:29:37] Oh. [0:29:39] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the committee, um, [0:29:45] I serve in a unique position having served on the state school board and learned a lot and opened up my eyes to a lot of different things. And, uh, I also remember, dating myself a little bit here, before there was a federal Department of Transportation. [0:30:03] I know. [0:30:03] I mean, uh- [0:30:04] Yes [0:30:04] ... Education. [0:30:05] Yes. [0:30:05] And, um, I concur with you in that I haven't seen noticeable improvement in the educational delivery. I've seen more bureaucracy put up, more paperwork as you, as you said earlier. And, um, so at the appropriate time, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to move to pass at the appropriate time. [0:30:27] We have a couple more people wanna quest- [0:30:29] Sure [0:30:29] ... ask questions. So, uh, Representative McQueen. [0:30:34] Hi. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I just wanna make a note that as the teacher on the, current teacher pract- practitioner on, in the committee, that, um, special education teachers are not actual paper pushers. A lot of what they do h- is tied to keeping detailed records so that children can get the, um, accommodations and support that they need. So I j- I would just like to say that on record. Um, but can the sponsor- [0:31:00] May I, may I respond to that statement? [0:31:01] Sure. [0:31:01] So my wife is an educator as well- [0:31:04] Mm-hmm [0:31:04] ... and she is over an entire SPED department for a high school. [0:31:07] Mm-hmm. [0:31:08] And my wife is not a paper pusher either, but she has to spend an inordinate amount of time bifurcating her ability to work with those classroom teachers to let those teachers actually perform what the IEP or the EI people or the 504 is requiring them. [0:31:25] Correct. [0:31:25] And then they have to spend an inordinate amount of time documenting every single thing. [0:31:28] Correct. [0:31:29] Which some of it is important, but a lot of it is just to check a box. [0:31:33] I would say most. [0:31:34] And I think I see what she does every night. I saw her last night- [0:31:38] Mm-hmm [0:31:38] ... till 10:30 at night working through a compliance process that we need to modernize and I think the states should be involved in more direction as to what is actually improving that child's life. [0:31:51] Sure. [0:31:52] I know those teachers are not only paper pushers. I'm saying they are educators that are being forced to do more bureaucratic checklists that don't always, always impact the benefit of the child. Sometimes yes, what they're doing is helping, but sometimes it's a burden and that's my point. [0:32:09] Mm-hmm. Okay. Um, but can the author, uh, can you clarify which entity would enforce the protections of, of the IDEA, uh, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act if, uh, our US Department of Education were dismantled? [0:32:26] So right now because I- IDEA is statutory law, its funding and requirements would remain unless Congress changes that law and I'm not at the s- I'm not currently r- requesting to make changes to IDEA. What I'm saying is I think that more of the administrative processes should be relegated to the states. [0:32:44] Right, but my question is where would those families go? So like if- [0:32:47] They would still continue to receive- [0:32:48] ... if parents believe that their children, you know, if their child's IDEA rights are violated, where would they file a federal complaint if the department that handles those complaints no longer exists? [0:32:59] the, well, the department's not gonna be completely eliminated. It's gonna be right-sized and sh- and brought down to a much smaller level. And I think at this time that that may continue to be under a smaller federal Department of Education, but eventually, I think that it should migrate to the states, and those parents would appeal that directly to the state, which is closer to the people, and every one of us that's elected that also has frustrations with the federal complaint process. People can objectionally disagree with that. That's just been my experience. It's not partisan for me. [0:33:29] This is about getting decision-making and getting parents closer to the decision-makers. If the federal government continues to fund IDEA the way they do, then why not allow for a complaints process to be at the states, or at least to have us debate that? [0:33:42] So I don't disagree with you that some of the processes- [0:33:45] Thank you [0:33:45] ... need to be more streamlined. I wanna be clear about what I don't disagree with you on. [0:33:49] I understand. [0:33:49] That the, that some of the processes when, uh, uh, 'cause a- as you watch your wife, in the evenings, I'm sitting next to my colleagues, you know, helping them with that paperwork, serving as a general ed teacher in those IEP 504 meetings. So I understand that the nature of the work is, uh, paperwork heavy. My question, though, is f- for, for stu- for parents and families to get recourse if their child's rights under IDEA are violated, right? Where- [0:34:17] This resolution will not change that process. [0:34:19] Right, but my question is w- w- who would, if, if it's, if it brings it back to the states, who would ensure that that right is enforced across states without federal education department? [0:34:30] I understand the lady's concern. I think that ultimately this would be dismantling what we currently see as the Department of Education, and it may remain that it would only be a very small Department of Education that would focus on the IDEA component, which is statutory law, and I'm not trying to make a change to that statutory law. But there are other functions that I think can be administered less duplicative, like I said, about the Department of Edu- um, Department of Labor through the, um, um, [0:34:59] the SBA department, et cetera. So I just think that that's an area that we need to have that policy discussion, and right now there's an administration that is having that conversation, and I believe we should support it. [0:35:11] Can- [0:35:11] But I'm not changing IDEA. I appreciate the question. It's a fair question. [0:35:15] Thank you for the question. Okay, Representative Beckles? [0:35:20] Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I represent one of the m- the most diverse county in Georgia, Gwinnett County. We speak over 100 languages. If we dismantle this, what is going to happen to the diversity of students that I have in my county? What's gonna happen? [0:35:45] I don't think the diversity of the students in any county would change. [0:35:48] Understa- Ho- Okay. Ho- Would the state... Can you tell me now, would the state take on funding for Gwinnett County Public Schools- [0:35:57] So right n- [0:35:57] ... if we dismantle the Board of Ed? [0:35:59] Right now what I'm telling you is that the IDEA funding, which is probably the majority of the funding that Gwinnett County is receiving from the federal government, that and Title I, I'm not suggesting that we end Title I or IDEA funding. [0:36:12] Okay. [0:36:12] So if somebody has told you that, that is not true. [0:36:15] Mm-hmm. [0:36:15] What we're saying is, is that the departments in the federal government that administer and distribute those funds can be shifted to other agencies that have capacity to do it, thereby shrinking the overall federal workforce. I will not be unash- I'm, uh, I'm unashamed about that. I just think we have too many people that are drawing paychecks in today's society, that we can functionally do it with technology, and we can functionally do it with other existing departments. Title I would be administered by Department of Labor. IDEA is probably the only thing that would be left to be funded through the Department of Education. [0:36:47] Again, this is a policy position. This is a resolution urging this effort. Congress would have to act and make and debate those discussions. If they continue to move forward, I would be happy to share as a state legislator our opinion on what we think the states, through the Tenth Amendment, can restore and replenish within our ability to serve those Gwinnett County students or r- my Dawson County students or any of the students in the districts you, you represent more seamlessly. That is the objective. [0:37:14] Um, one final question. If authority is returned to the states, what accountability mechanisms are gonna be in place to ensure that this works the way it's supposed to work and that equitable education is afforded? [0:37:29] I think that that would be a debate that we would have if Congress continued to move, and that this, this legislature would have a say in that position if the states were given more opportunity to serve in this manner. [0:37:41] Um, fin- I, I did say final, but this is my final question, I promise you. Did you speak to your local school board about this or any other school boards in, um- [0:37:50] I've talked to many school board members, and they just said, "Look, we would love to see the bureaucratic process reduced, and we would like our teachers to be focused on teaching again like they did back before 1979." [0:38:01] Did any of them come down and speak to the committee? [0:38:03] No. [0:38:04] Oh, I need- [0:38:04] They didn't. [0:38:04] I need to see- [0:38:05] That's okay [0:38:05] ... I need data. I'm sorry. [0:38:07] That's, that's fair. [0:38:08] Okay. [0:38:08] That's fair. [0:38:08] Thank you. [0:38:08] It's a resolution. It's mostly, you know, a, a message to say that we agree that all of the data has not shown improvement because of federal dictates. [0:38:19] Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. s- Mr. Chairman. [0:38:23] Thank you for the question. Uh, number 11, Representative Monahan. [0:38:32] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I think this committee has thoroughly, uh, discussed this issue. I think we've, uh, heard from the author. At this time, I'd like to call the question. [0:38:50] Okay, do we hear a second? [0:38:52] Second. [0:38:54] Okay. Um, this is a second time for you to bring the bill, is it not? [0:39:00] That is true, yes. [0:39:01] Okay. All right. [0:39:03] There's no changes. [0:39:04] No changes from the last time you presented the bill? [0:39:06] That's right. [0:39:07] Okay. All right. Um, any other, uh, we have a motion, uh, for due pass, uh- [0:39:15] Second. Second. [0:39:16] You have a second. She have a second? Okay. All right. Any dis- any other discussion from the committee? Okay, number 16. Okay, Representative Griffin. [0:39:29] I don't have it. Can you hear me now? [0:39:32] Uh, should be. [0:39:35] No. [0:39:35] Is it on? [0:39:36] Yeah. Well, anyway, you all should be able to hear me. [0:39:40] Okay. [0:39:40] Yes, sir. [0:39:41] There we go. Is it on now? [0:39:43] Not working. [0:39:46] It's good. He just turned it on. Did you hit your button? [0:39:48] It won't stay on. [0:39:49] It won't stay on. [0:39:49] I think it has to be on. [0:39:51] Okay. Go ahead. [0:39:52] Mr. Chair, uh, when we have, uh, when we vote on this, how do we have the vote count? Well, you know, I'm saying we need to be on certain [0:40:03] Vote count. [0:40:06] If you want a vote count. [0:40:06] You want a show- [0:40:07] Yeah, a count. [0:40:07] You want a show of hands. [0:40:08] Yes. [0:40:09] Okay. All right. [0:40:09] No, no, no. [0:40:10] Well, hit the- [0:40:11] Voice vote. Each person vote yes or no. [0:40:15] Okay. Uh, th- that's fine. [0:40:17] By the roll. [0:40:18] Okay. Uh, Representative Cheokas, you still got your button managed. Okay. [0:40:23] I don't know if it's appropriate, um, at this point, since we calling the question. [0:40:29] Okay. All right. All right, um... [0:40:36] You ready? Okay. All right, uh, Representative Griffin has asked that we have a voice vote and count, and, uh, my vice chair will keep total of the, the count. And you need a sheet. Let me get you one. You will write on that one. Okay, as I go down the, um, down the roll, let's count. Uh, Representative Griffin. [0:40:58] No. [0:40:58] No. Okay. Representative McQueen. [0:41:03] No. [0:41:04] Okay. Representative Au. No. Okay. Representative Beckles. [0:41:09] No. [0:41:10] Uh, Representative Taylor. [0:41:12] No. [0:41:12] Okay. Um, Representative Monahan. [0:41:15] Yes. [0:41:16] Okay. Representative Cheokas. [0:41:19] Yes. [0:41:21] Representative Ballard. [0:41:22] Yes. [0:41:22] Okay. Representative Campbell. [0:41:24] Yes. [0:41:25] Okay. And... [0:41:28] Baker. [0:41:28] Baker. Baker, I couldn't get... Representative Baker. [0:41:30] No. [0:41:31] Okay. And Representative Rhodes. Yay. Yay. Okay. What's the count? [0:41:38] Five to... Five yes, six nay. Six no. And the chair votes yay. Six yay. Okay. And we're voting the other side. [0:41:57] Didn't get the, didn't get- For the parliamentary inquiry. Yes. Okay. Is there a point of inquiry? [0:42:01] For parliamentary inquiry. [0:42:02] Yes. [0:42:02] Uh, isn't that the rules that the chair only votes in case of a tie? [0:42:09] Well, it's not gonna make any difference anyway. It'll be- Yeah, for the record ... six to five or the- For the record. I want level with the count. Should we write all that down? I got it. The chair can vote. The chair can always vote. Okay. All right, uh, six to six. So we're- [0:42:26] Okay, thank you. Appreciate it. [0:42:27] All right. All right, take care. [0:42:28] Thank you. [0:42:28] And, um, Chairman Dickey, come on up. [0:42:32] Thanks. [0:42:37] Can we call that thing back? Hmm? Can we call it back or something? [0:42:44] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, uh, for, uh, being able to, um, present on behalf of my, uh, colleague over in the Senate who, uh, sent word that they, he's tied up. And, uh, he and I have been working on, uh, uh, Senate Resolution 800. [0:43:01] Okay. [0:43:02] LC443445. Um, a resolution, a joint resolution, House and Senate, to, uh, study the, um, generation sustainability of family farms. Uh, this is the exact same, um, wording and bill that we passed through the House a couple of weeks ago. And so we're just trying to get it, uh, to either the Senate or House floor for a vote, uh, uh, as soon as we can. [0:43:32] So, um, that is what this bill does. He and I, uh, as you, many of you know, our, our, our farms, uh, agriculture commu- community is, uh, really facing some headwinds. And we wanna take some time this fall and summer to move about the state and study, um, some things that the state may do. I, I know we have, uh, many, uh, federal, uh, issues and help, uh, from Washington, but, uh... And, and, uh, actually our, our House and Senate have done some things over the last two years to help our farmers here in Georgia, and it's, uh, gonna be making a lot of difference. [0:44:12] But we wanna hear directly from experts and farmers throughout our state on some other, uh, suggestions and things for our farm and forestry industry that could, uh, really make a change going forward. That's what this, uh, joint resolution does. [0:44:32] Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, we have a few questions here. Uh, number nine. [0:44:39] I don't think this nine is working. [0:44:40] Okay, slide over to eight. [0:44:42] The plug is not... Okay. Ah. [0:44:46] Try number eight. [0:44:47] Okay. Can you hear me now? [0:44:49] Yes. [0:44:51] Uh, Representative, if I re- remember correctly, you, uh, introdu- you, uh, introduced this bill in the, in the House, right? [0:44:58] Yes. [0:44:58] Or at least you spoke on it. [0:44:59] We, we, I think it passed you and I- [0:45:00] Yeah, it did [0:45:01] ... the floor, uh, last week. [0:45:02] Right. Well, the only thing that I would like to ask you and, uh, the Senate, uh, when it... And I, I support the bill now. But, uh, I would ask if you all can have some non-legislative Uh, agricultural people on the, you know, on the, on the, on the committee, study committee. Uh, now I know the governor- [0:45:27] Very good suggestion [0:45:28] ... I mean, I know the speaker and the, I guess the lieutenant governor make that decision. But I'm asking you if you would, uh, a request that we have some non, uh, agriculture people on there. [0:45:40] We will pass that along. Thank you. Uh, yes, I think we're open to, um, solutions from anywhere we can get it. Uh, our state's a great, uh, business state, and, uh, I think we're doing very well in, in a lot of sectors, manufacturing, and, uh, we wanna keep our ag industry strong, uh, going forward, uh, for a lot of reasons, and, uh, so thank you for that. [0:46:04] Thanks, sir. Uh, Vice Chair Ballard? [0:46:07] I'm gonna make a motion do pass at the appropriate time. [0:46:10] Okay. We have one more question, and we'll get to your motion. Okay, uh, Representative Taylor. [0:46:19] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr. Chairman, I don't... I know that this is a broad resolution, but can you or do you know where you're gonna be? 'Cause I, I don't want this to be a study that ends up all in south Georgia and not some of the urban areas where there are small farms that could be included in this study. [0:46:37] Well, thank you. Um, that has not been determined yet. And, uh, we could take that. It, I, I'm sure, um, it would be very preferable to move this around, um, um, across our state to get, uh, expert testimony that we can bring back to, to this body, um, next year, the years, uh, to come for, as I said, real solutions. I, I, I, I don't envision this just being something that folks could come and, and complain about. I, I think Chairman Goodman and I are really looking for, for short-term and long-term solutions to try to help our, um, uh, really our small farms. [0:47:15] I mean- [0:47:15] Yes [0:47:15] ... I think that's what is, is my concern. And I know t- um, uh, Leader Hugley mentioned, uh, uh, about minority farms. [0:47:24] Mm-hmm. [0:47:24] I know they're... We, we need to find some solutions to get them back growing, uh, in our state, too. So, um, those are the kind of things we're gonna be looking for. [0:47:35] And I'm, I'm gonna s- I'm just gonna be positively thinking that that would be a, this committee would be bipartisan. [0:47:42] Uh, very much so. [0:47:43] Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [0:47:44] Thank you. That's very much needed. [0:47:46] Thank you for the question. Any other questions from the committee? Is there anybody to speak to the bill, Mr. Chairman? [0:47:52] I don't think so. [0:47:53] Okay. All right. Um, what- [0:47:56] Move to pass. [0:47:56] We have a move do pass. [0:47:58] Second. [0:47:58] We have a second. Uh, all in favor? Any other discussion first? None. Uh, all in favor of, uh, passing this resolution say aye. [0:48:07] Aye. [0:48:07] All opposed. All right. On the rules. Thank you, sir. [0:48:11] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate you. [0:48:15] Okay. [0:48:17] That's my one. [0:48:17] Oh, we got one more. [0:48:25] Representative Myles, if you'll come on around to the podium please, sir. [0:48:36] Okay, thank you for being here. Will you give us your re- resolution number and LC number please, sir? [0:48:41] My resolution number is, uh, House Resolution [0:48:51] 1393. [0:48:53] Okay. [0:48:54] House Resolution 1393. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and, and, and, and members of the committee. Uh, my resolution is a bill to... The, the LC number is, uh, [0:49:08] 461322. [0:49:11] Okay. Thank you. [0:49:13] This is a request for a, a House resolution, uh, uh, committee to be formed to save our rural hospitals. Our rural hospitals in Georgia is really, uh, under, uh, a dire, uh, s- circumstances. There are about nine of our rural hospitals that are on, on the cusp of just closing. We have about 20, depending on what the definition is of a rural hospital, we have from 20 to 30 rural hospitals now. Now, there have been quite a few bills that are piecemeal trying to do something for rural hospitals, but I do believe that we need to have a rural hospital rescue plan. [0:49:52] We've got close to 10 of these rural hospitals is, that, that are on the cusp of just closing. They provide a vital service to help to our rural hospitals, right, our rural population. There are a lot of... With these closures, there are a lot of hospital deserts out there in, in, in Georgia right now, and we cannot afford to have any more of these hospitals closing, and we need to do something. It's a critical time. We need to get this study committee, I hope, really is gonna get together to, first of all, seeking our rural hospitals banding together to try to get better resources to get products. [0:50:30] There's a bill out there that's passed, just passed, that'll allow them to get together to, for services and to, to order services and so forth. But one of the things that we haven't approached is that the, uh, urban hospitals get reimbursed for their services from the, the insurance companies at a higher rate than rural hospitals do, because they can't negotiate as, as a lot of those big hospitals. So we want them to be a band together to be the, negotiate from the insurance companies to allow them to be able to get better rates on return from Medicaid and Medicare. [0:51:06] The other part of rural hospitals is that the population they serve, most of them have no insurance, or they have Medicaid. Uh, with the new, some of the new policies that come out from the federal government, a l- a lot more of their population don't have h- insurance at all But those hospitals still have to service, service a lot of people that don't have insurance at all. So we need to address that too, to make sure that they are getting enough services to, to stay solvent. The other thing is that a lot of rural hospitals can't afford the specialty hospitals or specialty doctors to do, um, natal care or prenatal care and so forth. [0:51:44] They can't. But we need to come and see, can we get some telemed communication? We had some money that was supposed to be, and some of the bills that were gonna provide telecommunications for these rural hospitals to allow them to partner with other larger hospitals to allow, to allow them to do at least a, uh, at least have them to ha- be able to have telemed to be able to let them have the services and have appointments with those specialties that they can't afford to get down there. One of the other things we've been trying to get d- them to do is, uh, there are several programs in this, in Georgia right now that allow doctors to come and get tuition assistance, and then they go out and work in rural hospitals once they graduate from those hospitals. [0:52:27] They're required to be down there three or four years, and we found that if those doctors go down there, they tend to stay down there because they form communities, and they form relationships with those communities, and they seem to stay down there. I think we need to r- look at that whole picture and see can we put more money into that program and other programs that are gonna ensure that our rural hospitals stay solvent, and they're there, they're there to serve the people in our rural area. So, uh, with, uh, with, with that, uh, I mean, you can look at the bill and I would appreciate your consideration in ensuring that this bill get moved forward to see can we get this committeed. [0:53:03] Okay. [0:53:03] To- [0:53:04] Thank you for bringing the bill. Dr., uh, Dr. Au. [0:53:09] Any questions? [0:53:11] I'm sorry. [0:53:12] Okay. Yes. [0:53:12] Oh, very good. [0:53:13] Thank you for bringing this bill. This is such an important issue that we talk about year after year after year, that I'm very excited to hear you bring this piece of legislation to address all of the different factors that you touched on- [0:53:24] Mm-hmm [0:53:24] ... that lead to rural hospitals closing. One thing I wanna ask is, um, isn't it true that one of the biggest expenses for rural hospital systems and smaller hospital systems is the burden of uncompensated care in this state due to our extremely high uninsurance rate? [0:53:46] Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. That is a very true statement. [0:53:49] And can we expect that a study committee like this would look at ways to close that coverage gap to directly address the highest burden financially for these rural hospital systems, which is the high uninsurance rate? [0:54:01] Yes, yes, by all means. [0:54:02] Thank you, sir. [0:54:04] Any questions? [0:54:06] Senator Pate. Thank you for the question. Uh, Representative Taylor. [0:54:12] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, my concern is... Well, let me start here. I know that you actually, your district kinda covers a few cities and a few counties. [0:54:21] Yes, ma'am. [0:54:21] And the closest, um, medical facility is between the three counties or three cities. There's a cen- Or is there a central medical facility? [0:54:31] Well, Burke County right now has probably the most permanent facility there. And Burke County really, the only reason they are permanent right now, they have partnered with a, a hospital in, in Augusta, Richmond County. They, uh, basically took the orthopedic part of that hospital, and they are performing that in Burke County, and they are close enough from Richmond County for those people to, to drive there to Burke County to get the orthopedic surgery. That's what's keeping them afloat and keeping them alive right now. [0:54:56] Okay. [0:54:56] It's the most permanent hospital there. [0:54:57] Okay, cool. Because I, I support the bills. I, I think that it, the study needs to run longer than to December the 1st of 2026. I don't know how much you can get done with that one, but- [0:55:08] Well, I, I, I, I would, I would let, hopefully that it would run long enough to find all those solutions that we are talking about. [0:55:12] That, that's not long enough. [0:55:13] To keep those, them pro- [0:55:14] That's not gonna do it. [0:55:15] Yeah. [0:55:15] That's not gonna do it. [0:55:16] Yeah, yeah. [0:55:16] But I thank you so much for bringing the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [0:55:18] Thanks. Appreciate it. And I w- pre- appreciate your cons- favorable consideration. Thank you. [0:55:24] Okay, we have, we have one more question, yeah, from, uh, Representative McQueen. Is that you? [0:55:29] Yes, that's me. I would just like to say at the appropriate time, I would like to make a motion. [0:55:33] Okay. [0:55:33] If we have it. [0:55:35] This would be the appropriate time. [0:55:36] Yay. [0:55:37] Yeah. [0:55:37] I'd like to call the motion do pass. [0:55:39] Second. [0:55:39] All right. [0:55:40] Second. [0:55:40] And we have a second. Any discussion from any other members on the committee? Seeing none, all in favor say aye. [0:55:49] Aye. [0:55:49] Aye. [0:55:49] All opposed? All right, on the rules. Thank you, sir. [0:55:53] Thank you. Appreciate it. [0:55:56] I think that finishes up the business for special rules today. Um, see y'all on Monday. [0:56:03] One more. [0:56:04] Oh, we meet on [0:56:21] Monday?