--- title: House Ways & Means Committee, March 18, 2026 collection: meetings id: 2026-03-18/house-ways-and-means cite_as: House Ways & Means Committee, March 18, 2026, video https://vimeo.com/1174501941 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-18/house-ways-and-means md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-18/house-ways-and-means.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-18/house-ways-and-means/text source_url: https://vimeo.com/1174501941 date: 2026-03-18 status: machine transcript corpus_version: meetings-2026-10-23-8c15ead0f18d license: Machine transcript and summaries by Georgia Commons from the General Assembly's public video; the video stays on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-18.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-18/senate-transportation.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-18/house-floor.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/index.md chamber: House body: House Ways & Means Committee body_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/house-ways-and-means.md meeting_kind: committee session: 2025-2026 Regular Session start_time: 2026-03-18T08:00:00-04:00 location: 406 CLOB duration_seconds: 1136.0 video_id: 1174501941 video_title: 3.18.26 Ways and Means agenda_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Ways and Means%2F3.18.26 Ways & Means Committee Meeting Notice_TBD.pdf bills_discussed: - SB 430 - SB 285 summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol transcript_turns: 68 --- # House Ways & Means Committee, March 18, 2026 House Ways & Means Committee; March 18, 2026; 2025-2026 Regular Session. Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1174501941. Agenda: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Ways and Means%2F3.18.26 Ways & Means Committee Meeting Notice_TBD.pdf. > This is a machine transcript of the General Assembly's video, made by a speech-recognition model. It is not an official record and can mishear words, names, and numbers. Speakers are not identified. The video is the record: every timestamp links to the moment it plays. ## Summary written by Georgia Commons Written by gpt-6.1-sol from the transcript below. It is not part of the record. Quote the transcript or the video, not the summary. The committee approved substitute versions of [SB 430](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb430) and [SB 285](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb285) by voice vote, with no vote totals announced. Discussion of [SB 430](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb430) focused on allowing qualifying military museums to seek tourism-related funding and adding oversight of hotel and motel tax funds. For [SB 285](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb285), a committee member described a two-year funding approach for the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund using existing tax revenue rather than new taxes. The chair said the other bills were postponed, and the meeting adjourned. ## Bills discussed (2) Each account was written by gpt-6.1-sol from the stretch of the transcript it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda. ### SB 430. Taxes; certain military museums qualify as destination marketing organizations and private sector nonprofit organizations; provide [SB 430](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb430) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:10:43](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=643s), turns 5 to 45. The sponsor presented a substitute defining qualifying military museums so they could be considered for tourism-related funding. The sponsor emphasized that it would not require any funding award. Asked whether small museums would qualify, the sponsor said they could if they met the definition, which was intended to exclude informal artifact collections presented as museums. A second committee member asked about museums on federal property. The sponsor initially said they would be eligible but acknowledged that federal ownership might affect consideration. Another committee member explained that language added to the substitute would provide oversight involving the existing Hotel/Motel Tax Performance Review Board to guard against fraud and abuse involving destination marketing organizations. The sponsor supported that addition. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote, with no vote total announced. ### SB 285. Emergency Communications Authority; increase in the percentage of all 9-1-1 charges to be remitted to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; increase [SB 285](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb285) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:15:43](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=943s), turns 45 to 65. The sponsor endorsed revisions developed with House committee members. A committee member explained that the substitute would use existing revenue directed locally toward police rather than impose new fees or taxes, addressing potential constitutional concerns. The member described funding tied to 1.5 percent of local insurance premium tax revenue and an intended state contribution of half a percent to support the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund for two years. The member said a longer-term solution would be pursued the following year. According to the member, the fund was 91 percent funded, and the changes would improve its finances, allow a potential benefit increase after July 1, 2027, and better position the board to grant a cost-of-living adjustment. No substantive questions followed. The committee passed the substitute by voice vote, with no vote total announced. ## Transcript (68 turns) [0:09:30](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=570s) Morning, everybody. I think we, uh, are at the hour, um, go ahead and call the Ways and Means Committee Meeting to order. We've got a few bills on the agenda. I've talked to one of the authors and we're gonna maybe make an adjustment or two to, uh, to his bill. So we're gonna hold, hold one of these. We got three bills today. Uh, Chairman Carpenter, would you open us up in word of prayer, please, sir? [0:09:56](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=596s) Bow your heads. Heavenly Father, we just come to you and we just thank you so much for getting us here this morning, getting us here safely. Be with us as we stretch out over the next few days, um, to two weeks, Father, to do great things for this state. Uh, allow us to stay positive, uh, and bless what we do for all the citizens of Georgia. In your Son's name, we pray. Amen. [0:10:16](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=616s) Amen. We, we might need to commission you for breakfast on these Wednesday morning meetings, Chairman. What do you think? Are you- [0:10:23](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=623s) I mean, you just add an hour to my- [0:10:28](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=628s) All right. I was afraid of that. [0:10:32](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=632s) All right. Um, I've got... We got three bills on the agenda, and we'll go in a little bit of a, a reverse order if, if, if that's okay. Senate Bill 430. Um, Chairman, uh, Mr. Wipp, excuse me, Wipp Robertson, I know you have two bills here. We'll, uh, get to those. Thank you for, for being here. Sorry we missed you on, on sub. That was our, our mistake on the timing there, so. [0:11:05](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=665s) It's no problem. Chairman, I know this time of, uh, session everybody's running in a lot of different directions, and I just appreciate your time and your patience with me. Um, SB 430, I'm reading off, uh, LC59-0391S, as in Sierra. And it's just a clarification, uh, piece of legislation. All I'm doing in here, if you go over to line 46, um, we're just, um, identifying what a military museum is so that it qualifies as a museum. [0:11:37](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=697s) It does not mandate any direction of funding. All it does is when the conversation comes up on the distribution of these funds, that, uh, this, uh, this type of museum is, is considered. I know we have these types of museums all over the state of Georgia. Myself and, uh, Representative Vance Smith, uh, have one that has, for the last three years, has been rated the number one free museum in the world, uh, because of its type, and it's an incredible museum. And, uh, any time y'all are down in Columbus, we'd love to host you guys down there at the, uh, National Infantry Museum. [0:12:13](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=733s) It is. It's a very nice place. Um, Chairman Williamson- [0:12:17](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=737s) Yeah, ju- just- [0:12:18](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=738s) ... had a question [0:12:18](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=738s) ... a quick question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Senator, the, the, and I, I like this. It just, just dawned on me. Would this apply to even the small museums like the Toccoa, uh, Museum that, um, celebrates the, um... I can't remember. It's, it's the- [0:12:33](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=753s) Band of Brothers [0:12:34](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=754s) ... yeah, the Ba- well, it's where the Band of Brothers. But is it the 1, 101 Airborne? Is that it? Yeah, 101 Airborne. The small, small military museums as well. [0:12:43](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=763s) I think if it meets the definition, it does. What I've tried to avoid is, as we know, there are a lot of people that have a nice collection of artifacts at their house, so they, they go rent a, a wood house in the middle of town, a shotgun house or something, and, and put a sign out front that calls it a museum. What I've tried to do is have the definition where it would, um, um, those would not be eligible, but these legitimate museums. And I see, uh, Representative Buckner is here, too, and she's also a big advocate for the Infantry Museum there in, in Columbus. And, uh, but I know there are a lot around Warner Robins. [0:13:16](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=796s) I think there's one over in Pooler. Um, and then, uh, just scattered throughout the state. [0:13:21](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=801s) Well, does this- [0:13:21](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=801s) We're a very heavy military state, so I think we owe it to our- [0:13:23](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=803s) This is a legitimate museum. [0:13:25](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=805s) Yes, sir. If it had- [0:13:25](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=805s) If you hadn't seen it, it's worth, worth going to see [0:13:27](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=807s) ... it, it would qualify, and I'd love to see that. [0:13:28](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=808s) Yes, sir. Thank you. [0:13:31](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=811s) Chairman Prince, did you have a question? [0:13:33](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=813s) Yes. Thank you. And again, I wanna just, uh, I think, uh, maybe, ch- uh, Representative Williamson may have cleared it up. But, uh, down in Fort, I guess we're Fort Gordon or, well, Fort Eisenhower, whatever we are today, but, uh, that would apply for this museum a- as well? [0:13:50](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=830s) Yes, sir. [0:13:50](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=830s) Are those museums eligible for this? [0:13:50](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=830s) What it would, what it would do, it would allow these institutions to be at the table when the discussion of these funds disbursements are being talked about, and allow them to at least make a petition to gain some of that to help enhance their opportunity to bring more tourism into the military community. [0:14:06](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=846s) Even though they own that federal property out there? [0:14:09](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=849s) Well, and see- [0:14:10](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=850s) And that's what- [0:14:11](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=851s) ... it, we, it would, uh, that, that might make a difference. The one we have in Columbus, it's a portion of it is in the City of Columbus, and then a portion of it is on, actually on Fort Benning. [0:14:20](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=860s) Okay. [0:14:20](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=860s) So, so I'm sure that would be part of the conversation. [0:14:22](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=862s) Thank you for that. I appreciate it. [0:14:23](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=863s) Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Representative. [0:14:27](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=867s) Let's see. And, uh, Chairman Stevens, did, do you wanna mention 1179 briefly? Uh, the author was amenable to a, a friendly amendment here, I think. [0:14:38](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=878s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, thank you for, for bringing the, the underlying bill. And I'm really, uh, I got a lump in my throat for Richard Smith that, that worked really hard on getting the Infantry Museum up. But the underlying bill, um, is phenomenal. The, and thank you to the author for allowing me to put, uh, our bill in there, 1179, which does nothing more than, um, put a, some oversight on the existing Hotel/Motel Tax Performance Review Board, uh, to make sure there's no fraud and abuse that might go on with these, um, destination marketing organizations. [0:15:11](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=911s) I was very happy to add that. I think that helps the overall bill accomplish what we're trying to do. [0:15:15](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=915s) Thank you. [0:15:16](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=916s) I don't see any further questions. Um, is there a motion? [0:15:20](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=920s) Move to pass. [0:15:21](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=921s) Second. [0:15:22](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=922s) A motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of passage of SB430 LC590391S, please signify by stating, "Aye." [0:15:34](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=934s) Aye. [0:15:34](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=934s) Those opposed, like sign. All right, thank very much, uh, Mr. Whip. Um, I think Chairman Martin may be able to help you or y'all, y'all on SB285, but your, your other bill on the agenda, if you'd like to proceed with that- [0:15:49](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=949s) Yes, sir [0:15:50](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=950s) ... that measure. [0:15:50](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=950s) If that's the chair's wish. Um, SB285, and I would like to thank the chair for, for coming across and talking to me and assuring me that, that he would make it better. I, I sat down at my desk this morning and read it, and you have absolutely done that, and I greatly appreciate that. [0:16:06](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=966s) And I, I would yield to Chairman Martin, who has, has done a, a yeoman's work on this. Uh, thank you, Chairman Martin, and, and thank you, Whip Robertson, for allowing us to, to work- [0:16:18](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=978s) Yes, sir [0:16:18](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=978s) ... on the measure, help our, our law enforcement. [0:16:21](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=981s) Like any further explanation on what the new bill- [0:16:24](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=984s) I think if you wanna give us a, a quick explanation. [0:16:26](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=986s) I- [0:16:26](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=986s) I know we- [0:16:27](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=987s) Sure [0:16:27](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=987s) ... you went over it thoroughly in subcommittee. Yes, sir. [0:16:29](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=989s) Yes, sir. And, and again, thanks to the senator for, for getting this, the, the ball rolling here. What, what we did in the bill, um, to alleviate any potential constitutional concerns with, with the new fee or ne- new taxes, we identified funds that were already, uh, being collected and, and di- directed locally toward, uh, police as one of the constitutional, um, places those funds could go. So we're capturing those funds, and the state is looking to, uh, match those at one and a half percent of, um, the insurance premium tax from the locals. We, we look to w- and the bill has in direction, it is our intention to, to do a half a percent from the state to do that to, to fund, um, the POAB for the next two years, while we would then come forward with a bill next year to, to have a, a longer term solution. [0:17:13](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1033s) But this will put them in a place where they will have the ability to do a benefit increase after July 1st, 2027. Um, it would also put them in a, uh, better funded situation. They're 91% funded now. Put them in a better funding situation so if the board chooses, they could give a COLA to the current, uh, employees. They, they could always do this. This puts them in a better funding position. So we have no new taxes. We, we get the, uh, benefit to the, the potential benefit quicker, and then we have a long, longer term plan to, to work with our, our friends in the Senate to, uh, provide a longer term solution. [0:17:46](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1066s) Well, thank you for, for helping us work up a solution to get some, some help to our, our heroes, our law enforcement retirees. And, uh, thank you, Whip Robertson, for, for bringing the bill. Um, I don't see any questions. Is there, uh, a motion? Motion. [0:18:01](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1081s) Second. [0:18:02](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1082s) Motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the passage of SB285 LC560678S, please signify by stating aye. Aye. Those opposed like same. [0:18:16](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1096s) Yes. [0:18:16](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1096s) Bill passes. Thank you very much. [0:18:18](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1098s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it. [0:18:19](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1099s) Appreciate it, Mr. Whip. I think our, uh, other two bills are postponed at this point. Um, so if there's nothing further, uh, for the good of the order, we will stand adjourned. Thank you very much. [0:18:55](https://vimeo.com/1174501941#t=1135s) Hey, Ray. I change on-