---
title: House Rules Committee, March 19, 2026
collection: meetings
id: 2026-03-19/house-rules
cite_as: House Rules Committee, March 19, 2026, video https://vimeo.com/1174877335 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-19/house-rules
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-19/house-rules.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-19/house-rules/text
source_url: https://vimeo.com/1174877335
date: 2026-03-19
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/2026-03-19.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-19/house-judiciary-non-civil.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-19/house-floor.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/index.md
chamber: House
body: House Rules Committee
body_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/house-rules.md
meeting_kind: rules
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
start_time: 2026-03-19T09:00:00-04:00
location: 341 CAP
duration_seconds: 4103.0
video_id: 1174877335
video_title: 3.19.26 Rules
agenda_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Rules%2FHOUSE RULES COMMITTEE MEETING 3-19-26.pdf
bills_discussed:
  - HR 1529
  - SB 240
  - HR 1662
  - HR 1582
  - HR 1583
  - SR 23
  - SB 395
  - SB 444
  - SB 216
  - SB 501
  - SB 285
  - HR 463
  - SB 470
  - SB 91
  - SB 485
  - SB 566
  - SB 552
  - SB 384
  - SB 452
  - SB 553
  - SB 74
  - SB 214
  - SB 458
  - SB 489
  - SB 439
  - SB 570
  - SB 569
  - SB 89
  - SB 441
  - SB 254
official_records:
  - https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/house-journal-document-library/2026-regular-session-house-journal.pdf?sfvrsn=e39df1be_2#page=2894
summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol
transcript_turns: 134
---

# House Rules Committee, March 19, 2026

House Rules Committee; March 19, 2026; 2025-2026 Regular Session.

Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1174877335. Agenda: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Rules%2FHOUSE RULES COMMITTEE MEETING 3-19-26.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 heard presentations on education, health care, retirement, elections, taxes, business regulation and other subjects. It placed nine bills on the calendar for Legislative Day 34: [SB 216](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb216), [SB 439](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb439), [SB 444](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb444), [SB 452](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb452), [SB 470](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb470), [SB 489](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb489), [SB 553](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb553), [SB 570](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb570) and [SB 285](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb285). It also placed [SR 23](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr23), concerning a convention to propose congressional term limits, on the calendar for Legislative Day 35 after a voice vote with opposition. The committee sent [SB 552](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb552), concerning student access to political and religious extracurricular organizations, back to the Judiciary Committee. No calendar decisions were announced for the other measures presented.

## Bills discussed (30)

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.

### HR 1529. House Study Committee on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI); create

[HR 1529](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1529) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:29:37](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1777s), turns 8 to 10.

The sponsor said the resolution would create a study committee to review the College and Career Ready Performance Index, which measures school districts. The sponsor said the system had been in place for about 12 years and was not working as intended. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 240. Georgia Native Plant Month; designate April of each year

[SB 240](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb240) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:30:11](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1811s), turns 12 to 14.

The sponsor described the bill as changing the state flower from the Cherokee rose, which the sponsor called an invasive species from China, to the native sweetbay magnolia. The sponsor said the change would promote education about native plants, especially as development reduces farmland, and reported receiving more than 100 letters from third graders supporting the change. There were no questions or calendar action.

### HR 1662. Trump, President Donald J.; recognize leadership; commend the courage and professionalism of the United States Armed Forces

[HR 1662](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1662) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:31:13](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1873s), turns 15 to 24.

The sponsor said the resolution would recognize the courage and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces, distinguish the Iranian government from the Iranian people, and recognize the sitting president's recent actions against that government. A committee member said many minority-caucus members supported about two-thirds of the resolution and had sought removal of the presidential recognition to allow bipartisan support for the military. The member questioned the war's strategy and exit plan and said it was raising energy and food prices and threatening fertilizer supplies. The sponsor opposed removing the presidential recognition, cited deaths of U.S. soldiers and Iranian civilians attributed to the Iranian government, and defended the president's actions as necessary to protect troops. In response to another member, the sponsor confirmed Iranian ancestry. No calendar action was taken.

### HR 1582. House Study Committee on Veteran Teacher Compensation; create

[HR 1582](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1582) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:34:59](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2099s), turns 25 to 25.

The sponsor said the resolution would establish a study committee on retaining veteran teachers through an additional salary step at 28 years of service. There were no questions or calendar action.

### HR 1583. House Study Committee on Small Business Technology Adoption; create

[HR 1583](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1583) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:35:29](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2129s), turns 26 to 26.

The sponsor said the resolution would create a study committee to examine how Georgia could help small businesses adopt technology and innovation. The sponsor described the study as a way to develop recommendations based on data rather than rush legislation. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SR 23. US Congress; limited to proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected; apply to call a convention

[SR 23](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr23) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:36:35](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2195s), turns 30 to 133.

Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2899: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/house-journal-document-library/2026-regular-session-house-journal.pdf?sfvrsn=e39df1be_2#page=2903.

The sponsor said the resolution would petition Congress for a constitutional convention limited to proposing congressional term limits. A committee member questioned whether such a convention could exceed its authority, citing the 1787 convention and a warning from a historical constitutional author. The sponsor said the proposal limited the convention's scope and called for criminal penalties if that scope was exceeded. The sponsor also said states had begun this process four times and prompted Congress to act, citing women's suffrage as an example of the process's influence. Later, the committee voted to place the resolution on the Legislative Day 35 calendar. An objection prompted a voice vote, and the chair announced that the motion carried. No vote count was stated.

### SB 395. Department of Public Health; eligible for the Low THC Oil Patient Registry; require a physician to submit certain information to the Georgia Composite Medical Board

[SB 395](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb395) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:38:14](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2294s), turns 33 to 34.

The sponsor said the bill would improve communication about the medical cannabis program between the Department of Public Health, which handles administration, and the Georgia Composite Medical Board, which handles enforcement. The sponsor reported no known disagreement with the bill. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 444. Private Review Agents; certain decisions with regard to the provision of insurance coverage for healthcare services shall not be based solely on artificial intelligence systems; provide

[SB 444](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb444) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:38:46](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2326s), turns 34 to 129.

The sponsor said the bill would require human involvement before an insurer makes an adverse prior-authorization decision using artificial intelligence. One committee member emphasized having a person explain a denial to patients or providers. The sponsor said existing protections require review by a clinical peer and that AI should not override that professional judgment. Another member asked whether human review would delay approvals. The sponsor said AI approvals could proceed, while potential denials needed a thorough review of the medical record. Asked whether a denial should come from a provider licensed in Georgia, the sponsor agreed and cited the existing definition of a clinical peer. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 216. Georgia Judicial Retirement System; membership in the system for individuals employed as the director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission; provide

[SB 216](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb216) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:42:24](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2544s), turns 42 to 128.

The sponsor said the bill would allow the director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to move from the Employees' Retirement System to the Judicial Retirement System. The sponsor said most applicants for the director position had been district attorneys who qualified for judicial retirement. A committee member contrasted the lack of employee-system cost-of-living increases for about 15 years with annual increases in the judicial system. The sponsor agreed that the employee system had been neglected, especially since 2008. A separate exchange addressed early-morning Senate committee scheduling, with the sponsor saying this bill had gone through the regular retirement committee process before crossover. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 501. Office of the Safety Fire Commissioner; update provisions

[SB 501](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb501) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:42:48](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2568s), turns 44 to 49.

The sponsor described the bill as updates and cleanup to Title 25 requested by the insurance and fire safety commissioner's office. A committee member asked whether either of the sponsor's bills had been heard at 6 a.m. The sponsor said neither had and defended scheduling other subcommittee meetings early after crossover to accommodate floor and committee work. The member sought advance notice of bills, and the sponsor promised to post the agenda online that day. No calendar action was taken.

### 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 [0:46:30](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2790s), turns 51 to 131.

At the chair's invitation, the sponsor requested consideration of the bill and thanked House members for revising and improving the Senate version. The sponsor did not explain its provisions, and members asked no questions. The committee later placed it on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### HR 463. Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month; month of March; designate

[HR 463](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr463) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:47:11](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2831s), turns 52 to 55.

The sponsor said the resolution would designate March as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month in Georgia. The sponsor said autoimmune diseases affect more than 50 million Americans, including thousands of Georgians, and can bring delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and emotional and financial burdens. Drawing on personal experience, the sponsor said greater awareness could support earlier detection, research and treatment. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 470. "Emergency & Public Safety Signal Protection Act"; enact

[SB 470](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb470) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:49:00](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2940s), turns 55 to 129.

The sponsor described the bill as Georgia Bureau of Investigation legislation to criminalize signal jammers. The sponsor said these devices can disable communications at homes, businesses and 911 centers and called them an evolving threat. There were no questions. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 91. State Employees' Health Insurance Plan; Board of Community Health from entering into, executing, or renewing a contract with any pharmacy benefits manager that owns or has an ownership interest in any retail pharmacy; prohibit

[SB 91](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb91) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:49:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2973s), turns 56 to 58.

The sponsor said the bill would prohibit a pharmacy benefit manager that also operates a pharmacy from contracting with the state health benefit plan. The sponsor argued that separating those roles would break up a vertically integrated monopoly and help independent pharmacies. The only question concerned the unrelated state budget schedule. No calendar action was taken.

### SB 485. Professional Counselors; applicants for a license in social work enrolled in a master's degree program to take the master's social work licensing examination in their final semester of the program; authorize

[SB 485](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb485) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:51:27](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3087s), turns 63 to 65.

The sponsor said the bill would let students in the final semester of an accredited Master of Social Work program take the licensing exam before graduation. The sponsor said exams are offered only a few times a year and that earlier testing would prevent graduates from waiting months to enter a field needing more professionals. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 566. Ad Valorem Taxation of Property; the acceptance of tax digests in the event of a publication error made by a newspaper; provide

[SB 566](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb566) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:52:13](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3133s), turns 67 to 70.

The sponsor said the Ways and Means Committee had removed the newspaper-publication provision, leaving a bill to improve property assessment notices. The sponsor said the revised notice would give taxpayers clearer information about exemptions received, other possible exemptions, contact methods and four ways to appeal. The sponsor described existing notices as confusing and sometimes misleading. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 552. "True Patriotism and Universal Student Access (TPUSA) Act"; enact

[SB 552](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb552) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:53:58](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3238s), turns 82 to 128.

The sponsor said the bill would allow public high school students to participate in extracurricular political and religious organizations and reinforce constitutional freedoms. During the presentation, the sponsor said both the ACLU and the Georgia Baptist Association supported it. A committee member asked about the title's TPUSA acronym and its association with Turning Point USA. The sponsor confirmed that the title honored that organization and its late activist. Another member asked a question characterizing the activist's killing in political terms, and the sponsor agreed. Later, the committee voted to send the bill back to the Judiciary Committee without voiced opposition.

### SB 384. Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide

[SB 384](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb384) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:55:28](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3328s), turns 93 to 96.

The sponsor said the bill would allow vehicle owners to choose a five-year registration instead of registering annually. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 452. Retirement and Pension; maximum employer contribution to a 401(k) for certain state law enforcement officers; increase

[SB 452](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb452) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:55:52](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3352s), turns 97 to 129.

The sponsor described the bill as a governor's proposal to increase the retirement contribution match for state peace officers. The sponsor said the match would rise to 15 percent when an officer contributes 5 percent after 10 years. There were no questions. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 553. Professions and Businesses; repeal Chapter 14, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors and enact a new Chapter 14

[SB 553](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb553) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:56:14](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3374s), turns 99 to 130.

The sponsor said the bill, presented on behalf of the governor, would streamline licensing for five construction-trade industries in Georgia. There were no questions. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 74. Harmful Materials to Minors; exemption for libraries and librarians from the provisions of Code Section 16-12-103; repeal

[SB 74](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb74) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:56:48](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3408s), turns 103 to 104.

The sponsor requested consideration of the bill, describing it as protection for minors from harmful materials and noting that the committee had discussed it before. The sponsor offered to answer questions but did not explain the provisions further. No questions or calendar action followed.

### SB 214. Elections and Primaries; electors to cast physical absentee on-request ballots as an alternative to using other authorized means of casting in-person votes; authorize

[SB 214](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb214) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:57:02](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3422s), turns 105 to 106.

The sponsor requested consideration of the elections bill and thanked the House Governmental Affairs Committee for its work. The sponsor did not explain its provisions. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 458. "Home Inspector Licensing Act of Georgia"; enact

[SB 458](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb458) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:57:23](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3443s), turns 107 to 108.

The presenter said the bill would license home inspectors, require proof of basic competence and liability insurance, and address predatory practices by real estate wholesalers. The presenter said Georgia currently allows someone without qualifications to advertise as a home inspector and estimated that 44 states require a license. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 489. Board of Commissioners of the Judges of the Probate Courts Retirement Fund of Georgia; allow to set monthly dues

[SB 489](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb489) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:57:59](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3479s), turns 108 to 130.

The presenter said the bill would increase probate judges' retirement contributions and redirect a larger share of existing fees to their retirement fund. The presenter reported a 60 percent decline in weapons-permit applications after permitless carry passed and said an actuarial study projected the fund would fall below full funding within three years. A member asked whether filing fees would rise and whether local governments might need to replace redirected operating revenue. The presenter said total filing fees would not increase and reported no concerns from GMA or ACCG. The presenter said about $1.3 million enters the fund annually, estimated the earlier law's average revenue reduction at $233,000, and described changes from 20 to 25 percent and from $2 to $5 in dedicated fee shares. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 439. "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; regulation of referral agencies for assisted living communities and personal care homes; provide

[SB 439](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb439) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:59:50](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3590s), turns 112 to 129.

The presenter said the bill would establish protections for seniors in dealings between referral agencies and assisted or independent living communities. The presenter said it would clarify information sharing, fee distribution and reporting deadlines. There were no questions. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 570. "Georgia Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act"; enact

[SB 570](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb570) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:00:24](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3624s), turns 113 to 130.

The presenter said the bill would require frontline workers at short-term rentals, hotels and motels without an existing program to complete human trafficking identification and reporting training within 60 days of hiring. The presenter said the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council created the training and had provided input and support. There were no questions. The committee later placed the bill on the Legislative Day 34 calendar without voiced opposition.

### SB 569. Motor Vehicles and Traffic; the issuance of emergency vehicle light permits for towing service companies in certain instances; provide

[SB 569](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb569) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:01:08](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3668s), turns 115 to 116.

The sponsor said the bill would refine the process for authorizing emergency lights on tow trucks handling law-enforcement-initiated tows along busy interstate routes. The sponsor said the goal was to clear crashes faster and reduce traffic delays. The sponsor also said the House Motor Vehicles Committee had added a database for abandoned vehicles. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 89. Income Taxes; amount of a tax credit based on the federal tax credit for certain child and dependent care expenses; increase

[SB 89](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb89) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:01:49](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3709s), turns 116 to 124.

The sponsor said the bill no longer concerned a child-care tax credit because that issue had been addressed in separate legislation the previous year. A committee member later explained that the revised bill would allow liquor stores to sell intoxicating beverages covered by the state's CBD provisions. The member said these drinks were already sold in convenience stores to customers age 21 and older, but the Department of Revenue wanted explicit authority for liquor-store sales. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 441. Local Government Investment Pool; certain pooled investments to be approved by the State Depository Board; require

[SB 441](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb441) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:02:29](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3749s), turns 118 to 121.

The sponsor said the bill would bring additional local government investment pools under the State Depository Board's oversight. The sponsor said the board oversees about $40 billion for local governments and has investment experts available to manage the money. The sponsor described the oversight as a safeguard for cities and counties. There were no questions or calendar action.

### SB 254. "Georgia Hemp Farming Act,"; delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; provide milligram limits

[SB 254](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb254) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:04:45](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3885s), turns 125 to 126.

A committee member described the measure as the annual coin-operated amusement machine bill and said the governor's office and Georgia Lottery had met with lawmakers about it. The member said manufacturers and distributors were combining Class A and Class B machines into hybrids and argued that preventing those combinations was necessary to maintain market stability and avoid machine casinos. There were no questions or calendar action.

## Official records of this meeting

- 2026 House Journal, pp. 2890 to 2951 (2026-03-20): https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/house-journal-document-library/2026-regular-session-house-journal.pdf?sfvrsn=e39df1be_2#page=2894

## Transcript (134 turns)

[0:00:00](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=0s) Morning, everybody.

[0:00:02](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2s) I'm gonna take a couple of

[0:00:04](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=4s) Morning, everybody. Morning.

[0:28:19](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1699s) I'll go ahead and call our meeting to order. And, uh, we'll recognize, uh, Dean Greene. Gonna open us up with a word of prayer this morning.

[0:28:29](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1709s) Let us pray. Lord our God, we thank you that you have called us your children. And Father, we ask you to be with us and guide us. Take us through these days that we have left at the legislature, that we may do good for the people of the state of Georgia. And Father, we just ask you now to go with us, guide us, and direct us. Carry us over those rough spots and hear our prayers, oh Lord, as we go forward. Be with us now, Father, and we ask all of this in our Lord and Savior's name.

[0:29:03](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1743s) Amen.

[0:29:05](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1745s) Thank you, Dean Greene.

[0:29:09](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1749s) We'll go ahead and, uh, get started. We thought about having a meeting at 6:00 AM this morning or 7:00, 7:00, or 7:30 tonight, but we felt like probably 9:00 or thereabout was a better time for us to get started. So having said that, we're gonna take our House members first. Uh, yes ma'am, come on up.

[0:29:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1773s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the committee, I have H- House Resolution 1529. It's the bottom of page one, very last bill on page one. Uh, this proposes a study committee to look at the College and Career Ready Performance Index, or CCRPI, that, uh, measures our school districts. It's been in place for about 12 years now. It's not quite working as, as designed. Um, and it's just time to look at it.

[0:30:00](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1800s) Okay. I don't see any questions. Thank you.

[0:30:03](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1803s) Thank you.

[0:30:03](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1803s) Yes, ma'am. Chair Lee Silcox.

[0:30:07](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1807s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I bring to you this morning Senate Bill 240. It's at the top of page three. And this bill is identical to my House Bill 955, and would change the state flower from the invasive species from China, the Cherokee Rose, to a native plant, um, which is the Sweetbay Magnolia. This is great policy for the state of Georgia and will hope- hopefully educate, um, lots of people about the importance of planting native plants, especially with us, um, building so many data centers and losing so much farmland.

[0:30:42](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1842s) It's more important than ever that we plant these native plants. Um, the best evidence I have that this is great policy for the state is I received over 100 letters from third graders who wrote to me about changing the state flower. So, thank you.

[0:30:57](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1857s) Okay, don't see any questions. Thank you, ma'am. Chairman Momtahan, go ahead.

[0:31:10](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1870s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I have HR 1662. It's fifth down on the second page.

[0:31:19](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1879s) Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, first and foremost, uh, this is a resolution that recognizes the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. When America calls, they answer, carrying out complex and dangerous missions with precision, discipline, and unwavering commitment to protecting our nation and defending freedom around the world. Second, this resolution draws a clear and important distinction between the Iranian regime and the Iranian people. Um, and finally, it recognizes the leadership required to confront such a regime, including the actions taken by President Donald J.

[0:31:56](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1916s) Trump, uh, during the last few weeks. With that, Mr. Chairman, I'll stand for questions.

[0:32:01](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1921s) Okay, we got a question. Whit Porter has a question.

[0:32:03](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1923s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I've got just two questions. Um, is it not true that I, along with many members of my caucus, support about two-thirds of your resolution, and it was requested that an objectionable part be removed so that we could in a bipartisan manner commend our armed forces?

[0:32:19](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1939s) An objectionable part? I'm sorry. Uh, are you talking about, uh, I think it was a minority's position to remove our sitting president, Donald J. Trump, from this resolution, of which I'm opposed. When President Obama authorized strikes in Libya, uh, I was a, a supporter of those strikes, bringing freedom and pr- protecting our soldiers overseas. A, one more question, if I may. Uh, d- does the gentleman from the 17th really believe that a majority of Georgians think that President Trump has demonstrated leadership in starting this war without strategy, without an exit plan, that's triggered one of the worst global energy crisis since the 1970s, that's increasing gas prices, food prices, and threatening the fertilizer supply for Georgia farmers?

[0:33:05](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=1985s) Here's what I think the majority of Georgians believe. I think that when three soldiers died at the hands of an Iranian regime who sent a drone strike into a United States military barracks that killed three soldiers while they were sleeping. And, uh, to the min- to the minority whip, I would just say this. I have a list here of hundreds of soldiers, American citizens, who have been killed by this brutal regime. That doesn't include the thousands from thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Iranian citizens who have been killed because of the protest.

[0:33:44](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2024s) The women who have been, uh, executed for letting their hair out, for speaking against this brutal regime. So I think the minority party wants to make this a very political thing. That's very sad to me. I don't think that Georgia or Georgians would choose to support this brutal regime. And we have to recognize, Mr.

[0:34:16](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2056s) Whip, that we have a leader in the White House who has taken decisive action to stop the constant barrage that our soldiers overseas have taken for decades. Thank you. Okay. Chairman Hitchens, did you have a question? Is it not true that you're of Iranian descent? I'm sorry, s- Isn't it, is it not true that you're of Iranian descent? That is true.

[0:34:47](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2087s) Okay. Don't see any other questions. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Representative Rice.

[0:34:57](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2097s) Good morning. I have House Resolution 1582. It is the first one on the second page. What this resolution does is it establishes a study committee to, um, for a teacher step recruiting, keeping, I'm sorry, retaining our veteran teachers with a step increase at year 28 of service. Mm. Okay. Don't see any questions. Thank you. Thank you. Chairman Gullett.

[0:35:26](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2126s) Thank you, Chairman. Excuse me. Um, this is Hou- House Resolution 1583, the second one down on, um, the blue sheet. Uh- Page two. Page two, I'm sorry. This resolution creates a study committee, um, to evaluate how Georgia can better support small businesses in adopting technology and innovation. It allows us, um, to take a thoughtful data-driven approach, um, to bring back targeted recommendations without rushing policy. Okay. Don't s- don't see any questions. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

[0:36:00](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2160s) Representative Hilton. Representative Hilton, did you want to request a bill today? Yes, sir. Now's the time.

[0:36:12](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2172s) That's crazy.

[0:36:24](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2184s) Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, those of you in line. Um-

[0:36:34](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2194s) Here to present, uh, Senate Resolution 23, which we heard in standing committee just a couple of days ago. Senate resolution petitions Congress to implement an Article 5 convention for the purposes of imposing term limits on Congress. Mm. Okay, got a question. Whip Park has a question for you. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, just two questions, if I may. Uh, is it not true that an Article 5 convention is a radical and dangerous way to amend the Constitution of the United States?

[0:37:04](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2224s) Not in the way that we've proposed it, where it's a very limited convention. Again, we, we discussed on, don't have lines in front of me, but we actually propose Congress, uh, to, uh, impose criminal charges if it goes beyond the scope of what's proposed in the resolution. I- i- is it not true that the only historical precedent for this is the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which exceeded its mandate in which James Madison, the, who wrote the Constitution afterwards, warned that, uh, and, and wrote in a letter, "I should tremble for the re- for the result of a second convention." Is that not true?

[0:37:37](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2257s) W- we have women's suffrage to thank for what we're doing here today. So four times in our nation's history, uh, states have begun this process and Congress has stepped in and delivered what the states were asking for. So this is federalism at, at its, at work right now. And we have, we have many very good amendments to thank because of what we're doing here today. Mm. Okay. Don't see any other questions. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Okay. Senator Kirkpatrick. If you, if you would, Senator, when you present, please give us the page number and the bill number to help members find it quicker.

[0:38:10](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2290s) Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have two bills for you today. Senate Bill 395, uh, the fourth down on page three, has to do with our medical cannabis program and is designed to improve communication between the Department of Public Health, who handles the administrative process, and the Composite State Medical Board, which handles enforcement. And, uh, everyone's in agreement with it as far as I can tell.

[0:38:41](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2321s) Okay. Okay, don't see any questions on that. Do you? Okay. And Senate Bill 444 is an insurance bill, and it basically assures that there will be a human in the prior authorization review process

[0:38:57](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2337s) Um, when AI is used. So we are supporting the use of AI, but also keeping a human in the loop before any adverse determinations are made. Okay, have a question for you, Chair Lady, uh, Smith. Thank you. Thank you for this bill. I'm so glad humans can fight back, so thank you.

[0:39:19](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2359s) Okay. Chairman Hawkins. Uh, I assume that you think it's very important for a human to answer the phone and tell a patient or a provider why they, they want, do not want to, um, have, for them to have the procedure rather than a automated e- entity on the other end. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the question. Um, we have done a lot of work on this process over the last several years on prior authorization.

[0:39:52](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2392s) And w- we've created guardrails that include a clinical peer in the process. So this bill just continues the work that we've done previously to be sure that AI cannot supersede the judgment of a clinical peer.

[0:40:12](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2412s) Chairman Martin, is that you? S- Senator, I, I think I know the answer, but I want to, I want to you to sound it for us. This is more important in the cases where there's a, a denial toward that than it is. I just want to make sure that it, injecting an individual when the answer is yes is not gonna slow down the thing for the pres- I, for the patient. And I believe, uh, you can address that in one line for us. That's 100% right. Um, we are fine with things that are gonna be approved by AI. But if there's gonna be a denial, we just need to be sure that there's a thorough review of the whole medical record.

[0:40:46](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2446s) Okay. Senator Kelley has a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, I appreciate the legislation that you've brought. I guess I see an area for possible improvement. Would you think that if a denial is gonna be made, that that denial should only be made by a doctor licensed or a medical provider licensed to practice medicine in Georgia? Yes, sir. And that is why we did the definition of a clinical peer in Senate Bill 80 a few years ago. Okay. Thank you. Okay, I don't see any other questions. Did you have, was that it?

[0:41:18](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2478s) No more questions on that. Thank you. Thank you. Chairman McDonald.

[0:41:24](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2484s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, today I've got, uh, first page down at the bottom, H.R. 1527. 1527 is a House study committee, uh, that's designed for those calls that we all get of why tractors are sitting on the side of the road in road, road construction areas, and they sit there for months and nothing's going on. So I dropped a, a piece of legislation, uh, this session. The halls came alive out there and, and my bill got tabled.

[0:41:55](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2515s) So the only other way to sit here and try to figure out what we've got to do to get DOT, our utilities, and our contractors all working together, I came with the idea of putting this study committee together. It's got, uh, five meetings, uh, throughout the state, and that's the resolution. Okay. Don't see any questions. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Robinson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, bottom of page two is SB 216, which all that does is allow the director of the Georgia Ju- uh, excuse me, the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualification Commission to move from ERS to JRS.

[0:42:36](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2556s) Um, most of those directors, uh, that we've seen that have applied for the jobs are all district attorneys who qualify for that, that retirement system.

[0:42:48](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2568s) And I have a second one, um- Okay. Don't see any questions on that one. What's your next one? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, page four, SB 501, is from the, uh- Wait, wait a minute. You have a question on the first- ... Office of Fire, Fire Safety and, uh, Insurance Commissioner, and it's just some, uh, updates and cleanups in Code 25. What number is that? 501. 501. Okay, we have a question for you- Yes, sir ... Efstration. Mr. Wade, just a question for either of the bills you just presented. Were they considered in the Senate at 6:00 AM in committee? No, sir. Um, they, they were not considered at 6:00 AM. They were, um, the Insurance Commission bill went through, um, the normal committee process as did the, uh, SB 216 was in retirement-

[0:42:50](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2570s) Okay. Don't see any questions on that one. What's your next one? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, page four, SB 501, is from the, uh, Office of Fire, Fire Safety and, uh, Insurance Commissioner, and it's just some, uh, updates and cleanups in Code 25. What number is that? 501. 501. Okay, we have a question for you- Yes, sir ... Efstration. Mr. Wade, just a question for either of the bills you just presented. Were they considered in the Senate at 6:00 AM in committee?

[0:43:25](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2605s) No, sir. Um, they, they were not considered at 6:00 AM. They were, um, the Insurance Commission bill went through, um, the normal committee process as did the, uh, SB 216 was in retirement, uh, prior to crossover when there was, uh, many, many more open minutes in the day. So, uh, if I just understood you, you'd acknowledge that 6:00 AM is not the normal committee process.

[0:43:56](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2636s) Subcommittee process for me, yes, sir. I've held subcommittee meetings at 6:00 and 7:00 since my seven and eight years in, in the Senate, and I'd be happy to give an explanation if the, if the majority leader would, would care for one. I know we've been talking about this offline, but you'd acknowledge this legislative session you haven't had any 6:00 AM meetings prior to crossover day. Prior to crossover, I've never had a 6:00 AM, uh, subcommittee meeting prior to crossover day since I've been here. The only subcommittee meetings that I establish early in the mornings are post-crossover when, an example of yesterday, when we were on the Senate floor debating a lot of House bills for a long time, but we all had committees that we even had to miss to, to present bills over on the House side.

[0:44:41](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2681s) So what I try to do is use the day as, as best way possible. And I do want to point out that a 6:00 AM, uh, subcommittee meeting impacts senators just as it does those presenting bills, and these are bills that were selected and put on there because they were important Um, and, uh, I'm, I may be a unique animal, but I do nothing punitive. I support good legislation. I do not allow personalities or parties to interfere with what I do. You plan to put these important measures on the agenda in advance so the members know which bills will be heard if they're asked to appear at 6:00 AM?

[0:45:21](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2721s) All bills are on the agenda that are listed on the agenda. The agenda that I approved, and every single one of them will be heard and vetted. I have to be, or should be, in caucus at 9:00 o'clock. So I will put, if it takes three hours, we will be there three hours giving them the opportunity to explain their legislation. Well, thank you, Mr. Whip. I look forward to seeing that agenda posted online. I'll, I'll, I'll absolutely make sure it's posted online today. Okay.

[0:45:50](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2750s) Let's see. Cindy, uh, Chairman Hitchens, you had a question? Isn't it true in your f- in your first bill that if you move them, uh, Qualifications Commission, the Prosecuting Qualifications Commission, the Judicial Retirement, that they haven't, uh, nobody in the employee retirement system has received a COLA in about 15 years? It's- But the Judicial Qualifications Commission, if they go to the Judicial Retirement System, they get one every year. Y- absolutely, Mr. Chairman. You and I agree that the ERS has been neglected for a very long time, especially since 2008.

[0:46:26](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2786s) Okay. Cindy, how about 285? Did you want to ask for that one, too? Senate Bill 285. Yes, sir. I didn't realize it was on here. I apologize, Mr. Chair. 285, I would, uh, greatly appreciate, and I want to thank, um, the House members, um, Chairman Blackmon and, um, others who did a lot of good work on this legislation and, and cleaned up what I'd actually, uh, presented over on the Senate side. Did, they did a much better job. Okay. I don't see any questions on that.

[0:46:56](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2816s) Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate you. Representative Baker. Go ahead. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and m- members of the Rules Committee. I'm Sylvia Wayfer Baker, state rep for District 64. I rise today to present House Resolution 463, which recognizes the month of March as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month in Georgia. Autoimmune diseases affect over 50 million Americans, including thousands of Georgians.

[0:47:26](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2846s) These diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks heavy tissues, I'm sorry, healthy tissues, leading to chronic and often debilitating health challenges. Despite their prevalence, autoimmune diseases remain widely misunderstood, leading to delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options, and significant emotional and financial burdens for those affected. For many people living with autoimmune diseases, including myself, the journey to diagnosis can be long, frustrating, and isolating.

[0:48:01](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2881s) Increased awareness is a critical first step to improving early detection, research, and treatment options. This resolution is a bipartisan effort that recognizes the urgent need for greater public understanding and medical advancement. By officially designating March as Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, Georgia joins national efforts to bring attention to these conditions and support those who live with them every day.

[0:48:31](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2911s) I want to thank my colleagues for their support, as well as the advocacy groups and healthcare professionals who work diligently to improve the lives of those affected by autoimmune diseases. I respectfully ask for your support, and I welcome any questions. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Don't see any questions. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Powers, come on up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the committee. On page three, second from the bottom, is Senate Bill 470.

[0:49:02](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2942s) This is agency legislation for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This, uh, may criminalize is what's called signal jammers. These are used, uh, that can disable all forms of communication, whether it be to a home, a business, to a 911 center. It's an evolving threat, and this allows us to attack it head-on. Okay. Don't see any questions. Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Senator Terry. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, on the second page, fourth or fifth from the bottom, Senate Bill 91.

[0:49:34](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=2974s) You know we've been dealing with PBMs, pharmacy benefit managers, and the plague they've caused independent pharmacists for years. Senate Bill 91 takes a cannonball to that approach. It says you can't be a PBM- Question- ... and be an independent pharmacist- Mm-hmm ... as far as it goes for contracting with the state health benefit plan. Makes them pick, breaks the vertical monopoly, and gives our independent pharmacists a fighting chance. Okay. I have a question for you, Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the work you're doing on Senate Bill 91, but in his absence, I think I'd just ask for Chairman Hatchett how y'all's work's going on the budget we sent y'all.

[0:50:09](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3009s) Yeah, it's, uh, well, he knows it takes two weeks, two days to get it across, and we're one week in. We got it from you about seven days ago, so it'll take us about nine more days, and hopefully have it back over to you. Thank you. Okay. No more questions. Did you want to ask for 402 also? Didn't know I had that one on your agenda, Mr. Pre- Chairman. Y'all treat me too nice. We're trying to help you out and work with you there. 402? Children, Youth. It's at the top of page three. Oh, yes, sir. 402 is a pilot program that we started, uh, last year.

[0:50:42](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3042s) You guys helped us fund it as well. We looked at our foster care population and re- realized that there is a seven to one, seven times more likely to have autism if you're in our foster care system. Clearly, our foster care system is not causing autism. It just means you're more likely to end up in foster care if you have autism. We identified that in one region. We're asking to explain that, explain that, expand that pilot to three other regions to see if that is a, um, something we see elsewhere. If so, then the funding will follow to try to address that and keep the 9,500 kids in our state's foster care system, uh, as low as possible.

[0:51:17](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3077s) I don't see any questions. Thank you, sir.

[0:51:18](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3078s) Thank you.

[0:51:19](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3079s) Yes, sir. Senator, come on up.

[0:51:23](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3083s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman and honor m- members of the committee. I bring Senate Bill 485. It's the bot- very bottom of page three. Um, Senate Bill 485, it better serves our n- our growing need for, uh, mental health professionals. And all this bill does is allow students in their final semester of, um, accredited Master of Social Work program to sit for their licensure exam before graduation. Because they only offer that exam a few times a year, so they can- they don't have to wait months after they graduate if they can go ahead and take their licensure exam before they graduate.

[0:51:57](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3117s) Okay. No questions. Thank you, sir.

[0:51:59](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3119s) Thank you.

[0:52:03](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3123s) Senator Efthimiou, come on up, sir.

[0:52:09](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3129s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I've got the last one on the last page, Senate Bill 566. The title is a little bit misleading because the, uh, publication area by the newspaper was removed, uh, in ways and means, and rightfully so. There was some complications with it. But what this does is part of what we're all working on, on property taxes. But this particular part cleans up the notice that comes out from the tax appraisers. We actually designed the form on how we want it to look to give good, concise information to the taxpayer.

[0:52:42](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3162s) They've been mad at all of us with confusing and sometimes misleading information, even though we as a state don't charge any property taxes. So we, we designed the form first and then, and then did the bill from the form. And it gives them information on what exemptions they're getting, what exemptions they could be eligible for, lists all the different ways to contact them, all four ways to appeal. I think it's a pretty good, uh, clean sheet now the way we've designed it.

[0:53:10](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3190s) Okay. Don't see any questions. Thank you, sir.

[0:53:15](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3195s) Thank you.

[0:53:15](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3195s) Senator Watson.

[0:53:18](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3198s) Good morning. So I have a bill that is actually fully supported by the ACLU and the Georgia Baptist Association.

[0:53:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3213s) Heard of.

[0:53:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3213s) It is. It could be a day that we're gonna have, I don't know, who knows what's gonna happen with this bill. But basically-

[0:53:42](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3222s) What number?

[0:53:42](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3222s) ... they both support it because it reinforces our freedoms in the United States Constitution. All we're doing with this bill-

[0:53:51](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3231s) What number, Senator?

[0:53:52](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3232s) ... is giving-

[0:53:53](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3233s) Give us a number.

[0:53:54](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3234s) Pardon?

[0:53:54](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3234s) What number?

[0:53:55](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3235s) Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize. I apologize. SB 552, it's the back of the page, um, True Patriotism and Universal Student Access. All this does is, um, give the public high school students the ability to have extracurricular activities that include, uh, uh, political and religious organizations. That's all it does. It enshrines the US Constitution. Thank you.

[0:54:25](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3265s) Okay. We've got a question. Whip Park has a question for you.

[0:54:28](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3268s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, Senator, I appreciate the bill, but isn't it true that the title of this bill, the acronym TPUSA, is popularly associated with the conservative right-leaning group, Turning Point USA?

[0:54:39](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3279s) Well, it certainly have. Um, you know, Charlie Kirk gave his life defending our freedom on that campus. And yes, this is in honor of, of Charlie Kirk, uh, and that organization. Absolutely.

[0:54:51](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3291s) Thank you.

[0:54:53](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3293s) Secretary Kelley.

[0:54:55](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3295s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In that vein, Chairman Watson, wasn't Charlie Kirk murdered by a radical transgender liberal activist?

[0:55:03](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3303s) I, I, I think, I think you know what you speak. Thank you.

[0:55:12](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3312s) Don't see any other questions. Thank you.

[0:55:14](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3314s) I'll after that. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

[0:55:16](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3316s) Yeah. Senator Hatchett, come on up.

[0:55:22](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3322s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Uh, on page three, three bills down, Senate Bill 384, what this bill does is simply allow, uh, your constituents to purchase an optional five-year tag for their vehicle instead of having to register every year.

[0:55:43](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3343s) Okay.

[0:55:45](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3345s) And then I've got two more, Mr. Chairman.

[0:55:46](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3346s) Yes, sir. Go ahead with... I don't see any questions on that. What, what else you got?

[0:55:50](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3350s) Also on page three, you go down to Senate Bill 452. This is a governor's bill. What it does is it increases the employee contribution match for our peace officers in the state, raising that match to 15% when they contribute 5% after 10 years.

[0:56:10](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3370s) Okay.

[0:56:12](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3372s) And lastly, Mr. Chairman, on page four, Senate Bill 553, this is also, uh, a bill I'm carrying on behalf of Governor Kemp. And what it does is it streamlines the licensing process in the State of Georgia for, uh, five industries in the construction trade.

[0:56:31](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3391s) Okay. No questions. Thank you, sir.

[0:56:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3393s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[0:56:35](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3395s) Last senator, Senator Burns.

[0:56:39](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3399s) Good morning, Mr. Chairman, committee. I have two bills on the, uh, blue sheets today. On the second page, nine down from the top is a bill we've discussed before, so I'll briefly just point it out. Senate Bill 74, that's the harmful material to minors, uh, protection. Uh, if there are any questions, I'd be happy to discuss it. We've done this before.

[0:56:57](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3417s) Go ahead.

[0:56:58](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3418s) All right. Senate Bill, um, two up from the bottom on page two, Senate Bill 214. This is the elections bill. I wanna thank, uh, Chairman Anderson and the Government Affairs Committee in the House for working diligently on this legislation, and then now it's ready for your consideration.

[0:57:15](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3435s) Okay. No questions. Thank you, sir.

[0:57:20](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3440s) Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, on page three, Senate Bill 458, we have the Home Inspector Licensing Act. Uh, currently in the state of Georgia, my 18-year-old son that is a senior in high school could go out there and print business cards and call himself a home inspector. 44 states, I believe, have a home inspector's license. This bill creates one, but just proving some core minimal competency and also requires them to have liability insurance, and it also addresses some predatory practices by wholesalers in the real estate industry. Um, I'll stand for questions with that or I'll go to my next bill.

[0:57:53](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3473s) Don't see any questions on that. What else you got? Okay. Thank, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, the next bill on page four, SB489, uh, that is simply just, uh, for our probate judges. After we passed constitutional carry, we saw a 60% decrease in applications for permits and a portion of those fees went into their retirement fund. Uh, there's no state money goes into this. It actually increases the amount the judges put into their retirement. The actuarial study shows that their, their retirement fund's gonna go below 100% in the next three years and it just increases the fines the pers- a little bit.

[0:58:23](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3503s) The pers- tweaks the percentage of the fines that go into their, uh, or fees that go into their, uh, retirement, uh, just so that, uh, we keep their retirement, uh, so it's not underfunded. Okay, got a question for you. Okay. Thank you. Mr. Kelley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Goodman, when we're looking at the probate fees, are the actual filing fees gonna go up or are they redirecting the percentages of the filing fees that are already corrected? The percentage of the fees. Is there a concern from our local governments that by redirecting some of those funds that are used in operational purposes now that they will ask our locals to backfill those funds that are now being redirected to a retirement fund?

[0:59:02](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3542s) No, sir. I haven't heard any concern from any of GMA or ACCG or anybody else, and it's just a small tweak. There's not but about $1.3 million a year that goes into that retirement fund. Uh, the legislation that we passed several years ago created about a, on average about a $233,000 drop. And so we're talking about small tweaks from 20% to 25%, you know, of the, of the funding. And the $2 to $5, that's just again n- not increasing the total fee. It's just taking- That's right ... the currently collected fee and dedicating $5 to $2.

[0:59:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3573s) Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Don't see any other questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee.

[0:59:41](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3581s) Yes, sir. Morning, Chairman, committee. Good to see y'all. First time up this year. Uh, we've got two bills. First one's in the middle of page three, Senate Bill 439.

[0:59:56](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3596s) This puts guardrails and parameters protecting our seniors between referral agencies and assisted living, independent living communities, just making sure that we've got clarification on how that information is shared, how the fees are distributed, and the amount of time for reporting on that. Happy to take any questions. Okay, don't see any questions. Great. Our second bill is on the back middle page, SB570.

[1:00:26](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3626s) This is our Human Trafficking Prevention Training Act. This is mandatory frontline worker training for short-ter- short-term rentals, hotels, motels that don't already have a program in place. This ensures that within 60 days of being hired, that frontline workers will take the Human Trafficking Identification and Reporting Program created by the CJCC. This was created with their input and support. Happy to take any questions.

[1:00:57](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3657s) Okay, don't see any questions. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, committee. Senator Strickland. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. On the last page under modified structured rule, I have Senate Bill 569, and this bill is tightening up the process to allow our colonel to give emergency lights to our towers that are towing law enforcement-initiated tows on some of the busy stretches of interstate in our state. The goal is to make sure in places like Henry County, when there's a wreck, already have enough bad traffic, we can get those wrecks clear a little bit faster.

[1:01:30](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3690s) Also, that bill, uh, no pun intended, was a little bit of a vehicle in your committee, the Motor Vehicle, Vehicles Committee, to create a new database for abandoned vehicles. And I think you guys have considered before. Happy to answer any questions. Okay. Don't, don't see any questions. Thank you, sir. There's one other bill that the colorful chairman from Hartwell I think will talk about, but Senate Bill 89 on page two, um, that is something that his committee, I think he's gonna address that. It's no longer the federal tax credit for childcare. That was something that we did through a different bill last year.

[1:02:00](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3720s) But I'll let him address that. Okay, don't see any questions on that. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate y'all. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Senator, come on up.

[1:02:11](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3731s) Mr. Chairman and committee, thank you. Thank y'all, thank y'all for yesterday for SB399 on the AEDs and 911. The family was absolutely, when I say pleased, it's a real closure for those, but thank you for supporting that like you did, and, uh, it was a real good time. If you will, page three, uh, SB441, this is, uh, a bill dealing with local government investment pools that is regulated or overseen by the State Depository Board, which is, uh, uh, chaired by the governor. They handle about $40 billion in monies in, for cities and, and municipalities and counties.

[1:02:45](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3765s) And what this does is for any other local government investment pools that come into play, it makes them come under the State Depository Board. They have the people and the, and the e- experts that are managing that money, and it's really to, as a safeguard for the other counties and the cities to do that, and that's what that does.

[1:03:07](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3787s) Okay. Okay, don't see any questions. Okay. Thank you, sir.

[1:03:20](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3800s) Thank you, sir.

[1:03:27](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3807s) Okay. Uh, any committee members?

[1:03:33](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3813s) No. Chairman Powell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to ask for SB 89, uh, as referred to by the next to the last senator a while ago. Thanks to, uh, as is usual, some of the bills that comes out of the Senate are, they do serve a real purpose, and that's getting them over here to us so that we can actually- ... perfect other things. Um, SB 89, pretty simple bill if you look at it. It allows, uh, liquor stores to sell those drinks that are identified under Code 23 as intoxicating beverages by the C- CBD, uh, statute.

[1:04:14](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3854s) It's kinda, we've been looking at this for a couple of years. And, uh, these drinks that are being sold in convenience stores and all, uh, there's an age limit. They gotta be 21 to buy 'em. And, uh, we've been talking to Revenue for a couple of years, and they said because it's not, because it's not specified under the Revenue Code, that they wanted legislation to allow liquor stores to sell these intoxicating beverages, and we thought that was the prime place to do it. Okay. I don't see any questions. All right.

[1:04:44](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3884s) And I have, uh, Senate Bill 254, uh, that I'd like for consideration. This is the annual COAM bill. Um, both the Governor's office and the lottery have met with us on this. Uh, this is a constant changing environment with technology, and one of the things that's necessary among many in this, and most important, is that the distributors and the manufacturers today of these machines, they're starting to combine the Class A, Class B machines into a hybrid, and that's something we cannot allow to happen because that's what keeps stability in this market so we don't wind up with these machine casinos the way they once were.

[1:05:24](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3924s) Okay. No questions on that. Thank you. Any other member?

[1:05:31](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3931s) Okay. Let's do a little housekeeping here before we set the calendar. Do I hear a motion that Senate Bill 552 be sent back to, recommitted to Judiciary?

[1:05:44](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3944s) Move. Second. Have a move and a second. Any opposition? Okay, it's back in Judiciary. Okay, now let's set a calendar for today, Legislative Day 34, under modified structure. Senate Bill 216. Move. Second. Have a move and a second. Is there any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 439. Move. Second. Have a move and a second.

[1:06:15](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=3975s) Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 444. Move. Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 452. Move. Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 470. Move. Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on.

[1:06:46](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=4006s) Senate Bill 489. Move. Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 553. Move. Second. Moved and a second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 570. Move. Second. A move and a second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, now under structured. Structured Senate Bill 285.

[1:07:18](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=4038s) Move. Second. Have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. All right, that'll be our calendar for today. Now let's go ahead and set a calendar for tomorrow. It'll be Day 35. Under modified structure, Senate Resolution 23. Move. Second. Have a move and a second. Any opposition?

[1:07:46](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=4066s) Objection.

[1:07:46](https://vimeo.com/1174877335#t=4066s) Have an objection. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed, no. No. It carries. It's on. Okay, we will have a rules meeting in the morning at 9:00, so don't forget to show up for that. And at your convenience, want to ask all the members of the Rules Committee to please stop by the office and see Ms. Pam just for a minute, at your convenience, please. We're adjourned. Thank you.