--- title: House Rules Committee, March 23, 2026 collection: meetings id: 2026-03-23/house-rules cite_as: House Rules Committee, March 23, 2026, video https://vimeo.com/1175495503 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-23/house-rules md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-23/house-rules.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-23/house-rules/text source_url: https://vimeo.com/1175495503 date: 2026-03-23 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/2026-03-23.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-23/senate-economic-development-and-tourism.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-23/house-floor-am.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: 2026-03-23T09:00:00-04:00 location: 341 CAP duration_seconds: 2370.0 video_id: 1175495503 video_title: 2.23.26 Rules agenda_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Rules%2FHOUSE RULES COMMITTEE MEETING 3-23-26.pdf bills_discussed: - SB 500 - SB 406 - HR 952 - SB 542 - SB 306 - SB 23 - SB 27 - SB 254 - SB 604 - SB 605 - SR 23 - SB 446 - SB 566 - SB 395 - HB 154 - SB 428 - SB 441 - SB 443 - SB 485 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=3023 summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol transcript_turns: 174 --- # House Rules Committee, March 23, 2026 House Rules Committee; March 23, 2026; 2025-2026 Regular Session. Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1175495503. Agenda: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/agendas/house/Rules%2FHOUSE RULES COMMITTEE MEETING 3-23-26.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 requests to bring legislation to the House floor and set a nine-bill calendar for legislative day 36. Presentations covered health care workforce data, property-owner protections, criminal laws, scholarships and other topics. Members questioned a proposed constitutional convention for congressional term limits and the geographic reach of a federal scholarship tax credit. The committee approved a substitute for [SB 395](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb395) adding language to designate emergency medical services as an essential service, then placed it on the calendar. Eight other bills also received calendar approval. One, [SB 443](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb443), drew an objection and was approved by voice vote, with no count announced. The other calendar motions passed without stated opposition. The chair announced the next Rules meeting for Wednesday at 9 a.m. ## Bills discussed (19) 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 500. Behavioral Health Care Workforce Data Base; expand to include data from licensed health care professionals [SB 500](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb500) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:18:48](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1128s), turns 8 to 169. The sponsor said [SB 500](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb500) would add 10 types of licensed health care professionals to the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce database, roughly doubling its scope. The sponsor said the information would concern practice types, accepted insurance and similar details rather than personal information, helping state officials identify where providers are needed. A committee member supported the proposal as a way to guide efforts to attract providers to underserved areas. Later, the committee placed the bill on the day's calendar without stated opposition. ### SB 406. "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact [SB 406](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb406) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:21:19](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1279s), turns 29 to 33. The presenter said [SB 406](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb406) would require homeowners, property owners and condominium associations to register with the Secretary of State, create an administrative hearing process, establish property-owner rights and revise foreclosure procedures. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### HR 952. House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Hair Straightening Products; create [HR 952](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr952) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:21:55](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1315s), turns 35 to 37. The presenter said [HR 952](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr952) would create a House study committee on risks associated with hair-straightening products and health outcomes. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### SB 542. Sexual Offenses; clergy members to be charged with certain improper sexual contact offenses; permit [SB 542](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb542) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:22:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1340s), turns 39 to 171. The sponsor said [SB 542](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb542) would create an offense involving clergy members who commit sexual offenses against congregants. The sponsor credited House Judiciary Committee members with adding language and strengthening the proposal, without describing those changes. No questions followed. Later, the committee placed the bill on the day's calendar without stated opposition. ### SB 306. Bona Fide Conservation Use Property; impending expiration to be sent via certified mail; require notices [SB 306](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb306) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:23:09](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1389s), turns 47 to 49. Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 3028: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/house-journal-document-library/2026-regular-session-house-journal.pdf?sfvrsn=e39df1be_2#page=3032. The sponsor said [SB 306](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb306) would let taxpayers request certified-mail or email notices, in addition to standard notices, concerning conservation-use property covenants approaching the end of their 10-year terms. The sponsor described the change as helping taxpayers continue those covenants. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### SB 23. Retirement; total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; raise the limit [SB 23](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb23) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:23:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1424s), turns 51 to 154. The sponsor requested [SB 23](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb23) but said the original language had passed the previous year and acknowledged not knowing the current contents after House changes. No substantive explanation or questions followed. Later, the committee placed the bill on the day's calendar without stated opposition. ### SB 27. Stalking; offense of doxxing; penalties; protective order; provide [SB 27](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb27) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:24:02](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1442s), turns 51 to 53. The sponsor said [SB 27](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb27) would address the crime of doxxing and thanked the House Judiciary Committee for refining it. The sponsor argued that the proposal would protect people from harm when technology is used to reveal their locations. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### 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 [0:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1471s), turns 55 to 58. The sponsor said House changes had removed the hemp provisions from [SB 254](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb254). The sponsor described the revised bill as closing a loophole involving coin-operated amusement machines that combined features of two machine classes to avoid payments to the lottery board. The sponsor supported the changes. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### SB 604. Crimes and Offenses; the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction with district attorneys to conduct criminal prosecutions of violent crimes, illegal immigration offenses, and fentanyl offenses; provide [SB 604](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb604) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:25:05](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1505s), turns 60 to 61. The sponsor said [SB 604](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb604) would allow the Attorney General's office, upon request, to assist local district attorneys with prosecutions involving certain violent crimes, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and gangs. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### SB 605. Prosecuting Attorneys; additional grounds for discipline of a district attorney or solicitor-general or for his or her removal or involuntary retirement from office; provide [SB 605](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb605) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:25:25](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1525s), turns 62 to 63. The sponsor said [SB 605](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb605) would add grounds for prosecutor discipline, including failures to comply with victims' rights requirements, open-records laws and ethical standards adopted by the oversight commission and the State Bar of Georgia. The sponsor said victims would need notice of court proceedings and an opportunity to attend and be heard. The sponsor reported substantial input from prosecutors. No questions or calendar decision followed. ### 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 [0:26:08](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1568s), turns 63 to 113. The sponsor said [SR 23](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr23) would seek an Article V convention limited to proposing congressional term limits, leaving the number and length of terms to the convention. One member asked about constituent concerns that a convention could exceed that purpose. The sponsor said 34 states would be needed to call a convention and 38 to ratify an amendment. The sponsor also said Georgia law binds delegates to legislative instructions, with recall, replacement and prosecution possible for violations, and that many other states have similar laws. A second member compared those limits to instructions for presidential electors, an analogy the sponsor accepted. A third member questioned whether the 1787 convention illustrated the risk of exceeding instructions and asked for legal precedent supporting state-imposed limits. The sponsor disputed the historical comparison and acknowledged that no Supreme Court case had resolved the issue because no Article V amendment convention had occurred. The sponsor argued that the process is constitutionally authorized and that Congress was unlikely to limit its own terms. No calendar decision followed. ### SB 446. Student Scholarship Organizations; State of Georgia to participate in the federal tax credit program for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations; provide [SB 446](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb446) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:31:59](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1919s), turns 115 to 134. Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 3028: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/house-journal-document-library/2026-regular-session-house-journal.pdf?sfvrsn=e39df1be_2#page=3032. The sponsor said [SB 446](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb446) would put Georgia's participation in a federal scholarship tax-credit program into state law following the governor's decision to opt in. The sponsor described a dollar-for-dollar federal credit, up to $3,400 annually for couples, with scholarships usable for tuition, books, transportation and other expenses. The sponsor said House revisions would let Georgia adopt forthcoming federal guidelines. One member questioned whether private-school concentration in metro Atlanta would leave rural counties subsidizing urban areas, citing a comparison between Fulton County and 113 rural counties and saying 60 of those rural counties had no private schools. The sponsor did not confirm the comparison, rejected the subsidy characterization and said participating organizations could operate statewide. The sponsor hoped federal rules would allow public, private and charter school students to benefit. Another member cited more than 400 private schools participating in the state's voucher program and Fulton's large population; the sponsor agreed with those statements. No calendar decision followed. ### 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 [0:35:13](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2113s), turns 136 to 173. A committee member requested [SB 566](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb566) without explaining its provisions. Later, the committee placed it on the day's calendar without stated opposition. ### 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 [0:35:39](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2139s), turns 139 to 157. The presenter said the original provisions of [SB 395](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb395) would tighten coordination between the Department of Public Health and the Georgia Composite Medical Board on medical cannabis rules. The presenter offered substitute LC52-1100S, adding language from [HB 154](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb154) to designate emergency medical services as an essential service. The presenter said the addition concerned eligibility for essential-service grants, not insurance payments or network status, and that the House had passed that language twice, nearly unanimously. In response to the chair, the presenter confirmed a connection to Rural Development Council work and said rural emergency medical services could become eligible for grants. The committee approved the substitute without stated opposition and later placed the substituted bill on the day's calendar, also without stated opposition. ### HB 154. Emergency medical services; designate ambulance services as an essential service [HB 154](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb154) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:36:13](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2173s), turns 140 to 149. While presenting a substitute for [SB 395](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb395), the presenter explained that it incorporated [HB 154](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb154) as Section 2. The presenter said the language would designate emergency medical services as an essential service so providers could apply for available grants, without addressing insurance payments or network status. The presenter said the House had passed the policy twice, nearly unanimously, and that rural providers could benefit. The committee subsequently approved the substitute containing this language, rather than taking a separate vote on [HB 154](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb154). ### SB 428. Medical Assistance; Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; direct [SB 428](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb428) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:37:50](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2270s), turns 157 to 159. The committee placed [SB 428](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb428) on the day's calendar after a motion and second, with no stated opposition. No explanation of its provisions or substantive debate occurred. ### 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 [0:37:57](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2277s), turns 159 to 161. The committee placed [SB 441](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb441) on the day's calendar after a motion and second, with no stated opposition. No explanation of its provisions or substantive debate occurred. ### SB 443. Offenses Against Public Order; the punishment for the offense of obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages; increase [SB 443](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb443) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:38:06](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2286s), turns 161 to 165. A member objected to placing [SB 443](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb443) on the day's calendar. The chair called a voice vote, heard votes for and against, and announced that the bill was on the calendar. No vote count, explanation of the objection or discussion of the bill's provisions was given. ### 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 [0:38:22](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2302s), turns 165 to 167. The committee placed [SB 485](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb485) on the day's calendar after a motion and second, with no stated opposition. No explanation of its provisions or substantive debate occurred. ## Official records of this meeting - 2026 House Journal, pp. 3019 to 3270 (2026-03-25): https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/house-journal-document-library/2026-regular-session-house-journal.pdf?sfvrsn=e39df1be_2#page=3023 ## Transcript (174 turns) [0:17:00](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1020s) Morning, everybody. [0:17:04](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1024s) Morning. Morning, everybody. [0:17:29](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1049s) Close that door. Thank you, Ms. Donna. [0:17:38](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1058s) Morning, everybody. Happy Monday. Glad to be back. Call the meeting to order, and we'll recognize Chairman Stephens to open us up with a word of prayer, please. [0:17:49](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1069s) Let us pray. Most kind and gracious Heavenly Father, lead us in these final days as we head towards the end of our s- legislative session. Lead us and guide us. All these things we ask in Thy precious name. Amen. [0:18:04](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1084s) Amen. [0:18:04](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1084s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Okay, let's call the meeting to order, and we'll get started. Let me, uh, to our friends with us that are on the wall over there today, if you have already been here and already asked for a bill or a resolution or a study committee, you only have to ask one time. Don't have to come back. And, uh, if you've already asked for it, don't have to come back again, but if you haven't, we're, we're glad to have you. So let's go ahead, and we'll get started. [0:18:32](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1112s) Senator, come on up. [0:18:40](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1120s) Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman, um, and committee. It's always a pleasure to be here. I'm bringing you Senate Bill 500. It is at the, it's three down from the top of page four, and it's basically, it is, um, legislation to help the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce. They have a database that they use to manage and gauge the number of healthcare providers that we have all across the state in every part of the state. [0:19:12](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1152s) And basically, what this bill does is it increases the number of, um, medical licensees that participate in this database by 10 to give a broader view of s- of, um, different types of, uh, specialties all across the s- the state. The, um, information that's collected is not personal. It's primarily about the, um, the provider, the type of, um, of, uh, practice, the, um, the insurance that they accept, et cetera, et cetera. [0:19:43](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1183s) So this information will be used by the legislature, by the governor, and, uh, by the agencies to help make sure we have healthcare providers, um, where we need them. [0:19:54](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1194s) Okay. You got a question? [0:19:56](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1196s) No. [0:19:56](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1196s) Okay. Uh, Chairman Hawkins has a question for you. [0:19:59](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1199s) Yes, sir. [0:20:00](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1200s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator, I'm surprised we don't do this already. This is more of a common sense bill that is going to really help us zero in on, see, uh, our, our residencies and where to, where to send them or where to entice them to go. We don't send them, but- [0:20:18](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1218s) Yeah [0:20:18](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1218s) ... maybe help them get there. [0:20:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1220s) Absolutely. [0:20:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1220s) That's a good bill. Thank you. [0:20:22](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1222s) Thank you very much. We do, um, they do have an established database, but this, this increases it by about two times. [0:20:31](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1231s) Okay. Don't see any more questions. [0:20:33](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1233s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate it. [0:20:35](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1235s) Yes, sir. Chairman Martin, you had a, an, a recognition you wanted to make before we got started. I'm sorry I overlooked it. Mash your button there so I can rec- There we go. [0:20:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1244s) That's fine. Thank you, Cha- uh, Chairman. I was g- waiting on your time to do that. But if the committee would join me in welcoming from the University of Georgia, Ms. Maddie Pillow is shadowing, uh, us today, and she's down from the University of Georgia. I'd just like to recognize Ms. Pillow. She's in the back if- [0:20:59](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1259s) Raise your hand, ma- there we go. [0:21:06](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1266s) Glad to have you with us. Go Dogs. Okay. Mr. Chairman, come on. [0:21:13](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1273s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and go Dogs. [0:21:15](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1275s) Yeah. [0:21:17](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1277s) Mr. Chairman, I bring y'all SB406. This is the Property Owner's Bill of Rights. It, uh, essentially requires all our HOAs, POAs, and COAs in this state to register with the Secretary of State's office. It creates an administrative hearing process. Um, it offers a bill of rights, and then it cleans up the foreclosure process. [0:21:42](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1302s) Okay. Don't see any questions. [0:21:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1304s) Uh-uh. [0:21:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1304s) Sir. [0:21:45](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1305s) Thank you. [0:21:47](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1307s) Yes, ma'am. [0:21:51](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1311s) Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, committee. I bring House Resolution 952, first page, five down. Uh, this is proposing a house study committee on the risks associated with hair straightening products and healthcare outcomes. [0:22:08](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1328s) Okay. Thank you, ma'am. Don't see any questions. [0:22:11](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1331s) Thank you, sir. [0:22:11](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1331s) Thank you. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. [0:22:16](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1336s) Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Um, on page four, I have, uh, SB542. It's a piece of legislation that creates an offense when a clergy member commits sexual offenses against members of their congregants. Um, appreciate all the help with the House side on this. Um, Representative Holcomb added some good language, along with other members of the, uh, judicial committee, and it's a, it's a strong piece of legislation. Um, also- [0:22:49](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1369s) I don't see any questions on that. You got another one? [0:22:52](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1372s) Yes, sir. Um, this one is on the general calendar, page 10, six from the top. I was working on this with, uh, uh, Chairman- [0:23:01](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1381s) General calendar. [0:23:02](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1382s) I apologize. Um- [0:23:04](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1384s) The yellow sheet. [0:23:05](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1385s) Yes, sir. [0:23:05](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1385s) What number? [0:23:06](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1386s) Um, it's page 10. Let's see, it's gonna be SB306. Myself and, uh, Chairman Cannon were working on this together related to CUVA. And what it does is change some of the options for taxpayer notification of the CUVA covenant, uh, allows request notification by certified mail or email in addition to standard notification in order to continue these CUVAs from going after 10 years. [0:23:32](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1412s) Okay. So don't see any questions. Thank you. [0:23:34](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1414s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [0:23:35](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1415s) Yes, sir. Yes, sir, Senator Alvarez. [0:23:40](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1420s) Good morning, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. On page two, uh, you'll see Senate Bill 23, where the Senate bills start. Uh, the actual original language for that bill passed last year, and this has, uh, been, uh, used for very important house parties, uh, which Chairman Carson could probably update you on. I'm not exactly sure what it is right now, to be candid with you, but I'm sure it's important, and I'm glad to support it. Right below it is Senate Bill 27, which is, uh, the crime of doxing. I wanna thank the House Judiciary Committee for helping us perfect this legislation. It will keep people safe in this new and scary environment, uh, where technology is pointing out where people are and will bring harm to them. [0:24:17](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1457s) Okay. Don't see any question on either one of those. [0:24:19](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1459s) Thank you so much. [0:24:22](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1462s) Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr- Senator Calaway. [0:24:25](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1465s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have several of them this morning. Beginning on page three, second from the top, Senate Bill 254. This no longer has anything to do with hemp. It's been perfected by my partners in the House of Regulated Industries. It now closes a loophole on the COAM machines that were manufacturers were sort of making a hybrid of the type A and type B, class A and type B machines to circumvent, uh, essentially paying their taxes to, uh, to the lottery board, and that closes that loophole. [0:24:57](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1497s) I do fully support that bill. [0:24:59](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1499s) Okay. I don't s- don't see any questions on that. [0:25:01](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1501s) All right. [0:25:01](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1501s) You got another one? [0:25:02](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1502s) Moving on to page four, towards the bottom, Senate Bill 604. This is an ability to allow the Attorney General's office to give assistance upon request to local DA's offices in the prosecuting of certain violent crimes, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and gangs. [0:25:23](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1523s) Okay. Don't see any questions. [0:25:25](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1525s) Senate Bill 605 is a, a modification or adds additional grounds for, uh, prosecutor misconduct to include a requirement to comply with the Victim Rights Act, to notify victims when there's a bill, I mean, not a bill, a, a charge that from their perpetrators being, coming to court to give them a chance to know about it and come to court and be heard. Um, it also, um, adds that you have to comply with open records laws and the ethical standards adopted by the commission and by the State Bar of Georgia. [0:26:01](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1561s) A lot of input from the prosecutors in the formulation of that. I think it's, uh, non-controversial. And finally, uh, Senate Resolution 23, I think it may have been on your calendar before. That is an Article V convention for the purpose of limiting the terms of congress people. Doesn't set the length of the term. It's defined only that single issue if a, an amendment convention was held. And I would point out that Georgia has a Delegate Limitation Act that requires a delegate to comply strictly with the instructions given by the general assembly. [0:26:34](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1594s) So there's no fear of a runaway convention or anything like that. It would be limited to just that one single subject matter. It does not specify the length of or number of terms that there would be limited. That would be determined by the convention. [0:26:48](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1608s) Okay. Have a question, Chairman Hawkins. [0:26:52](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1612s) Yeah. Uh, thank you, Chairman. I'm getting a lot of emails on this one, and they're claiming that they cannot limit the constitutional- [0:26:58](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1618s) Yeah [0:26:58](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1618s) ... uh, convention. And they're sending me Article V of the Constitution. Uh, can, can you help me with, with that? [0:27:06](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1626s) I, I can help you. I've, I've helped- [0:27:08](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1628s) Thank you [0:27:08](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1628s) ... quite a few colleagues do that. And, uh, well, first of all, it takes three, four, two-thirds of the states to propose an amendment convention. [0:27:16](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1636s) Right. [0:27:16](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1636s) So that would take 34 states. If two-thirds of our states want to at least discuss the subject matter to try to reach an agreement to propose an amendment, it would then have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states, uh, so 38. But what I was just referencing, our Delegate Limitation Act in Georgia, we passed this many years ago now, it was like 2014, to assuage people of that concern. In Georgia, it is a crime if you do not follow the instructions of our legislature. [0:27:48](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1668s) You may be recalled from a convention, and you can be prosecuted, uh, and you can be replaced if you were to vary from that single subject matter. So we- [0:27:57](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1677s) Okay. How about the other states? [0:27:58](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1678s) I, I- [0:27:58](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1678s) Do they have similar legislation? [0:27:59](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1679s) Many of them do. Uh, I don't think they all do, but, uh, quite a few have followed that to, to address that particular concern. [0:28:07](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1687s) That's a good answer. [0:28:08](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1688s) Yeah. [0:28:08](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1688s) I'll use it for these emails. [0:28:09](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1689s) Thank you. I can provide you that code section. [0:28:12](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1692s) Okay. Uh, Representative Evans, did you have a question? I'm sorry. Chairman Williamson. [0:28:19](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1699s) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [0:28:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1700s) Thank you. [0:28:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1700s) Uh, Senate Counselor, would it be a fair analogy to say that, uh, when we're, uh, addressing, uh, the concerns of a, quote, "runaway convention," that isn't our Electoral College the way we send our electors for presidents, US presidents, isn't it a very similar structure that electors are sent with express instructions to vote for a presidential candidate of that party's choice? [0:28:43](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1723s) Yes. [0:28:43](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1723s) But in the history of the Republic, we've never had a runaway Electoral College. [0:28:47](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1727s) That is true. [0:28:48](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1728s) I- i- is that a fair analogy? [0:28:49](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1729s) It is an absolute analogy. Exactly the same. Our delegates would be bound to, to honor the instructions of our general assembly. [0:28:57](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1737s) And, and f- um, further, uh, question, if I may, uh, i- Isn't it a fact that it would still, even if you had this mythical runaway convention, it would still require 38 states to pass any amendment? [0:29:13](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1753s) That's right. It would get- [0:29:14](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1754s) If 38 states agree, isn't it fair to say it probably needs passing? [0:29:17](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1757s) Absolutely. [0:29:18](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1758s) Thank you, Peter. I appreciate it. [0:29:19](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1759s) Thank you. [0:29:24](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1764s) Whitt Park, do you have a question? [0:29:25](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1765s) Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. Um, Senator Cowser, is it not true that the only historical precedent for an Article V convention is the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which ended up pretty much being a runaway convention? [0:29:37](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1777s) No. Well, first of all, yes, that was the first amendment of the Articles of Confederation. It was called with the recognition that it wasn't working. It was too decentralized, and it was called for the purpose of reworking the Constitution. It wasn't to simply have an amendment. So that, that is not really an analogy of this process on Article V. In Article V, either two-thirds of Congress can present an amendment to the states, like the Equal Rights Amendment I think may have been one of the last ones, and then three-fourths have to ratify, or else the states can do it themselves if Congress won't. [0:30:14](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1814s) And I mean, this is a classic situation where Congress is not gonna limit their own terms of office. I'm more focused on the balanced budget amendment, which I think we now have a $40 trillion deficit. It's very clear that Congress is not living within its means, and, and we need to impose some, um, you know, limitations there if we can. We'll be hopefully coming back with that sometime soon. [0:30:38](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1838s) Senator, one more additional question- [0:30:40](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1840s) Sure [0:30:40](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1840s) ... if I may. Um, Senator Cowser, can you cite any, um, Supreme Court cases or, uh, just any additional, uh, legal precedent that states that any sort of, uh, state efforts to constrain an Article V convention, which is something Congress would call, not a state legislature, that, that, that whatever Georgia passed previously would withstand legal scrutiny? [0:31:04](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1864s) There has not been a Supreme Court case. It's in the Constitution, the process, but we haven't had an amendment convention, so there, there's nothing to have been reviewed by the courts. [0:31:16](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1876s) So, so you would say that this would be an unprecedented manner in which we amend the Constitution? [0:31:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1880s) Uh, I would say it would be constitutionally permissible, and it was designed this way, that the states have the ability to amend the Constitution or to propose amendments and then if three-fourths ratify it. So I don't believe this is something radical. It's embedded in the Constitution, Article V. It's towards the top. [0:31:39](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1899s) Thank you. [0:31:40](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1900s) Thank you. [0:31:42](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1902s) Okay, don't see any other questions, Senator. [0:31:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1904s) Thank you. [0:31:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1904s) Thank you, sir. [0:31:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1904s) Pleasure to be with you, Mr. Chairman. [0:31:46](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1906s) Yes, sir. Senator Dixon. [0:31:52](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1912s) Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Uh, the first one I've got, uh, on the last page, page five, the second from the bottom, SB 446. Uh, this is a, uh, student, uh, scholarship tax credit. Uh, it's a federal tax credit. Uh, folks that decide to donate to it would get a dollar for dollar, uh, federal tax credit back. They can do that. Couples can do that up to $3,400 a year. Students that are granted these, uh, scholarships, they can use it for tuition, books, uh, transportation, et cetera. [0:32:24](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1944s) Um, the governor opted us into this. This would codify it in law. Uh, I worked with Representative Hilton, uh, perfecting the bill in, in House committee, uh, loosening up the language because the federal government has not issued their language on the guidelines yet. And so the way, uh, we've got it set up now, when they issue it, we'll adopt exactly what the federal government issues. Be happy to answer any questions, Mr. Chairman. [0:32:47](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1967s) Okay. Whitt Park, did you have a question? [0:32:49](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1969s) Yes. [0:32:49](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1969s) Okay. [0:32:50](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1970s) Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Senator Dixon, uh, is it not true that Fulton County, one county, uh, has essentially, uh, more private schools, uh, than 113 rural counties combined? [0:33:05](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=1985s) Well, I, I, I don't know the answer to that, so I, I would have to lean on you on that one. But what, what I would say to that is what we're hoping with the federal language, we're hoping that it is widely tailored, that public school, private school, charter schools, all students could, could use that and utilize it. [0:33:21](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2001s) So, so my understanding of this bill is that the money follows private school infrastructure in which, uh, essentially, you know, along with 100, one metro Atlanta county having more than 113 rural counties and 60 of Georgia's 113 rural counties having zero private schools, is it not true that this is essentially rural counties subsidizing metro Atlanta counties with respect to education? [0:33:47](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2027s) Uh, that would not be true. Uh, as far as the facilities, uh, that, I, I do have a bill, uh, dealing with charter school funding facilities creating a revolving line of credit for them, but that's a separate bill. This is open to, these organizations could operate throughout the state. [0:34:03](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2043s) Thank you. [0:34:04](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2044s) Pro Tem has a question. [0:34:05](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2045s) Yes, Mr. Chairman, I had a question. Uh, just to put the number of private schools in perspective, is it not true that over 400 private schools are participating in our new, newly implemented voucher program? [0:34:21](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2061s) That is true. [0:34:22](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2062s) Is it also not true that Fulton County's million population, which is 10% of the state's population, um, represents population exceeding half of the counties if added together in the state? [0:34:36](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2076s) That is true, Madam Pro Tem. [0:34:38](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2078s) Thank you. [0:34:39](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2079s) Okay. Don't see any other questions. Do you have another one you said? [0:34:43](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2083s) I, I have one that I've presented previously on page three. I don't know if you want me to go over that again or- [0:34:48](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2088s) If, if you've already asked for it, that's fine. [0:34:50](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2090s) Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That's all I got. [0:34:52](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2092s) Thanks, sir. Okay, any, uh, members of the committee have a request? Okay. [0:35:09](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2109s) Chairman Williamson, do you want to ask about, uh, Senate Bill 566? Bruce Williamson. [0:35:20](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2120s) Chairman, uh, I may ask, ask for Senate Bill 566. [0:35:25](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2125s) Okay. [0:35:28](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2128s) Thank you. Okay, we got that done. All right. Uh, let's go ahead and, uh, recognize, uh, Chairman Newton to speak to Senate Bill 395 Substitute. And by the way, congratulations on your match. [0:35:46](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2146s) Thank you. It's good to get him done. Thank you, sir. Um, SB 395, you'll see it on, uh, page three, about five down on, uh, uh, on page three. Um, the, the original bill, uh, deals with tightening up the, the role of, uh, DPH and the Georgia Composite Medical Board working together, uh, on our ca- medical cannabis, uh, uh, rules. What we've added to it, and, and that, that's been presented before. What we've added to it is, in Section 2, is House Bill 154. That's a policy that's passed the House twice, nearly unanimously, and it deals with declaring that EMS is an essential service, not regard to an insurance payment or in-work network or out-of-network, but just simply to allow them to apply for grants that are available for essential services. [0:36:32](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2192s) And once again, that's language that has passed, uh, House committee and the House twice. [0:36:42](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2202s) Okay. [0:36:42](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2202s) And I move that, that we, uh, adopt that substitute- [0:36:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2204s) And I, I think- [0:36:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2204s) ... that would be LC52-1100S. [0:36:48](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2208s) Okay, and I think some of these come out of your Rural Development Council study committee that y'all worked on, correct? [0:36:54](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2214s) Correct. [0:36:54](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2214s) Yeah. [0:36:55](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2215s) A lot of these rural EMS are eligible, would be eligible for grants if this bill passes and is signed into law. [0:37:01](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2221s) Okay, you've heard the explanation. Uh, is there a motion to approve Senate Bill 395 by Substitute LC52-1100S? [0:37:11](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2231s) So moved. [0:37:12](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2232s) Have a move and a second. Is there any opposition? Okay, it's approved. Okay, now let's set a calendar for today, day 36. Under the modified structure, Senate Bill 23. Moved. Have a- [0:37:31](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2251s) Second [0:37:31](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2251s) ... move and a second. Any opposition? It's on. [0:37:37](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2257s) Senate Bill 395 by Substitute LC52-1100S. [0:37:44](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2264s) Moved. [0:37:45](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2265s) Second. Move and a second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 428. Moved. [0:37:52](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2272s) Second. [0:37:52](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2272s) Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 441. [0:38:00](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2280s) Moved. [0:38:01](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2281s) Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 443. Moved. [0:38:09](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2289s) Second. [0:38:09](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2289s) Moved and second. Any opposition? [0:38:12](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2292s) Objection. [0:38:12](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2292s) Have an objection. All those in favor wanting to put Senate Bill 443 on, say aye. Aye. Any opposed, no. No. It's on. Senate Bill 485. Moved. [0:38:24](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2304s) Second. [0:38:25](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2305s) Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 500. Moved. [0:38:33](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2313s) Second. [0:38:34](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2314s) Move and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 542. Moved. [0:38:43](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2323s) Second. [0:38:43](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2323s) Have a move and second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, now under structured. Under structured, Senate Bill 566. Moved. [0:38:55](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2335s) Second. [0:38:56](https://vimeo.com/1175495503#t=2336s) Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, that will be our calendar for today as of this moment. Uh, rules meeting, our next rules meeting will be Wednesday morning at 9:00. Thank y'all. We're dismissed.