House floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33)

Transcript

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1. 0:19:10

   Well, good morning. All members will please come to the floor. All members. All members of the House will please come to the floor and get close to your seats. All members. Because the hour for convening having arrived, all members will please come to the floor and take their seats. Mr. Clerk, will you ring the bell?

2. 0:20:15

   We're going to have the morning roll call. So all members please come to the floor and come to your seats. We're going to have the morning roll call. All members, all members present will please vote green to signify their presence in the chamber. Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

3. 0:21:32

   Have all members voted? All members voted. If so,

4. 0:21:43

   Mr. Clerk will lock the machines.

5. 0:21:50

   Doorkeepers, if you will close, please close the doors and keep them closed.

6. 0:21:59

   As is our custom, we will begin our day with scripture reading and prayer by our chaplain, after which we will pledge allegiance to the flag of our country. Our chaplain this morning will be introduced by the lady from the 156th House District, where things are really sweet down in Toombs County. She can tell us about those Vidalia onions. But Representative Lisa Hagan. Chair Lady Hagan is int- is recognized to introduce our chaplain.

7. 0:22:30

   Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I'm very happy to introduce to you Pastor Jason Davis. He is not just my pastor, he is also a good friend. And if you were here in 2021 for, uh, the special session on redistricting and re- reapportionment, he, he was here during that special session as well. So he's now a repeat. Um, he's been the pastor of Grace Community Presbyterian Church in Lyons for the past 10 and a half years, when, uh, we started that church.

8. 0:23:04

   And of interest, uh, those of you who remember our good friend Representative Jan Tankersley, her church in Statesboro, Trinity Presbyterian, planted our church, Grace Community Presbyterian. And now, um, Pastor Davis and, uh, others are planting other churches in Southeast Georgia. So, uh, we are spreading the word as, as best we can. He is also the chairman of the Mission to North America for the Savannah River Presbytery.

9. 0:23:38

   And along those lines with him today is Jim Shaw, who's the State Capitol Minister for the Mission to North America. And he is here to provide spiritual support and prayer for any of you that need it. And also with Pastor Davis today is one of his elders, Mike Hagan, here. You all know him. Thank you all so much for your attention this morning, and welcome Pastor Jason Davis.

10. 0:24:17

    Awesome.

11. 0:24:20

    Good morning.

12. 0:24:21

    Good morning.

13. 0:24:22

    Thank you to our speaker, and thank you to all of you, and to Representative Hagan for extending me the invitation to speak to you this morning. I wanna look with you this morning at a passage that I am sure the chaplain of the day has shared with you many times before, because it is the passage, uh, that, uh, really speaks to what you all are here in Atlanta to do. Matter of fact, it is the same passage that I looked at with you several years. In anticipation of being here with you today, I had in- intended to do a different passage with you. And I looked at all of what the Bible says about government, and indeed, um, that government, uh, that God takes government seriously is a running theme throughout the Bible.

14. 0:25:02

    But I kept going back to Romans 13:1-6, because here Apostle Paul gives us our framework, I think, better than anywhere else we see in the scriptures of how we ought to think about What God has raised you all up here to do. So hear now God's word. This is Romans 13, the first six verses. Paul tells us, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

15. 0:25:34

    Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. When you have no fear of the one who is in authority, then do what is good and you will receive his approval. For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Paul tells us two things in that passage about government.

16. 0:26:10

    Paul tells us that God raises up the government leaders that He so chooses, and that the government leaders that He raises up are His servants and ministers for the good of those whom they represent. First, that God raises up the government leaders that He so chooses. Paul says there in verse one that there is no authority except from God, and those that have been instituted are raised up by Him. Everyone, you who are in this legislature today have been hand-chosen by the Lord God Almighty for such a time as this.

17. 0:26:47

    God is the ultimate authority, of course, in that He made the universe. And as such, God's authority rests in His ownership and His authorship of the universe. All authority that we experience is not intrinsic but extrinsic. It's been delegated by the Lord to people. But God has seen fit in His perfect will to set things up in His world such that He raises up gifted men and women like yourselves to govern His world on His behalf so that every authority in the final analysis, I like to think, uh, of course, is, uh, by democratic vote, but even more than that is by the sovereign appointment of our great Creator God.

18. 0:27:30

    And that means several things for you all here today. First, that means, uh, that, uh, as you are working hard to faithfully serve your constituents, uh, for their good, uh, that knowing that God has raised you up to do that ought to call you to a profound sense of duty. But secondly, it also means that you can call on the God who raised you up in prayer. It just follows that if it is God Himself that has put you in the positions that you have, that as, uh, the Book of James and as the Book of Proverbs tells us, that you can look to the God who raised you up in prayer for wisdom to govern well, and God will provide that for you all in abundance.

19. 0:28:14

    And then secondly, God tells us here in His Word that you all, Paul says, are God's servants and ministers for the good of those whom you represent. Twice in that passage you may have calls, uh, caught it as I read. Twice there Paul says you're servants, and then one time he says that you are His ministers. I would ask you all, have you ever thought of yourself as a minister? As a, um, as a representative here in the House, have you ever thought of yourself as a minister?

20. 0:28:46

    A minister of God is not just someone who preaches His Word like myself. Paul tells the Roman Christians there that the civil authorities are His ministers. One of my favorite theologians is the late Dr. R.C. Sproul, uh, widely loved in Christian circles. Do we have any R.C. Sproul, uh, fans here today? I see a lot of hands. Wonderful. Well, Dr. Sproul was asked one time to speak at the inaugural prayer breakfast of one of the past Florida governors, and at that prayer breakfast he told the past governor of Florida, he said, "Sir, today is your ordination day because you are being ordained as God's minister of civil righteousness." It was the governor's ordination day, he said, because civil magistrates like yourselves are ordained by God, set apart by Him to be a blessing to the people that you all represent.

21. 0:29:44

    Everyone, you all are ministers to and servants of the people you represent, so do it well. Do it for them, but do it also for the smile and approval of the God that has put you there as servants and ministers. I will leave you with this. We live in the greatest country and the greatest state on Earth, don't we?

22. 0:30:05

    Yeah.

23. 0:30:06

    You all obviously, uh, believe so, that you are here representing it and giving of your time and energy to help make it a better place. Well, I would encourage you all, um, as you represent the great state of Georgia, for you who are in the Lord Jesus Christ looking to Him by faith, I would invite you as you are serving and representing well to lift your eyes above the here and now, as a writer of Hebrews says, and remember that we are looking for a state, a country to come that's still out there on the horizon, that's still out there in the future, whose architect and builder is God Himself.

24. 0:30:46

    Everyone, your future after God is done with you here in this life, if you're in Christ Jesus, is to be with God in Heaven forever. And I would invite you to let the gospel, let that fact encourage you when the task to which He has called you here, governing, is hard. Look to the gospel. And then the last thing I will say is what's amazing to me is God even tells us in the Scriptures that He invites His people in the Lord Jesus Christ to share in the reign and the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ forever.

25. 0:31:22

    So everyone enjoy governing. Get used to it because biblically, if you're in Christ, you're gonna be doing it a long time. So the best in Jesus, everyone, is yet to come. Thank you for the invitation. Thank you for your service to the great state of Georgia. We pray for you at home, and we appreciate all that you do. Let me pray for you. Would you please stand?

26. 0:31:46

    God, thank you for these men and women who love service and love this state enough to give of their time, even being away from home from their families for a season to make the great state of Georgia even better. Would you bless them for their efforts? May they see the fruits of their labor, and may they know that you are using them to make a difference for the good of the society in which we live. Give them the wisdom that Proverbs chapter eight says is needed to do their job well.

27. 0:32:17

    The book of James says to ask you for wisdom, and you will give it. For the good of their constituents and for your honor, Father, forever. Amen. Yeah. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Brother Jason. Thank you. Good work. Thank you, Brother Jason.

28. 0:32:47

    Doorkeepers, you may open the doors. Members, you may join Brother Jason in the South Annie Room. Thank him for his message today and ha- get a photo if you'd like.

29. 0:34:24

    Members, our doctor of the day was invited by Representative Jason Ridley, and it's Dr. Daniel Trayer. So if you need Dr. Trayer and his services, you, uh, know where to find him downstairs. So we appreciate him being here and services to the, serving us today.

30. 0:34:45

    Chairman Hilton, the chair of the Committee on Information and Audits is recognized. Chairman Hilton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We had a little luck yesterday on St. Patty's Day. In your Committee on Information Audits, we got to it, and we read that journal, and we found it to be correct. I'm glad you did your work early, too, 'cause I'm sure you enjoyed St. Patrick's Day. Chairman Hilton, the chair of the Committee on Information and Audits reports that the journal of the previous legislative day has been read and found to be correct. Is there any objection to dispense with the reading of the journal?

31. 0:35:19

    Hearing none, the reading of the journal is dispensed with. Is there any objection to the confirmation of the journal? Hearing none, the confirmation, the journal is confirmed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the resolution establishing the order of business for the day? Representative Efstration of the 104th moves the following be established as the order of business during the first part of the period. Unanimous consents. Introduction of bills and resolutions. First reading and reference of House bills and resolutions. Second reading of bills and resolutions.

32. 0:35:50

    Reports of standing committees. Third reading and passage of uncontested local bills and resolutions. First reading and reference of Senate bills and resolutions. Morning orders.

33. 0:37:09

    First reading of bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk will read. House Bill 1548 by Representative Anderson of the 10th. The bill will be titled an act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Municipal Court of the City of Clarksville.

34. 0:37:25

    Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1549 by Representative Anderson of the 10th and Erwin of the 32nd. The bill will be titled an act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Municipal Court of the City of Cornelia. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1550 by Representative Dickey of the 134th, Ballard of the 147th. The bill will be titled an act to amend an act providing a new charter for the City of Byron. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1551 by Representative Jasperse of the 11th. The bill will be titled an act to amend an act providing a homestead exemption from all Pickens County School District ad valorem taxes.

35. 0:38:15

    Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1552 by Representative Smith of the 18th. The bill will be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption for City of Bremen Independent School District ad valorem taxes. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1553 by Representative Burnough of the 77th, Scott of the 76th, Neal of the 79th. The bill will be titled an act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Municipal Court of the City of Forest Park. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1554 by Representative Howard of the 71st, New of the 40th, Huddleston of the 72nd, and Smith of the 18th.

36. 0:38:50

    The bill will be titled an act to amend Chapter 24, Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to insurance generally. Insurance. House Bill 1555 by Representative Ballard of the 147th and Stinson of the 150th. The bill will be titled an act to amend an act providing a new charter for the City of Fort Valley. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1556 by Representative O'Steen of the 169th. The bill will be titled an act to provide a new charter for the City of Nichols. Intergovernmental coordination.

37. 0:39:21

    House Bill 1557 by Representative Mathiak of the 82nd, Bonner of the 73rd, Bazemore of the 69th, Jackson of the 68th. The bill will be titled an act to amend an act to provide for the recreation of the Board of Elections for Fayette County. Intergovernmental coordination. House Bill 1558 by Representative Glaize of the 67th and Dawson of the 65th. The bill will be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption for the City of Palmetto ad valorem taxes.

38. 0:39:47

    Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1559 by Representative Glaze, the 67th, Dawson, the 65th. The bill be titled an act to amend an act to provide a new charter for the City of Palmetto.

39. 0:39:59

    Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1560 by Representative Burns, the 159th, and Hitchens, the 61st. The bill be titled an act to authorize the City of Springfield, Georgia, to exercise all redevelopment and other powers. Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1561 by Representative Ali, the 106th, Olaleye, the 59th, Gissler, the 121st, Berry, the 56th, Stevens, the 164th. The bill be titled an act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to education. Higher education.

40. 0:40:30

    House Bill 1562 by Representative Camp of the 135th. The bill be titled an act to amend an act to provide a homestead exemption from all Pike County ad valorem taxes. Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1563 by Representative Camp of the 135th. The bill be titled an act to amend an act providing a homestead exemption from Pike County ad valorem taxes. Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1564 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd. The bill be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Lee Co- Lee County School District ad valorem taxes.

41. 0:41:25

    Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1565 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd. The bill be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Lee County School District ad valorem taxes. Intragovernmental coordination. House Bill 1566 by Representative Burchett of the 176th. The bill be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Ware County School District ad valorem taxes.

42. 0:41:52

    Intragovernmental coordination. House Resolution 1701 by Representative Chastain of the 7th, Jasperse of the 11th, Cox of the 28th, Gunner of the 8th. A resolution honoring the lives of Howell and Jane Teasley and dedicating an intersection in their memory. Transportation. House Resolution 1702 by Representative Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Bell of the 75th, Jackson of the 68th, Griffin of the 149th. A resolution urging the protection of constitutional conscience.

43. 0:42:25

    Special rules. House Resolution 1703 by Representative Gunner of the 8th, Smith of the 18th, Leverett of the 123rd, Panitch of the 51st, Holcomb of the 101st, and others. A resolution creating a House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation. Special rules. House Resolution 1704 by Representative Stinson of the 150th. A resolution creating a House Study Committee on Dangerous Animal Attacks.

44. 0:42:55

    Special rules. House Resolution 1705 by Representative Bazemore of the 69th, McQueen of the 61st, Jackson of the 68th, Glaze of the 67th, and Schofield of the 63rd. A resolution recognizing State Representative Roger Bruce and dedicating an intersection in his memory. Transportation. House Resolution 1706 by Representative Jasperse of the 11th. A resolution honoring the life of Mr. Jerry Barnes and dedicating a road in his memory.

45. 0:43:26

    Transportation. House Resolution 1707 by Representative Gunner of the 8th, Powell of the 33rd, Irwin of the 32nd, Dubnik of the 29th, Williams of the 148th, and others. A resolution encouraging the creation of the Georgia Legislative Golf Caucus.

46. 0:43:43

    Special rules. House Resolution 1708 by Representative Fleming of the 114th. A resolution honoring the life of Mr. William Donaldson "Don" Ballard and dedicating a road in his memory. Transportation. House Resolution 1709 by Representative Gilliard of the 162nd, Stevens of the 164th, Jackson of the 165th, and Petrea of the 166th. A resolution recognizing Ms. Mary Davis and dedicating an intersection in her honor.

47. 0:44:15

    Transportation. House Resolution 1747 by Representative Townsend of the 179th. A resolution creating a House Study Committee on Restoring Georgia's Saltwater Ecosystems. Special rules. Senate Bill 609 by Senator Jackson of the 41st, Heral of the 40th, Bankhead of the 55th, Parent of the 44th. The bill be titled an act to amend an act to create and establish in DeKalb County, Georgia, districts. Intragovernmental coordination. Senate Bill 618 by Senator Parent of the 44th.

48. 0:44:46

    The bill be titled an act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Municipal Court of the City of Decatur. Intragovernmental coordination. That completes first readers.

49. 0:45:04

    Second reading of bills and resolutions. Mr. Clerk will read. House Bill 1539 by Representative Burchett of the 176th, a bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Probate Court of Ware County. House Bill 1540 by Representative Burchett of the 176th, a bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the State Court of Ware County. House Bill 1541 by Representative Burchett of the 176th, a bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a

50. 0:45:29

    technology fee by the Magistrate Court of Ware County. House Bill 1542 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd, a bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the Magistrate Court of Worth County. House Bill 1543 by Representative Lumsden of the 12th, a bill to amend an act providing homestead exemption from certain ad valorem taxes levied by the Chattooga County School District. House Bill 1544 by Representative Lumsden of the 12th, a bill to provide a homestead exemption from Chattooga County ad valorem taxes for county purposes.

51. 0:45:57

    House Bill 1545 by Representative Rhodes of the 12th and Washburn of the 144th, a bill to amend an act creating the Board of Commissioners of Putnam County. House Bill 1546 by Representative Carpenter of the 4th, a bill relating to general provisions applicable to counties, municipal corporations, and other governmental entities. House Bill 1547 by Representative Williams of the 168th and DeLoach of the 167th, a bill to amend an act to create the Board of Elections and Registration for Liberty County. House Resolution 1663 by Representative Burnell of the 77th, Bell of the 75th, Flournoy of the 74th, and Scott of the 76th, a resolution recognizing Dr.

52. 0:46:29

    Anthony W. Smith and dedicating a road in his honor. House Resolution 1644-- 1664 by Representative Wade of the 9th and Chastain of the 7th, a resolution honoring the life of Mr. Charl-- Mr. General Wallace and dedicating an intersection in his memory. House Resolution 1665 by Representative Townsend of the 179th, Stevens of the 164th, and Smith of the 70th, a resolution creating a house study committee on the Environmental Protection Division permit and variance procedures and rights to review. House Resolution 1666 by Representative Wade of the 9th and Hawkins of the 27th, a resolution honoring the life of Mr.

53. 0:47:03

    John W. Rolston and dedicating an intersection in his memory. House Resolution 1667 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd, O'Steen of the 169th, Ford of the 170th, Gambill of the 15th, and Gunter of the 8th, a resolution recognizing the life of Mr. Bryce Allen Johnson and dedicating a bridge in his memory. House Resolution 1668 by Representative Crawford of the 89th, Oliver of the 84th, Barnes of the 86th, Olaleye of the 59th, Draper of the 90th, and others, a resolution urging the Department of Education and local school systems to prioritize the inclusion of ex officio, honorary, and non-voting student representatives on its local boards of education.

54. 0:47:37

    House Resolution 1669 by Representative Westbrook of the 163rd, Jackson of the 165th, Evans of the 57th, Frye of the 122nd, Campbell of the 35th, a resolution creating a house study committee on end-of-life issues. House Resolution 1670 by Representative Denia of the 110th, Jones of the 25th, Thomas of the 21st, Kendrick of the 95th, Prince of the 132nd, and others, a resolution recognizing the importance of voluntary community-based resource recovery efforts through the Rescuer Initiative. House Resolution 1671 by Representative Gilliard of the 162nd and Stevens of the 164th, a resolution honoring the life of Reverend Benny R.

55. 0:48:09

    Mitchell Jr. and dedicating an intersection in his memory. House Resolution 1672 by Representative Gilliard of the 162nd and Stevens of the 164th, a resolution recognizing Mrs.-- Ms. Huxley Scott and dedicating a bridge in her honor. House Resolution 1673 by Representative Gilliard of the 162nd and Stevens of the 164th, a resolution recognizing Mr. Jimmy Lord Brown and dedicating an intersection in his honor.

56. 0:48:35

    House Resolution 1674 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd, Seabaugh of the 34th, Momtahan of the 17th, Gambill of the 15th, a resolution creating a house study committee on state governance of medical-- emergency medical services. House Resolution 1650-- 1675 by Representative Lewis-Ward of the 115th, Hughley of the 141st, Greene of the 154th, Camp of the 135th, Washburn of the 144th, and others, a resolution creating a house study committee on community association. Second readers.

57. 0:49:42

    Reports of standing committees, Mr. Clerk will read.

58. 0:49:49

    Representative Victor Anderson of the tenth district, chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, submitted the following report. "Mr. Speaker, Committee on Governmental Affairs has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate. It's instructed me to report the same back to the House, the following recommendations. Senate Bill two fourteen, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Victor Anderson of the tenth district, chairman." Representative Hawkins of the twenty-seventh district, chairman of the Committee on Health, submitted the following report. "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Health has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate.

59. 0:50:21

    It's instructed me to report same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill ninety-one, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill four thirty-nine, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Kelley of the sixteenth district, vice chairman." Representative Lauren McDonald of the twenty-sixth district, chairman of the Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination Local, submitted the following report. "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination Local has had under its consideration the following bills of the House and Senate.

60. 0:50:51

    It's instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. House Bill thirteen sixty-seven, do pass. House Bill fourteen sixty, do pass. House Bill fourteen sixty-one, do pass. House Bill fourteen sixty-two, do pass. House Bill fourteen eighty-four, do pass. House Bill fourteen eighty-eight, do pass. House Bill fifteen hundred, do pass. House Bill fifteen oh four, do pass by substitute. House Bill fifteen fourteen, do pass. House Bill fifteen thirty, do pass. House Bill fifteen thirty-four, do pass. House Bill fifteen thirty-five, do pass.

61. 0:51:22

    Senate Bill three fifty, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill five forty-three, do pass. House Bill fifteen oh three, do pass. House Bill fifteen fifteen, do pass. House Bill fifteen twenty-seven, do pass. House Bill fifteen thirty-seven, do pass. House Bill fifteen thirty-eight, do pass. Senate Bill f- five forty-five, do pass. Senate Bill five seventy-four, do pass. Senate Bill five seventy-five, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Lauren McDonald of the twenty-sixth district, chairman." Representative Gunter of the eighth district, chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, submitted the following report.

62. 0:51:54

    "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Judiciary has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate. It's instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 552, do pass. Senate Bill 570, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Gunter of the 8th District, Chairman. Representative John Corbett of the 174th District, Chairman of the Committee on Motor Vehicles, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Motor Vehicles has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations.

63. 0:52:30

    Senate Bill 569, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 384, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative John Corbett of the 174th District, Chairman.

64. 0:52:43

    Representative Sharon Cooper of the 45th District, Chairman of the Committee on Public and Community Health, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Public and Community Health has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 395, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 500, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Sharon Cooper of the 45th District, Chairman.

65. 0:53:13

    Representative Alan Powell of the 33rd District, Chairman of the Committee of Regulated Industry, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Regulated Industries has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 89, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 254, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 501, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 553, do pass by substitute. Senate Bill 485, do pass by substitute.

66. 0:53:45

    Senate Bill 458, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Alan Powell of the 33rd District, Chairman. Representative Carson of the 46th District, Chairman of the Committee on Retirement, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Retirement has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 23, do pass by committee substitute. Senate Bill 216, do pass. Senate Bill 452, do pass.

67. 0:54:15

    Senate Bill 489, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Carson of the 46th District, Chairman. Representative Parish of the 158th District, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Rules has had under its consideration the following resolution of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Resolution 23, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Parish of the 158th District, Chairman.

68. 0:54:47

    Representative Jones of the 25th District, Chairman of the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation has had under its consideration the following bills of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 444, do pass by committee substitute. Senate Bill 470, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Representative Jones of the 25th District, Chairman.

69. 0:55:17

    Representative Scoggins of the 17th District, Chairman of the Committee on Special Rules, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Special Rules has had under its consideration the following resolutions of the House has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. House Resolution 1662, do pass. House Resolution 1608, do pass. House Resolution 1583, do pass. House Resolution 1655, do pass. House Resolution 1774, do pass.

70. 0:55:50

    Respectfully submitted, Representative Scoggins of the 17th District, Chairman. Representative Shaw Blackmon of the 146th District, Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following report. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Ways and Means has had under its consideration the following bill of the Senate has instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. Senate Bill 566, do pass by committee substitute. Respectfully submitted, Shaw Blackmon of the 146th District, Chairman.

71. 0:56:23

    That completes the reading of the reports of standing committees.

72. 0:57:37

    Members, we do have a local calendar today, so we'll ask all of you to, uh, return to your seats as we get ready to vote on our local calendar. We have a whole slew of bills on the local calendar. Y'all know what a slew is? That's a bunch. That's a bunch.

73. 0:57:59

    We, uh, we'll have third reading and passage of the uncontested bills on the local calendar, but I'm gonna recognize Chairman McDonald at this time. For what purpose does the gentleman rise?

74. 0:58:11

    I'd like to make a motion. State your motion. I'd like to make a motion that we remove SB 543 and re- recommit it back to Intergovernmental Coordination Committee. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?

75. 0:58:24

    Senate Bill 543 by Senator Williams of the 25th Butts County. Senate Bill 543 provides that an ordinance resolution or other matter shall only be required to be read before the Board of Commissioners of Butts County at one meeting before it can be adopted.

76. 0:58:41

    On the chairman's motion that SB 543 be removed from the, be withdrawn from the local calendar and recommitted to Interg- Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, is there objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered.

77. 0:59:08

    There are eight bills on the local calendar, calendar that relates to homestead exemption and require a recorded two-thirds roll call vote for passage.

78. 0:59:18

    And then there are a number, as you see, of other bills on the local calendar. We're going to, if there's no objection, we'll vote on the local calendar as a whole without Senate Bill 543. There's no objection, that will be how we will proceed. Hearing none, it is so ordered. Mr. Clerk, will you read the local calendar? House Bill 1367 by Representative Roberts of the 52nd, Fulton County. House Bill 1460 by

79. 0:59:54

    Representative Reese of the 140th, Columbus, Muscogee County. House Bill 1461 by Representative Reese of the 140th, Columbus, Muscogee County. House Bill 1462 by Representative Reese of the 140th, Columbus, Muscogee County. House Bill 1484 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd, City of Bowman. House Bill 1488 by Representative Williams of the 168th, City of Hinesville. House Bill 1500 by Representative Reese of the 99th, City of Suwanee. House Bill 1504 by substitute by Representative Crawford of the 89th, DeKalb County. House Bill 1514 by Representative Glaize of the 67th, Fulton County.

80. 1:00:26

    House Bill 1530 by Representative Barton of the 5th, City of Fairmount. House Bill 1534 by Representative W- uh, Westbrook of the 163rd, Chatham County. House Bill 1535 by Representative Silcox of the 53rd, City of Sandy Springs. Senate Bill 350 by substitute by Senator Jackson of the 41st, DeKalb County. House Bill 1503 by Representative Fleming of the 114th, City of Covington. House Bill 1515 by Representative Leverett of the 123rd, Madison County.

81. 1:00:58

    House Bill 1527 by Representative Powell of the 33rd, City of Franklin Springs. House Bill 1537 by Representative Herring of the 145th, Macomb-Bid County. House Bill 1538 by Representative Herring of the 145th, Macomb-Bid County. House, Senate Bill 545 by Senator Williams of the 25th, Butts County. Senate Bill 574 by Senator Hickman of the 4th, City of Metter. Senate Bill 575 by Senator Hickman of the 4th, City of Metter.

82. 1:01:44

    Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered on the local calendar- Thank you ... without Senate Bill 543? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bills? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall these bills now pass? All those in favor of the passage of the bills on the local calendar will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no, and Mr.

83. 1:02:15

    Clerk will unlock the machines.

84. 1:02:45

    Have all members voted?

85. 1:03:51

    Have all members voted now? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machines. On the passage of the local calendar without Senate Bill 543, the yeas are 161, the nays are two. These bills, having received a requisite constitutional majority, are therefore passed.

86. 1:05:21

    Then you'll be back before June. Members, uh, if I could have your attention just for a moment. We have a lot of wonderful guests in the gallery, and we wanna make sure they're welcomed here today, so we're going to ha- move on to morning orders. But y'all, we have a whole slew of morning orders, if you will. So members, I'm gonna ask your cooperation, if you will. We need to hold the morning orders to one minute or less if any way possible.

87. 1:05:54

    Now, we do have a couple of condolences that will be a part of our morning orders. They will be given some leeway on tho- on theirs, so certainly be ack- acknowledge that. But we will, um, we'll move on to morning orders, and we have a very special acknowledgement this morning that we're gonna take up, but not right now. We're gonna take it up in a few minutes, because I need to step out, Representative Newton, and, and, um, I wanna be here. If that works for you, we're gonna do that. Yes, sir.

88. 1:06:24

    So w- I'm gonna ask the Pro Tem if she will take over, and we'll start on our morning orders. One minute or less. You will gain great favor with the speaker if you're less, and you can use it at any time you'd like to. So, uh, if we'll move on to morning orders. Madam Pro Tem. Thank you, sir.

89. 1:06:51

    Um, is he... There he is.

90. 1:07:03

    Chair recognizes Representative Tran for a morning order. Members, if you'll please give Representative Tran your attention and stand for a moment.

91. 1:07:20

    Thank you, Madam Speaker.

92. 1:07:22

    This morning we honored Willard Craig Miller, a visionary who worked to help shape Georgia into one of the nation's leading film and television hubs. Through his leadership, creativity, and commitment to storytelling, he didn't just build productions, he built opportunities for countless Georgians from actors to crew members into the booming industry that we have today. I'd like to take a second to read a couple of lines from the resolution we presented his family.

93. 1:07:54

    "Whereas the State of Georgia mourns the passing of Craig Miller, a respected leader, innovator, and advocate whose vision and de- dedication helped shape Georgia into one of the premier film and television production hubs in the nation. Whereas raised in Columbus, Georgia and a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Craig Miller developed an early passion for theater and founded Craig Miller Productions in Atlanta in 1985.

94. 1:08:25

    Whereas in addition to his exemplary career accomplishments, Craig Miller was cherished by his loved ones as a loyal husband, devoted father of six wonderful children, and adoring grandfather of eight remarkable grandchildren. Whereas it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding life and service of this remarkable Georgian be appropriately recognized and remembered. Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Craig Miller and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing." His family, his son Alex Miller, and his wife and children are up to the right side of the chamber.

95. 1:09:09

    Thank you for being here today. Please stand. Please rise.

96. 1:09:22

    And let's take a moment of silence for Craig Miller.

97. 1:09:30

    Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I'd like to invite the family down for photos at the ante room. Thank you.

98. 1:09:39

    Chair recognizes Representative Ali for a morning order. Members, if you'll please stand. Remain standing, we have another condolence.

99. 1:09:51

    Thank you.

100. 1:09:57

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Colleagues, today, and today I rise to honor the lives of Anne Eisenhower and her son, Max Potoczniak. Two Georgians whose story remind us of the profound impact one life, one relationship can have on so many, including many in this chamber. Anne Eisenhower was a connector in the truest sense of the word. Relationships she nurtured, friendships she sustained, people she made feel valued and seen. She had believed in showing up for others not once, but consistently.

101. 1:10:28

     Checking in, offering support, and building bonds that lasted. Professionally, Anne was a respected public relations leader who worked across media, global health, and advocacy. She helped elevate important voices, connect journalists to trusted experts, and ensure that critical stories were told with accuracy and care. Her work took her around the world, but her impact was always deeply personal. She also gave back in powerful ways, raising millions for charitable causes, organizing community events, and committing herself to the idea that change does not happen by chance, but through action.

102. 1:11:03

     At the center of her life, however, above all else, was her son, Max. Max was just 18 years old, a freshman at NYU with a future full of promise. He was described as gentle, sweet, smart, funny, and deeply thoughtful. A young man who brought light into the lives of those around him. He shared his mother's values, her kindness, her commitment to making a difference. Their bond was extraordinary. To Anne, Max was everything. And to Max, Anne was everything. In December, Max passed away unexpectedly.

103. 1:11:35

     And just weeks later, on January 1st, Anne passed away as well, leaving behind a community that feels their deep loss. What remains, however, is the legacy they built together. A legacy of connection, compassion, and commitment to others. Anne and Max's family and friends are here with us today. Please rise in the gallery and be recognized. Thank you.

104. 1:12:05

     May we honor them not only with our words, but with our actions. Members, by investing in our communities, supporting one another, and by never underestimating the power of simply staying connected. Madam Speaker, I ask that we keep their friends, family, and all who love them in our thoughts and for a brief moment of silence.

105. 1:12:27

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. I yield the floor.

106. 1:12:37

     Members, if you have a morning order, please make your way to the front so we can work through these. Uh, the chair recognizes Chairman Yearta for a morning order.

107. 1:12:56

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Uh, I would like to recognize the, uh, Worth County High School, uh, Rams football team for their 2025 GHSA Class A Division I State Football Championship.

108. 1:13:11

     Thank you. I saw them when they came in.

109. 1:13:14

     That's right. That's right. Uh, they, they had an excellent and perfect season, 15 and 0. And, uh, you know, their, the team motto was, "Find a way to win." And, and they did that 15 times and I just-

110. 1:13:29

     The city of Sylvester and Worth County are so proud of those guys. They, they did a great job. And just here with them today is, uh, Head Coach Jeff Hammond. You guys stand up. Uh, Assistant Coach Drew McCall, Worth County High School Principal Jared Worthy, Superintendent Nehemiah Cummings. Let's give them a big hand.

111. 1:13:57

     Thank you. Chair recognizes Chair Mathiak for a morning order.

112. 1:14:23

     Thank you, Speaker Pro Tem. I so appreciate today. Today, we get to honor somebody that has been a friend to this chamber and this building for 50 years, Mr. Aubrey Villines. He's up in the gallery, and he has no idea what's going on today. So we wrote a, a resolution for him. He's been here 50 years at this State Capitol. Such a long career dedicated to public service and public policy.

113. 1:14:57

     His professional organizations not only include the Bar, but he is also a trial lawyer and other, you know, numerous, numerous, um, initiatives that he has promoted in the public, um, sector. He's also an honored and distinction in the Army of the second 20- 82nd Airborne Division during Vietnam, and we are so proud to call you our friend and colleague.

114. 1:15:29

     Thanks, Aubrey, for all you do for us. That's good. We did it. We watched it. Yeah. I came close. Yeah. You came really close. You came close. The chair recognizes Leader Hugley for a morning order.

115. 1:15:50

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Our group has not made it up. They're on their, they're on the stairs as we speak, but we wanna recognize Emmanuel Preparatory Academy. It's an academy, uh, dedicated to training young African American boys, and they do an outstanding job. And, um, you will see them. They will be dressed in their uniform jackets, ties, and their khaki pants, so you will know them when you see them. And we're so honored that they're with us today.

116. 1:16:22

     Thank you, and we yield the will.

117. 1:16:27

     Chair recognizes Representative Lim for a morning order.

118. 1:16:35

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have two. Don't worry, they're both under a minute. I am pleased today to welcome Rockbridge Elementary. Their student body comprises students from over 40 countries and speaking 27 different languages at home. They are at the heart of my district. I've recognized them for this before, but it bears repeating. They also continue to be the embodiment of communities and schools with their wide breadth of on-the-ground partnerships and programming, not just at school, but where students live. I've also, uh, recognized them for this, but, and it bears repeating.

119. 1:17:07

     They are the best embodiment I've seen of this body's commitment to early and family literacy, particularly for English language learners, having worked with them this past year to start adult ESOL in their schools. Rockbridge, I know they're at the complex. Hopefully you made it here. Oh, there they are. Would you please, uh, wave, and we'll give them a warm welcome.

120. 1:17:28

     Good job. Yeah.

121. 1:17:32

     All right. Uh, I am also very happy to recognize today Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Incorporated's annual Mujeres Day at the Capitol, led by the Alpha Sigma Alumna Chapter. Latin... Uh, excuse me. Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority was established in 1975 and has grown to eight chapters in Georgia at Emory, Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia State, KSU, the University of West Georgia, Oglethorpe, and the Alumna Chapter of Atlanta. This day was first established at the Capitol in 2019 to train women of all backgrounds in the practice of advocacy and to deepen their understanding of the legislative process.

122. 1:18:09

     And last year, Mujeres Day received national recognition, earning the Alumna Chapter the distinguished honor of Political Chapter of the Year for their commitment to civic engagement. We honor them today and all their accomplishments with House Resolution 1730. Sisters, would you please stand?

123. 1:18:34

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. I yield the will. Chair recognizes Representative Clark for a morning order.

124. 1:18:57

     Chair recognizes Representative Cannon for a morning order.

125. 1:19:19

     So do I just do them both? Do I do them both at the same time, or will I come back? Okay.

126. 1:19:28

     All right. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will start off by recognizing Miss Deborah Vontrese.

127. 1:19:37

     And there is a photo of her.

128. 1:19:53

     Mm-mm. Thank you. It'll be the next one then. Yeah. Perfect.

129. 1:20:06

     I emailed it to you. I emailed it to you, but you read... Okay. I emailed it to you through... Okay. All right. Deborah Von Trease is a revolutionary chef, author, entrepreneur, television personality, and community leader. Her journey began in 1994 when she graduated as valedictorian from the Art Institute's culinary program and quickly rose to prominence, serving as executive chef during the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta.

130. 1:20:38

     She opened Edible Art and then launched Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, earning critical acclaim from the Cooking Channel's Late Night Eats and Genius Kitchen's Carnivorous, and being named one of the best new restaurants in Atlanta by the Georgia Voice. In 2024, many of us saw as she debuted as the lead chef at the Centurion Lounge at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. As the star of Global Soul Kitchen, she uses her platform to celebrate the contributions of the African diaspora to American cuisine, as well as mentor young chefs and promote sustainable farming.

131. 1:21:20

     Today, we're so happy that you're here and ask that you stand.

132. 1:21:25

     There she is. Hi, Ms. Deborah. Congratulations. Thank you for all you do.

133. 1:21:35

     All right, and I've got my second morning order if the representative wants to join.

134. 1:21:48

     Mm-hmm.

135. 1:21:53

     Mm-hmm. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, we recognize and honor Haven House at Hebron for its critical service to pregnant women and young mothers in the state of Georgia. We believe that access to safe housing, nutritious food, prenatal care, and a stable, supportive environment are recognized by public health as essential factors for healthy pregnancy outcomes. We have seen through their program that their participants are able to receive wraparound care.

136. 1:22:23

     100% of both current and former residents successfully enrolled in Family Medicaid, in WIC, and in SNAP. And their staff have actively assisted residents with applications for the CAPS program to support long-term stability and workforce participation. The Department of Georgia, the Department of Public Health, and the Maternal Mortality Review Committee have continued to know that pregnancy-related deaths in the state are considered preventable. And we thank the Haven House for utilizing the evidence-based, trust-based relational intervention model to provide informed care and to use licensed master social workers to provide in-house counseling and build skilled support for residents.

137. 1:23:11

     We ask you to stand today, and thank you for all that you do on behalf of Georgia's pregnant families.

138. 1:23:23

     Yay. Both groups come down for photos, please. Thank you.

139. 1:23:27

     Chair recognizes Representative Adesanya for a morning order.

140. 1:23:38

     Thank you, Madam Speaker.

141. 1:23:45

     Good morning, colleagues. Today is Africa Day at the Capitol. And, all right, all right. And we have a number of people in the audience that have made impacting contributions to Georgia. I'd like to start off by recognizing Ngozi Dawodzy, if she can please rise if she's in the crowd. She is the owner of three Jamaican restaurants. Not one, three. And she's about to open up a fourth African Caribbean fusion restaurant in Atlanta in a week's time.

142. 1:24:22

     She is someone to be recognized. I would also like to recognize Dede Ntumba, the leader of the Congolese community. Can you please rise? Let's give him a round of applause. He's made multiple contributions in the community.

143. 1:24:39

     Today, also supporting the event are Mr. Essy Bruce from Passport Payment, Global Signs, African Immigrant Collective Represent GA, and Ethiopian Airlines. Could they please stand also to be recognized? All right, all right. Thank you for coming to this house, and we look forward to celebrating with you today in room 230 from 1:00 to 3:00. If you guys don't know jollof rice, you need to come down there and check it out. Yes, yes.

144. 1:25:10

     And also, uh, by the steps, we have pictures at 12:20. Thank you. Aye you the well. Aye you the well. That's elder, elder. That's elder.

145. 1:25:29

     Chair recognizes Representative Lupton for a morning order.

146. 1:25:38

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today we wanna recognize the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for 75 years of exceptional artistry and 20 years of dedication to youth education through the Georgia Youth Symphony. Since its founding in 1951, the GSO has brought together professional musicians, dedicated volunteers, and passionate supporters to provide world-class symphonic, jazz, and choral music experiences that inspire and uplift our community. Under the current artistic direction of Timothy Verville, the GSO has been recognized for innovation, artistic excellence, and pioneering programs.

147. 1:26:15

     A big thanks to Suzanne Tucker, Executive Director, Kim Ellett, Development Director, all of the staff, artistic staff, and board members, choral members, musicians, and supporters for sharing your gift of music with us all. Please stand and welcome our GSO guests this morning.

148. 1:26:35

     Thank you, Madam Speaker.

149. 1:26:51

     The chair recognizes Representative Jackson for a morning order.

150. 1:27:17

     Good morning, colleagues. It is our honor to have a group of young people here today from the hostess city of the South, Savannah, Georgia. They are called the Summer Bonanza Partnership, representing the county of Chatham. May I ask you to welcome them here today? Please stand.

151. 1:27:47

     These young people and parents are here for the young people to tour the Capitol. We're hoping that you will welcome them and that you will ask them questions and they will ask you questions. Again, I wish to welcome all of our young people, and you will see them walking around the building. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. And I didn't... Oh, the chairman, our assistant chairman, our speaker. Thank you for allowing me to have a little bit of extra time.

152. 1:28:21

     Thank you so much.

153. 1:28:28

     Chair recognizes Representative Holland for a morning order.

154. 1:28:35

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. I've got two. I'll try to do them in under 60 seconds. Um, first I'm excited to welcome many members of my church family are here today visiting with my legislative family, and it gives me the opportunity to talk about HR 1722, which just dropped, recognizing and commending Morningside Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Whereas the seeds were sown by the loving and humble efforts of the devoted original worshipers of Morningside Presbyterian Church and have blossomed, establishing a rich tradition and history.

155. 1:29:09

     And whereas the congregation of this church has compiled an unparalleled record of passion, action, and inclusivity, which it demonstrates daily through the wide embrace of all God's children, inviting all to journey together in worship, service, growth, and community. So congratulations on your 100 years. I will bring a copy of the resolution to church on Sunday. Um, and in related news, I wanted to welcome, um, Presbyterians for a Better Georgia are also here today. This is a group of people who have answered the call of what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and walk humbly with your God.

156. 1:29:48

     They are here today to advocate for God's children and the things that are important to this community. If you get called to the ropes to see them, I encourage you to go say hello. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

157. 1:30:03

     Chair recognizes Representative Neal and friends for a morning order.

158. 1:30:14

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Greetings, colleagues. Today I would like to recognize NOBLE, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and their day at the Capitol. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of being a nationally organized and recognized law enforcement organization. From 1976 to now, NOBLE is more than 4,800 strong, and their reach extends beyond the 60 chapters of the United States to Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa. The NOBLE organization focuses on training, public safety, and other resources while engaged in public service to all communities.

159. 1:30:51

     Please stand and give them a hand and welcome them to the People's House.

160. 1:31:04

     They will be in room 230, colleagues. Thank you, and I yield the will.

161. 1:31:09

     Chair recognizes Representative Burnough for a morning order.

162. 1:31:19

     Th- thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I am celebrating Women's History Month by honoring Dr. Gloria Duncan, a graduate of Spelman College. She has served as the interim superintendent for Clayton County Public School System and currently serves as the assistant superintendent of professional learning. Dr. Duncan served as a member of the Arnold Fountain Professional Club, which was an organization created to continue the legacy of teachers and leaders, uh-

163. 1:31:48

     Who served at Arnold Fountain and Rosenwald schools during the time when Clayton County school system was segregated. Dr. Duncan served as the president of Arnold Fountain Club from 2009 to 2012 and served as the first Black female principal 30 years after the school district was integrated. Dr. Duncan and her daughter Joy are here, and I ask that they stand to be recognized. They're over there.

164. 1:32:20

     Thank you, Madam Speaker.

165. 1:32:25

     Chair recognizes Representative Schofield for a morning order.

166. 1:32:32

     Thank you, Madam Speaker, Clerk of the House, and House members. Today I'm proud to recognize President Regina St. Clair and the members of the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals, Certified Dietitian Managers, Certified Foodservice Protection Pro- Professionals, and presenting House Revo- Resolution 1148, um, underscoring the importance of trained nutrition foodservice professionals within our nursing homes, assisted livings, residential facilities, educational institutions, uh, correctional centers, hospitals, schools, boarding homes, colleges, and restaurants.

167. 1:33:12

     Will you please stand and be recognized today? Give them a woop-woop and a shout-out. Thank you. And I yield the well.

168. 1:33:24

     Chair recognizes Representative Griffin for a morning order.

169. 1:33:32

     Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, it's an honor f- for me today to recognize students, s- student leaders from Baldwin County school system, the old capital of Georgia, Milledgeville. Just a few of their accomplishments over the last, uh, school year, or this school year, uh, they are the, uh, math regional state winners, the second region one ACT in literacy, uh, ch- uh, champions, boys elite eight basketball, girls sweet 16 regional champions, and regional science fair and national history middle school champions.

170. 1:34:23

     Will you all, uh, join me in recognizing them? And I think they are still... There they are. From the old capital of Georgia. They are super fantabulous students. Thank you very much, and I yield the year.

171. 1:34:41

     Chair recognizes Chairman Hawkins for a morning order.

172. 1:35:05

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I have a distinct pleasure and honor in recognizing a young man here in Georgia that has made 150 runs, 80 runs for police officers and 70 for firemen who have died in the line of duty. Uh, they are up there in the gallery. It's Andrew Collinson, if you will stand. His grandfather Richard, Rhonda McClain, Captain Michael Hammond, University of North Georgia, Officer Travis Quick and Corporal Kelly Olson, Gainesville Police Department, Deputy Zachary Marley and Captain Michael Mount, Hall County Sheriff's Department.

173. 1:35:57

     Thank you. He's quite a young man. Whereas Andrew Collinson of Gainesville, Georgia is a youth runner for the national non-profit organization Running for Heroes. And whereas his involvement for Running for Heroes has exemplified the ideals of leadership, respect, and selfishness while honoring our nation's fallen f- first responders. He runs in tribute for these first responders, carrying a thin line flag which is, he repre- he gives to their family w- while representing that department.

174. 1:36:35

     Uh, he's of exceptional character and dedication distinguishes him beyond his years. Absolutely fitting and proper that this remarkable and accomplished young Georgian be appropriately honored. Thank you, Andrew.

175. 1:36:57

     Chair recognizes Chairman Jasperse for a morning order.

176. 1:37:08

     We need a stool. Thank you, Madam Speaker. If you look on your desk, you see today is Georgia Runs on Trucking Day. And, uh, hope you enjoy your hat when you're mowing the grass or at the beach this summer. We got you a little squeezy thing to de-stress for the next couple of weeks. But, you know, w- the serious part of what we're doing is Georgia's trucking industry is the foundation of our great freight logistics network throughout our state. Supports over 300,000 jobs, $19 billion in wages.

177. 1:37:43

     97% of the manufactured items in our state at some point are in a truck.

178. 1:37:50

     The Georgia Trucking Association has been around for 90 years, has worked very hard promoting safety and training within their, uh, organization. These trucking companies invest heavily in the training of their people and in new equipment, investing $14 billion annually. I hope you take advantage of seeing some of our truckers who are in the ef- here in the, in the balcony and also around today. Trucking is integral to our state.

179. 1:38:20

     We appreciate what they do every day. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

180. 1:38:26

     They all are up there. They just made it in.

181. 1:38:30

     Chair recognizes Representative Smith for a morning order.

182. 1:38:36

     Thank you, Madam Chairman. Uh, you know, occasionally, ladies and gentlemen, you cross paths with somebody in your life and, uh, you go, "Wow, th- this is a fine individual." Well, I've done that this year. I crossed paths with a young lady that graduated from Georgia Tech with a master's. Uh, a week from Friday she goes into the Navy. She's helped me this year and has been a tremendous influence on me. Y'all have been a tremendous influence on her, and I just really appreciate this opportunity. You know, God's good all the time, so, uh, we meet some great people.

183. 1:39:10

     And at this time I'd like to ask Natalie Pippin if she would stand up. She leaves Fri- next Friday for the Navy, y'all. So, uh.

184. 1:39:22

     Thank y'all very much for, for making her feel so at home while you were here. A lot of it Noah, so thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the time.

185. 1:39:31

     Chair recognizes Representative Taylor for a morning order.

186. 1:39:37

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Colleagues, today is Adaptive Reuse Advocacy Day, and we have some representatives here that will be in room, in the CLOB Room 604. They are here to e- explain and share with us different purposes that we can utilize for housing to help solve the problem of the lack of housing. That's a double word. So if you would stand and be recognized. There they are. They're in Room 604.

187. 1:40:09

     Come and learn about the permanent supportive housing and, and of course, the non-congregate shelter and mixed use community housing. Thank you so much for being here.

188. 1:40:22

     Thank you, Miss, Madam Speaker. I yield the rest.

189. 1:40:23

     Chair, chair recognizes, uh, Representative Gaines, Persinger, and Leader Efstration for a morning order.

190. 1:40:37

     Thank you, Madam Speaker. Excited, along with my colleagues from Barrow County delegation, to recognize Leadership Barrow. If you're with Leadership Barrow, if you'd please rise. We have leaders from all across Barrow County, uh, working with the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce, led by our good friend Tommy Jennings. Uh, members of the house, if you'd please join us in recogni- recognizing Leadership Barrow with us here today. Thank you.

191. 1:41:06

     You want to say anything?

192. 1:41:07

     I'm good.

193. 1:41:07

     We yield the floor. Thank you.

194. 1:41:10

     I think that notorious Terry England lives in Barrow County, doesn't he? We appreciate y'all being here, and we appreciate my dear friend, Chairman England, who, uh, served this state and your community so very, very well. So we're blessed to have him as a friend and as a Georgian. Thank y'all for being here. Appreciate you all.

195. 1:41:37

     Wow. Thank you, Madam Pro Tem. You really blew right on through those morning orders. I know none of y'all spoke longer than a minute, did you? I'm gonna have to check the tape. Mr. Clerk, we have a s- very special opportunity here to recognize one of our members for years of dedicated service, so I'm gonna ask you to ring the bell, and I want all members, all members to please come to the floor and come to your seats.

196. 1:42:07

     All members. Mr. Clerk.

197. 1:43:17

     Members, we all say this from time to time, and recognize that we are part of a, every one of us is a part of an extended family for each and every one of us as well. So that's what makes days like today and this year as this member that I respect and call a friend, who's not gonna return to this body

198. 1:43:44

     as we come back in 2027. But a gentleman who served his community very well.

199. 1:43:53

     Very strongly, as he should. And also s- been very supportive of some pretty cool causes that make a difference in people's lives. Now, I wanna say all the good accolades about him before he gets up here, 'cause I'm not sure what he's gonna say about me, but maybe he'll, maybe he'll be nice to me as well. But y'all, you all know who I'm talking about. Um, beloved member of our Atlanta Falcons, and a good old Oklahoma boy.

200. 1:44:25

     He still loves his great state of Oklahoma, and he's not bashful about telling you that. But a friend, and I've enjoyed the, um, comfort of his r- one of his recliners in his office. And I bet y'all never caught him taking a nap there, have you? But I, I know what I would do. But it's my, uh, honor and a privilege, and a little bit of sadness too, to recognize Representative Dewey McLain to come to us, and speak to us, and share with us on his remembrances and whatever he'd like to speak about on giving us, us, sharing with us his farewell address to this House.

201. 1:45:04

     I'm sure this won't be the last time I'll recognize you, but the gentleman is recognized. Representative Dewey McLain. Give the gent- give him a hand, please.

202. 1:45:26

     Thank, thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, um, I want to thank, uh, you know, today is more of a thank you day for me, because, um, uh, how did y'all get on the front row? Well, Mr. Speaker, thank you. You know, I wanna say thank you for all you s- always supporting, because that's one thing I can always say, that you've always supported, and that's a big thank you. But I also wanna thank the, the person that, you know, y'all always say you got a right-hand person, but the Speaker's got a left-hand person, uh, that, that does well.

203. 1:45:59

     And, and Betsy, I wanna thank you too for always being there. You know, it's, you know, you... Mr. Speaker and colleagues, you know that, uh, uh, it's been an honor for me to serve the, the House District of... Well, for a long time, I was known as Mr. 100, until something happened. And then all of a sudden, I became 109. I don't know. But I am, but it's been a, a great honor for me to serve, uh, the, the district of, of 109, because, you know, those constituents have always been very good and very gracious to me.

204. 1:46:35

     You know, they've been so gracious to me that I've had 14 elections. I've had seven primaries and seven generals, and there's been one name on the ballot. Amen.

205. 1:46:46

     So, um, I don't know if, if, if they didn't find anybody or if, uh- Or they just liked what they was getting, I couldn't tell you, but I wanted to say that, because it's, it's what I call a, a, this is a bittersweet moment for me. Because I could... The 13 years has, has went really fast. I mean, you, can you... Well, I can remember when I came, and Mr. Speaker, I wanna say thank you again too, 'cause it's, it's one thing about what I can say about you, Mr.

206. 1:47:17

     Speaker, you left me in that same seat for 13 years.

207. 1:47:23

     Seat c- c37. I just want y'all to know, c37, I've sat in that same... Uh, you know, some of you all have probably exchanged seats 10, 15 times, but I've had that same, same one seat, Mr. Speaker, so thank you very much for, for making that happen.

208. 1:47:38

     That was that special chair we had to make sure would hold, support you back there, so- ... that's why you had to stay there.

209. 1:47:44

     Mr. Speaker. Okay. Well- So we gonna take the gloves off.

210. 1:47:54

     Mr. Speaker.

211. 1:47:54

     My apologies, sir.

212. 1:47:58

     You know, I always say that, that the Class of 2013 was pr- probably one of the best classes that, that ever came through this capital.

213. 1:48:06

     One of them.

214. 1:48:07

     Oh, it was the best. You know, you know, we all can talk, but you know, I'll, it was, it was three of us that came in that year. And, and I want you to know, of those three, um, I'm very proud of, of, of all, of all three of us. You know, you have Leader Efthimiadis, you have Chairman Prince-

215. 1:48:26

     Well

216. 1:48:27

     ... and, and me.

217. 1:48:33

     So that makes three. So I just want you all to know that, that, uh, to my classmates, thank you all very much for, for, for making all of us proud. Look at them. And we all started back on that same row, back on that row way back there. And look where they are now.

218. 1:48:52

     Look, I just, I just want y'all to look, man, you know this. So, and where I am, Mr. Speaker.

219. 1:49:01

     Right. Yeah. Okay.

220. 1:49:02

     You're the man.

221. 1:49:03

     Thank you. Um, you know, it's, uh, you always wanna tell the, the other chamber, you know, what happens. And, and, and I wanna say in, uh, last year was, was really something that's, was, was, that didn't take place. We know we had what we call we stayed late and they left early. Mr. Speaker, thank you for, for doing that. Because during crossover, uh, I wanna appreciate you for 1:00, 'cause that's one of the reasons, uh, I am kinda leaving, 'cause when you get to this age, you just can't hang out till 1:00 in the morning.

222. 1:49:43

     Mr. Speaker, that's, I'm sorry, you know. Maybe some people can. I, I miss, uh, I do miss, uh, Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague, because I know what she would say. And y'all all know what she would say. Mr. Speaker.

223. 1:50:00

     Ah.

224. 1:50:01

     And I just wanna go home. Well, Mr. Speaker, I wanna thank you again for sitting me in C37 because, uh, it did, it did mean a lot to me, you know. Uh, and what I'd like to say is, you know, I've, I've had a great time o- on that row, and I'd like to tell tell the row crew thank you all very much. Row, you know- Row crew is, you know, it's, it's one thing about it, you know, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate it because where I sit, I sit, I got a row behind me and a row in front of me.

225. 1:50:32

     See, they don't have no rows at all. They got rows in front, no, no one in front of them, but they got them behind them, but they can't see what's going on back there. But I want to say thanks to my row crew. Uh, they've been great. Uh, I want to say that, you know, we, you know, it started out 2013. I, you know, I had a, uh, a person that sit beside me for five years, and then he decided he wanted to be the lieutenant governor. So you all know, uh, Representative Jeff Duncan was my seatmate for five.

226. 1:51:03

     And, and then I got my other seatmate, uh, Representative Matt Barton back then. And I tell you, it's, it's, you know... And I want to thank you for that, too, Mr. Speaker, because you put, uh, Representative Berry between us. And, and I, you know, and, and it took Representative Berry a few, a few moments or a few minutes to... 'Cause me and Matt would talk between him, but, but he, but he's absorbed a lot. He really has, you know. And I, and the reason I say that because I want y'all to know when I came in, in, in 2013, you know, Representative Berry was, uh, I want to say he, he had to have been 12 or 13- ...

227. 1:51:44

     when I came. He was... Yeah, he had to have been, yeah, 'cause he's... And then, but I got Representative Akbar Ali, so how... He was in the second grade, third grade.

228. 1:51:55

     So I just want y'all to know that, that, that it's been, you know... I just want y'all to know how times have changed. So I just want y'all to, uh, to feel that with me. Again, you know, it's always about thanking. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, again for, uh, uh... No, Mr. Speaker, I'm, I'm going the wrong way now. And, you know, and what I'd like to say is, is that, um, I did bring me some water 'cause, you know, Mr. Speaker, you know, this is... I don't know if this is gonna be my last time here or not, but I'm gonna just have me a sip, and we'll talk some more.

229. 1:52:37

     You know, I do also wanna... You know, there are a lot of folks I wanna thank, and, and, and I wanna tell y'all this. If I can't mention all 180 y'all by name, just, you know, blame it to my head 'cause I am trying to get that CTE money.

230. 1:52:51

     You know what?

231. 1:52:53

     Not to my heart, but mostly to my head. I'm trying to get, you know, I am trying to get... So, so please bear, so please bear with me. And, uh, a- and this is on record, too, isn't it, Mr. Speaker? This is being filmed. I wanted to make sure because if, if I have to go to court, I want to make sure that- ... that, that I've got friends.

232. 1:53:16

     Amen.

233. 1:53:16

     You know, it's, it is a thank you day for me, too. I want to thank, you know, Clerk Reilly, you know, for, for being here. Thank you, Mr. Clerk, for always accepting my, you know, all, all of my bad, uh, resolutions and, and helping me make sure that they are straight. You know, I do appreciate that. You know, and, and there are a lot that I want to say thank you to. Kerry, thank you. Kerry, you know, he talks about Oklahoma, but Kerry's from Checotah, Oklahoma. So, yeah, I just want y'all to know it's...

234. 1:53:48

     So we have a, a real kindred... You know, we have something close because when I go to Okmulgee, Oklahoma, I have to go to Checotah, through Checotah to go to Tahlequah and Muskogee. Anyway, I'm just telling you all those names, but they don't mean anything. But they do mean something because the, my ancestors left Georgia to go to Oklahoma, so that's why Okmulgee. The Okmulgee River going to Macon. You know, the Muskogee County, Muskogee Creek, all...

235. 1:54:20

     So they just brought everything to Oklahoma, but they just m- they made it okay. They didn't make it OC. So that's, you know... But Kerry, thank you. Scotty, thank you. Marcus, thank you. Thank the clerk's office for making sure that, uh, that all we could do was, was what we could do. Um, I don't know if Corey, you around here? Corey? And the door, and the doorkeepers, I want to thank, I want to thank all of them because, you know, they've been very helpful. Uh, and, and, and I, you know, I...

236. 1:54:52

     What I'm gonna miss probably more so is me walking and looking at the door and s- you know, and I gotta open it myself. Or, or either I gotta close it myself. I mean, I... I mean, so I just want you all to know that, that it has been, it's been that way, uh, for, for a while. So I want to thank because I know all of them know, I, I know all of them know. Y'all, don't all of the doorkeepers know? You know.

237. 1:55:21

     You know.

238. 1:55:23

     You know. They know.

239. 1:55:24

     They know.

240. 1:55:25

     Good. Angela, I wanna, uh... And Andy Room, you know, and, and, you know, let's talk... D- like I said, today is a thank you day for me. It's to thank all of y'all. I, I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of y'all. Uh, Chairman Hagan, you know, that's, that's strong there because, wow, I remember when it was just Representative Hagan, you know, Representative Camp, you know, and I've seen him just, just, just chairman now, you know. Uh, and, and I use it, you know, because I believe in it. But Angela, you know, and, and the Room, you know, I don't know, a lot of y'all were not here, uh, when I came 13 years ago.

241. 1:55:57

     We had Jim You know, and Jim did not cut a, uh, he did not cut a donut. He did not cut a bagel. He did not cut a... You had to eat the whole thing. You, you had to eat the whole fritter.

242. 1:56:12

     Yeah.

243. 1:56:13

     And I, and I tell all, I tell y'all that because I want you all to know that, um, that was one of the things that, that we... When I came in, we had the freshman 15 or the freshman 20, but since Andrew's been here, it's been the freshman one or the freshman two. Because I didn't know you could cut a, a, a fritter into 20 pieces. But...

244. 1:56:38

     You know, but I'm glad. I just want y'all to know that. So, um, you know, and I, and, and what I'd like to all say to... You know, I've been very fortunate. You know, I've had a, I've had great office admins and great interns and things of that nature. So when I, when I first came, uh, 13 years ago, I had, uh, you know... Well, I'm saying it now. Well, I had a, I had an admin, Nicole Chappelle, who was, she's with the chairman now. I had, uh, Jay, you know, Jay-Z Bryant.

245. 1:57:11

     She has the chairman now. I mean, I'm, I did all that training myself. Uh, then I have, uh, had Kimberly Romaine. She's with the ch- chairman now. I say, all these people, all I said, "Wow, you know, uh, I don't know if it was my training or if it was, or if it was them." But, you know, I had great, you know, really great admins early on in 2013. I have great admins now. I don't know where they are, but I know they're somewhere.

246. 1:57:41

     Yeah. I, you know, yeah, I have, uh... Yes. Ms. Josephine, you know, Ms. Josephine's gon- she gonna be with the chairman, uh, sometime soon, I don't know. And then I have, uh, uh, Ms. Turner, you know, Ms. Vanessa. Glad to have you. We just, we just got Vanessa this year, too, and she g- she came from a chairman, and now she just came by to get some more chair- chairman training. So she's gonna go back to being a chairman. And it is always glad to, to... You know, I've always had great interns, you know.

247. 1:58:13

     And, and I was starting with Ocasio-Jackson, who is, who is a, a fine lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service when I first came 13 years ago, uh, to, uh, to Micah Richards, uh, to Aaron Richards. In fact, you know, I lost, uh, uh, Micah to, um, uh, to Virginia. And I say all of that because I want y'all to know that he left the State House in, in Georgia to go work in the State House in Virginia.

248. 1:58:43

     So that, that was a testament to what we do. I have Blaise over there, my new intern from Georgia Gwinnett College. Y'all can give Blaise a hand. And I have Janelle White from Clark Atlanta University, my GLBC. You know, so I'm always glad to have those. I don't know, uh, Mr. Speaker, I'm looking at this light, but I got eight more pages and a- ... a- and a, and a half a bottle of water. So you, you know, Mr. Speaker, we only have six bills.

249. 1:59:13

     It shouldn't take that long.

250. 1:59:17

     Um, but- But, you know, uh, I've always said that, that, um, I wanted to make sure that you had a chance to thank everybody. And I wanted to make sure that, uh, you know, lead counsel, you know, Shawn Marie was great when I first came. Jenna was great. Sarah. I mean, they all just, you know, they all, you know... You know old country boy from Oklahoma. You know, he'd go in with that twang and, and they'd be, it'd take about an hour for them to realize what I was saying.

251. 1:59:51

     But they were patient. And, and I just want y'all to know that is something that's, that's not, you know, that, that I liked a lot. Because, you know, one of the things that I always shared when I came here was, you know, and I came from a family. You know, my, my, my people told me was, "Oh, it's nice to be important, but it's a whole lot more important to be nice." And so that is kind of how I've, you know, I've kind of lived my, my life because, you know, it's like I told y'all during Black History Month, you know, when James Orange had me up hollering I Am Somebody in 1978, and I was really fired up.

252. 2:00:26

     And then I realized I am somebody. I'm a pro football player. I was a pro football player then. But I, I, but I say all of that to say that, uh, that's how I try to live, you know, live what I've, what I've done. So I wanna make sure that I, I don't, I don't miss anybody. I made a whole lot of notes, um, and I'm throwing them away. But, you know, I've always said I've been truly blessed. I really have been blessed. You know, I've had more families than...

253. 2:00:57

     You know, I shouldn't say more families. I should... You know, my wife and, and children, you know, they've, they've, they've been very supportive. I want to thank them for being so supportive. Um, they're so supportive that they're watching me, uh, on the, on the computer because they didn't want to cry. Uh, well, either make me cry because I always try to tell them there's no crying in football and there's no crying in politics. So, uh, so don't cry. Um, and I won't do that.

254. 2:01:28

     Uh, I wanna thank, um, uh, you know, our house photographers. Colleen, thank you.

255. 2:01:36

     I wanna, I wanna thank Ben. Thank you, Ben. Thank you, thank you, Ben, for, for always, you know, always making sure that I look good, too. I mean, I... Sometime I think they be, they be photoshopping me. I don't know about you all. But I think I be getting some photoshops. Well, you know, you always wanna make sure that you, when you do all the thanking, you know. I wanna even thank the lobbyists out in the hall, too, because there's one thing I can say about them, uh, at, at least, uh- They know how I was.

256. 2:02:09

     If you come and tell me the truth, I can deal with you. But you come and tell me a fib, you, you, you don't get another chance 'cause, you know, it is what it is. Because you all, about 95% of y'all are, if not 100% of y'all know that, that one of the things I say is right is right and wrong is wrong, okay? You know, and I'm sorry. I've always been that way and, and, and I, and I believe that right is right, wrong is wrong. It doesn't matter about party, doesn't matter about where you from or your ZIP code or any of those things.

257. 2:02:41

     You know, everybody can be right, you know? Um, so I also wanna thank all my chairmens too, you know. I, I wanna thank them too. They were pretty good. They were... You know, I wanna say, uh, Chairman Rhodes, you, you, you know, Trey, you did well. Thank you very much. Chairman Corbett, thank you. You know, I, I don't... You know, if you got another helmet, I'll be happy to sign it. Uh, Chairman Mathiak, thank you very much too for, for all you have done. And, and I... And, and my best chairman is, 'cause since I'm the dean, I am the- I, well, I was the dean.

258. 2:03:12

     Well, I am still the dean of the Industry and Labor. Uh, Chairman Werkheiser, thank you for, for always making sure that we got information and we can all always talk. Thank my chairmens. Thank them. Thank you. Um, well,

259. 2:03:30

     I'm down getting close to the end, Mr. Chairman. Mr, Mr. Chairman, Speaker, I really am. I'd already thanked me and Colleen, throw that one away.

260. 2:03:42

     Uh, I'd also like to thank, uh, you know, uh, the, the caucus leadership, because thank you all. You know, thank you all. Leader Huguley, thank you. Uh, Wi- you know, Park, thank you. Thank you, Leader Efstration, and thank you... Uh, where, where is Will Burchett? Mr. Speaker, he- He went to the bathroom. Okay. All right. I just wanna make sure, gonna be... 'Cause I know the speaker told everybody to come back, come in the inside. And I, and I know that did, that meant everybody. That didn't just mean, you know, a few people. But, uh, you know, it's, it's, it's been great.

261. 2:04:16

     And all I want to say to you all is right now is that, uh, I've had my football family, I've had my labor family, uh, I've had my city family, and now I have a House family. You know? And, and, and that means a lot to me because, uh, I'm gonna share with this with y'all. If y'all go on eBay and see some stuff, just call me. I'll send it to you free. Don't, don't, don't pay for it, you know? 'Cause if they got it, I got it too.

262. 2:04:46

     'Cause they didn't pay me to sign it, so they didn't pay me, why, you know, I don't... And they, and they're not giving me a piece of it, so- ... so I might as well, you know, I might well cut them out. That's right. So, so that's how I look at it. Uh, you know, I also, I, well, before I sort of, you know, finish thanking, I wanna make sure I thank my comm- you know, my, my, uh, uh, my community team. You know, Mr., Mr., you know, Mr. Speaker, I've been in this seat 13 years, and I've had my community team 13 years.

263. 2:05:21

     You know, I wanna thank, uh, Tasha, Tasha Gordon, who's my chief of staff. She's been with me 13 years. Um, I wanna thank my, uh, uh, treasurer, uh, Clarence Dabney. He's been with me 13 years. And I wanna thank my, um, communication director, uh, Eileen Johnson, and she been with me how long? 13 years. So it's, and, and, and it's kind of funny because they say, "Well, dude, what we gonna do now?" I said, "I don't know. But if y'all still wanna, if y'all still wanna be with me, that's great.

264. 2:05:52

     But, uh, you'll have to be at 1032 Flag Way." Well, I do wanna say that, um, uh, my wife, uh, uh, of 51 years is saying, you know, she says, "It's time for you to probably come back, uh, to 1032 Flag Way." I wanna, I wanna clear something up because I heard it in the grapevine. I am not moving to Oklahoma. That's right. That's not happening. I'm not moving to Oklahoma. I just have a house in Oklahoma. Uh, well, we have a house in Oklahoma.

265. 2:06:24

     She tell me I gotta get that, really that our too. Uh, we have a house in Oklahoma. Uh, and, but that, but that's where I am from, you know? I, and that's where I grew up. 22 years in Oklahoma, 50 years in, in Georgia, you know? And, and, and more, and counting. Um, you know, my two daughters, I wanna say, you know, we talked about how old, um, you know, the, the, uh, Rep Berry was and Rep Ali was. Well, when I, when I was sworn in at, at this spot 13 years ago, uh, my, my grandson, uh, my youngest grandson was eight months old.

266. 2:07:05

     He's 13. My second grandson was five. He's 18. He's a senior. And then my third grandson, he was nine, so he's 22. And then my fourth grandson, he was 16, so that makes him 29. And so it's kinda like I've seen them grow, but I have not seen, you know, I have not been, been able to spend that, that time, you know, the, that I would like to spend with them.

267. 2:07:35

     So I wanna say thanks to my, my family, my grandsons. I wanna say, well, thanks to, to you all for, uh, for making sure that, that I stayed true. I wanna thank my Working Family Caucus, uh, family for making sure that we, you know, we did what we could for working families. You know, um, we... It's so funny because we talk about treasury. Well, I've been the Working Family chairman, co-chair for 10 years, and I've had the same Working Family treasurer, uh, Representative Alexander, for 10 years.

268. 2:08:08

     So I don't know what's gonna happen now, but it'll be okay. Uh, you know- You all, I just wanna say thanks. Again, it's, it has been, um, something of a, uh, of a, a lifetime for me to be here. Um, and a- again, Mr. Speaker, thank you for, for letting me pass one bill. I appreciate that.

269. 2:08:35

     You know, he done turned the lights back on, on me again, y'all. Uh, uh-oh, he blinking it.

270. 2:08:45

     I don't know if that'll work. But, you know, um, thank you all for, for allowing me, each and every one of you, for, for, for being a part, uh, of this body. You know, again, what we all have to do is, is take care of one another, because we're here on the behalf of the citizens. And, you know, and all of our, all of our places are different. You know, all of our areas are different. So what I'm asking us to do is to think about that, but to realize that we all wanna get to the same place.

271. 2:09:19

     So I wanna say to everybody, thank you. Mr. Speaker, thank you for, for 13 years, because I want you to know it, uh, I know it wasn't easy dealing with, uh, uh, a lot of things, but you've done a good job. You've done a great job. And so with that, thank you. I will see you all. Thank you all again. And with that, Mr. Speaker, you know, I will yield the well.

272. 2:09:55

     Yep. The gentleman will stay, if you don't mind, stay in the well just for a moment.

273. 2:10:06

     We'll let you greet the, uh... Y'all will just, uh, kind of stay close to your seats, and we're gonna have one more recognition that's gonna be fairly brief. I thank the gentleman can do that. It's a tall order to be brief for this, for this momentous day as we celebrate the service of Representative McClain. So I'm gonna recognize Rep- Representative Okoye and some friends that have a so- a resolution for you Re- Representative McClain.

274. 2:10:38

     Friends may join.

275. 2:10:39

     Take up.

276. 2:10:48

     I'll grab her. I couldn't, I, I, I couldn't tell her. Tell her. I couldn't tell her I was one of your friends.

277. 2:10:55

     Representative Okoye-

278. 2:10:56

     All right

279. 2:10:56

     ... is recognized. Give just a minute. Let's get a few more folks down.

280. 2:11:01

     Okay.

281. 2:11:03

     The gentleman's recognized.

282. 2:11:05

     All right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

283. 2:11:07

     Slide up a little bit like that.

284. 2:11:07

     Um, colleagues, well, you heard him. And, um, this is, I call him Mr. Trouble, by the way, but don't join me. You see his, uh, his size. He, he always intimidates me. But, um- But Mr. Speaker, um, Dewey, uh, I knew him before I got here, uh, from the time I was chairman of Gwinnett Democratic Party.

285. 2:11:39

     Dewey, he walks into the room, and you know he came in, even if you were blind. You know he came in. Uh, he's a very honest and easygoing man, and somebody you can call on at any time, and he would answer you. I have stories to tell, but he already took the time I would have used to tell the stories. So, but, uh, w- I do have a, a resolution, uh, uh, thanking and commending him for his service.

286. 2:12:16

     Giving 13 years isn't easy. Uh, but I'm, I'm just gonna paraphrase, uh, just read a couple here. Uh, it says, um, let me re- read the, uh, the last two. Um, "Whereas this distinguished gentleman has given inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep c- concern for his fellow citizens, and he possesses the vast wisdom which only comes through e- experience and the strength of character, which is achieved through overcoming the many challenges of life.

287. 2:13:02

     And whereas it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be properly recognized. Now, therefore, uh, be it resolved by the House of Representative that the members of this body recognize and commend the honorable Dewey McClain for his efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the State of Georgia, and extend the most sincere best wishes for his continued health and happiness."

288. 2:13:50

     You know how to find him.

289. 2:13:51

     Thank you. And I'll read it again.

290. 2:13:55

     You may, you may, you may.

291. 2:13:56

     Thank you.

292. 2:13:56

     You may, you may, you may, you may, you may, you may.

293. 2:14:02

     Okay, now we, we got, we gotta have some decorum now. Did, did you tell them to have some decorum, Mr. Speaker?

294. 2:14:08

     Yes, sir. Representative, Representative McClain, before you step down.

295. 2:14:11

     All right.

296. 2:14:11

     I just wanna say to you from, um, from myself, and I think I can speak for this body, you're, you exemplify what public service is all about. You care about your neighbor. We wanna also thank your wife and your family for sharing you with us. It was a good day for Georgia when you moved from Oklahoma and became, and loved Georgia like you have. And so, um, I know of no finer representative of the people of this state than Representative Dewey McClain, an example you've set in every sense of the word when I talk about public service.

297. 2:14:43

     So thank you, sir, my friend. We appreciate you, and we look forward to finishing out this session very strong with you in your year in this House. Thank you very, very much.

298. 2:14:54

     Thank you.

299. 2:14:58

     Thank you.

300. 2:15:02

     We're glad.

301. 2:15:02

     Well, see, we're done.

302. 2:17:59

     Members, let's move on to the Rules Calendar for a few minutes. See if we can, uh... We've had a great morning.

303. 2:18:09

     A morning we can reflect on the great service of Representative Dewey McLain, so I'll ask y'all all to do that. And thanks to all of his team that joined us earlier. Thanks to them. We're gonna read the caption to a bill. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 551, 5-5-1.

304. 2:18:30

     Senate Bill 551 by Senator Watson of the 11th and others to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to standard labeling and adulteration of food. This bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

305. 2:18:51

     Representative Mike Cameron is recognized to present the bill. The gentleman will hold for a second.

306. 2:19:09

     Representative Cameron is recognized.

307. 2:19:13

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I'm honored today to bring a bill for our friend, uh, Senator Sam Watson. It's a bill regarding egg candling. And you ask what egg candling is, uh, people who produce eggs check for grading and for quality using a light. In the beginning, people used candles. They'd hold the egg up to see if there are any impurities or if, uh, for the sake the embryo's developing in the... because you don't wanna sell an egg like that. Well, the State of Georgia requires a certificate for egg candling.

308. 2:19:46

     And, uh, some of you who follow my Facebook page know that I go to a lot of farmer's markets in the summer, and my small farmers have trouble getting candling classes. And it's not because the Department of Agriculture is bad, it's just because logistically it's hard to go all over the State of Georgia and conduct these classes. So, uh, we discussed this with the Department of Agriculture, and Commissioner Harper, being the world-class person he is, said, "Let's do this. Let's eliminate this regulation requiring a certificate for egg candling." The producers are gonna still use, they're gonna still candle their eggs to make sure that what they sell to people in their community are good, but they just won't have to get a certificate to do this.

309. 2:20:30

     So Mr. Speaker, that's the bill encapsulated, um, and I hope that I won't have to scramble to get, uh, exactly enough votes to pass this bill.

310. 2:20:43

     The gentleman has a question. Representative Jasmine Clark, to your left, is recognized for a question.

311. 2:20:49

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

312. 2:20:52

     Uh, yes.

313. 2:20:52

     Sorry, I can't really see you. Um, so, um, how-

314. 2:20:57

     Rep Park, do you mind asking the lady that pa- behind you to step over a little bit? Now we got it.

315. 2:21:03

     Thank you.

316. 2:21:03

     We need some eye contact here.

317. 2:21:05

     There. Thank you. Um, so how will we make sure that consumers know for a fact that this procedure has been done if there is no certification? Where, uh, is there any-

318. 2:21:19

     Well-

319. 2:21:19

     ... consumer protection built into the bill?

320. 2:21:22

     Well, thank you for the question. The, the producer, you know, will check the eggs. And most of these are gonna be small, like farmer's markets or other places. If they get a bad egg, usually people have a relationship with the people they're buying their eggs from. They take them back, say, "Hey, I got a bad egg." And usually what happens in the country where I live is they'll give them a n- a brand-new dozen eggs that they've checked. So sometimes it will happen. Even if they candle it, by the time they get it to where they're gonna sell it, sometimes there'll be a bad egg. But farm- uh, most of the producers, farmers, small farmers especially, are conscientious about making sure the products they sell are good because if they're not, then people talk pretty quickly, and they won't be able to sell.

321. 2:22:03

     All right. Thank you.

322. 2:22:04

     Thank you.

323. 2:22:06

     Uh, Chairman Dickey to your right, who knows a little bit about agriculture.

324. 2:22:09

     Does, does the gentleman yield?

325. 2:22:11

     Yes, sir, Chairman.

326. 2:22:11

     Uh, thank you for this bill. Uh, less government, less cost. Uh, but, uh, thank you for, uh, working on this bill. And, uh, make sure it's got no cracks in it.

327. 2:22:20

     Yeah. And I know you're not yolking about that either, are you?

328. 2:22:28

     The gentleman has no further questions.

329. 2:22:30

     Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will and ask for your favorable consideration. No minority report?

330. 2:22:36

     No.

331. 2:22:43

     Okay.

332. 2:22:43

     The gentleman has yielded the will. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

333. 2:23:32

     Have all members voted?

334. 2:23:45

     Well, you're probably gonna have to have oxygen the way you came in there and blowing.

335. 2:23:53

     I got one more man to vote and we're good to go. Have all members now voted? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine on the passage of the Ag Bill, SB 551. The yays are 165, the nays are zero. This bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Members, if you will turn your attention to the A room, and let's welcome former Representative Beth Moore.

336. 2:24:24

     Beth, great to see you. Good to have you. Let's make her welcome. Good to have you in the people's house again. Thank you.

337. 2:24:40

     We're going to insert a further action here, and I'm gonna recognize Chairman Hawkins for a motion.

338. 2:24:52

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the House agree to the Senate substitute on HB 571. Mr. Clerk will read the caption. House Bill 571 by Representative Hawkins. The 27th being entitled, "An Act to Amend Chapter 34, Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to physician's assistants and others so as to provide for the licensing of a radiologist assistant."

339. 2:25:19

     Chairman Hawkins is recognized to expl- explain the Senate substitute to House Bill 571. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you may remember, this bill establishes radiologist assistants in the states. We have techs now. The assistant can do more than the tech. They're, they're further trained. We actually have them in the State of Georgia. Uh, we do not have a school like North Carolina, but they're here. With this bill, they can do extended types of treatment to help speed up reports and, and, uh, of radiologists and get the, uh, the treatment started much sooner for people, especially with cancer.

340. 2:25:57

     Uh, the Senate made changes as to dates for applications and licensure, and that's essentially what they did.

341. 2:26:07

     If there are no questions- The gentleman has no questions. Yield the well. There's no questions, and he's yielded the well.

342. 2:26:16

     On the gentleman's motion, the House agree to the Senate substitute to House Bill 571. All those in favor will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

343. 2:26:55

     All members voted? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machines. On the gentleman's motion that the House agree to the Senate substitute of House Bill 571, the yays are 164, the nays are two, and the House will agree to the Senate substitute to House Bill 571.

344. 2:27:28

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 293? 2-9-3. Senate Bill 293 by Senator Anderson and the 24th, pertaining to the 54th, and others to be entitled, "An Act to Amend Code Section 40-2-85.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to license plates for certain veterans so as to increase the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans." This bill having referred to the Committee on Motor Vehicles, that committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute.

345. 2:28:01

     Chairman Corbett, I'd probably need to correct that. I think you're gonna, you're gonna t- speak to Senate Bill 293. I don't wanna confuse anyone. I get that way sometimes, but let's make sure the members are all on Senate Bill 293. The gentleman's recognized to present Senate Bill 293. The gentleman's recognized.

346. 2:28:22

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the House, I bring before you Senate Bill 293. Senate Bill 293 deals with fraud and abuse when it comes to temporary operating permits, TOPs as they're referred to, dealer tags, and titles. You know, presently, uh, to become a used car dealer, you have to go to the secretary of state, fill out the necess- necessary forms, pay the fees. You will get a license, uh, to become a used car dealer. Then you have to go to the Department of Revenue, fill out a MV6 form. That, uh, gets you access to your, uh, TOPs and, and gets, gets your dealer tags, your master tags.

347. 2:28:57

     So you got two different agencies in it, and it's where the, the, the problem lies. When you have to do an investigation, the secretary of state's office, uh, their investigators go out to investigate, but they have no way of determining if you've sold one car or 100 cars. They have no way of knowing that 'cause that's confidential information that is housed in the Department of Revenue. So, uh, if you'll look at the, uh, picture on the screen up here, this is a young lady, uh, here in Peach- Peachtree Corners. Uh, that, that was her, uh, supposed...

348. 2:29:28

     You know, it was her first, uh, big purchase, an automobile. She's 18 years old. She takes that car home. Uh, immediately that, that day they have trouble. The check engine light comes on.

349. 2:29:39

     So anyway, carries it to a mechanic, puts the computer on it, and they say, "You got some bad O2 sensors." Uh, and further checking, Carvana check on it, say the car was listed sold as 150,000 miles. It had 283,000 miles on that car. So a, a TV station here in Atlanta did a news report, uh, ran, uh, this guy down for his office where he worked out of. Nobody was there, and they finally located him at a, at a shopping mall working out of a storefront. Uh, after, you know, harassing him a few times, he agreed to give her her money back.

350. 2:30:12

     But the story doesn't end, end there. You know, she got her money back. You go, "All's well and good," yeah? But that same night, that same car was back on Facebook Marketplace, 150,000 miles on it, uh, for sale again, and there were 10 other cars, or, or nine other cars, 10 cars total. Six of those 10 had major discrepancies in, in the odometer reading, over 100,000 miles. They located the cars on, in a parking lot. So that's one of the issues we're going after. Uh, you have a handout in front of you.

351. 2:30:43

     Got a Lamborghini. Uh, yeah, everybody should have that. A $300,000 car, a used car dealer tag. You know, that's 21,000 of TAVT that is not being collected. Let's talk about what we're doing, uh, with, with, with this bill. You know, we're increasing and revising the penalties, uh, for offenses that's relative to license plates, revalidation decals, TOPS, certificates of registration and titles, uh, anybody who knowingly alters a odometer reading.

352. 2:31:18

     Uh, we require that the VIN number has to be printed on the temporary operating permit. That way it can't be transferred from car to car. They got a way of validate, yeah, that, that, that TOPS belongs to this car. Uh, dealer tags, they can only be used on vehicles that are for sale, not your personal c- personal vehicles, and they can only be used for six months at that on, on cars that are for sale. After January 1st, 2027, uh, the dealer tags will have to be made out of metal stamped plates, make them much harder to counterfeit.

353. 2:31:54

     Uh, also, uh, the used car board, any rules and regs they pass is, is subject to the, uh, the APA, the Administrative Procedures Act. They'll have to submit them to us to, to a- approve or check off on them. And then as a condition of r- becoming a used car, uh, dealer, uh, presently you have to agree that the used car board or any peace officer can come in and inspect your records. We're adding that the Department of Revenue also has that, uh, ability to do that.

354. 2:32:25

     So we also, if you look in your, on your desk, there's a letter from, uh, the e-dealers that many of y'all heard from with a previous bill in support of this present measure. So, and they have agreed, uh, both, uh, the used car dealers and the e-dealers, uh, to in the off session be, work with us to try to come up... They want to root out the bad actors as well. So e- everybody's in agreement on that. So, you know, members, we, we've kicked the tires on this issue. You know, we, we've washed it, waxed it, walked around it, looked under the hood.

355. 2:32:57

     You know, it's, it's, it's time we put this bill to work, uh, uh, to protect our consumers and, uh, send it back to the Senate for an agree. So I hope everybody can join me in voting yes on this.

356. 2:33:08

     Gentleman yield?

357. 2:33:09

     Uh, yield for questions, yes, I will.

358. 2:33:10

     Yeah, well, a couple. Representatives, Representative Sanchez, to your right about midways back is recognized for questions.

359. 2:33:16

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

360. 2:33:18

     I do.

361. 2:33:19

     This is a completely different bill than what came out of the Senate, correct?

362. 2:33:22

     Well, it, it, it is. It was one that the bill, the original bill, uh, got, uh, passed on another bill last year. So we're using this. This is, uh, my original bill was House Bill 1267.

363. 2:33:33

     Got it.

364. 2:33:33

     Uh, and but we, we made some changes to that, what this present bill is now.

365. 2:33:36

     Thank you.

366. 2:33:38

     Repres- Whip Burchett, right up front. Gentleman's recognized.

367. 2:33:42

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

368. 2:33:44

     I do.

369. 2:33:45

     Is it not true that, uh, one of the issues that you're trying to address with this bill is that we have dealers in this state that have s- that have applied for 2,000 TOPS tags and haven't sold any cars. Is that true?

370. 2:34:01

     That, that is true. I've got a, a list here of all the dealers, new car, used car, uh, you, you name it, and, and some of them sold as, as high as 2,100 temporary operating permits. And they can get anywhere from $200 to $500 a piece for these temporary operating permits, and, uh, sold zero cars to go with that. So that's, that's the guys we're, we're going after, th- this abusing this system. So they're, they're operating in the gap between the Department of Revenue and Secretary of State now.

371. 2:34:23

     Does the gentleman yield for one more?

372. 2:34:25

     I do.

373. 2:34:25

     How, how, for what reason would you get 2,000 TOPS tags but not sell a car?

374. 2:34:32

     For what reason?

375. 2:34:33

     Yeah.

376. 2:34:34

     Uh, well, uh, I, I, I think there's a, a monetary, uh, purpose there probably. Uh, but-

377. 2:34:41

     Thank you for the bill

378. 2:34:42

     ... that, that'll be for each member to determine for themselves.

379. 2:34:44

     Thank you for the bill.

380. 2:34:46

     But Mr., Mr. Speaker, I yield the well, and I encourage everybody to help me. Uh, let, let's, let's put this thing on the road. Thank you.

381. 2:34:54

     Put it on the road. Yeah, I like that. That was good. Uh, thanks, thanks for the gentleman to work on this bill. And there were some other questions, but, um, I'm sure the gentleman will answer those for you if you get with him. Gentleman's yielded the well. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there a- is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill?

382. 2:35:26

     Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All those in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

383. 2:35:52

     Have all members voted? For what purpose does Representative Williams rise? Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry, sir. Is it not true, Mr. Speaker, that this is a fine running bill, but while it was being debated, all of the germs in the chamber died, and we are now developing frostbite?

384. 2:36:16

     We just...

385. 2:36:20

     Yes.

386. 2:36:24

     Thanks for the question. The parliamentary inquiry. I think you're probably pretty close to right. For what purpose does Representative Reese rise? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Parliamentary inquiry, please. State your inquiry, sir. Isn't it true that had the chairman not yielded the will so fast, I was going to thank him for his work on this bill and the parties that he pulled together to work through everybody's interests, and I think this bill is good at pr- protecting people in Georgia from fraud as it relates to those used car tags. Excellent point. For what purpose does, does Repre- Representative McClain rise?

387. 2:36:57

     Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry, sir. Well, since Representative Reese took my, all my accolades I was gonna give the chairman for all of his work, I will say the same thing. That isn't it not true, Mr. Chairman, that you worked three to four years on this bill, uh, to make it good for e-commerce as well as used car dealerships as well as new car dealerships? The gentleman knows what he speaks. The, the chairman has worked, and thank you for all of the members that have also participated in that discussion. Have all members voted? All members voted.

388. 2:37:27

     If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of Senate Bill 293, the yays are 169, the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 523? 523. Senate Bill 523 by Senator Goodman of the 8th and others to be entitled An Act to Amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to education so as to authorize public schools and post-secondary education institutions to consider antisemitism in the same manner as discrimination.

389. 2:38:04

     This bill has been referred to the Committee on Higher Education. That committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute. Chair Lady Silcox is recognized to speak to the bill. Lady's recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen, I rise today to bring you Senate Bill 23 by substitute. Senate Bill 23 is identical to my House Bill 1363 that passed the Higher H- Higher Ed Committee twice, um, unanimously.

390. 2:38:37

     This bill would create a statewide Title VI coordinator and protect all students, teachers, and employees in our schools from discrimination or harassment based on race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin. This coordinator would establish a complaint submission process, document and investigate complaints, and prepare findings and recommendations for the Department of Education. Unresolved violations would be referred to the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, as well as the US Department of Justice.

391. 2:39:15

     The coordinator would also submit reports to all the leaders at the Capitol, including the governor, speaker, and lieutenan- governor, lieutenant governor, among others. I do want to thank Chairman Chuck Martin and the Ho- House Higher Ed Committee for their help in perfecting this bill, and on behalf of all the students in our schools that may be being discriminated quietly in our schools today, I ask for your favorable consideration of Senate Bill 523. Lady has a couple of questions, then we have a speaker as well.

392. 2:39:47

     Representative Barnes, to your left, is recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentlelady yield? I do. Thank you. Is it, well, you just announced, but is it not true that we worked hard in Higher Ed to make sure this bill, uh, protects all in, people at the universities? Yes. Um, and I appreciate your contributions to that and your participation in the discussion, and thanks again to all the Higher Ed Committee. Thank you. Lady has one more question. Representative Romman, to the left.

393. 2:40:18

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentlelady yield? I do. Thank you. Can you just walk us a little bit through the process of a complaint? I'm a little bit worried that the language of the bill might completely circumvent the Georgia Department of Education. And so is there, you know, any specifics on that as it pertains to the role of us at a state level versus a federal level? You know, um, the bill is, is, does, does give a loose framework of that. Um, but really the details of that are deliberately left open because our different school systems are different sizes and have different needs.

394. 2:40:50

     And so I think it's flexible enough to allow every school system to work out that, the details of that process in their own system. But thank you for the question. Does the gentlelady further yield? I do. So I guess the part I'm trying to understand is that would this still allow the Department of Education to essentially set their own processes, or does it... 'Cause from my understanding, our departments, I mean, we just passed a bill on this, they can't really do that as much anymore, and so how, I guess what would adjudicate that, that, uh, difference? What would adjudicate which difference?

395. 2:41:21

     So like say for example, our Department of Education is recommending, 'cause they can't necessarily put arbitrarily any kind of regulation they want, 'cause we are limiting that power. But if they have to decide on a case and the law is silent, they're gonna have to continue to defer to the federal, um, Department of Education. Well, the great thing I will tell you is that we already have this in place in our university system, and so we have a model that they can go by to help our State Department of Education, um, get it right. Good. Thank you. Again, thanks for your question.

396. 2:41:53

     Lady has no further questions

397. 2:41:55

     Then I yield the well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

398. 2:41:57

     Lady- lady's yielded the well. Representative Panitch, you don't need a time limit, do you?

399. 2:42:03

     No. Thank you.

400. 2:42:04

     Lady's recognized.

401. 2:42:06

     Mr. Speaker, I'm gonna tell you why this bill matters. A friend's sixth grade son found an anonymous note in his locker at his Cobb County middle school. It read, "Kill yourself, Kike." His parents went to the principal. The response was, "Oh, that's awful. If it happens again, let us know." That was it. No investigation, no corrective action. Their child was reluctant to return to school because his safety didn't seem to matter to his school leaders.

402. 2:42:43

     That family's not alone. In Fulton County, my county, a federal civil rights complaint documents dozens of incidents across the district. I have the list of two dozen. A student miming shooting at Jewish girls. A fifth grader told that Jews and Israelis should all be killed, and when parents reported it, nothing happened, so the harassment continued because the harasser was enabled. Israeli mothers were spat on at a school cultural night in front of their children while a safety officer took no action.

403. 2:43:20

     A second grade teacher telling her class, which included Israeli students, that the war was Israel's fault before Israel had even responded to the October 7th attacks. A principal on- gave one solution that, for a girl that being, who was being harassed, by saying she should just stay home. I my- myself spoke out at the Fulton County School Board and got nowhere.

404. 2:43:51

     These families had no real recourse short of going to the media or filing a federal complaint. There was no next step and no way to know if the, what they experienced was part of a larger pattern across the school or the district. This is the gap SB 523 fills. This bill creates a statewide K through 12 Title VI coordinator and a higher ed Title VI coordinator. It establishes a new uniform complaint process.

405. 2:44:21

     It requires corrective action within 30 days. It authorizes withholding funds for schools that refuse to comply, and it mandates annual reporting to the speaker, the governor, and the lieutenant governor so that we can see patterns and hold systems accountable. Had Georgia had a Title VI coordinator, that family in Cobb County would have gone to them as their next step. The coordinator could have investigated, provided feedback to the district, required a corrective action plan, and if they saw a trend of complaints, referred the matter to the Federal Office for Civil Rights.

406. 2:45:03

     Georgia's Jewish community leaders brought this bill forward because we know what happens when discrimination goes unchecked and institutions look the other way. This bill is built to protect every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status. Every child, every school. This bill buil- builds on a foundation this legislature already laid when it codified the IHRA definition of antisemitism into Georgia law.

407. 2:45:40

     That, this bill takes that commitment and gives it operational force, alongside protections against every other form of discrimination through real enforcement. Through the legislative process, this bill has been refined to ensure its language is as clear and legally precise as possible, which only strengthen its core mission. No family should have to wonder whether their child's school will let, will take discrimination seriously.

408. 2:46:10

     No parent should be told, "Let us know if it happens again," and have nowhere else to turn. This bill makes sure they do. I urge a unanimous vote on SB 523, and I want to thank the author, who has always stood with the Jewish community and recognized that this is a problem now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the well.

409. 2:46:37

     The lady has yielded the well. She had a question, but she's yielded the well. Is- You can take it if you want it. The la- lady's yielded the well. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to.

410. 2:47:08

     Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

411. 2:47:32

     Have all members voted? For what purpose is Representative Cannon, Park Cannon rise?

412. 2:47:37

     A parliamentary inquiry.

413. 2:47:39

     State your inquiry.

414. 2:47:40

     Is it not true that this version of the bill does not include sex?

415. 2:47:48

     I think it, the bill probably includes all cases of discrimination, but maybe not s- I'll... It does not-

416. 2:47:53

     Further inquiry.

417. 2:47:56

     Yes, state your inquiry.

418. 2:47:57

     And so is it not true, then, sexual orientation as well as being male or female would not be included?

419. 2:48:07

     Thank you.

420. 2:48:07

     I think specific, specifically it's not in this bill. We're addressing a, uh, critical issue in this bill, and I think that's what the language in the bill addresses. And, uh, I think according to the vote on the board, the members agree with that. Have all members now voted? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of the bill, the yays are 165, the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

421. 2:48:39

     Mr. Clerk, will, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 399? 399.

422. 2:48:46

     Senate Bill 399 by Senator Har- Harbin of the 16th and others to be entitled an Act to Amend Article 3, Chapter 11 to Title 31 to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to personnel of emergency medical services so as to provide for notification of public safety answering points about the location of automated external defibrillators. This bill having been referred to the Committee on Health, that committee recommends that this bill do pass.

423. 2:49:13

     Chairman Bonner is recognized to present Senate Bill 399.

424. 2:49:20

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Today I rise to present Senate Bill 399. Uh, Senate Bill 399 does two specific things. It, first it creates a map of the locations for automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, across state facilities and provides those locations to our 911 emergency centers so that they can map those for future use. And secondly, it creates, in collaboration with the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, a roadmap for the implementation of a training program for all 911 emergency services on the telephone instructions for the use of AEDs for laypeople.

425. 2:50:03

     Now friends, this common sense piece of legislation, unfortunately, like many of the bills that we deliberate, was born out of tragedy. This legislation is named after a constituent in our community of Fayette County, Mason Sells. On September 24th, 2024, Mason was struck in the chest by a soccer ball while playing an intramural game on his college campus. His heart stopped and was not reached by paramedics with an AED for 13 minutes.

426. 2:50:34

     Unfortunately, Mason passed away at the young age of 21. The added tragedy is there was an unknown AED less than one mile away. That same day, another young man was also struck in the chest while playing sports. He was reached by an AED within three minutes and lived. Mason's mom and dad experienced what no parent can imagine. However, they focused their grief on ensuring others never have to endure that same pain and have been tireless advocates for this bill.

427. 2:51:07

     Mason's parents, Scott and Rachel, are here today with us on the floor to honor their son's memory and remind us that the work we do here is important and often is the difference between a life saved and a life lost. Friends, I ask your favorable consideration for Senate Bill 399, and I will stand for any questions.

428. 2:51:28

     Representative Berry is recognized for a question to your left.

429. 2:51:32

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the gentleman yield?

430. 2:51:34

     I do.

431. 2:51:34

     I appreciate this bill, and thank you for the intent of this bill. Just a quick question. Will there be new costs for personnel or training, and how often would that training occur for these emergency officials that are doing this?

432. 2:51:44

     So the, the, we don't anticipate any additional costs other than implementing into their routine training cycle so that not only are any new personnel that come along, it is included in their training, but as a part of their recertification and retraining for existing personnel, it'll be implemented then.

433. 2:52:01

     Thank you.

434. 2:52:03

     Gentleman has no further questions.

435. 2:52:04

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I urge you to vote yes for Senate Bill 399.

436. 2:52:09

     The gentleman has yielded the well. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All those in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

437. 2:52:50

     Have all members voted? All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of Senate Bill 399, the yays are 165, the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Congratulations.

438. 2:53:22

     Mr. and Ms. Sells, thank you for your work on this bill and helping us get something done that can be very meaningful and very helpful. If y'all would come up, I'd love to take a photo with you.

439. 2:53:41

     Chair Lady Ehrhart is recognized for a motion on a bill as we take a further action. Chair Lady Ehrhart.

440. 2:53:54

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, uh, members, you may recall that last year this body passed, um, HB 185, which modernized Georgia's Dietetics Practices Act. It needed an overhaul-

441. 2:54:05

     Katie will spin for a minute. I think I probably said that not exactly correct. I'm gonna recognize you for a motion So if you'll make a motion, then we'll go to explain the bill.

442. 2:54:14

     Okay. Um, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I make a motion that this body, uh, that the House agree to the Senate substitute to HB 185.

443. 2:54:23

     The lady's moved that we agree. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?

444. 2:54:27

     House Bill 185 by Representative Earhart of the 36th and others to be entitled An Act to Amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to professions and businesses so as to repeal and reenact Chapter 11, Dietetics Practices Act.

445. 2:54:45

     Now, I apologize to you.

446. 2:54:47

     Oh, no worries.

447. 2:54:47

     Representative Earhart is recognized to explain the Senate sub-

448. 2:54:49

     Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. Um, the body pa- our body passed this bill last, uh, last session. It got a little caught in the fray over in the Senate on sine die, um, and we are back now, uh, to, uh, to learn about and hopefully agree to the Senate substitute. As a quick refres- refresher, um, the Georgia Dietetics Practice Act was in dire need of updating. It had not been updated in more than 30 years, and there have been tremendous, uh, changes in the field of dietetics and nutrition in Georgia in the past 30 years. Uh, HB 185 provided additional pathways to licensure for more qualified nutrition therapists and narrowed the licensure requirements for those that are practicing something called medical nutrition therapy, which is nutrition therapy specifically designed to treat, uh, chronic conditions.

449. 2:55:39

     Um, the only main difference, nothing has changed in the bill except for there is the addition of some language that will allow Georgia to enter into an interstate compact. Um, this will improve the, uh, portability of Georgians with their licenses. Um, it will enhance continuity of care. Um, it certainly supports and helps our military families who often locate in and out of the state. Overall, uh, members, these updates reflect advancements in, uh, dietetic education, expands credentialing programs, modern technology, and the evolving needs of Georgians in the field of dietetics and nutrition.

450. 2:56:14

     Uh, members, I ask for your favorable consideration in agreeing to the Senate substitute to HB 185.

451. 2:56:20

     La-

452. 2:56:20

     Mr. Speaker, I yield the well.

453. 2:56:21

     Lady has no questions. She's yielded the well. On the lady's motion, the House agree to the Senate substitute to House Bill 185. All those in favor will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

454. 2:56:53

     Have all members voted? All members voted.

455. 2:57:07

     All members voted. Mr. Clerk will lock the machines. On the passage of House Bill 185, and we agree to the Senate substitute of House Bill 185, the yays are 155, the nays are eight, and the House has agreed to the Senate substitute to House Bill 185. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 383? 383.

456. 2:57:35

     Senate Bill 383 by Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others to be entitled An Act to Amend Chapter 15 to Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to child abuse so as to modify the review to be performed by the local Child Fatality Review Committee. This bill has been referred to the Committee on, uh, Juvenile Justice. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

457. 2:58:00

     Representative Devan Seabaugh is recognized to present Senate Bill 383.

458. 2:58:07

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members of the House. I bring to you Senate Bill 383. This is a GBI agency bill. At its core, this bill is one thing: protecting Georgia's children by learning from tragedy and preventing it from happening again. This bill strengthens and modernizes Georgia's Child Fatality Review process, a multidisciplinary system that reviews child deaths to identify preventable causes, systemic failures, and opportunities for intervention.

459. 2:58:44

     These reviews are not about assigning blame. They're about accountability, transparency, and prevention. Under current law, Child Fatality Review committees operate with inconsistent membership, uneven training, and outdated procedures across counties throughout Georgia. That inconsistency limits their effectiveness and weakens our ability to spot patterns that could save lives. Senate Bill 383 fixes that.

460. 2:59:15

     First, it clarifies and strengthens committee membership. Second, it establishes training standards for all committees. Third, it expands and clarifies the scope of cases reviewed. And finally, it improves reporting timelines and procedures so critical information reaches policymakers and stakeholders in a timely and useful way. This is not a new bureaucracy. It does not create new agencies or impose new mandates on families. It simply ensures that when the worst happens, we can do our job better as a state, learning, improving, and taking action to prevent future loss.

461. 2:59:54

     Importantly, this legislation was developed with broad stakeholder input and passed the Senate with bipartisan support. That's because child safety is not a partisan issue. As a state, we owe it to Georgia's families to make sure that the death of their child is not in vain. that preventable lessons are learned, every system failure is identified, and every opportunity to save a child's life is taken seriously. Senate Bill 383 strengthens local review committees, improves data and accountability, and helps translate tra- tragedy into prevention.

462. 3:00:34

     Members, we will never be able to change the outcome for the children we've already lost, but we can honor them by learning from their stories, by fixing what failed them, and by doing everything in our power to protect the next child. 'Cause for that child, this work is not just policy. That is the bill, Mr. Speaker, and I ask this body's favorable consideration.

463. 3:01:00

     Gentleman doesn't have any questions.

464. 3:01:03

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the well.

465. 3:01:05

     Gentleman's yield the well. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All those in favor the passage of the bill will vote yes, all those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

466. 3:01:44

     Have all members voted?

467. 3:01:57

     All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of Senate Bill 383, the yays are 165, the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to Senate Bill 427?

468. 3:02:20

     Senate Bill 427 by Senator Watson of the 1st and others to be entitled An Act to Amend Article 2, Chapter 34, Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical practice relative to physicians so as to provide for a, a limited provisional licenses and a pathway to licensure for certain internationally trained physicians. This bill having been referred to the Committee on Health, that committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute.

469. 3:02:48

     The gentleman from Augusta, Representative Mark Newton, is recognized to present the bill. Mr. Chairman.

470. 3:02:55

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. I know we're in, in a rush to get to lunch. I do wanna a- address real quickly what this bill does. Senate Bill 427 is an effort to close the gap in Georgia's really persistent physician shortage. We are still 40th in the nation in physicians per capita, so we wanna make sure we can address that. But in particular also, if, when we can, we'd like to address the challenge that's even more fraught in rural areas. Uh, SB 427 creates a pathway for licensure for internationally trained, significantly experienced physicians in general practice and common specialties like family medicine, internal medicine, and importantly, OBGYN and others.

471. 3:03:33

     Um, this bill is supported, as I say, by the Georgia Hospital Association, the Medical Association of Georgia, and the Medical Board. It's really the sort, the, the result of about three years of work to make sure that we're not creating a two-tiered system. This is not an effort to make it easier. It's rather a, a, an attempt to recognize that there are similar areas of training and expertise around the world, and many of those are eligible to, uh, work in the United States, and we wanna make sure there's a, a way we can do that in addition to the institutional license that's currently available.

472. 3:04:04

     So this bill would allow the internationally trained physician to protet- to practice under direct supervision of a Georgia licensed physician in four different settings: a Georgia medical practice in a rural area, a Georgia licensed hospital, a Georgia medical school, or one of our over 200 federally qualified health centers. Importantly, the physician has to meet, the, the practicing physician has to meet several items. Education, they must have, uh, attended a medical school, a foreign, an international medical school that meets EFMG, I'm sorry, um, uh, Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduate, uh, standards.

473. 3:04:38

     These are the same ones that for physicia- physicians who would go into a particular specialty in a residency. They have to have graduated from one of those accredited institutions. They have to have a clean license in their home country. Importantly, they have to have already been practicing at least five years if they did a two-year residency or more in their s- country, or 10 years if their, if their country doesn't do residency. So this is not a program for new graduates. They have to dis- uh, demonstrate competency. They have to have, uh, we all in, uh, US graduates have to take step one, two, and three of the United States Medical Licensing Exam before you can go into residency.

474. 3:05:13

     And in the same way, there are other countries that have similarly rigorous exam schedules, and there's a, there's some regulatory authorities that make sure that they will have, they must have been graduated from a, an accredited medical school. They sh- must demonstrate competence by a medical licensing exam. Uh, no, no felony or criminal offense. Importantly, they have to, uh, pass a proficiency exam- examination in English. It's important not only to communicate with patients in whatever language you need, but you gotta be able to c- uh, communicate with the rest of the healthcare team, whether it's electronic records or otherwise.

475. 3:05:46

     So we wanna make sure there's English proficiency. Uh, they must have already been authorized to work legally in the United States. This is not something where someone can come here and work on this without legal au- um, authorization to work. And then they have to have a confirmed full-time employment at one of those four approved settings. Uh, they can't work moonlight or work in other settings. Those are pretty restrictive for those four years. And that's what the program is. It's four years of direct supervision with a Georgia, a l- a fully licensed Georgia physician in a similar specialty. Um, they're held to the same standards by the board as all other physicians that are working in Georgia.

476. 3:06:20

     They can be disciplined by the board, et cetera. Uh, an important part of this bill is the creation of a medical director program for this, for this medical director position for this program in the, uh, g- uh, Georgia Composite Medical Board so that they can monitor progress as the internationally trained physician advances through the program. And importantly, this board will maintain sta- statistics and then report back to the General Assembly an- annually on this. I think this is a, a result of work from several organizations who care deeply about healthcare.

477. 3:06:50

     The- the- the physicians, the Medical Association, the Georgia Hospital Association, the Georgia Medical Board. I think this is a very, uh, cautious step that is, uh, is enabled to help address what is a challenge to providing all the healthcare that's needed across this, uh, large state, so in particular in rural areas. I might add at the end of that four years of supervision, if everything is, is good, they can apply for a f- a, a fully unrestricted Georgia license. They do still have to agree to practice in a medically underserved area, whether a high-needs area or, uh, um, uh, or a rural area, for at least two years.

478. 3:07:25

     So we're looking forward to this, getting some highly trained physicians, uh, who can make a difference for us and for our families and our constituents. Mr. Speaker, with that, I'll be glad to answer any questions.

479. 3:07:36

     Gentleman has a couple of questions. Uh, Whip Park to your left, right down in front of you, is recognized for a question.

480. 3:07:41

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, does the gentleman yield?

481. 3:07:43

     Certainly.

482. 3:07:44

     Uh, Chairman Ewers, is it not true that I greatly appreciate this bill and how it recognizes the value of immigrant medical providers to ensure that healthcare is provided for Georgians here, here in our state?

483. 3:07:54

     Uh, the, the gentleman knows of what he speaks. I know, uh, over in the Augusta area where we're training the, the future doctors in, in Georgia, uh, at the state's medical college, a large part of our medical community in both the educational side but also in the private practice side is, uh, is immigrants from all over the world. And, uh, they have been a priceless addition to providing specialty medical care in, across all the specialties.

484. 3:08:17

     Thank you, sir.

485. 3:08:17

     Thank you.

486. 3:08:18

     Uh, Representative. Representative O'Steen is recognized for a question.

487. 3:08:24

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

488. 3:08:26

     Certainly.

489. 3:08:26

     Is it not true that I am from rural Georgia where there is a desert for physicians, and this is a welcomed idea for us to fix this solution that, find a solution for this problem that we have?

490. 3:08:38

     Thank you. And the- the- the lady is absolutely correct. We've expanded in this body, and we're doing it again this year through Appropriations, Chairman Taylor and others, to expand our residency program for US graduates of medical schools. And we're doing that tremendously. And in a lot of our urban and suburban areas, those are taking up a lot of the slots. One of the things that we're not able to see is a lot of specialties to be in our rural areas. And so by allowing medical practices in rural areas to be this, to do the four years of supervision, um, I believe this will make a big difference in, uh, uh, getting our healthcare spread across this stri- state, as the Speaker says, no matter what your zip code.

491. 3:09:16

     So thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will.

492. 3:09:18

     Gentleman's yielded the will. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee which was favorable to the passage of the bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All those in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no.

493. 3:09:50

     And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

494. 3:10:11

     On the passage of Senate Bill... Excuse me. All members voted. For what purpose does Representative Donatucci rise?

495. 3:10:23

     Parliamentary inquiry.

496. 3:10:24

     State your inquiry, ma'am.

497. 3:10:25

     Mr. Speaker, is it not true that this is one of the discussions that came out of my study committee this summer for internal medicine in underserved areas? And is it not further true that this will help address Georgia provider shortages? I look forward to this passing.

498. 3:10:40

     The lady did an excellent job of covering the state and certainly read your report, and she is exactly on s- target with this, so thank you for your work this summer. For what purpose does Representative Byrd rise?

499. 3:10:54

     She waives.

500. 3:10:58

     All members voted. All members have voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of H- Senate Bill 427, the yays are 165, the nays are two. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. We're gonna take up another further action.

501. 3:11:24

     Representative Carson, I'm gonna recognize you for a motion.

502. 3:11:37

     Shepherd, Chairman Carson is recognized for a motion.

503. 3:11:43

     Mr. Speaker, I move that the House agree to the Senate substitute on House Bill 1199 as amended by the House.

504. 3:11:52

     Before the clerk reads the caption, that is AM 440260. Is that correct?

505. 3:12:03

     All right, members, you see that? Should have a copy of that. AM 440260. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?

506. 3:12:16

     House Bill 1199 by Representative Carson of the 46 and others be a title an act to amend Code Section 48-1-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to definitions regarding revenue and taxation so as to define or, or so as to revise the definition of the terms Internal Revenue Code and Internal Revenue Co- Code of 1986.

507. 3:12:46

     Representative Carson is recognized to explain the Senate substitute and the House amendment to HB 1199. The gentleman's recognized.

508. 3:12:56

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Folks, this is the IRC Conformity Bill. You might have heard about this from, uh, constituents, particularly CPAs and tax advisors. We're looking to get this done with the Senate, and I think, well, we think we have a solution. The Senate, uh, has, uh, has added some language to basically go back to a prior period in, in regard to various income streams. What we are doing in the amendment is going back to the House version, and we're going to, um, make sure we're in conformity on low-income housing tax credits for 25 and 26 years going forward, subject to a cap of $100 million.

509. 3:13:33

     That has been worked out by the Ways and Means Committee as far as an agreeable cap with the agencies. We're gonna continue fighting for a potential tax relief on tips and overtime, as per the Big Beautiful Bill. We had that in House Bill 1370. We're looking for a place to put that before the end of session. In addition, as you can see on, uh, the second page, there is a, uh, we're also calling for a 60-day, uh, pause on the gas tax, given the actions in the Middle East. This is gonna be some well re- uh, received, uh, relief to our constituents, uh, and taxpayers, particularly as we head into the, the summer season for, uh, for purchasing, uh, gasoline and, and so forth.

510. 3:14:16

     So that's the bill. This is the IRC conformity very much needed for our, uh, our tax community.

511. 3:14:23

     Gentleman has, uh, several questions, if he'll yield.

512. 3:14:26

     I will yield, yes, sir.

513. 3:14:27

     Uh, Representative Wilkerson, to your left, and, uh, you know where he is. The gentleman's recognized.

514. 3:14:32

     Thank you, but does the gentleman yield?

515. 3:14:33

     Yes, sir. To my friend, yes.

516. 3:14:34

     Yeah. Yeah, I wanna thank you for the work that you've done on this, um, and I look forward to continuing to have that discussion about the tips and overtime. But the, the changes we've done with the LIHTC as well as the excise tax makes this a very good proposition. I thank you for that work, and I'll be voting yes.

517. 3:14:49

     I appreciate it, and I thank you for your yes vote. In addition to that, I wanna thank you, my friend from Cobb County, knowing that this, this proposal in regard to the tips and overtime is very expensive. What we wanna do is bring down rates for everybody, but we do wanna provide relief, and we're looking for, um, uh, an avenue to do that. So I appreciate the gentleman.

518. 3:15:07

     Representative Sanchez, to your right, is recognized for a question.

519. 3:15:10

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

520. 3:15:12

     It's a Cobb County day. Yes, sir. Go ahead.

521. 3:15:14

     Indeed it is. Thank you. Uh, I had a question, uh, House Bill 1199, on this amendment. So you say that it's the house, the housing income tax is, uh, low-income housing tax is matching federal, but this is actually going lower. This is putting a cap that's lower than the federal, 'cause the federal actually expanded some investments that we could do. So why are we capping it lower than the federal level?

522. 3:15:35

     Well, again, what we're trying to do... Let me explain two things. What we're trying to do overall is bring down tax rates for all Georgians all over. Now, what we do with the state housing tax credit is that we match the, the federal credit dollar for dollar. But what we're, what we're doing in this, uh, amendment is providing a cap in regard to how many credits we're going to be issuing. As you remember f- in H.R.1, the Big Beautiful Bill, it allowed for a 12-and-a-half percent increase on 9% credits, and there will probably be some increase in the 4% credits because the tax-exempt bonding threshold went down.

523. 3:16:08

     Regardless, regardless of how those credits are defined and, and, uh, and opined on by, uh, in, within Section 42, Georgia is gonna match that credit dollar for dollar but only up to $100 million.

524. 3:16:21

     Do you further yield?

525. 3:16:22

     Yes, sir.

526. 3:16:22

     Don't you think that we're, since we're in a housing crisis, instead of capping, we should be expanding low-income housing tax credits?

527. 3:16:27

     Well, I think there's two ways to look at it. I think I applaud this House for lowering tax rates for all Georgians so that we have jobs and we can afford those houses.

528. 3:16:34

     Thank you.

529. 3:16:35

     Repres-

530. 3:16:35

     With that, Mr.-

531. 3:16:36

     Representative Reeves is recognized for a question, if you'll take one more.

532. 3:16:39

     I will, sir. One more. Yes, sir.

533. 3:16:40

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the chairman would yield for a question.

534. 3:16:43

     Yes, my friend. From Gwinnett this time. Yes.

535. 3:16:45

     Thank you. Is it not true that the gas tax relief in this bill will benefit drivers all over suburban Atlanta and the state of Georgia?

536. 3:16:52

     Absolutely. I, I, the gentleman knows of what he speaks, and I, I'm sure gas prices have gone up in his area just like they have mine, uh, a dollar or so, uh, and this is a much needed relief for Georgia taxpayers. With that, Mr. Speaker, I, I will yield the will and ask for this body's favorable consideration.

537. 3:17:10

     Gentleman, gentleman has yielded the will. Is there any objection to adopting of the, to the adoption of the House amendment? Hearing none, the House amendment is adopted. On the gentleman's motion that the House agree to the Senate substitute to House Bill 499 as amended by the House. All those in favor, favor will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

538. 3:17:46

     Have all mem- members voted?

539. 3:18:26

     All members voted. All members voted? If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machines. On the gentleman's motion that the House agree to the Senate substitute as amended by the House on House Bill 1199, the yays are 163, the nays is, are four, and the House has agreed to the Senate substitute of House Bill 1199 as amended by the House. For what purpose does Chairman Carson rise?

540. 3:18:56

     To make a motion, Mr. Speaker.

541. 3:18:57

     State your motion.

542. 3:18:59

     I move for immediate transmittal of House Bill 1199 back to the Georgia Senate.

543. 3:19:04

     Is there any objection? So ordered.

544. 3:19:43

     Members, we, we have one further action we'll take that will take just a moment, but we're gonna have, um...

545. 3:19:54

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption of group of privileged resolutions?

546. 3:20:00

     Honoring the life and memory of Andre Moses White. Honoring the life and memory of Reverend Howard D. Harden. Honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Lucius H. Edmondson III. Honoring the life and memory of Ima Jean Fleming Foster. Honoring the life and memory of Michael Mike Dwayne Pete.

547. 3:20:34

     Honoring the courage, service, and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Commending and congratulating Ms. Dora May Tiller.

548. 3:20:47

     Commending and congratulating Hayden Christopher Poole. Recognizing Mystic Chapter N- Number 739, Order of the Eastern Star, upon 35 years of dedicated service to the Atlanta community. Recognizing, commending Robert McNeil Herring for his years of service at the Georgia General Assembly. Recognizing and commending George Coach Gardner. Congratulating, commending the 2026 Georgia Single Parent Legacy Builders recognition and award finalists. Recognizing, commending Kevin F.

549. 3:21:19

     Curtin upon his retirement. Commending and congratulating Anison Jones. Recognizing, commending Patricia Goodman upon her receipt of a Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognizing, commending Laura Drake upon her retirement from Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry. Recognizing, commending Jesse Woo. Congratulating GW Carver High School Tigers for winning the 2025-2026 GHSA Class 2A State Football Championship.

550. 3:21:50

     Recognizing, commending Abundant Life Full Gospel Baptist Church on the occasion of its anniversary. Commending Southern Crescent Technical College for its contributions to workforce development. Recognizing, commending Ms. Kyla Harvey. Recognizing April 30th, 2026, as Veterans Support Service Awareness Day and honoring James Jim Dunn for his lifelong service to veterans. Recognizing, commending Senator Ed Harbison on his outstanding public service.

551. 3:22:20

     Recognizing, commending the National Council of Negro Women Incorporated, Georgia State Coalition. Congratulating the Rocks Springs Christian Academy wrestling team for winning the 2026 GA PPS State Wrestling Championship. Recognizing, commending the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks and Historic Sites. Recognizing, commending Trillville for their cultural impact and contributions to Georgia rich hip hop legacy. Recognizing the importance of national board certification in strengthening the teaching profession in the State of Georgia.

552. 3:22:59

     Recognizing, commending OJ Da- Da Juice Man for his contributions to Georgia hip hop culture and his pioneering role in the development of Southern trap music. Commending Micaiah Raheem. Recognizing March 23rd, 2026, as Dekalb Day at the State Capitol, and recognizing and honoring Ramesh Babu Lak- Lakshamaut, Council General of India, Atlanta, United States of America, for his distinguished diplomatic service and extraordinary contributions to the State of Georgia and the Indian American community, and for other purposes.

553. 3:23:40

     That completes the reading of the privileged resolutions.

554. 3:23:53

     Is there any ob- j- any objection to adopting the privileged resolutions? Hearing none, the resolutions are adopted.

555. 3:24:05

     For what purpose,

556. 3:24:08

     for what purpose does Representative Adeyina rise?

557. 3:24:12

     I move that-

558. 3:24:13

     Well, make a motion.

559. 3:24:16

     Like to make a motion.

560. 3:24:17

     State your motion.

561. 3:24:19

     I move that House Resolution 1670 be moved from the Committee on Special Rules to the Committee on Technology, both chairmen are in agreement.

562. 3:24:27

     Perfect

563. 3:24:29

     Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption? House Resolution 1670 by Representative Adina, the 110th and others recognizing impo- importance of voluntary community-based resource recovery efforts through the Rescuer Initiative.

564. 3:24:48

     On the gentleman's motion that House Resolution 1670 be withdrawn from the Special Rules Committee and recommitted to the Technology and Infrastructure Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, so ordered.

565. 3:25:10

     Okay, members, we'll move on to afternoon orders. We have a little more business this afternoon to tend to, and then we're gonna get out of town. Let's see. We'll start with Representative Kendrick.

566. 3:25:25

     Lady will suspend just for a moment. Let me get some order.

567. 3:25:33

     We're gonna give you, well, let's see, we have, um, little over a minute. A, um, little minute for you, and a little bit over if you need it. And, uh, ladies recognized for an afternoon orders, and her friends. All right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Wisdom, justice, and moderation, that is the motto here in the state of Georgia. And I wanna read something that has been happening in the news, and I want you to each ask yourself if we're exercising wisdom, justice, and moderation.

568. 3:26:07

     So on March 12, 2026, some Georgia-based news outlets began reporting on the case of a woman who had been charged with murder af- allegedly taking pills that resulted in a premature delivery before seeking medical care at a hospital. According to the initial report, she sought medical assistance following the pregnancy loss. Instead of receiving care and support, law enforcement became involved, and she was subsequently arrested and charged. She is currently being held without bond in a South Georgia jail where the case proceeds.

569. 3:26:41

     The situation has raised significant concern, and I hope we're all concerned, among the legal and reproductive health advocates who warn that cases like these reflect a growing trend of pregnancy criminalization where people can face investigation, arrest, or prosecution related to their pregnancy or pregnancy outcome. So again, I hope all of our colleagues remember that the motto here in the state of Georgia is wisdom, justice, and moderation.

570. 3:27:12

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lady's yielded the will. Representative Martinez. Give the gentleman your attention, please. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and colleague, let freedom ring. Just 90 miles away from our shores, for 57 years, my country of Cuba and its people have liv- have been living under communism, dictatorship. No free elections, no freedom of speech, no religion, no freedom of expression.

571. 3:27:46

     As a result, millions have left seeking freedom around the world, and tens of thousands have died under the Castro regime. Not anymore, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Cuba is in talks and negotiating with the United States about its future, and it's looking promising and bright. Soon Cubans will not live in tyranny. We will not live in hunger and despair, along with rolling blackouts, food rations, and energy shortages.

572. 3:28:16

     I'll quote our great president, "Cuba is at the end of the line. They have no money, no oil, and a bad philosophy." We are witnessing history in the making for the Cuban people. Thank you, President Trump, for doing something 12 US prior presidents were not able to do, and that is to eliminate the communist regime and liberate Cuba to freedom. God bless Cuba, and God bless the Cuban people.

573. 3:28:48

     Mr. Speaker, I yield the will. Thank you. Absolutely. Chairman Carpenter recognized for a special afternoon order. That's right, Mr. Speaker. For the first time since I've been down here, I remembered that today is my daughter's birthday. Sadie Ruth Carpenter is just 17. You know what I mean.

574. 3:29:20

     Happy birthday, Sadie, and happy birthday, Alice, this Saturday. Proud papa.

575. 3:29:30

     I think you redeemed yourself other than that singing you were doing, but just saying. Representative, Representative Ali. There he is. Gentleman's recognized.

576. 3:29:45

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, on the screen is Isaiah, a child in the foster system that is looking to be adopted. He is a kind kid, does well in school, and is a good friend to those around him. As always, we can make it possible for him to be adopted at itsmyturnnow.dhs.georgia.gov. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to congratulate the Venezuelan baseball team on their victory in the World Baseball Classic, and congratulate Team USA on reaching the c- championship game. Goes to show how a sporting event can bring all of us together even in trying times.

577. 3:30:17

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will. We always like to win, but that was a good game, no doubt. Representative, Representative Chas Cannon. Gentleman's recognized for an afternoon order.

578. 3:30:31

     Mr. Speaker, I also have a 15-year-old that has a birthday today, my youngest daughter, youngest daughter, Ali. But I also want to talk about our annual Sportsman's Caucus Raffle. Um, we have 125 tickets, $100 a piece. Uh, there's two chances to win. Uh, one chance is a quail hunt at my place down in Moultrie. Uh, other chance is a .308 bolt-action rifle. Um, all the proceeds for the tickets go to Outdoors Beyond Borders, which provides access to folks that are, have mobility impairments.

579. 3:31:04

     It's a great program. Uh, there's a picture on the screen of one of these things that we provide through this, uh, raffle. So if you can, please come see me. I've got some tickets, and I hope you participate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks. That's a great program. Thanks for, of supporting that. That really gives folks an opportunity to enjoy the out of doors. Thanks very much. Representative Stinson. Representative Patty Stinson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is a very special day, and I'm gonna invite some guests to come on down with me.

580. 3:31:35

     I'm not gonna sing today, Mr. Speaker. I've saved that for the weekend. You better call them out. I don't think they're coming. But come on down. Come on down. Today is a very special day in the State of Georgia. You know why? Because today is the birthday of Ms. Jennifer Clark over in Coverdell Legislative Building in the sixth floor. So happy, happy birthday, Ms. Jennifer Clark, on behalf of all of the Georgia House of Representatives. Happy birthday.

581. 3:32:05

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

582. 3:32:09

     Happy birthday, Ms. Jennifer. Thanks for doing that. Special part of our surface, service here. That can, that completes our afternoon orders. How about some announcements? We're gonna ... Members, we're gonna take up some announcements that are important. We're gonna push everything back an hour this afternoon. So when you make your announcements, you can take that into consideration. Chairman Corbett, recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Rural Caucus will be meeting over at the Ag Building.

583. 3:32:41

     Uh, lunch will be served. And, uh, listen up, next week we'll be meeting on Tuesday, uh, next week, instead of Wednesday. Thank you. That one will not be pushed back an hour. That one's meeting now. Lunch is served. Representative Rhonda Taylor. Representative Taylor. Can you do it?

584. 3:33:02

     There she comes. No, that's Representative

585. 3:33:13

     D- The leader got one?

586. 3:33:19

     Leader Hugley, lady has, is, is recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Georgia House Democratic Caucus, we have lunch in room 605 CLOB. Thank you. See you there. And that was not pushed back an hour. Representative Adeyina, the gentleman's recognized.

587. 3:33:42

     Georgia Legislative Black Caucus members, uh, we have a meeting at 3:00 CLOB 310. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Lynn Smith recognized for announcement. Representative Vance Smith is on deck.

588. 3:34:03

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, members of the House. This afternoon we're gonna have a subcommittee meeting for Natural Resource and Environment. Will be announced by Representative Vance Smith tomorrow morning. Full committee meeting determined based on what happens this afternoon. And also we're taking up the GOSA Bill tomorrow morning in full committee, 606 CLOB. Thank you. What time in the morning? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Eight, 8:00.

589. 3:34:34

     8:00. I'm just checking 'cause the Senate's meeting at some 6:00 meetings. Maybe we need to be- meet at 5:00. There you go. If, if you will provide sleeping bags, I'm sure we will. Think I've said too much already. Representative Vance Smith is recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon at 3:00, we will have a meeting in room 415 of the CLOB. It is the Resource Management Subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee.

590. 3:35:05

     So I'd ask all the members to come, even all the members of the full committee if you wanna come and be informed. 4:15 at 3, 3:00 PM. Thank you, sir. Chairman Gunther, recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, the Judiciary will meet tomorrow upon adjournment or around 1:00, depending on what goes on in here. Uh, we have about three bills to take up, and that may be our last meeting of the year. Thank you.

591. 3:35:36

     Chairman Anderson's recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, House Governmental Affairs will meet in CLOB 606 at 4:00 PM. Thank you.

592. 3:35:50

     Chairman Crowe recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee will meet at 2:00 now this afternoon in room 506 CLOB. 2:00 PM, 506 CLOB, House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

593. 3:36:15

     That completes our announcements. We have a birthday. Where's Ms. Mary?

594. 3:36:24

     Ms. Mary, could you step into the room, please? What a wonderful doorkeeper we have controlling that south entryway. Happy birthday, Ms. Mary.

595. 3:36:41

     Thank you for your work. Okay, members, we, you have, we have a group of great pages today, so if, if you have a page, just check it out and make sure you realize you have a page here. So we'll, uh, welcome you all down for page photos as soon as we adjourn. That completes our work for the day. Thank you, members, for your attention. Great day as we celebrated with some really good members. Majority Leader of this House is recognized for a motion. Leader Efstration. Thank you, Mr.

596. 3:37:12

     Speaker. I move that this House stand adjourned until Thursday, March 19th, 2026 at 10:00 AM. On the motion of Majority Leader Efstration, this House stand adjourned until 10:00 AM tomorrow, Thursday, March 19th, 2026. All those in favor will say, "Aye."

597. 3:37:36

     Aye. Those opposed, "No." No. Oh, we got it. The ayes have it. This House stands adjourned. Thank you, members.