House Rules Committee, March 17, 2026

Transcript

90 turns. Select a time to play that moment of the video.

1. 0:03:09

   The red button? Okay.

2. 0:24:09

   Morning, everybody.

3. 0:24:17

   Say good morning to them. Good morning, everyone.

4. 0:24:30

   Good morning, everybody. Glad to see you here today on the day with the Greene in it. We'll go ahead and call our meeting to order, and I'm gonna ask Representative, uh, Kelley to open us up with a word of prayer.

5. 0:24:50

   Good gracious and heavenly Father, we come to you today, Lord. We're thankful. Thank you that you've given us the opportunity to represent the 11 million Georgians, uh, that call this state home. God, we ask you watch over and guide us, uh, with the decisions we're making today and the responsibility you've tasked us with. Father, look over our families who are back at home while we're here doing your work. Father, watch over our, uh, troops serving both abroad and at home, God. We ask you to just watch over and guide us through the rest of the day. It's your name we pray. Amen.

6. 0:25:19

   Thank you. Okay, now we're gonna have our House Rules Standing Committee. That's the meeting that we're having now. We're gonna call this to order, and we're gonna recognize, uh, Representative Hilton to speak to us on Senate Resolution 23.

7. 0:25:37

   Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Honored to present to you today Senate Resolution 23, which seeks to address some of the dysfunction that we've witnessed in Washington, DC over the past decade and, and really beyond. Senate Resolution, uh, 23 petitions Congress to convene an Article V convention for the sole purpose of establishing term limits. The American people are sending us a very clear message. With approval ratings hovering around 15%, confidence in the current institution is at an all-time low.

8. 0:26:07

   Here in Georgia, more than 78% of our voters support term limits. Nationally, this approach is 90%. Uh, it's certainly not a partisan issue. It is a common sense reform backed by Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Uh, yet despite all of this overwhelming consensus, Congress has failed to act. Senate resolution is not new to this body. It actually passed the Senate four times over the last 10 years with bipartisan support in 2017, '19, '21, and again in '25.

9. 0:26:38

   Under Article V, two-thirds of the states, 34 in total, must pass a similar resolution. To date, only 13 states have done so. Uh, any amendment that may come out of such convention would ultimately need to be ratified by three-fourths or 38 of the states. Uh, most importantly, history shows us that as momentum builds among the states, Congress often acts before a convention is ever called. This occurred with the 17th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd Amendments.

10. 0:27:08

    The 17th was actually the one that got closest to a convention being called. This is federalism exactly how it's intended to work. States elevate an issue, the nation debates it, and ultimately action is taken. Today with Senate Resolution 23, we have an opportunity to add Georgia's voice to a growing national movement, one that demands accountability, restores trust, and strengthens representative democracy. I ask for your r- favorable consideration on Senate Resolution 23.

11. 0:27:38

    Okay. You- you've heard the explanation, and we have a question. Uh, Whip Park.

12. 0:27:45

    Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a few questions, if I may. Um, so Representative Hilton, is it not true that there has never been a Article V convention convened in American history? Is that correct?

13. 0:27:56

    That is correct. As I mentioned, it's been attempted numerous times, but Congress, uh, usually recognizes the fact that states are rising up and saying, "Hey, you need to address this issue," and then they, they address it.

14. 0:28:08

    And yet the Constitution has been amended multiple times?

15. 0:28:12

    That is correct.

16. 0:28:12

    S- so we have the capacity to amend the Constitution, impose term limits without an Article V convention. Is that not true?

17. 0:28:19

    We have the capacity. Right now, it does not appear Congress has the will. Uh, and, and I'll tell you, just, you know, common sense tells us that the Congress is probably not gonna act on their own to impose term- term limits on theirselves unless we, the states, make that known.

18. 0:28:34

    S- so y- you know, one, on, on an Article V convention, I- I'm very concerned about how this could result in a runaway situation that undermines the Bill of Rights, um, longstanding constitutional pro- protections. Um, s- so a- again, I, I think I have concerns with the Ar- Article V convention approach to trying to address term limits. Um, last question, uh, Mr. Chairman, if I may.

19. 0:29:04

    You know, if we're trying to impose term limits on members of Congress, uh, would it not be wiser to lead by example and to impose term limits here in Georgia? And would you not further s- agree that perhaps fair, independent, uh, redistricting reform at the state level, given that states draw congressional districts, would ensure that we have fair, independent re- uh, c- congressional representation?

20. 0:29:25

    So I'll address your last question first. So, uh, the reason state legislatures are so popular is because we, this is not a full-time job for us. Uh, and in Washington, DC, we have people, you know, uh, uh, we have a democracy that is not working up there, where it's almost become a lifetime, almost like you become a king with some of these, uh, the race toward gerrymandering. And so state legislatures are so popular because we go home, we have day jobs. People see us in the community. Uh, right now that is not how Congress, it was how it was intended to act. It is not acting that way. Uh, to address your, your first question in, in regards to a runaway convention, I think lines 25 and 26 address that, saying this is to be a limited convention.

21. 0:30:01

    But I think more specifically line 29 and 23 calls on Congress to impose criminal penalties if someone violates the scope of this call. And so there's very, this is a very narrow, very defined, uh, resolution.

22. 0:30:13

    J- just to follow up on, um, lines 27 to 30. Again, you're, you're, you're telling us that Congress is failing to act, which is why this is needed, and we can trust that a resolution insisting Congress to take action, including creating a criminal penalty, that that's something that they would abide by through passage of this state resolution?

23. 0:30:33

    I'm sorry, I missed that last part. But, uh, yeah, I mean, I, I think if, if we call on a convention and those that we send are not adhering to what we the legislature, uh, pass, then yeah, absolutely, Congress ought to impose penalties on it.

24. 0:30:49

    Thank you.

25. 0:30:49

    Okay. Representative Evans has a question.

26. 0:30:53

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Representative Hilton, first question is to follow up on my colleague. Y- you recognize that just because we ask them to impose criminal penalties on anybody who tries to enlarge the convention, we have no jurisdiction to do anything about that if they don't. If we've called for the convention, we're participating, whatever that convention looks like, right?

27. 0:31:14

    Correct.

28. 0:31:15

    Um, and then my next question, did you say that there were 13 states that had passed a call?

29. 0:31:21

    Yes.

30. 0:31:21

    Are you aware that there are 16 states that have limited the term limits for their state legislators? Y- you under- you, you agree with me?

31. 0:31:31

    I, I-

32. 0:31:31

    There's si- 16 states

33. 0:31:32

    ... if, if the woman, yeah, you, sounds like you are aware of that, yes.

34. 0:31:36

    Um, and it just seems like if we're gonna use what other states are doing as our guidepost, then it looks like there's more states that are limiting term limits for their state legislators than they are for members of Congress. And just if, if that's the precedent that you want us to follow, what other states are doing, then I would also just ask, why don't we term limit ourselves?

35. 0:31:56

    I think what, I mean, that was a data point as to, you know, we need 34 for this to, for a convention to come into place. We know that's not gonna happen based on historical data. Um, this seeks to address the sole issue of term limits on Congress. We can certainly have the debate as to term limits on us. I would, uh, I think everyone in this room recognizes we have every reason not to be here, uh, given the, the pay and additional responsibilities that, that we have that are unique to a state legislator that different, ve- very differently than, uh, what takes place in Congress, where it's a full-time paid position.

36. 0:32:30

    You're up there 90% of the time. Uh, a- and certainly to have that separate debate and conversation about term limits on us, but that is certainly not what this resolution aims to, to discuss.

37. 0:32:41

    What is the, last question, Mr. Chairman, thank you. What is the rationale for, I mean, I get what you're saying about it's a full-time job and it's harder to, to be a "part-time legislator" than, than perhaps it is to be a full-time member of Congress. I'm sure some people would quibble with that, because I don't have to fly every day to, to do my job and, and leave for year-round, whereas we are here for a limited amount of time. Um, but putting all that aside, what is the policy rationale for limiting the time that someone can gain experience in Congress and not wanting to do that at the state legislator?

38. 0:33:18

    Putting aside the, the, the pay and the, all of that, and the alleged prestige, um, just from a policy standpoint, it seems like if we, if we, if we agree that we should limit time that people spend in a federal legislative job, why does that o- not also apply to a state legislative job?

39. 0:33:39

    Because there's distinct differences between the two bodies. Here, we have a 40-day period where we have got to get things done. Really constitutionally, all we're required to do, obviously, is pass a budget. We do much more than that. Uh, whereas in DC, I, I think all of us have seen, the American people have seen that it is a broken institution right now where things simply are not getting done a- and the American people are fed up with that, and they, from a policy perspective, Georgians are telling us that we, we need fresh voices, fresh perspective. We need to change the model and institution that we have in place that is simply not working.

40. 0:34:09

    It's broken, and so this seeks to, uh, address that.

41. 0:34:13

    And so if the people of Georgia are likewise sending emails to us telling us that they think we should limit our terms, you would certainly then wanna support term limits at the state level?

42. 0:34:22

    I would be happy to have that conversation. I, I'll tell you, the number of emails and support I get for term limiting Congress is by and far more significant than I get fr- from, uh, folks advocating for term limits on us here at a state level.

43. 0:34:35

    I've seen it both ways, but I appreciate the answer. Thank you.

44. 0:34:37

    Sure.

45. 0:34:37

    Okay. Secretary Kelley has a question.

46. 0:34:40

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I have a question or two, if that's okay. Uh, Chairman Hilton, explain to me how the delegates to the convention would be selected.

47. 0:34:52

    That is a good question. I am not-

48. 0:34:56

    Uh, it was my understanding they'd be selected through the, through the legislative process, but I'm trying to get confirmation on that.

49. 0:35:01

    Yeah, I would need to follow back up with you on that.

50. 0:35:03

    Okay.

51. 0:35:04

    Yeah.

52. 0:35:04

    Um, asking, uh, as it directs to, isn't it true that the turnover rate for federal representatives is much, uh, lower than what the turnover rate is for us, uh, at the state level? And so we are, we, we see the turnover here, and people change out the representatives much more frequently than they do in Washington, and that's one reason why we need to pass this resolution.

53. 0:35:29

    Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, just, and guys, we're seeing it right now with the, this whole race around redistricting. I mean, we, we are, uh, folks in Congress are just not facing the competition like, like we do. You know, the reelect rate is somewhere above 90%. You know, folks say, "Hey, Scott, doesn't, um, you know, don't elections kind of take care of this?" Well, it, it really doesn't when you have folks who are, are baked in, uh, and, and win almost automatically year in and year out. And so, um, this seeks to address that.

54. 0:36:02

    You done? Okay. Chairman Williams.

55. 0:36:06

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Representative Hilton, Chairman Hilton, i- is it not correct that, uh, both the, the minority whip and you are, are right? There's never been a, a, a convention of states, but Through efforts to begin the process of calling the convention of the states, certain measures have been, uh, taken up and passed by Congress, amendments that were successful, including the direct election of senators, repeal of prohibition, women's suffrage mu- uh, movement, and the presidential term limits.

56. 0:36:38

    Is that not cur- true that all of those efforts were started by the drum roll or through the states of beginning the discussion of having the convention of states for the s- those amendments to be passed? Is that not true?

57. 0:36:51

    Mr. Chairman, you are exactly right. This is how the Constitution was designed to work. This is federalism in action. States raise their voice and Congress acts. We have historical data that showed us on a number of occasions great things that have been accomplished by states doing exactly what we are doing here today. Uh, a- and again, that's why we bring this resolution.

58. 0:37:13

    Okay. Thank you. Leader Hugley, do you have a question?

59. 0:37:17

    Yes, if I can get my mic up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, to the gentleman, uh, isn't it true that if we're concerned about, uh, turnover in the Congress for Georgia, we would draw more competitive districts? The districts that we've drawn is what's baked in, not necessarily a person's incumbency. So I would love to work with you on that.

60. 0:37:42

    Well, I wanna applaud this body for not joining the arms race that has been taken up by red states and blue states across our nation to, uh, try to pick their voters. I think this body, u- under the leadership of, uh, h- uh, Speaker Burns, uh, has done a, a fantastic job of, of, uh, making very competitive, uh, districts here in the state and, and keeping it that way.

61. 0:38:05

    Okay. Chairman Jaspers, do you have a question?

62. 0:38:11

    Representative Fields, just a quick question. I don't see it listed in here, but is there an estimate or do we know what terms they're thinking about? S- six terms for a representative, two for a senator. What... I mean, it's not here. It seems like we would need to know that to have some...

63. 0:38:29

    That's a great question. It's one we get often, and it's one... So there's, there's two or three kinda common pushbacks that we get is, Scott, you know, won't, won't the bureaucracy just sort of take over? Number one, I'd submit to you the bureaucracy's taken over already today, and so we're gonna get more of that if we keep with the current structure. Uh, it's intentionally silent on this. Uh, it would be proposed out of that convention if it goes that far. Again, we've talked today this, this, uh, afternoon, this morning, that a convention most likely will not take place, that Congress will take action, and they will establish whatever that number is, whether it be eight years, 12 years, or 20 years.

64. 0:39:04

    Uh, you know, we, we just want some form of term limit.

65. 0:39:08

    Okay. Representative Holcomb.

66. 0:39:11

    Th- thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um,

67. 0:39:16

    I agree with you that people are very frustrated, uh, and that's obvious. And, and often a response to frustration is some type of systemic or structural change. And with that, my sense is that it's unlikely were this to pass, which is extraordinarily improbable, but if it were to pass, my sense is we're still not gonna have Shangri-La or Utopia and people are still gonna hate it. Do you disagree with that?

68. 0:39:47

    I try to take more of an optimistic view of things. I, I think it's worth the effort, uh, to allow states like Georgia to signal to Congress that we are not happy with the status quo. The status quo is not working. Congress is not doing the job like state legislatures do, where we get things done. Uh, under the leadership of both parties, we've had a, a, uh, hyper-partisan stalemate for years, and we've gotta change the model. And I think now it's... I, I'm optimistic that we can, we can make that happen. Uh, and that's why I'm here today.

69. 0:40:17

    Okay.

70. 0:40:17

    Okay.

71. 0:40:18

    And then my, my second question or, or point is just to accentuate what's been said in terms of Article Five itself states that a convention can be called for the purpose of amendments, and it uses plural. Um, uh, so my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong if you have a different understanding, is that it remains an open question whether or not it could be specifically limited to a subject matter, notwithstanding the guardrails that you've attempted to put in here.

72. 0:40:48

    Is that correct?

73. 0:40:49

    Yeah.

74. 0:40:50

    All right. Thank you.

75. 0:40:51

    And again, let, let's run through kind of the constitutional process here. Should an amend- uh, convention be called, that amendment then gets s- sent to Congress. They then, that then has to ultimately be, uh, ratified by three-fourths of the state, 38 states. I'll tell you, if we can get something ratified by 38 states nowadays, it's probably something we really want nationally.

76. 0:41:11

    Okay. Chairman Hatchett.

77. 0:41:13

    Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd just like to at the appropriate time move due pass on SR 23.

78. 0:41:19

    Th- this would be the appropriate time.

79. 0:41:21

    So moved.

80. 0:41:22

    So moved. We have a motion and a second. Uh, is there any discussion? Okay. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say aye.

81. 0:41:34

    Aye.

82. 0:41:35

    Those opposed, no.

83. 0:41:37

    No.

84. 0:41:37

    The ayes have it. It carries. So Sen- Resolution 23 LC 47 3209 will be available, uh, for the Committee on Rules on Thursday. So I'm going to adjourn this meeting now, and then we'll call to order the House Committee on Rules. And we don't have any members here to request anything. Do we have any committee members who would like to request any legislation?

85. 0:42:09

    Chairman Taylor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Today I bring you House Resolution 1522. The purpose of the measure is to create a house study committee to evaluate and review the Department of Community Health. We were very successful last year in reviewing public health. Um, they are so large, and as the state has grown, so has the burden of what they do. They regulate everything from healthcare facilities to the medical boards, medical education, Medicaid. Their budget is over $25 billion.

86. 0:42:40

    I think it would be something we need to study and focus on so we can help the department. Okay. I don't see any questions on that. Thank you. Okay, now let's take care of a little housekeeping. Do I hear a motion to recommit Senate Bill 440 back to the Public and Community Health Committee? So moved. I have a motion and a second. Is there any opposition? It's back in committee. I have a motion to...

87. 0:43:10

    Could I have a motion to, uh, recommit Senate Bill 555 back to d- uh, Defense and Veterans Affairs? So moved. I have a motion and a second. Any opposition? Okay, those two are back in committee. Okay, now let's set a rules calendar for day 33. That'll be tomorrow. Under modified structure, Senate Bill 293. So moved. I have a move and second. Any opposition?

88. 0:43:41

    It's on. Senate Bill 383. Moved. I have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 399. Moved. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 427. Moved. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 523. Moved. Moved and second.

89. 0:44:11

    Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 551. Moved. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, today's a committee day. I understand there are about 12 committees that will be meeting today, so we should have a good number of bills maybe coming out that would be eligible to be considered after tomorrow morning. So just watch your emails about when we'll have the next rules meeting.

90. 0:44:42

    Thank you. We're adjourned.