---
title: Senate floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38)
collection: meetings
id: 2026-03-27/senate-floor
cite_as: Senate floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38), video https://vimeo.com/1177100062 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor/text
source_url: https://vimeo.com/1177100062
date: 2026-03-27
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/2026-03-27.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/house-rules.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/house-floor-part-1.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/index.md
chamber: Senate
body: Senate floor
body_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/senate-floor.md
meeting_kind: floor
legislative_day: 38
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
start_time: 2026-03-27T10:00:00-04:00
location: Senate Chamber
duration_seconds: 35218.0
video_id: 1177100062
video_title: Legislative Day 38 | 2026 Legislative Session | 03/27/2026
bills_discussed:
  - SB 346
  - SR 1053
  - HB 229
  - HB 583
  - HB 960
  - HB 1070
  - HB 974
  - HB 451
  - HB 1118
  - HB 1208
  - SB 395
  - SB 470
  - SB 284
  - SB 500
  - SB 566
  - SB 472
  - SB 542
  - HB 1396
  - HB 1316
  - HB 668
  - HB 1121
  - HB 985
  - HB 1254
  - HB 1278
  - HB 549
  - HB 1284
  - SB 285
  - SB 485
  - SB 540
  - SB 543
  - SB 570
  - SB 293
  - HB 750
  - SB 10
  - SB 553
  - HB 1275
  - HB 1107
  - HB 1230
  - HB 1185
bills_read_aloud: 87
summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol
transcript_turns: 1308
transcript_chars: 442793
parts:
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=0
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=59243
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=119075
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=179021
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=238957
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=298657
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=357638
  - https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=417555
---

# Senate floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38)

Senate floor; March 27, 2026; legislative day 38; 2025-2026 Regular Session.

Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1177100062.

> 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 Senate passed a revised election bill, [HB 960](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb960), after extended debate, and approved the fiscal year 2027 budget, [HB 974](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb974), 52-0. After the House rejected the budget changes, the Senate insisted on its version, leaving the chambers in disagreement. Senators also passed measures on income taxes, maternal leave for state employees, religious instruction during school hours, homelessness-service reporting, transit taxes, railroad maintenance, service dogs, teacher preparation and business court cases. Several bills were substantially rewritten from their original subjects. The Senate agreed to House changes on measures covering medical cannabis reporting, emergency services, securities fraud, school finances, clergy misconduct, AI chatbots and other subjects. It tabled [SB 346](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb346), read numerous bills and committee reports, and adjourned until March 31.

## Bills discussed (39)

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 346. DeKalb County; the compensation of certain judges, judicial officers, and county officers; revise

[SB 346](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb346) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [0:29:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1740s), turns 47 to 195.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71480.

The clerk read a favorable committee report and a substitute concerning compensation for DeKalb County judges, judicial officers and county officers. Three senators objected to keeping [SB 346](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb346) on the local consent calendar, so the chair removed it for separate consideration. After the clerk read the bill and substitute, the sponsor moved to table it. The Senate tabled it without objection, with no substantive presentation or debate.

### SR 1053. Trump, President Donald J.; commend

[SR 1053](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1053) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:28:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5280s), turns 183 to 184.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Read and Adopted, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74502.

The clerk read [SR 1053](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1053), which commended the U.S. president's efforts to make homeownership more affordable through changes involving regulation, housing supply and homebuyer protections. The Senate adopted the resolution without objection.

### HB 229. Sales and use tax; exempt materials used in construction of capital outlay projects for educational purposes; provisions

[HB 229](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb229) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:34:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5674s), turns 196 to 360.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Engrossed, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69834.

The Senate voted 31-18 to protect [HB 229](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb229) and three other bills from floor amendments after an objection to unanimous consent. The clerk later read a substitute replacing the original school-construction sales tax exemption with income tax exclusions for tips and overtime compensation. The sponsor said the substitute spelled out provisions from federal tax legislation that senators had previously supported in another tax measure but that had subsequently been removed. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate adopted the substitute and passed the bill 51-0.

### HB 583. Motor vehicles; increase number of free license plates issued to certain veterans

[HB 583](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb583) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:34:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5675s), turns 196 to 1232.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Engrossed, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70671.

The Senate first voted 31-18 to protect [HB 583](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb583) and three other bills from floor amendments. A committee substitute later replaced its veterans' license plate provisions with transit sales tax restrictions. The sponsor said it would bar using the covered taxes for free or reduced fares and require an eight-year wait after a failed transit tax referendum in covered metro Atlanta areas. The sponsor argued repeated votes waste money and fail to respect voters' decisions. One supporting member said residents should not repeatedly have to organize against well-funded campaigns for taxes lasting decades. One opponent said fare assistance helps residents reach jobs, school and medical care, and an eight-year delay would prevent communities from responding to growth. A second opponent asked why eight years was chosen and raised concerns about MARTA, regional growth and major developments. Another opponent warned about competitiveness and traffic. In closing, the sponsor said the bill would not affect single-county or regional transportation sales taxes or MARTA's sales tax. The Senate adopted the substitute and passed the bill 34-15.

### HB 960. Gwinnett Judicial Circuit; superior courts; provide twelfth judge

[HB 960](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb960) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:34:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5675s), turns 196 to 351.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Engrossed, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72209.

The Senate voted 31-18 to protect [HB 960](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb960) and three other bills from floor amendments. The sponsor explained that a substitute completely replaced the proposed Gwinnett judgeship with election changes, including hand-marked paper ballots for November. The sponsor said revisions reduced fines for failing to remove successfully challenged registrations to $100, preserved voters' choice of early voting locations and placed manual recount requirements for elections within 1% in the proper legal section. The sponsor cited nine federally identified voting-system vulnerabilities and said 67% of Americans use hand-marked ballots. One opponent supported paper ballots but opposed an unfunded, rushed transition. A second questioned manual-count accuracy, registrar penalties and transferring oversight from the elected secretary of state to the State Election Board. Other opponents warned about costs, privacy, worker training and voter confidence. Another member said DeKalb would need all 432 ballot styles at every early voting site, increasing storage, security and error risks, and suggested waiting to obtain on-demand printers. The Senate adopted the substitute and passed the bill 32-21. A motion to reconsider failed 21-31.

### HB 1070. Income tax; increase and extend a credit for expenditures on maintenance of railroad track owned or leased by Class III railroads

[HB 1070](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1070) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [1:34:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5676s), turns 196 to 1244.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Engrossed, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72521.

The Senate voted 31-18 to protect [HB 1070](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1070) and three other bills from floor amendments. Later, the sponsor said the bill would increase the railroad track maintenance tax credit from $3,500 to $5,000 per track mile and extend its expiration by one year. The sponsor said Georgia has 26 short-line railroads, mostly in middle and south Georgia. Asked why the credit was needed, the sponsor said rail investment supports freight movement from ports, economic development and fewer trucks on roads. A second member supported the rural development benefits and asked about faster service. The sponsor said investment could make service faster, safer and more dependable. The Senate adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 44-3.

### HB 974. General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

[HB 974](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb974) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [2:59:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10793s), turns 360 to 653.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Third Read, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72234.

The Appropriations chair presented [HB 974](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb974) as a roughly $38.5 billion fiscal year 2027 budget. The chair highlighted over $20 million for 1,217 new developmental-disability service slots, saying expected turnover could also cover everyone identified as urgently needing services, provided enough service providers were available. The chair described $100 million for state retiree cost-of-living adjustments, over $70 million for 1,313 literacy coaches, Medicaid provider increases, correctional officer pay supplements, school safety funding and veteran homelessness assistance. The chair also explained a university funding change requiring 1.1 online credit hours to receive funding equivalent to one in-person hour, a $123 million adjustment. Asked about university flexibility, the chair confirmed the Board of Regents retained constitutionally protected spending discretion. Another member and the chair emphasized that total university state funding still increased from the prior year. Asked about disability services' future costs, the chair said another $20 million would be needed the following year. The Senate adopted the substitute and passed the budget 52-0. After the House rejected the Senate substitute, the Senate insisted on its position without objection. No final agreement was shown.

### HB 451. Quality Basic Education Act; local boards shall be authorized to provide instruction in hunting safety in grades six through 12; provide

[HB 451](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb451) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [3:56:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14183s), turns 506 to 556.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Third Read, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70323.

A substitute replaced [HB 451](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb451)'s hunting-safety instruction provisions with rules for students to attend independently provided religious or moral instruction during school hours. The sponsor said school systems would have to adopt policies allowing participation, with background checks, liability protections and optional academic credit. One member asked why instruction could not occur outside school hours and why local systems could not decide whether to allow it. The sponsor said all students should have the option under consistent safeguards. An amendment's author said the amendment clarified that instruction could occur on campus under a neutral equal-access policy, and that families would be responsible for transportation when instruction was off campus. Another member opposed using school time and facilities for outside religious programs, arguing this would distract from academics and serve a vendor's interests. A supporting member proposed separately studying whether other school activities should move outside instructional hours. The amendment passed 32-18. The Senate adopted the substitute as amended and passed the bill 33-18.

### HB 1118. Public officers and employees; 120 hours of maternal birth leave; provide

[HB 1118](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1118) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [4:19:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15575s), turns 557 to 565.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Third Read, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72672.

The sponsor said [HB 1118](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1118) would give state employees, including teachers, three additional weeks of maternal birth leave to recover from childbirth, alongside six weeks of existing parental leave, for nine weeks total. The sponsor described childbirth recovery and breastfeeding demands as reasons for distinct leave for birth mothers. The clerk's caption referred to 80 hours, while the sponsor described three weeks. No substantive questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 50-0.

### HB 1208. Civil practice; require depositions to be taken before certified court reporters

[HB 1208](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1208) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [4:23:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15830s), turns 565 to 570.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Third Read, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72884.

The sponsor said [HB 1208](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1208) would require depositions to be taken by a certified court reporter using any recording method recognized by the Georgia Board of Court Reporting, rather than requiring stenography. The sponsor described it as a consensus measure. One member emphasized court reporters' duties beyond transcription and raised concerns about automated and AI transcription replacing those services. The sponsor agreed with both points. The Senate passed the bill 48-0.

### 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 [5:46:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20815s), turns 658 to 666.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72198.

The sponsor said [SB 395](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb395) would address a communication gap by allowing the Department of Public Health to share medical cannabis registry information with the Georgia Composite Medical Board. The clerk described physician reporting provisions and restrictions on report use. The sponsor said the House added a provision making emergency medical services an essential healthcare service, which the sponsor supported. The clerk also identified an EMS interstate compact in the substitute. No substantive questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 46-0.

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

[SB 470](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb470) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [5:52:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21151s), turns 671 to 680.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72945.

The sponsor described [SB 470](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb470) as Georgia Bureau of Investigation legislation restricting signal jammers. The clerk read provisions prohibiting possession, use, manufacture, sale, distribution and import, with criminal penalties and exceptions. The sponsor said the House clarified two words to distinguish someone shielding their own property from people blocking signals in ways that harm homes or public safety personnel. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 46-0.

### SB 284. "Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008,"; issuance of orders by the Commissioner of Securities directing persons who have violated certain securities provisions to return; authorize

[SB 284](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb284) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [5:55:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21355s), turns 682 to 697.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70926.

The sponsor said [SB 284](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb284) would let the Secretary of State's Securities Division order people who defraud investors to return their money. The sponsor contrasted this with existing powers to stop activity, restrict licenses or impose penalties paid to the state. The sponsor cited the First Liberty case and other schemes as reasons for the change, saying older residents are often victims. One member asked whether the purpose was to make victims whole, and the sponsor confirmed that intent. The sponsor said the House also added Department of Education-requested provisions on roofing procurement for low-wealth school systems and made the bill effective upon the governor's signature. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 44-0.

### 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 [6:02:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21741s), turns 699 to 706.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73166.

The sponsor said [SB 500](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb500) would expand the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce's existing provider database to include additional licensing agencies and healthcare professionals. The sponsor said the Senate version added nine agencies and the House added a tenth. The clerk described renaming the behavioral healthcare database as the Healthcare Workforce Database. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 45-2.

### 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 [6:06:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21989s), turns 707 to 714.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73564.

The sponsor said [SB 566](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb566) would make property assessment notices easier to use. The clerk's reading also described changes involving homestead exemption information, applications and eligibility reporting. The sponsor characterized the House change as recognizing that tax commissioners, rather than tax assessors, receive homestead exemption applications in eight counties. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 48-1.

### SB 472. Local Boards of Education; audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; provide for the suspension of members

[SB 472](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb472) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [6:10:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22218s), turns 716 to 728.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72966.

The clerk described [SB 472](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb472) as allowing suspension of local school board members after certain findings of financial mismanagement or misconduct. The sponsor supported House changes placing a school system's designation for the highest level of financial monitoring and intervention with the state auditor. The sponsor said the House also reduced the petition threshold for a vote on moving a city school system into a county system from 25% to 10% of registered voters, while keeping final approval with city voters. One opposing member said allowing only 10% to trigger a referendum on dissolving a school system was too low a threshold. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 29-17.

### 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 [6:16:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22572s), turns 729 to 736.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73480.

The sponsor said [SB 542](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb542) would protect adults under clergy members' pastoral care or spiritual guidance from improper sexual contact. The sponsor supported House changes refining the definition of clergy and extending the time limit for prosecution from seven to 15 years. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 47-0.

### HB 1396. State government; require certain privately funded organizations that operate a shelter or provide outreach services to homeless individuals participate in the Georgia Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

[HB 1396](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1396) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [6:19:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22795s), turns 738 to 859.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73438.

The sponsor said [HB 1396](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1396) would require covered privately funded homelessness-service providers near schools, parks and childcare facilities in Atlanta to use the state's homelessness information system. The sponsor called it a pilot to coordinate resources and track needs, with noncriminal citations for violations. Asked about funding, the sponsor clarified with another member that participation would make providers eligible, not guarantee funding. One opponent questioned small groups' administrative capacity and police issuing citations. A second said the bill offered no housing or treatment solution and proposed transporting people lacking services to Mulberry at that city's expense. Another member, drawing on church outreach work, supported the database but argued mandatory participation would burden religious service and produce unreliable data from untrained volunteers. That member proposed voluntary participation. An unrelated amendment concerning unlawful-employment-practice claims against the General Assembly passed without objection. The Mulberry amendment failed 17-33, and voluntary participation failed 20-29. After voting 32-17 to end debate, the Senate passed the bill as amended 33-17.

### HB 1316. Walker County; school district ad valorem tax; remove five year residency requirement for homestead exemption

[HB 1316](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1316) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:10:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25845s), turns 866 to 880.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73245.

The sponsor said [HB 1316](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1316) would remove the five-year residency requirement for a Walker County school property tax homestead exemption for residents age 75 or older. The sponsor explained that the measure was being handled outside the local-bill process because the area's Senate seat was vacant. The clerk described a referendum and related implementation provisions. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 48-0.

### HB 668. Crimes and offenses; change references to assistance and guide dogs to service dogs

[HB 668](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb668) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:14:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26085s), turns 882 to 895.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70962.

The sponsor said [HB 668](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb668) would update references to service dogs, distinguish them from emotional support animals, create penalties and restitution for harming or killing service dogs, and penalize knowingly misrepresenting a dog as a service dog. The sponsor said trained service dogs can cost up to $50,000 and described a service dog blinded in an attack by a dog incorrectly presented as a service animal. The sponsor said an amendment named the measure after that service dog and included changes recommended by a disability-law attorney. A second amendment corrected the committee name in the first amendment. Both amendments passed without objection. No substantive questions or opposition followed. The Senate adopted the substitute as amended and passed the bill 47-0.

### HB 1121. Cordele Judicial Court; change certain terms of court

[HB 1121](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1121) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:21:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26503s), turns 898 to 916.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72675.

The sponsor said [HB 1121](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1121) would change Superior Court term schedules throughout the Cordele Judicial Circuit. The sponsor explained that another provision allowing court clerks to retain forfeited bond money during the period for possible repayment had been removed because it would make the measure a retirement bill, which could not proceed in the second year of the two-year session. The Senate adopted the amendment removing that provision, adopted the committee substitute as amended and passed the bill 47-0.

### HB 985. Veterans affairs; revise terms of eligibility for persons to be buried in Georgia veteran cemeteries

[HB 985](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb985) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:28:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26906s), turns 918 to 932.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72245.

The sponsor said [HB 985](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb985) would align eligibility at Georgia's state veterans cemeteries with national cemetery rules, including eligibility for Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans who fought in Vietnam and people who served in reserve or National Guard components. Asked whether it applied to veterans' sections in other cemeteries, the sponsor said it covered only state-operated veterans cemeteries. In response to another question, the sponsor said a proposed Augusta cemetery would also be covered if it became part of the state system. The Senate passed the bill 48-0.

### HB 1254. Professions and businesses; move regulation of various professions from individual boards to Secretary of State

[HB 1254](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1254) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:34:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27260s), turns 933 to 941.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73021.

The sponsor described [HB 1254](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1254) as a governor's measure developed through a year-long effort to simplify professional licensing. The sponsor said it would eliminate separate boards for cemetery operators, auctioneers, geologists and hearing aid dealers, combining hearing aid regulation with the board covering speech-language pathology and audiology. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 49-0.

### HB 1278. Professions and businesses; improve efficiencies in issuance of permits for dentists to administer conscious sedation and general anesthesia

[HB 1278](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1278) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:39:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27546s), turns 946 to 957.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73120.

The sponsor said [HB 1278](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1278) would simplify certification for dentists administering conscious sedation by removing a site-visit requirement that had delayed certifications. The sponsor said training, certification and equipment requirements would otherwise remain unchanged. The clerk described allowing qualified personnel designated by the dental board to perform evaluations and examinations. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 46-0.

### HB 549. Peace officers; extend time frame for which reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer may be sought

[HB 549](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb549) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:43:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27791s), turns 959 to 970.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70586.

The sponsor said [HB 549](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb549) would extend from 15 to 36 months the period during which an agency hiring an officer must reimburse the agency that sponsored the officer's basic training. The sponsor said reimbursement would cover actual training costs and up to 90 days of salary during field training. The sponsor reported support from the Georgia Chiefs of Police and Georgia Sheriffs' Association. One member voiced support. The Senate passed the bill 47-2.

### HB 1284. Education; awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; provide

[HB 1284](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1284) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [7:46:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28017s), turns 970 to 978.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73133.

The sponsor said [HB 1284](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1284) would establish a consistent, expedited process for awarding diplomas to high school students with terminal illnesses. The sponsor said Children's Healthcare of Atlanta teachers had advocated for 11 students over three years, but only four received diplomas because districts responded differently. The sponsor said the State Department of Education would make the final decision on awarding diplomas. The clerk also described waiver and posthumous diploma provisions. No opposition or substantive questions followed. The Senate passed the bill 48-0.

### 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 [7:51:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28314s), turns 979 to 993.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70897.

The sponsor said [SB 285](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb285) would support the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, primarily benefiting municipal and county officers. The sponsor said the House found a revenue source with less impact on constituents. The clerk described requiring a portion of insurance premium taxes to go to the fund and allowing changes to the monthly benefit multiplier. Another member supported replacing a proposed $1 surcharge on phone lines, arguing that surcharge would have been a consumption tax. The vote to agree to the House substitute was 46-0.

### 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 [7:57:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28620s), turns 995 to 1004.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73054.

The sponsor said [SB 485](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb485) would allow social work master's students to take their licensing examination during their final semester. The sponsor said the House added an identification requirement for nail technician registration and renewal applications beginning July 1, 2028, describing it as requiring a copy of a REAL ID license. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 46-0.

### SB 540. Online Internet Safety; certain disclosures related to conversational AI services; require

[SB 540](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb540) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:00:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28850s), turns 1006 to 1015.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73452.

The sponsor said [SB 540](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb540) would protect children interacting with AI services. The clerk described disclosures and age verification for AI companion chatbots. The sponsor said the House strengthened protections against emotional manipulation and dependency, tightened enforcement and authorized attorney general rules and guidance. The sponsor said the effective date moved to July 2027 to allow time for federal action, compliance and any needed changes during the next legislative session. No questions or opposition followed. The vote to agree to the House substitute was 44-1.

### SB 543. Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for Butts County; required to read an ordinance, resolution, or other matter before the board at one meeting prior to the adoption; provide

[SB 543](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb543) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:05:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29114s), turns 1017 to 1028.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73478.

The clerk described [SB 543](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb543) as providing that Butts County commissioners would not have to read an ordinance, resolution or other matter at more than one meeting before adoption. The sponsor said the House corrected drafting mistakes in the local legislation and requested agreement. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 47-0.

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

[SB 570](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb570) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:08:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29338s), turns 1030 to 1048.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73569.

The sponsor said [SB 570](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb570) would require human trafficking training for inns and short-term rentals. The sponsor explained that the House added an exception for private homes rented for fewer than 15 days per year, intended to exclude occasional rentals for special events. Asked whether regularly operated short-term rentals would have to post the national trafficking hotline number, the sponsor said yes, while the short-duration exception would apply to occasional rentals. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 38-6.

### SB 293. License Plates for Certain Veterans; the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans; increase

[SB 293](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb293) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:14:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29658s), turns 1055 to 1088.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70927.

The presenter said the House replaced [SB 293](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb293)'s veterans' plate provisions with used-car dealer plate rules aimed at fraud. The presenter described increasing dealer bonds from $35,000 to $50,000, stronger criminal penalties, a six-month limit on using a dealer plate on one vehicle, stamped metal plates, fraud reporting and greater oversight. Amendment 1 raised plate-related fees from $62 to $80 and another payment from $12 to $15. Amendment 1A added temporary permits allowing vehicle rebuilders to test-drive unregistered vehicles, with insurance and bond requirements. Asked why raised metal lettering was required, the presenter said it would make duplication harder. One member supported the bill and fee amendment but opposed the test-drive amendment, citing safety concerns about rebuilt or totaled vehicles and the lack of committee review. The presenter said the provision would help a small group of businesses. Amendment 1A passed 43-3, and Amendment 1 as amended was accepted without objection. The Senate agreed to the House substitute as amended 41-2.

### HB 750. Forsyth County; State Court; add a judge

[HB 750](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb750) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:28:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30485s), turns 1089 to 1096.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71275.

The sponsor said [HB 750](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb750) would add a third State Court judge in Forsyth County to handle population growth. The sponsor reported unanimous support from the county commissioners and the House and Senate delegations, while describing earlier difficulties getting the measure completed. No substantive questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate substitute 47-0.

### SB 10. Superior Courts of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit; additional judge; provide

[SB 10](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb10) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:32:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30737s), turns 1098 to 1133.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69368.

The presenter explained that [SB 10](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb10) originally proposed an Alapaha Judicial Circuit judgeship, that the House replaced it with other judicial provisions, and that the proposed Senate amendment would instead address charter schools' access to unused school buildings. The clerk described negotiations, conditions for use or purchase, and appeal procedures. Asked whether facilities were a major obstacle for charter schools, the presenter agreed and said allowing purchases or leases would help provide classrooms. The presenter argued that easier facilities access, alongside a separate financing measure, would keep more money available for instruction. The Senate agreed to the House substitute as amended 38-7.

### 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 [8:37:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31055s), turns 1134 to 1149.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73522.

The sponsor described [SB 553](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb553) as a governor's measure to simplify licensing for utility contractors, electricians, low-voltage electricians and heating and air conditioning contractors. The sponsor said the House added a licensing pathway for tier-two low-voltage utility contractors and had passed the measure unanimously. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate agreed to the House substitute 46-0.

### HB 1275. Medical practice; ensure that stem cell therapies are used to advance medical treatments and improve patient outcomes in an ethical manner that does not involve stem cells derived from aborted fetuses

[HB 1275](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1275) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:40:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31259s), turns 1149 to 1158.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73116.

The sponsor said [HB 1275](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1275) would authorize physicians, and physician-designated physician assistants and nurse practitioners, to perform human stem cell therapies not approved by the FDA. The clerk described patient protections, notice and consent provisions, and restrictions against using cells derived from aborted fetuses. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 48-0.

### HB 1107. Excellent Teacher Preparation Act; enact

[HB 1107](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1107) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [8:44:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31499s), turns 1159 to 1171.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72626.

The sponsor said [HB 1107](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1107) would establish statewide performance measures for teacher preparation programs through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission beginning in 2027. The sponsor described measures covering completion, certification exams, job placement, retention, employer satisfaction, teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. The sponsor said graduate and employer feedback would better connect training with school hiring needs and that state education agencies and the university system collaborated on the framework. The sponsor also said it aligned with literacy and math initiatives. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 49-0.

### HB 1230. Aviation; prohibit operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration

[HB 1230](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1230) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [9:23:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33828s), turns 1246 to 1269.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Tabled, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72951.

The sponsor said [HB 1230](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1230) would prohibit drone activity over jails and prisons, impose penalties, classify drones used improperly as contraband and authorize law enforcement to capture or disable them. The sponsor described drones delivering food, phones, drugs and weapons to inmates, and said the bill also addressed improper video recording from nearby property. The sponsor said officers would use controlled methods rather than firearms. The sponsor reported that prosecutors were already handling a couple of hundred drone cases and expected prosecutions to rise five- to tenfold under the bill. No substantive questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 45-0.

### HB 1185. Courts; certain shareholder claims to be brought before the Georgia State-wide Business Court; provide

[HB 1185](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1185) (2025-2026 Regular Session). From [9:32:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34364s), turns 1270 to 1298.

Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Taken from Table, 2026-03-27): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72827.

The sponsor said [HB 1185](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1185) concerned the State-wide Business Court's authority over certain cases and returned after earlier disagreements with a negotiated Amendment 4. The clerk described shareholder claims, corporate provisions choosing the business court, transfer procedures and attorney fees. The amendment's author said the compromise limited covered claims to those brought by shareholders or members, tightened definitions, added reasonableness standards concerning fees and restored a presumption against moving cases out of their original court. The author said the aim was to prevent parties outside publicly traded or certain sophisticated companies from being forced into business court by another party alone. Earlier Amendments 1, 2, 3 and 3A were withdrawn. Another member voiced support for protecting smaller parties from being forced to litigate in Atlanta. Amendment 4 passed 37-9, and the bill passed as amended 45-2.

## Bills read aloud (87)

Read aloud only (a first or second reading, a committee's report), with no discussion.

- [SB 632](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb632) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Weapons Carry Licenses; certain Code sections regarding the carry of weapons; provide an exception: [0:23:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1415s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [SB 633](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb633) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Motor Vehicles and Traffic; implied consent provisions; repeal and reenact: [0:23:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1422s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [SR 1048](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1048) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Mileage Based User Fee Study Committee; create: [0:23:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1430s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [SR 1049](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1049) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Study Committee on Acquiring and Management of Lake Lanier; create: [0:23:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1438s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [SR 1051](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1051) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Study Committee on Comprehensive Services and Long-term Outcomes for Individuals with Disabilities; create: [0:24:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1444s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1559](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1559) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Palmetto, City of; qualifications, terms, powers, and duties of mayor, councilmembers, and city manager; revise provisions: [0:24:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1456s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1567](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1567) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Quitman, City of; transfer of all legal rights, privileges, and assets to Brooks County; provide: [0:24:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1461s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1570](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1570) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Cochran/Bleckley Airport Authority; board; revise membership: [0:24:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1467s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1571](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1571) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Bryan County; State Court; revise terms: [0:24:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1473s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1577](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1577) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Woodbine, City of; mayor; revise powers: [0:24:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1480s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1578](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1578) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Arcade, Town of; municipality; clarify name: [0:24:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1487s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1580](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1580) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Henry County Airport Authority; current operative provisions; repeal and replace: [0:24:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1492s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1586](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1586) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Bogart, Town of; provide new charter: [0:25:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1500s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 563](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb563) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Motor vehicles; authorize licensed physical therapists to certify an individual is disabled for purposes of obtaining special vehicle decals: [0:25:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1525s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [SR 890](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr890) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Study Committee on Protecting Free and Fair Markets in Georgia; create: [0:25:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1537s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 52](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb52) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Ad valorem tax; qualified disabled veterans; extend homestead exemption to unremarried surviving spouses or minor children: [0:26:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1575s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 419](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb419) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Education; require possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within University System of Georgia: [0:25:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1559s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 629](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb629) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Education; remove requirement of having a licensed physician in automated external defibrillator programs: [0:25:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1557s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [SR 545](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr545) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Paid Student Teaching Study Committee; create: [0:25:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1549s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [SR 553](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr553) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements; create: [0:25:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1551s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1116](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1116) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026; enact: [0:26:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1577s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1259](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1259) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Education; prohibit virtual instruction to out-of-system students if the local school system has a College and Career Ready Performance Index below the state average: [0:25:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1555s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [SR 952](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr952) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Rosenwald Schools Study Committee; create: [0:25:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1553s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 186](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb186) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Revenue and taxation; eliminate title ad valorem tax fee requirement for certain inherited vehicles: [0:26:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1607s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 248](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb248) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Income tax; tax credit for certain expenses incurred by taxpayers for certain geothermal machinery installations at residential dwellings; provide: [0:26:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1608s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1132](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1132) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Sales and use tax; exempt materials used in construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing by purely public charities: [0:26:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1579s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1209](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1209) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Sales and use tax; purchases of tangible property and construction materials used for or in the construction and furnishing of certain buildings; provide exemption: [0:26:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1580s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 291](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb291) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Health; certification of community health workers; provide: [0:27:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1636s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 334](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb334) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act; enact: [0:27:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1638s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 350](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb350) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Domestic relations; safe places for newborns; revise provisions: [0:27:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1640s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 792](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb792) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Courts; increase amount of magistrate court claims from $15,000.00 to $30,000.00: [0:27:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1623s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 657](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb657) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Mental health; qualifications of recovery community organizations for substance use; provide: [0:27:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1641s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1211](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1211) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Insurance; guidelines and recommendations for colorectal cancer screening, examinations, and laboratory tests; provide: [0:27:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1643s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1393](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1393) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Hospitals; allow rural hospitals to join together to allow further purchasing power with third-party payors but retain their independence: [0:27:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1644s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1263](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1263) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Insurance; premiums made within three years of payment to the Commissioner; provide for a claim for a refund of certain fees and taxes: [0:27:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1673s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1274](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1274) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Auto Insurance Excess Profits Act; enact: [0:27:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1675s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 34](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb34) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Professional licensing boards; continuing education tracking solution to monitor compliance of licenses with applicable continuing education requirements; establish: [0:28:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1703s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 79](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb79) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Firearm Safe Handling and Secure Storage Tax Credit Act; enact: [0:28:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1722s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 171](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb171) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Crimes and offenses; obscenity; repeal and replace Code Section 16-12-80: [0:28:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1723s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 485](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb485) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Official Code of Georgia Annotated; various provisions enacted prior to 2013 which are contingent upon funding and which remain unfunded; repeal: [0:28:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1725s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [SR 533](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr533) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Study Committee on Enhancing Public Safety and Civic Health; create: [0:28:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1718s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1027](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1027) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Local government; authorize certain long-term contracts for sale of electric power: [0:28:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1705s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [SR 925](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr925) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia; create: [0:28:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1720s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1519](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1519) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Peachtree City Public Facilities Authority; terms of office for certain members; provide: [0:29:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1742s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1525](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1525) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Auburn, City of; revise and readopt charter in its entirety: [0:29:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1743s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1536](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1536) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Eatonton, City of; provide a new charter: [0:29:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1744s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1542](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1542) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Worth County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee: [0:29:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1746s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1551](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1551) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Pickens County; school district ad valorem tax; homestead exemption; increase income cap: [0:29:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1750s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1552](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1552) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Bremen, City of; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [0:29:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1751s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1555](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1555) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Fort Valley, City of; deannex certain territory: [0:29:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1747s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1556](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1556) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Nicholls, City of; provide new charter: [0:29:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1748s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [SB 628](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb628) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Richmond County and City of Augusta; council-manager form of government; provide: [0:29:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1768s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 295](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb295) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions: [0:29:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1770s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 309](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb309) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Local government; require adoption of a resolution or ordinance and voter approval prior to abolishment of a police force that was created by such method: [0:29:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1772s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 646](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb646) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Coroners; provide minimum salaries: [0:29:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1774s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1166](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1166) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Local government; zoning decisions shall not affect or be required for certain residential dwellings of 400 square feet or fewer; provide: [0:29:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1776s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute)
- [HB 1245](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1245) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Walker County; Board of Education; members shall be elected by voters of the respective education districts; provide: [0:29:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1779s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1317](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1317) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Fort Oglethorpe, City of; levy an excise tax: [0:29:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1780s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1523](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1523) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Sumter County Public Facilities Authority; create: [0:29:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1782s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1526](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1526) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Early County; repeal a former local constitutional amendment: [0:29:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1783s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1543](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1543) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Chattooga County; school district ad valorem tax; homestead exemption; increase income cap: [0:29:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1785s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [HB 1544](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1544) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Chattooga County; ad valorem tax; county purposes; provide a homestead exemption: [0:29:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1786s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported)
- [SR 1045](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr1045) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Young, Andrea; recognize and commend: [1:27:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5258s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Adopted)
- [HB 1404](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1404) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Pooler, City of; levy an excise tax: [5:39:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20391s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1558](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1558) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Palmetto, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption: [5:39:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20396s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1560](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1560) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Springfield, City of; Redevelopment Powers Law; provide for a referendum: [5:40:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20407s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1562](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1562) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Pike County; ad valorem tax; increase amount of homestead exemption for residents who are totally disabled: [5:40:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20415s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1563](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1563) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Pike County; ad valorem tax; increase amount of homestead exemption for residents who are senior citizens: [5:40:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20426s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1564](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1564) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Lee County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [5:40:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20433s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1565](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1565) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Lee County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [5:40:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20447s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1566](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1566) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Ware County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [5:40:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20455s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1568](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1568) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Woodstock, City of; change corporate limits: [5:41:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20465s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1569](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1569) (2025-2026 Regular Session), McDonough, City of; Municipal Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee: [5:41:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20483s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1573](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1573) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Statham, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption: [5:41:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20491s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1575](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1575) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Kingsland, City of; ad valorem tax; apply exemption to residents 62 years or older: [5:41:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20497s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1576](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1576) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Kingsland, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption: [5:41:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20508s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1581](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1581) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Fayetteville, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption: [5:41:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20515s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1582](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1582) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Fayette County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [5:42:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20525s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1583](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1583) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Fayette County; ad valorem tax; floating proportional amount based upon any increased property tax collections; provide new exemption: [5:42:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20530s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1587](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1587) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Cobb County; abolish office of elected county surveyor; provide appointment: [5:42:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20538s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1588](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1588) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide: [5:42:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20551s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1594](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1594) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Riceboro, City of; revise corporate limits: [5:42:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20558s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1595](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1595) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Clarke County; school district ad valorem tax; revise how income cap is calculated: [5:42:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20562s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1598](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1598) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Laurens County; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [5:42:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20575s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1599](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1599) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Sandersville School Building Authority; members; revise qualification: [5:43:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20585s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1601](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1601) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Gainesville, City of; ad valorem tax for municipal purposes; provide homestead exemption: [5:43:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20592s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)
- [HB 1602](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1602) (2025-2026 Regular Session), Gainesville, City of; school district ad valorem tax; provide homestead exemption: [5:43:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20595s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Read and Referred)

> The transcript runs 442,793 characters. A reader that cannot take it at once can read it in 8 parts: part 1 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=0; part 2 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=59243; part 3 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=119075; part 4 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=179021; part 5 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=238957; part 6 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=298657; part 7 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=357638; part 8 https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-03-27/senate-floor.md?start=417555.

## Transcript (1308 turns)

[0:20:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1202s) Good morning. Good morning. Time for convening has arrived. The Senate will come to order.

[0:20:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1210s) Senator

[0:20:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1235s) from six, whenever you're ready.

[0:20:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1242s) Well, thank you, Mr. President. How are you this morning? You're looking very presidential today. Very official. Mr. President, we got a lot of great pages from all over this great state. Out of Lakeland, Georgia, we have Jackson Bowling. From Gainesville, Julianne Cobb. From Stone Mountain, Shelby Cruz. From Canton, Emily Dean.

[0:21:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1274s) From Smyrna, Mimi Dennis. From Lawrenceville, Morgan Godfrey. From Monticello, we have the Hamlin sisters in Anna Lee, Christina, and Leanne. From Ellenwood, we have Lathan Harrington. From Phoenix City, Noah Hudson. From Gainesville, Olivia Hutchinson. From Marietta, Hudson Ingram.

[0:21:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1306s) From Perry, Presley Jackson. From Ellenwood, Omari Johnson. From Alpharetta, Arjun Madhok. From Athens, Ethan Mathis. From Marietta, Eva O'Neill. From Athens, Kaitlyn Page, who is the daughter of your very own Franco. From Perry, we have Philip Rigdon.

[0:22:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1339s) From Brunswick, Lillian Roberts. From Covington, Kelsey Rowles. From Mount Vernon, we have brother and sister Wyatt and Abigail Vassey. Y'all give these pages a big round of applause. We appreciate you being here to serve the great people of the great state of Georgia. Mr. President, the journal is thick, but it has been read and it has been found to be correct.

[0:22:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1375s) So I'd like to move that we dispense with the reading of the journal.

[0:22:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1379s) All right, Senator. Thank you and thank all those good-looking pages that we have here today. Sounds like they're from all over the state, so we appreciate them very much. And thank you, Senator, for the introducing them all. Is there objection to dispensing of the reading of the journal? Chair hears none. The reading of the journal is dispensed with. Is there objection to confirmation of the journal? Chair hears none. The journal is confirmed. All senators who have bills and resolutions to introduce, please bring them to the secretary's desk at this time.

[0:23:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1410s) First reading and references to Senate bills. Secretary?

[0:23:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1415s) Senate Bill 632 by Senator Bearden of the 30th. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 16-11-130 of the Official Code-

[0:23:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1421s) Judiciary

[0:23:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1422s) ... Senate Bill 633 by Senator Bearden of the 30th. A bill to be entitled an act to amend-

[0:23:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1426s) Public Safety.

[0:23:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1430s) Senate Resolution 1048 by Senator Still of the 48th and others. A resolution creating the Senate Mileage-Based User Fee Study Committee and for other purposes.

[0:23:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1437s) Rules.

[0:23:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1438s) Senate Resolution 1049 by Senator Still of the 48th and others. A resolution creating a Senate Study Committee-

[0:24:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1444s) Rules.

[0:24:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1444s) Senate Resolution 1051 by Senator Echols of the 49th and others. A resolution creating the Senate-

[0:24:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1449s) Rules.

[0:24:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1449s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[0:24:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1452s) First reading references to House bills.

[0:24:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1456s) House Bill 1559 by Representative Glaze of the 67th and others. A bill to be entitled-

[0:24:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1460s) State and Local Government

[0:24:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1461s) ... House Bill 1567 by Representative LaHood of the 170th and others. A bill to be entitled an act-

[0:24:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1466s) State and Local Government

[0:24:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1467s) ... House Bill 1570 by Representative Mathis of the 133rd. A bill to be entitled an act-

[0:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1471s) State and Local Government

[0:24:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1473s) ... House Bill 1571 by Representative Stephens of the 164th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend an act establishing the state-

[0:24:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1479s) State and Local Government

[0:24:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1480s) ... House Bill 1577 by Representative Saines of the 180th. A bill to be entitled an act to amend an act providing-

[0:24:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1486s) State and Local Government

[0:24:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1487s) ... House Bill 1578 by Representative Gaines of the 120th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend-

[0:24:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1491s) State and Local Government

[0:24:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1492s) ... House Bill 1580 by Representative Holley of the 116th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend-

[0:24:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1499s) State and Local Government

[0:24:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1499s) ... House Bill 1586 by Representative Gaines of the 120th. A bill to be entitled an act-

[0:25:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1505s) State and Local Government

[0:25:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1506s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[0:25:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1510s) Secretary will read reports of standing committees.

[0:25:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1517s) Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. House Bill 563, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Goodman of the 8th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. Senate Resolution 890, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Echols of the 49th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Education and Youth has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation.

[0:25:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1549s) Senate Resolution 545, do pass by substitute. Senate Resolution 553, do pass by substitute. Senate Resolution 952, do pass. House Bill 1259, do pass by substitute. House Bill 629, do pass by substitute. House Bill 419, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hickman of the 4th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Finance has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. House Bill 52, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1116, do pass by substitute.

[0:26:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1579s) House Bill 1132, do pass. House Bill 1209, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Huff Setzler of the 52nd District, Chairman. Dear Mr. Secretary, pursuant to Senate Rule 2-1.6, I hereby give notice that I will introduce a minority report to be read along with the majority report of House Bill 1116, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Finance on March 25th, 2026. Sincerely, Senator Orrock of the 36th District. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Finance has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. House Bill 186, do pass by substitute. House Bill 248, do pass by substitute.

[0:26:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1611s) Respectfully submitted, Senator Huff Setzler of the 52nd District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Government Oversight has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. House Bill 792, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Bearden of the 30th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. House Bill 291, do pass by substitute. House Bill 334, do pass by substitute. House Bill 350, do pass by substitute.

[0:27:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1641s) House Bill 657, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1211, do pass. House Bill 1393, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the 1st District, Chairman. Mr. President, dear Mr. Secretary, pursuant to Senate Rule 2-1.6, I hereby give notice that I will introduce a minority report to be read along with the majority report of House Bill 1393, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on March 25th, 2026. Sincerely, Senator Orrock of the 22nd District. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation.

[0:27:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1673s) House Bill 1263, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1274, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Harbison of the 16th District, Chairman. Dear Mr. Secretary, pursuant to Senate Rule 2-1.6, I hereby give notice that I will introduce a minority report to be read along with the majority report of House Bill 1263, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor on March 26th, 2026. Sincerely, Senator Merritt of the 9th District. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation.

[0:28:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1703s) House Bill 34, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1027, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Cowsert of the 46th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Rules has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. Senate Resolution 533, do pass by substitute. Senate Resolution 925, do pass by substitute. House Bill 79, do pass by substitute. House Bill 171, do pass by substitute. House Bill 485, do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Brass of the 6th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation.

[0:29:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1740s) Senate Bill 346, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1519, do pass. House Bill 1525, do pass. House Bill 1536, do pass. House Bill 1542, do pass. House Bill 1555, do pass. House Bill 1556, do pass. House Bill 1551, do pass. House Bill 1552, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations General has had under consideration the following legislation and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation. Senate Bill 628, do pass by substitute.

[0:29:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1770s) House Bill 295, do pass. House Bill 309, do pass by substitute. House Bill 646, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1166, do pass by substitute. House Bill 1245, do pass. House Bill 1317, do pass. House Bill 1523, do pass. House Bill 1526, do pass. House Bill 1543, do pass. House Bill 1544, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[0:30:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1803s) Secretary will read bills and resolutions for the second time. Senate Bill 628 by Senator Burns of the 23rd. Richmond County and City of Augusta, council manager form of government, provide. Senate Resolution 533 by Senator James of the 28th. Senate Study Committee on Enhancing Public Safety and Civic Health, create. Senate Resolution 545 by Senator Kemp of the 38th and others. Senate Paid Student Teaching Study Committee, create. Senate Resolution 553 by Senator Halpern of the 39th and others. Senate Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements, create. Senate Resolution 890 by Senator Halpern of the 39th and others. Senate Study Committee on Protecting Free and Fair Markets in Georgia, create.

[0:30:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1835s) Senate Resolution 925 by Senator Halpern of the 39th and others. Senate Study Committee on a Museum of African American History and Culture of Georgia, create. Senate Resolution 952 by Senator Davenport of the 17th and others. Senate Ross and Wald School Study Committee, create. House Bill 248 by Representative Jasper of the 11th and others. Income tax, tax credit for certain expenses incurred by taxpayers for certain geothermal machinery installations at residential dwellings, provide. House Bill 295 by Representative Gaines of the 120th and others. Local government, procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred, provisions.

[0:31:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1867s) House Bill 334 by Representatives Crawford of the 89th and others. Sickle Cell Disease Protection Act, enact. House Bill 350 by Representatives Cameron of the 1st and others. Domestic relations, safe places for newborns, revised provisions. House Bill 419 by Representatives Hawkin of the 27th and others. Education, require possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within University System of Georgia. House Bill 563 by Representatives Bennett of the 94th and others. Motor vehicles, authorize licensed physical therapists to certify an individual is disabled for purposes of obtaining special vehicle decals. House Bill 629 by Representatives Hawkins of the 27th and others.

[0:31:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1897s) Education, remove requirement of having a licensed physician in automated external defibrillator programs. House Bill 646 by Representative Stinson of the 150th and others. Coroners, provide minimum salaries. House Bill 657 by Representatives Hagan of the 156th and others. Mental health, qualifications of recovery community organizations for substance use, provide. House Bill 792 by Representative Monthan of the 17th and others. Courts increase amount of magistrate court claims from $15,000 to $30,000. House Bill 1027 by Representative Anderson of the 10th and others. Local government authorize certain long-term contracts for sale of electric power.

[0:32:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1930s) House Bill 1116 by Representative Blackmon of the 146th and others. H- Home Ownership Opportunity Market Equalization Act of 2026, an act. House Bill 1132 by Representative Franklin of the 160th and others. Sales and use tax exempt materials used in construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing by purely public charities. House Bill 1166 by Representative Herring of the 145th and others. Local government zoning decisions shall not affect or be required for certain residential dwellings of 400 square feet or fewer, provide. House Bill 1209 by Representative Stephens of the 164th and others. Sales and use tax purchasable, purchases of tangible property and construction materials used for or in the construction and furnishing of certain buildings provide exemption.

[0:32:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1967s) House Bill 1211 by Representative Kelly of the 16th and others. Insurance guidelines and recommendations for colorectal cancer screening, examinations, and laboratory tests provide. House Bill 1245 by Representative Cameron of the 1st and others. Walker County Board of Education members shall be elected by voters of the respective education districts provide. House Bill 1259 by Representative Dubnik of the 29th and others. Education prohibit virtual instruction to out-of-system students if the local school system has a college and career ready performance index below the state average. House Bill 1263 by Representative Lovvison of the 12th and others.

[0:33:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=1999s) Insurance premiums made within the three years of payment to the commissioner provide for a claim for a refund of certain fees and taxes. House Bill 1274 by Representative Reeves of the 99th and others. Auto Insurance Excess Profits Act, an act. House Bill 1317 by Representative Horner of the 3rd and others. Fort Oglethorpe, City of Le- Levi and Excise Tax. House Bill 1393 by Representative Workhiser of the 157th and others. Hospitals allow rural hospitals to join together to allow further purchasing power with third-party payers, but retain their independence. House Bill 1523 by Representative Ciokas, Ciokas of the 151st and others.

[0:33:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2030s) Sumter County Public Facilities Authority create. House Bill 1526 by Representative Green of the 154th. Early C- Early County repeal a former local constitutional amendment. House Bill 1543 by Representative Lumsden of the 12th. Chattooga County School District ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, increase income cap. House Bill 1544 by Representative Lumsden of the 12th. Chattooga County ad valorem tax, county purposes provide a homestead exemption. Mr. President, may I complete your order?

[0:34:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2067s) It is now time for the morning roll call. All those senators who'd like to make a motion to excuse, let yourself be known. Recognize the senator from the 33rd. Thank you, Mr. President, and y'all. And Mr. President, just like the senator from the 6th said, I think you look very presidential today. Well, thank you. I appreciate that. And that's all I have for you today, sir. Wait, why y'all being so nice today? Y'all must be up to something, I tell you, so. Recognize the senator from the 9th.

[0:35:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2100s) Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for a unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 12th. Without objection, the senator from the 12th is excused. Recognize the senator from the 41st. Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 44th. Without objection, the senator from the 44th is excused. Recognize the senator from the... Just turned your light off. Any other senators would like to make a motion to excuse? Any other senators? Secretary will call the roll.

[0:35:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2130s) Senators, please signify your, your presence by voting to yay, sway. Secretary?

[0:36:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2202s) It is now time for our morn- morning devotion. If I could get everybody's attention real quick, I got a quick announcement to make before the... If I could have every senator's attention real quick, please. I got a quick announcement, um, that I think all of you, uh, need to know about. So as many of you know, uh, Senator Freddie Powell Sims, um, has not been with us the last few days because of her husband, uh, who's been suffering.

[0:37:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2232s) Norman, uh, Powell Sims, uh, has been suffering with Al- Alzheimer's and dementia for several years, and earlier this week, he was, uh, put into hospice, and last night he, he went to be with our Lord and Savior. So if we could all stand and, uh, give a, give a moment of silence for, for Senator Powell Sims and her family. Norman was a good, good man, a long-time educator and coach, uh, and if you ever went to Albany, Georgia, uh, you would run into many, many young and old people who had been touched by Norman, uh, through his days as an educator.

[0:37:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2277s) So just join with me in a moment of silence.

[0:38:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2290s) Amen. Thank you.

[0:38:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2294s) Where is

[0:38:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2299s) she? It is now time for our morning devotion. All senators, please take your seats and cease all conversation. I would ask that the doorkeepers secure the chamber at this time. I now recognize the senator from the 41st to introduce our pastor today and lead us in our pledge.

[0:38:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2317s) Please stand and stay with me, the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And now the Georgia flag. I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: wisdom, justice, moderation, courage.

[0:39:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2345s) Thank you everyone. It's my honor and privilege this day to introduce the, our chaplain of the day. It's the Reverend Nikki Mathis. Um, many people call her Mother Mathis, uh, but I don't do that in the presence of her son who is here, um, sitting at my desk. Uh, Ethan is here to support her. Ethan is my, my nephew. Um, Nikki is really my sister in, um, so many ways including being a sister in ministry. Um, but Nikki comes to us, or Mother Nikki comes to us from Athens, Georgia, where she is the rector of Saint Gregory the Great, um, in Athens and, uh, has been serving there for several years.

[0:39:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2386s) Um, she is, um, one of the smartest, most thoughtful and compassionate preachers that I know. And I say that knowing a lot of passionate, compassionate, and passionate preachers. And so I'm really grateful to be able to share the space and introduce her to you all. So please receive my good friend, the Reverend Nikki Mathis.

[0:40:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2411s) Good morning.

[0:40:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2412s) Morning.

[0:40:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2413s) That was mighty quiet. Good morning.

[0:40:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2415s) Good morning.

[0:40:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2416s) Thank you so much. It is such an honor to be here with all of you today. What I'd like to do is start by asking you to picture this, if you would. You are driving up to your house knowing you left the house empty when you went oh, so faithfully to this, your place of service. Getting out of the car, you're surprised to hear your very favorite music in all the world, and that's when you notice that Senator Derek Mallow is on drums.

[0:40:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2454s) That's when you notice that Senator Kim Jackson is singing a solo. That's when you notice that all the pages have formed a choir, and it is the most heavenly music you have ever heard. The guests are all clapping. Some of them are off beat, but that's okay. And there's this, there's this little group to the side saying, "Ain't no party like a Georgia Senate party, 'cause a Georgia Senate party don't stop." And people are walking in and out of your house, their plates just piled high with fried chicken, prime rib, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, homemade.

[0:41:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2490s) And there's a guy at a very, very, very open bar.

[0:41:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2497s) And as you see all of this festivity, you notice people coming towards you, and it is both the caterer and the bar person coming with their bills. And they are handing them to you, and that is when you notice that this must be coming from your bank account. And so maybe you begin to speak in tongues that need absolutely no interp- or, inter- interpretation saying, "Who authorized all of this?" And if you are from the Judeo-Christian tradition, you won't be surprised to think that it's Jesus who showed up, who said, "I was just throwing a little party for the guest of honor." And that's when you see the name on the banner, and you see the big old sheet cake, and it's your favorite flavor by the way.

[0:42:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2555s) And in the chair reserved for this guest of honor, which is not you, is the name of the person who believes and does the exact opposite of everything you believe in.

[0:42:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2574s) You know the one who never apologized, never admitted they were wrong, never admitted anything or even tried to explain. What would you do at this party?

[0:43:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2590s) I'll tell you what one person did. This is a little like a story from my Judeo-Christian tradition where an older brother came home, got out of his car, music thumping, and saw a party, a party for his younger brother. Those of you from my tradition might know of this story as the Prodigal Son.

[0:43:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2624s) And what happens is that the eldest son runs off mad after seeing all this, after being handed the bills. But the daddy, the daddy comes, and this daddy could be thought of as the God who loves us, who comes to find us and remind us that in God's economy, there are no family member, family members, no matter what they've done, that are undeserving of food and shelter, that are undeserving of dignity and care.

[0:44:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2664s) The daddy in this story who gave such a big welcome to the younger brother who had completely insulted him by doing everything wrong,

[0:44:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2676s) the daddy who gave a big welcome home to that kid is the same one who says to this older brother, "Everything I have, everything I have is yours." Which means that for people of faith,

[0:44:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2699s) our job is to care for both the younger brother and the older brother, all the siblings in the holy family.

[0:45:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2716s) And I know that those of you who are people of faith in the Senate in these hallowed halls do your best to care for all God's children, all of our siblings. And to that end, I ask that we stand and pray.

[0:45:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2748s) Oh God, bless all of us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that we may live deep within our hearts. Oh God, bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people so that everyone in this room may work for justice and freedom and peace. Oh God, bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war so that we may reach out with your hand to comfort them and turn their pain to joy.

[0:46:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2783s) And may God bless us with just enough foolishness to believe that when we do the right thing, we can make a difference in this world, that we can claim that what others say cannot be done absolutely and positively can. In your name we pray, amen.

[0:46:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=2815s) Amen. Good job. Thank you. Appreciate it.

[0:50:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3011s) We have, uh, we don't, we're not, we're not doing special presentations, but I, uh, I, I did actually change the rules today a little bit. If I can get everybody's attention real quick, please. If I could have everybody's attention. I wanted to recognize, uh, some good law enforcement guys from down in South Georgia, Emanuel County to be exact. And, uh, Secretary read the caption please. A proclamation recognizing Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office.

[0:50:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3041s) Whereas Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the Emanuel, Emanuel County Sheriff's Office collaborated to arrest and federally indict four individuals on child sex trafficking char- charges. And whereas Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office specifically recognized District Attorney Tripp Fitzner and Chief Investigator Rocky Davis. And whereas the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office specifically recognized Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer and Investigator Michael Reddish for their roles. And whereas the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office conducted a week-long investigation into, into a child sex trafficking operation in November 2025.

[0:51:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3076s) And whereas District, District Attorney Tripp Fitzner and Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer combined offices and resources, thereby following the case from Emanuel County to Savannah and Atlanta. And whereas authorities arrested four local individuals connected to the trafficking and exploitation of five minor victims. And whereas the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office were recognized by US Attorney General Pam Bondi for their outstanding work in this case. Now therefore be it resolved by the President of the Senate that the District Attorney Tripp Fitzner and Chief Investigator Rocky Davis of the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, and Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer and Investigator Michael Reddish of the Emanuel County Sheriff's Office receive the highest commendations from Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate Burt Jones.

[0:51:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3118s) Set forth on this 27th day of March in the year of our Lord, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Burt Jones, President of the Senate. Mr. President, that completes the order. Is there objection to the resolution? Hearing none, the resolution is adopted. If I could get everybody's attention real quick, I'd like to, uh, recognize these, these heroes behind me. As we well know, uh, unfortunately in this day and time, we have a real problem in society, and it is under the heading of human trafficking. And, uh, it's happening to people both young and old, White and Black.

[0:52:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3152s) It doesn't matter. It doesn't, it doesn't discriminate against who gets, um, uh, you know, put into those terrible situations. And, uh, in, uh, Emanuel County, Georgia, a small t- small county in South Georgia, uh, our fine Sheriff Brewer and, uh, and his team here behind me, uh, broke, uh, broke up a ring of, uh, predators, uh, recently that were trafficking four-year-old children now.

[0:53:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3182s) Four-year-old children. Just let that sink in for a little bit. It's horrible, horrible situation, but if it can happen in a small town like Emanuel County, that means it can happen anywhere in this country. So we want to recognize and thank, uh, Sheriff Brewer for all his hard work and his team behind me. And, uh, let's stand and give them a big round of applause, please.

[0:53:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3224s) I'd like to recognize the district attorney from there, uh, Tripp Fit- Fitzner, and, uh, and, uh, y'all please give him your attention as he, uh, uh, tells how all this happened. And, um, and we appreciate you being here today, sir. D- DA.

[0:54:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3243s) No offense to y'all, I'd much rather be talking in a courtroom than here. Uh, this is a new experience for me. But, um, this is one of those cases that you just, you don't ever expect can happen in your own backyard. Uh, it's certainly nothing that you ever look for. And, uh-

[0:54:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3260s) But one of the advantages of living in a small town is that you just know folks. A- and so y- we had a case that, that started as, you know, a, I ha- hate to say simple, but it just started as an exploitation case. And, uh, because we're a small town, we were able to recognize some of the individuals in it. Uh, w- we contacted the, the sheriff's office and the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District Attorney, for Southern District of Georgia rather, and it just kind of spiderwebbed from there.

[0:54:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3292s) A- and they have been working in Atlanta, they've been working in Savannah, and in Emanuel County. And, and it's gotten much larger and, and it's still ongoing today. Uh, but what this case is to me is just an example of what folks can do when they work together and they don't concern themselves about who gets credit. Uh, this took a, a lot of different folks working together, combining resources, uh, to keep kids safe. And that is the most fundamental part of our job, is protecting children, who are the most vulnerable people in our society.

[0:55:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3325s) It's why I got into prosecution. Uh, we have a, a great sheriff, and he's here today with his investigator, uh, Michael Reddish, who worked tirelessly. The, the sheriff's office devoted every resource that they could to the, to working this case. And I'm also very proud to have Rocky Davis, who is my chief investigator here, uh, who also worked tirelessly for this case. And this is just an example of what folks can do by working together and, and not concerning themselves about, uh, who can get credit. But I, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to y'all today.

[0:55:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3358s) Thank you very much.

[0:55:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3359s) All right. Good job.

[0:57:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3428s) You can do it.

[0:57:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3429s) To introduce our, our doctor of the day, uh, rec- I recognize the senator from the 38th.

[0:57:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3438s) Thank you, Mr. President. I am very happy to once again welcome Dr. John Gleason to the chamber as our doctor of the day. Dr. Gleason is a orthopedic surgeon with Resurgens Ortho- Orthopedics. And I told him that he's been here so often that we might need to just get him a seat. But I told him we need the seat to be in the House, not in the Senate, so he doesn't take mine. So very glad to have him here. It's always great to have him here and have a conversation with him. Just a joy to have Dr. Gleason here. So everyone, Dr.

[0:57:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3469s) John Gleason.

[0:57:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3472s) Thank you.

[0:57:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3474s) Thank you. Thank y'all for your hard work. I know y'all have got a lot done so far this session. You got less than a week, so hang in there and finish the job. Thank y'all.

[0:58:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3484s) All right. Good job. Appreciate it, Don. I appreciate it.

[0:58:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3506s) Thank- Are there unanimous consents? Does anyone wish to rise on a point of personal privilege? Recognize the senator from the 24th, the man from Columbia County. If any, not anybody needs any wheat straw, that's the man you call on right there.

[0:58:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3537s) Thank you, Mr. President.

[0:59:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3541s) Colleagues, I want to tell you about an event that happened yesterday.

[0:59:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3550s) Yesterday,

[0:59:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3553s) about three or four months ago, the senator from the 49th and the former senator from the 49th, their nephew was killed in a tragic accident on the farm, and yesterday Rebel Auction had the honor to auction off all the estate for the family.

[0:59:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3587s) Rebel Auction is a, a auction company that I deal with quite often, and we have always in the past when we had auctions to where we had to auction off a farmer, a citizen that got killed in an accident and left a family, we've always tried to some way come up with a s- solution to be able to raise more money than normal for that family.

[1:00:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3621s) The senator from the 49th n- n- nephew was a young man, and he had a young family. He had a family of just two small children. Ladies and gentlemen, they was fixing to build a house.

[1:00:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3640s) I'm here to tell you yesterday in the middle of the auction on a beautiful farm in Clarkesville, Georgia, in the mountains, in the hills, in the middle of the auction, they have a cabin r- uh, there on the farm and a stream behind the cabin, and people can come there and spend the night, and then they can go trout fishing in the morning.

[1:01:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3671s) Well, as always with Rebel Auction, we always dream up some kind of way to raise money for that family. Ladies and gentlemen, yesterday we auction off a one-night stay in that cabin. ... and be able to trout fish the next morning.

[1:01:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3694s) What a guide, all you had to do is just come go fishing. I'm gonna show you how real farmers and how leaders really come together when it's a true need. The first bidder bid it up to $7,500. He was the high bid.

[1:02:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3721s) He, he says after the bid, he said, "Guys, I, I don't even fish." He said, "Bid it again."

[1:02:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3733s) Another businessman in the area that had dealt with the family over the years, they bidded $6,500. They said, "They won't let me go fishing, so bid it again."

[1:02:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3749s) Rebel Auction actually bidded and got the high bid. They said, "Bid it again." Ladies and gentlemen, this happened for about 15 minutes back and forth.

[1:02:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3766s) And I'm here to tell you of a person in this chamber that stepped up to the plate yesterday and showed his true leadership, a man that knows how to lead the great state of Georgia. And I have was, I was blessed to be able to bid for him.

[1:03:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3790s) And I'm here to tell you, our one and only great lieutenant governor bidded, and he was a high bid. He gave back to that family. It was a great cause, a much needed cause. And he shows his leadership that where he didn't really have to do it, but he did it. And I want to all of us to give him a clap ovation, standing ovation for our great Burt Jones, our lieutenant governor.

[1:03:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3837s) I'm here to tell you, I stopped by the, the senator's 49th's little store up there in the mountains, and I got y'all a little gift on there from, from their family, showing their love for y'all being supportive of him. And at, at that time yesterday, within 10 to 15 minutes, we was able to raise that family $63,000 for her to be able to build a home that they was gonna build.

[1:04:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3875s) And thank you. And Lieutenant Governor, I just want you to have a little gift from that family.

[1:04:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3882s) Oh, thank you. And I appreciate that. Thank you, Senator.

[1:04:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3885s) Thank you. I yield the wheel.

[1:04:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3887s) Thank you, Senator. Thank you. I appreciate that. That, yeah. Thank you, Senator. I appreciate that. But, uh, our hearts go out to that family. That's, uh, senator from the 49th and his wife. That was their nephew, young man, 30 years old, out working on a, a logging, uh, crew and, uh, and just a freak accident. Get, he got hit directly in the head by, by a log and, um, k- and just tragically killed him instantly. So our, our heart, our, our thoughts and prayers go out to that family.

[1:05:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3920s) They, um, uh, you know, he had two, he's got two little ones, all under, both under the age of, uh, five years old, I believe. And that's, uh, we, we, um, it's, that was the least we could do, and I appreciate you saying that. But it, it, um, it, that, that family's gonna have a, have a tough road ahead, so just keep them in your thoughts and prayers, please. So, and, uh, senator from 49th, please know our, anything you need from us, we'll, we'll be there for y- you and your family. So thank you.

[1:05:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3953s) Recognize senator from the 10th.

[1:06:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3963s) All right, go ahead.

[1:06:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=3965s) Thank you, Mr. President, and the presiding officer's body for extending this courtesy to, uh, those of us that represent DeKalb County. I am here to recognize, uh, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Dr. Tavares. Four years ago, this body allocated $4 million to build a logistics center. That center project turned, I'm sorry, $6 million, it turned into a $12 million project, and truly one of its kind in that it was a public-private partnership between Stonecrest, the State of Georgia, and the federal government even contributed $2 million toward the completion of the project.

[1:06:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4000s) And I'm just here to say and recognize those from Georgia Piedmont Technical College for, uh, building a tremendous, uh, logistics center, transportation logistics center. It's now the largest on the East Coast. Dr. Tavares, please.

[1:06:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4014s) Wow, thank you.

[1:06:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4015s) There we go.

[1:06:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4016s) Thank you. Thank you so much, Senator Jones. I just want to say thank you to this legislative body. We at Georgia Piedmont Technical College is one of 22 technical colleges in this state. Um, and this body, you have done a great job of supporting the work that we do. We're all about getting people jobs, and, and we proudly serve DeKalb, Rockdale, and Newton Counties. Um, and so we're in a, we're in a transportation, um, epicenter. And so this transportation center will serve over 800 people, um, every single d- every single, um, semester. Uh, they will get jobs a- as diesel technicians.

[1:07:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4048s) Anybody hiring out there? I don't know. But, but anyway, they, they're getting jobs as diesel technicians. Truck drivers. We'll be training electrical line workers. So about 800, um, students that will be trained every single day at this, at this center located in Lithonia. And, and I'll also say that it is al- it b- brings me great pride to know that our students, when they graduate from one of our technical colleges, specifically Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 98% of them get a job. So these are careers where they get, make good money, and they get a job.

[1:07:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4079s) So there, there's almost a guarantee that you will get a job when you graduate one of our technical colleges. And we're so proud of the work and the support that's been offered, um, by, by our delegation in DeKalb County. But also, thank you all for, for your support of the Technical College System of Georgia. Thank you so much.

[1:08:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4096s) Good job. Good job.

[1:08:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4098s) Good job, Randal Mangham.

[1:08:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4101s) Good job.

[1:08:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4138s) Recognize senator from the 46th.

[1:09:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4168s) Senator, senator from the 8th.

[1:09:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4179s) Well, thank you, Mr. President. We have a, uh, a special birthday today from someone who's a dear friend to all of us. Uh, she has represented the grocery industry, uh, all of her life. Of course, she, uh, always helps us in, in making sure things are straight in the Annie room. Uh, she is a great American, and she has, uh, been married to Al for all of her life, and Al's a great American as well. She's a great friend of all of us. If y'all will, uh, put your hands together for Ms.

[1:10:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4209s) Kathy Cassava, if y'all don't mind. Ms. Kathy, we love you. Happy birthday. Mr. President, I yield the will.

[1:10:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4239s) Recognize senator from the 16th.

[1:10:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4254s) Thank you, Mr. President. I want to recognize, uh, a wing of the Civil Air Patrol, if y'all will, up in the, uh, balcony there. They are a division of the US Air Force, and they do search and rescue and serve our, um, state when there are disasters and search and rescue missions. And I welcome them this morning, if you will, with a round of applause.

[1:11:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4278s) Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:11:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4289s) Recognize senator from the 35th.

[1:11:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4311s) All right. Thank you, Mr. President. Just really briefly wanted to, uh, share some thoughts that oftentimes two things can both be true.

[1:12:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4324s) Again, just want to express that oftentimes two things can both be true. Uh, yes, we live in a great country that I love dearly, experiencing some of the best of the Lord's blessings and generosity. Also true is we too often play the role of an ancient E- Egypt and an ancient Babylon, and I know we like to think of ourselves as the hero, but if we do some self-reflection, too often we are the Babylon character, sir,

[1:12:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4365s) displaying some of the worst of pride, greed, and arrogance. May we choose to self-reflect and refrain from mocking God in both little and big ways, and we can start right here

[1:13:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4389s) with this chamber. Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:13:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4395s) Recognize the senator from the 28th.

[1:13:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4434s) Thank you.

[1:13:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4438s) Thank you.

[1:14:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4443s) Good morning, colleagues. It's countdown time, as you all know, and today we have the honor and privilege of, uh, welcoming a person from across the waters, the Honorable Mr. Jermaine ...

[1:16:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4581s) I see Ms. Portia Gordon has done it again. She brings all the diplomats here. Thank you so much. Uh, we, and I didn't mean to mess your name up, uh, the Honorable Jermaine Sanwo-Olu. As many times as I've been to Africa, and especially Nigeria, I should know how to pronounce your name, 'cause I've been about 29 times in the past.

[1:16:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4612s) And my DNA just told me that I am 70% Nigerian, right? So, uh, these are my sisters and brothers, uh, Lieutenant Governor, and I bring them here today. We honor you and we thank you for coming, and I look forward to sharing with you, because I know y'all open for business and Georgia's open for business. So when we talk, good things happen. Thank you very much for w- welcoming. Will y'all welcome my guest?

[1:17:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4648s) Thank you. I yield the will, I think.

[1:17:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4661s) Recognize senator from the 46th.

[1:18:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4686s) Thank you, Mr. President. I'm happy today to honor the Natural Gas Association of Georgia. It's comprised of over 50 companies and municipalities that provide natural gas service to all of Georgians. Over two million homes and businesses are connected up to natural gas for energy, heating, cooking, et cetera. The organization has a Everyday Energy Heroes campaign to spotlight members of the organization that have been a particular benefit or help to the public.

[1:18:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4716s) So I'd like, I think I've got them up here in the, the gallery, like to honor Lonnie Robinson, Robert Gordon, Alex Philmon, Everett Rhodes, Danny Hughes, Tabitha Shepherd, and David Martin for being nominated for that high honor this year. Welcome them to the Senate chamber. Thank you. Great to have y'all. Keep up the good work.

[1:19:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4743s) Recognize senator from the 34th.

[1:19:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4778s) Recognize senator from the 17th.

[1:20:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4810s) Let me see if I can see this. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senators, I just rise today to, uh, recognize and, the life and legacy of, uh, two, uh, Georgians. One, Mrs. Clarabelle Dixon Craig, who was age nine, who- was age 90 years old, uh, one of the oldest members of the Dixon clan of Jonesboro and a family member. And she lived in Riverdale, retired after 30-plus years at the United States Postal Service and was the mother of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta.

[1:20:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4850s) Her funeral was this week. The other one is Mr.- is Deacon Willie Finch of the New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Forest Park, Georgia. He will be funeralized on tomorrow. He was married to Mrs. Annabel Pittman Finch and they had seven wonderful children in Forest Park where he lived since 1958, one of still the longest living residents of that area. Let me just say a couple things about him. He was one of, uh, he was one of the first of two African American women to own a Gulf off gas station in the state of Georgia, played an integral role in his 11-year-old son, Rodney, becoming the first Black athlete to integrate Forest Park athletics in football and baseball, and was the first Black man to coach Little League baseball in Forest Park.

[1:21:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4908s) Mr. Finch opened doors for his community, not only changed the life of countless children in the state of Georgia, but also allowed his son, Rodney, to be drafted by the Atlanta Braves. He never ran for public office, but he was known as one of the best politicians in Clayton County and offered his support and friendship to many key political figures in the county. We will miss Deacon Finch. He was a community activist and leader in, in the Clayton County area.

[1:22:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4940s) So today, I ask that we will please stand and offer a moment of silence for Mrs. Clarabelle Dixon Gregg and Deacon Willie Finch.

[1:22:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4954s) Please allow the senator have a moment of silence here. We can get everybody quiet down, please.

[1:22:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4969s) Amen. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I yield the way.

[1:22:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4979s) Recognize senator from the 10th.

[1:23:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=4988s) Thank you, Mr. President. I rise this morning to celebrate and congratulate the new incoming president of Henry County School System. Henry County School System is a system of roughly 42,000 kids, and Dr. Pace came in at a time when there was a lot of turbulence and, uh, unreadiness in the school system. And Dr. Pace, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for the great work that you and your staff has done in managing the Henry County School System, which is now considered one of the best, um, in the great State of Georgia.

[1:23:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5022s) Thank you, Dr. Pace, for your leadership.

[1:23:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5030s) Recognize the senator from the 54th.

[1:24:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5053s) Thank you, Mr. President. And, uh, my friends, it's my honor today, and they're, they're actually coming in now and d- d- for us to honor these, th- this, we have special guests, the Murray County Lady Indians basketball team this year won the 2A class, uh, ch- uh, state championship in basketball for Murray County, and it's the first state championship that Murray County Lady Indians have won since 1965. So it's going back a long time. We're mighty proud of these young ladies for what they've endured w- through the s- season, and in final, th- they, they wound up defeating Hardaway 51 to 48, the 20 s- 26th final, and we are most proud of these young ladies.

[1:24:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5096s) If you ladies will please stand up and let us recognize you.

[1:25:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5105s) Also, with the ladies, we have, uh, Chris Tipton, the head coach, um, Adam Winkler, S- Winkler, assistant coach, and also Ben Oliver as assistant coach, and we are mighty proud of what you've done for not only to represent Murray County, but to re- represent Northwest Georgia in, in my favorite sport of all, in basketball. Thank y'all for being here.

[1:25:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5130s) All right. Good job, ladies. Good job. Thank you, senator from the 54th. Recognize senator from the 14th.

[1:25:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5147s) Thank you, Mr. President. Today I rise to recognize the families and supporters of Amber Nicole Thurman,

[1:25:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5157s) Kandi Miller, and Adriana Smith, who were joined by reproductive justice advocates for a day of witness and accountability for their preventable deaths, as well as the many others whose names remain unknown. They are gathering and grieving for the material impacts of anti-abortion extremism and the policies they uphold by drawing on the tradition of bearing witness, offering testimony, and taking collective action in the face of injustice. The families and advocates are here today to honor the lives lost, near misses, and criminalization that continue to have devastating impacts on both pregnant Georgians and those who take care, uh, who c- care for them

[1:26:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5195s) We know from the findings of recently published, published research that even when Georgians face medical emergencies, pregnancy loss, or pregnancy as a result of assault, care is being danger- dangerously delayed, denied, and distorted from what providers know is medical best practice. Today, we urge you to hear from the families of Amber Nicole Thurman, Candy Miller, and Adriana Smith, who have directly experienced this harm created by Georgia's abortion ban. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

[1:27:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5231s) Does any other senator wish to speak for, on a point of personal privilege? Hearing none, you have a, before you, a consent calendar of privileged res- resolutions. Does any senator wish to r- remove a resolution from the consent calendar? Is there objection to the adoption of resolution on the consent calendar? Chair hears none. The resolution on consent calendar is adopted.

[1:27:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5256s) Secretary, read the caption. Senate Resolution 1045 by Senator Halpern of the 39th and others. A resolution recognizing and commending Andrea Young upon her retirement as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. Is there objection? Hearing... Secretary, read the caption. Senate Resolution 1053

[1:28:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5286s) by Senator Anavitarte and others. A resolution commending President Donald J. Trump for his leadership and continued efforts to make home ownership more affordable and achievable for all Americans by reducing regulatory barriers, adopting innovative platforms, expanding housing supply, protecting prospective home buyers, and advancing policies aimed at restoring the American dream of home ownership, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. Is there objection? Hearing none, resolution is adopted.

[1:28:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5314s) Are there any motions to withdraw or commit?

[1:28:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5324s) You have before you a consent calendar of local bills. Mr. Secretary, have there any objections been filed?

[1:28:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5333s) Mr. President, Senator Jackson of the 41st, Senator Harrell of the 40th, and Senator Jones of the 22nd have filed an objection pursuant to Senate Rule 4-2.8B to, on S- on Senate Bill 346. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[1:29:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5369s) All right, so we'll remove SB 346 from the local consent calendar and we'll take it up by itself.

[1:29:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5379s) Is there objection to agreeing to the four committee on state and local governmental operations, which is favorable to the passage of the bill on the local consent calendar? Chair hears none. The four committee is agreed to. Questions on the passage of the bill on local consent calendar. All those in favor will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, enlighten the machine.

[1:32:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5567s) On the passage of the bill, the yeas are 47, the nays are zero. And this bill, on the local consent calendar, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

[1:33:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5581s) Secretary, read Senate Bill 346. Senate Bill 346 by Senator Jackson of the 41st. A bill to be entitled An Act to Amend an Act providing for the compensation of certain county officers and officials of DeKalb County, approved March 31st, 1976, as amended so as to revise the compensation of certain judges, judicial officers, and county officers to make conforming changes related to court names changed by general law to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations recommends that this bill do pass by substitute.

[1:33:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5611s) Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District. Chairman?

[1:33:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5617s) President, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 346. A bill to be entitled An Act to Amend an Act providing for the compensation of certain county officers and officials of DeKalb County, approved March 31st, 1976, and for other purposes. Just pass it. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[1:34:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5644s) Senator from the 41st. Mr. President, I move that Senate, uh, table SB 346. Senator's moved that SB 346 be tabled. Is there objection?

[1:34:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5658s) Not objection. It is tabled.

[1:34:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5665s) Recognize the Majority Leader. Mr. President, it's unanimous consent that the following bills be engrossed, HB 229, HB 583, HB 960, and House Bill 1070.

[1:34:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5681s) Read the caption. House Bill 229 by Representative Zeniu of the 79th and others. A bill to be entitled An Act to Amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes so as to exempt from local taxes the sale or use of materials used in construction of capital outlay projects for educational purposes that were approved and funded through constitutionally authorized education, special purpose, local options sales tax for other purposes. Mr. President, House Bill 583 by Representative Glavey of the 67th and others. A bill to be entitled An Act to Amend Code Section 48-2-85 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to license plates for certain veterans so as to increase the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

[1:35:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5723s) House Bill 960 by Representative Clark of the 108th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the OCGA relating to the number of judges of Superior Court so as to provide for a 12th judge of the Superior Court of the Gwinnett Judicial Court to provide for related matters, to provide for ineffective dates, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. House Bill 1070 by Representative Hagan of the 156th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to income tax, imposition rate, computation, exemptions, and credits so as to increase and extend an income tax for expenditures on the maintenance of railroad track owned or leased by Class III railroads, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, for other purposes.

[1:35:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5758s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[1:36:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5771s) I, I didn't think we'd get objection here, Senator. Already? I hadn't even asked the question.

[1:36:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5781s) All right. So the Majority Leader has moved on House Bill 229, 583, 960, and 1070 to engross, and the senator from the 41st has objected.

[1:36:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5799s) Would you like to speak to it, Senator, Majority Leader? No. No. What about you, Ma- Whip, Minority Whip? No. All right. Well then, we'll just vote on it. All those in favor of engrossment will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[1:38:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5912s) On the motion to engross, the yays are 31 and the nays are 18, and this motion has prevailed. Recognize the senator from, the Majority Leader. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to excuse the senator fr- from the 54th for business inside the Capitol. All right. Without objection, the senator from the 54th is excused.

[1:38:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5933s) Moving on to the rules calendar. House Bill 960. Secretary, read the caption.

[1:39:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=5948s) House Bill 960 by Representatives Clark of the 108th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the OCGA relating to the number of judges of Superior Court so as to provide for a 12th judge of the Superior Court of the Gwinnett Judicial Ci- Circuit, to provide for related matters, to provide for effective dates, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Ethics recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson, the 11th District Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Ethics offers the following substitute to House Bill 960. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to elections and primaries generally so as to require that a list of eligible voters is posted and made public prior to each primary or election, to provide for civil fines in the event that registrars fail to remove a person from the list of registered voters following a successful challenge, to revise provisions relating to the uniform system of election equipment to be used after July 1st, 2026, to provide provisions relating to ballot design, to provide that timing marks may be used on ballots to determine an elector's marked selections, to require the posting of a list of electors who cast ballots in an election upon the closing of the polls, to require the Secretary of State to maintain an archival database of such lists, to revise provisions relating to data that must be posted with the scanned ballots following the closing of the polls, to revise provisions relating to certain recounts of votes, to revise provisions relating to risk-limiting audits, to provide conforming changes, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, for other purposes.

[1:40:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6022s) Mr. President, the minority report has been attached. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[1:40:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6029s) Recognize the senator from the 27th.

[1:40:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6040s) Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues. House Bill 960 has, uh, changed completely from its original bill, and it has become what started as Senate Bill 568. You probably remember that from crossover day. That was a bill to move us to a hand-marked paper ballot system, uh, functionally for this year's November election. And there's really three primary changes in this bill from version 568. My intent is to walk you through those three changes, ask a, answer a couple of questions, and then get out of the well because I know we got a lot of bills and we've a- adjudicated this extensively.

[1:41:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6078s) Uh, the first change you'll see on line 32 and 39, originally this bill had a $10,000 fine for failure to comply with the provisions of either voter, uh, uh, registration challenges or elector challenges. That went down to $1,000, then ultimately to $100 in the version of the bill that is before you. So we've reached somewhat of a compromise on that piece. Uh, one of the changes in the bill you won't see in the bill because it was a complete removal of what was previously Section 9, and Section 9 moved us to assigned advanced early voting locations.

[1:41:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6116s) So today in about 27 of our counties, we have multiple advanced early voting locations, and you can go to any of those advanced early voting locations. And we have changed 568 in this version of 960, so that remains the state of law. Uh, it will require the stocking of more ballot permutations, which is what we were trying to avoid and why we previously had s- sought to assign advanced early voting locations. Uh, but there was some heartburn about that, so we took it out.

[1:42:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6147s) Now there's heartburn about us taking it out, uh, but such is life, uh, in the, the Gold Dome, and I'll be happy to answer kind of the pros and cons of what I think that is. And then the last change that you see is lines 278 to 284. Now, nothing changed with the language here, but it was previously in a section of code that related to risk-limiting audits, and we have now moved it to a section of code that relates to recounts. And so this is not a functional change. Functionally, this does the same thing that the last bill did, whereas it requires a manual recount of certain elections and, uh, those elections are within 1% differential.

[1:43:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6184s) Uh, and that was previously just in a different code section, and frankly, where it just didn't quite line up. And we, if you recall, I mentioned that we intended to fix that if the bill got to the House, and we're just making that change here now that we're taking a second crack at it. So

[1:43:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6197s) Mr. President, that is-- those are the changes in the bill. I'm happy to answer any questions and I s-should say I'll h-I'll answer a few because I do want to keep this moving, listen to, um, the opposition give speeches, and then close debate if necessary. You have no questions, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the will.

[1:43:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6218s) Recognize senator from the fourteenth.

[1:43:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6233s) Thank you, Mr. President. I'll spare you the poster board today because we know what it says, and you already know what the poster board is all about, uh, that this is yet another bill to try to tickle Donald Trump's very fragile ego and remind him that he's the greatest, the best, whatever. So you guys know that. We have moved into a troubling posture, talking about building politics, of this being the strong arm moment to get done what couldn't get done on crossover day. Uh, we had a lot of folks out of the building on crossover day at that late hour, a lot of ease on the board, people had elsewhere to be, uh, but we know what was really going on, which is that several members of the majority caucus have immense heartburn over this bill.

[1:44:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6278s) You know that it's not necessary and that it's more of the same. And just to be clear, I mean, I'll, I'll call it out in the language of May and November. Everybody's got a shtick, right? Senator from the nineteenth has income tax, senator from the fifty-first has license plates, John F. Kennedy has a name, and the senator from the twenty-seventh has election intrigue. And that's all it is, is intrigue. Made up, concocted, smoke and mirrors to cater to primary voters.

[1:45:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6309s) I mean, it's really quite simple. And let's be very clear about the lies upon which this bill is based. All of the arguments we heard in the previous debate about supposed infirmities in the ballot marking devices. Look, you're not gonna hear objection from Democrats that hand-marked paper ballots are the gold standard for election integrity. But what's also the gold standard for election integrity is predictable administration that is not on a rushed timeline.

[1:45:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6340s) And this false sense of urgency that somehow these wholesale changes, which are unfunded mandates to the Secretary of State's office, by the way, the idea that these mandates or these changes need to happen immediately this year, November twenty twenty-six, is based on a lie. It's based on a false urgency that comes from lies about the current system. I think it's important for Georgians to hear that there are an array of regulations and rules that protect our election administration from undue harm or influence.

[1:46:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6373s) I'll list a handful of categories. Network and software restrictions. There are rules in Georgia that say that software on ballot marking devices, scanners, poll books cannot be modified without prior Secretary of State approval. They can't be connected to the internet. No other software may be loaded on these computers. EMS rooms must be locked. They have to remain password locked when they're not in use. B, physical security, surveillance, seals, and transport controls. There are rules about secured storage and electronic surveillance and protections at s-at storage sites, numbered seals on ballot markers and scanners, secure transport, protection from unauthorized access.

[1:46:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6412s) Category C, pre-election logic and accuracy testing. Georgia rules require public notice, open observation, testing of ballot markers, printers, scanners, poll books. Category D, read-only media and physical security review. In twenty twenty-three, the SOS said counties implemented a policy of transferring election projects on read-only media, and then Georgia partnered with DHS and others to review this physical security of every location where voting equipment is stored. And folks, if your eyes glazed over, if you got bored listening to the litany of protections that Georgia law already has in place, then congratulations, you are a friend of normal times.

[1:47:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6453s) You are a friend of policy that does not pop off the page, break the news cycle, win Republican primary elections. Most people want government to be boring and to just run as it's intended to run. Most voters don't wanna have to think about pre-election logic and accuracy testing because we wanna trust that good people in government and that experts are running our elections in a fair way. Well, the senator from the twenty-seventh is making his political bed by trying to undermine your trust in elections, by trying to disrupt the assumption of regularity that most voters assign to our election administration.

[1:48:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6496s) And by voting yes on this bill, every member of the majority today is going to co-sign that effort to undermine the public's trust in the integrity of our election systems. And I need not remind you of the irony that comes with graciously accepting your own win come November and saying, "Ah, yes, the results were correct when they elected me," but casting doubt on the election of every other person that you want to cast doubt on because it's good for your base politics.

[1:48:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6529s) Folks, I hate to, uh, give credence to the senator from the twenty-seventh's prediction of we'll listen to opposition speeches today, but this is the cost. This is the cost of bad policy. This is the cost of campaign talking points, is that you invite principled objection in the hallowed halls of the Georgia General Assembly. You invite a cacophony of voices to, with principle and with passion, object to bad policymaking made for purely political purposes.

[1:49:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6561s) That is the price you pay.

[1:49:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6564s) So I know I hear the groans about how many speeches you're gonna give and folks go to the ante room and they get a milk or they get lunch, and they wait for the opposition speeches to be over. But the price you pay for bad policy is to sit through a recitation of the truth. Mr. President, I will yield for questions.

[1:49:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6588s) You have no questions, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Recognize senator from the second.

[1:49:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6596s) Thank you, Mr. President. Always start off with these election bills with the adage, "You can shear a sheep year after year, but you can only skin him once." I wanna talk about HB 960.

[1:50:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6627s) Uh, heard this a, a few different times, voted no in committee, and I wanna come back and address a couple things real quick. Starting off with Section 13. Uh, the state election board shall be responsible for overseeing the administration of this code section by election superintendents and shall be authorized to promulgate rules, regulations, and proceed, all these things. Then it says line 293, "The Secretary of State shall have no role in conducting, overseeing or administering the provisions of this code section unless requested by the state election board." Now, this is an unelected, unaccountable board to anybody that happens to be partisan political appointees.

[1:51:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6671s) If we are gonna be serious about elections, you ought to bring the minority party a two-thirds amendment so that we could add them to the Constitution so that they could be elected and elected statewide, and then the people of Georgia have an opportunity to vote on who's on the state election board. Because right now, I don't know any of the folks on the state election board. They get appointed by somebody that was elected. But, uh, clearly feelings change after you elect somebody. You may not like them like you're used to. They might not be the same person you thought you voted for. So if we were gonna be serious about elections, we would absolutely allow folks to elect them because we elect the Public Service Commission, they regulate utilities.

[1:51:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6709s) And guess what? What, did we have an election? And guess what? Uh, two, two, two folks lost and two new folks are on the Public Service Commission 'cause folks said their light bills was too high, and they voted to have a little change. And guess what? If we deal with elections, we ought to be electing these folks so they have some accountability to the people for what they do because they have too much power to be unaccountable and to be unelected. Now, moving back, Mr. President, we go back through, uh, Section, uh, 12 here, talking about a recount and the provisions for a recount, and we're gonna be performing recounts and risk-limiting audits on the same election.

[1:52:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6741s) But I do have a problem with the recount provision because it does not talk about how you balance the hand recount. Humans are known to make mistakes, and we're known to be fallible. We're known to have errors. If that were not so, we would not have a Bureau of Prisons, we would not have a corrections department because people do make mistakes. So you want us to have a hand recount, and if the hand recount stands, then the machines didn't count right. Well, I have plenty of understanding.

[1:52:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6772s) If you remember, you used to bubble on the test, and your teacher spent all day trying to grade that test if you bubbled A, B, C, or D. But I remember when they came out with Scantrons, and you had to have a number two pencil, and if you took the test with a, a pen, guess what? The Scantron machine kick it back out. But I promise you, the Scantron graded more tests for me than that hand-- that teacher could ever grade. But guess what? That was final. The results were final because it would read the bubbles that you bubbled, and if you were left-handed like me, sloppy on the paper, it would reject it, and you'd have to come back and fix your error on whatever that particular bubble was.

[1:53:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6808s) The teacher bring it back to you. You have to re-erase all of those issues. But guess what? The, we don't talk about how to balance this hand recount. We just say the hand recount, if there's a difference in the votes cast. Well, how do we know who's gonna be doing the, the recount? Who's gonna get selected to do this labor-intensive recount? And if you just call the names out all day long... Well, I was in a recount. I told the senator from the 27th I was in a recount in 2020 when I first ran for State House, and we got the numbers wrong quite a few times. And the only thing that kept the election the way the voters intended, well, we were balancing back to the tabulations of what the machines had.

[1:54:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6843s) And when there was a difference, my election superintendent would say, "Well, let's go back and look at it one more time because this is what the machine counted. This is what the tabulator said it was. I think there's a, a dis- disagreement here." And we would go back and recount. But then let me tell you what happened. We certified my election. Uh, it was down to 20 votes in the House, but then we certified it at 19 because somebody had lost a sheet of paper. There was one vote missing. He said, "Well, we can go back and recount everything again, or do you want us to certify at 19?" I said, "No, we've been here long enough.

[1:54:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6876s) It's cost me a lot of money. Let's certify at 19." Both me and my opponent, we had people in there, uh, hand counting the ballots, and it was all day. And you would hear the names back and forth, back and forth, and people made mistakes. So I've got an issue with that, Mr. President. And I'll walk through the, the rest of the bill. When we talk about how we're gonna deal with these scans and we're gonna deal with this equipment and these machines, uh, I just wanna know why did we just not take the effort to upgrade the current Dominion system and update the software so that the equipment we already bought can be used in the elections that we already have.

[1:55:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6911s) I'm certain there could be some modifications purchased. There could be some things added so that we can continue to use the equipment because I know that when we talk about fiscal responsibility, I know you all in the majority party wanna make sure we do the best with tax dollars, but this is not the best use of tax dollars. If we've invested millions of dollars in a system and equipment we're gonna throw away just to buy new equipment, then why do we buy the equipment in the first place? Somebody had to be sleeping at the wheel to do that. So why not use the current scanners we have and update the equipment and update the software so that we can use what we already have?

[1:55:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6945s) Mr. President, as I move to the front of the bill, I draw attention to, um,

[1:55:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6952s) section two. This previous biennium, we still have fines of $100 per registration not properly removed. Well, you know, we created a burdensome process for Board of Registrars because now you can challenge any voter if you just have a reasonable suspicion. If I don't like the senator from the 15th and I have a reasonable suspicion he shouldn't be voting, I can go challenge his status and he'd have to go and appear and prove that he is who he is and he is a registered voter. And if you don't believe me, uh, myself and the senator from the first had an issue in Savannah and Chatham County where they challenged a bunch of college students at Savannah State, and all those college students showed up.

[1:56:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=6988s) But then there was somebody in Bryan County that challenged all those folks' right to vote, and they showed up to the, to the meeting 500 hard. They were mad because their right to vote had been challenged. They wanted to know who allowed the r- their right to vote to be challenged. And I reminded them, I said, "My colleagues in the majority party just changed the ruling on that, that says you just gotta have a reasonable suspicion, and with that, you can challenge anybody's right to vote." Just a reasonable suspicion. Don't have to submit any proof. So now you got people coming with 500 to 1,000 lists of names to challenge folks' right to vote.

[1:57:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7021s) And now those folks have to respond, show up, answer. We're waiting on the USPS, which y'all know how long it take mail, 'cause if you in Savannah, I reminded my colleagues when we had another election bill, when they wanted folks to come back to Fulton County to appear for their voting status to be challenged, that mail doesn't come to Savannah. It goes down to Florida first, sits down there for three days, then comes back to Savannah. Sometimes folks might not get the notice in time. I said, "Why don't you make it certified mail so at least somebody has to sign for it?" Because you're dealing with folks' right to vote. And so if you're gonna challenge folks, well, if you d- put a list of 500 people out, they gotta mail out 500 notices.

[1:57:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7057s) 500 people have to come and appear to prove that they have the right to vote. We're moving towards a banana republic with some of this voting stuff because it does not make sense and the average lay person does not understand what you're trying to accomplish. But $100 for each fine, for each person, uh, that's not properly removed, well, what are the steps to make sure that we're complying, to make sure that people are properly removed? Because there are a lot of things that can go wrong, and we didn't do it right the first time. And my great-granddaddy was a carpenter, Mr. President. He would always tell me, uh, "Sometimes you have to measure twice and cut once." I would encourage us to do the same thing.

[1:58:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7091s) Let's measure twice and cut once, because we're cutting multiple times and we're doing a hatchet job in our elections to create confusion, because if folks don't know how to vote, why wait until we have the largest election in state history to talk about making all these changes? We coulda tried this out, uh, a little different than this. But I tell you what, what a tangled web we weave when we seek to deceive. And again, Mr. President, this is a bad bill. To quote my good friend, the senator from the, the 26th, "This is a bad bill." And I would urge my colleagues to vote no, because there are a lot of things we could do, and this ain't it.

[1:58:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7126s) And with that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

[1:58:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7132s) Recognize the senator from the 38th. Colleagues, I rise today in strong opposition to House Bill 960 because at its core, this bill is not about improving elections.

[1:59:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7166s) It's about undermining confidence in them. And I hope I'm wrong in saying this, but it truly feels like it's another attempt to give a colleague something to run on. And let's be clear, Georgia elections are already secure, they're already verified, already tested under a hell of a lot of pressure. We've proven that in 2020, we proved it in 2022, and yet here we go again.

[1:59:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7197s) Relitigating the past, recycling conspiracy theories, and risking real harm to voters in the present. House Bill 960 would force sweeping changes to our election system, changes that counties would have just four months to implement before a major election. Four months. That means ordering new equipment, training new poll workers, educating millions of voters across this state, all on a rushed timeline that invites chaos, confusion, and mistakes.

[2:00:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7234s) And when the elections are chaotic, people don't feel confident. And when people don't feel confident, they don't participate. But something inside of me tells me that is exactly what we want to do. That is not election integrity. It is voter suppression by dysfunction. This bill requires hand counts for major races to begin within two days. Two days. Not because our current system is broken, but because some folks refuse to accept the results.

[2:01:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7269s) Let me say this plain- plainly. We should not be rewriting election law to satisfy conspiracy theories. We should be strengthening democracy to serve Georgia. House Bill 960 also imposes fines up to $100 per challenged voter on local registrars. And here's the problem. There are no clear standards. So what happens?

[2:01:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7296s) Registrars are put in an impossible position. Either remove voters and risk disenfranchising eligible Georgians, or keep them on the rolls and face financial penalties. That's not accountability, it's coercion. And when we've seen thousands of voter challenges filed at once, those fines can skyrocket, creating pressure to purge first and ask questions later. That is not a democracy.

[2:02:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7328s) That is not how we should function. And then there's voter privacy. This bill exposes voter registration lists in ways that open the door to harassment and intimidation. At a time when threats against election workers are already rising, at a time when voters already feel targeted, we should be protecting people's rights, not putting a spotlight on them. And I wanna talk about what this bill will do to the actual administration of elections. It slow down, it slows down ballot counting.

[2:02:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7361s) It delays certification. It increases costs for counties that are already stretched thin. All of this months before an election, and this is not reform, it's disruption by design. And I have to say this. While we b- debate this bill today, my district, which is here in Fulton County, is under attack yet again. We have a federal court case going on right now over seized ballots based on ups- sus- ups- unsubstantiated, half-baked conspiracy theories by an FBI agent.

[2:03:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7398s) And instead of moving forward, we're doubling down. This bill is a clarion call echoing all the way from the White House to this Senate chamber. Keep going. Keep re-litigating 2020. Keep chasing ghosts. Well, Mr. President, Georgia deserves better than ghosts. This bill may have been tweaked to gather a few more votes, but let's not mistake cosm- cosmetic changes for meaningful reform. At its core, it remains a dangerous proposal, one that risks disenfranchising voters, overburdening counties, and undermining trust in our elections.

[2:03:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7437s) So I'll close with this. Democracy is not strengthened by making it harder to vote. It is not strengthened by sowing doubts. It is absolutely not strengthened by rewriting the rules every time someone doesn't like the outcome. Georgia voters deserve stability, they deserve fairness, and they deserve a system that works for everyone. Georgia is better than this, friends, and that is why I urge you to reject this House bill like we have already done so just a few weeks ago.

[2:04:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7473s) Thank you, Mr. President, and I yield the will.

[2:04:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7482s) Recognize the senator from the

[2:05:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7504s) 35th

[2:05:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7505s) All right. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, colleagues. Uh, I rise here in again strong opposition to the current House Bill 960.

[2:05:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7540s) Uh, just for the millions watching at home, uh, this is the House bill that passed the House. It's House Bill 960. It used to be a beautiful bill. It was a bill from Representative Clark from the 108th District, and it was providing an extra judge in Gwinnett County. And then about three days ago, we had a res- a resurrection of the worst kind, not, not the kind that we look forward to with Easter season, but a, a different kind of resurrection.

[2:06:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7572s) And then we got this substitute bill. It's a new House Bill 960. Yeah, this one is a bill basically for the people watching. They took the same name, so it's still the House Bill 960, and then they took all of the insides of that bill out and then put new insides in. The new insides were the bill, is the bill that got defeated a couple of weeks ago because it was a, a bad bill.

[2:06:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7603s) And then now that bad bill got tweaked just a little bit and was now put inside of a new bill called the new House Bill 96- 960. Uh, so basically we have very, very, very important elections happening in 2026, which we all know. Uh, but our leaders here in this chamber want us to have a full major scale rehaul of our election systems that have to be implemented within a few months.

[2:07:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7641s) We wouldn't do this for, like, even a county level or a city level thing, but we want this to be a statewide, like, full revamping of our election system, which our folks will-- our whole apparatus would have just a few months to implement. Now, I'm sure that we can all agree both sides of the aisle that our election systems probably have room for improvement, and we can have those debates and make things better. But this rush to get it done before the 2026 election, that I, I can understand why we have some challenges.

[2:07:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7679s) I can understand why my colleagues think that this is just a let me do right by maybe President Trump will like me, uh, effort. I don't know your hearts. You, you might really believe that our, uh, elections are in danger and that's what's providing the urgency. But I think reasonable, rational people will know that you don't provide state level, statewide I should say, uh, infrastructure change and think that it's gonna happen just like that. As my colleague from the 38th mentioned, it's gonna provide more chaos.

[2:08:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7713s) I don't know if that's the intent. But if it provides more chaos, then maybe voters will have more suspicion of the election results. And from all the polls that I've seen over the last several months, the polls don't look good for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Some of you came into this year very comfortable in your seats looking at, uh, demographics in the past, and then the polls have everybody a little extra nervous that, hmm, maybe I won't be back next year.

[2:09:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7746s) So maybe if we can just go along with this, "Hey, you can't really trust the elections anyway," theory, maybe that helps you. I don't know your heart, but I can understand why folks are suspicious. At a time where trust in our institutions is at a all-time low, I don't think I'm using hyperbole here. Our trust in our political institutions, medical institutions, is at a low. I think that there is a reasonable debate to say, let's make our elections better.

[2:09:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7779s) But I think even reasonable people will know that trying to rush this and trying to get it done in just a few months has a very high chance of causing more chaos. This is not what we need.

[2:09:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7798s) We have a whole lot of Bible readers in this chamber, so I do like to appeal to scripture. Uh, but there is a specific kind of a characterization of somebody that uses the art of half-truths, consistently blending something that's true and then conveniently blending things that are untrue to achieve a goal. It is a theme throughout scripture. And I just don't want us to get so comfortable

[2:10:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7828s) being so skilled in half-truths. Do our elections need improvement? Yes. Are there some very sneaky things that happen when you have a bill that died a couple of weeks ago and resurrected a few days ago, and now it just so happens to show up on the floor right before a session is over? That sounds suspicious. Uh, let's do things that build trust. I understand on both sides of the aisle we h- we have probably some shady characters, I, I'm sure.

[2:11:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7862s) But I'm appealing to the best of us. Uh, none of us are perfect, but I think we should all try.

[2:11:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7870s) And if we have a lot of half-truths in here, we have hidden agendas, and, uh, let's table this whole thing. Let's have a real conversation. Let's implement some improvements to our election systems that both sides of the aisle agree with, and maybe we'll be ready for 2028. I yield the will. Thank you.

[2:11:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7897s) Recognize the senator from the 55th.

[2:11:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7919s) My colleagues, I rise in opposition to House Bill 960. It's like Groundhog Day over and over and over and over and over again. House Bill 960 is a conspiracy theorist's wish list dressed up as an election legislation. The sad thing about it is we are now taking good bills, like the bill affecting Gwinnett County, where I do represent, for a judge.

[2:12:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7951s) And the next thing you know, it's now this Christmas tree. Now, we did that the other day on a bill. Was it 369? I don't re- it was talking about motor vehicles, and then all of a sudden it's an election law bill. This is really getting out of hand. And why do I focus on this? Because my thing is we are attacking democracy at its heart. We are instilling doubt in the American public.

[2:13:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=7985s) And when we lose faith in our institutions, when we don't believe in democracy, the alternative is not very pretty. The alternative is dressed up in such statistics as a Gallup poll coming out saying that only 39% of Americans trust the Supreme Court of our land, and among those persons who identify as Democrats, only 24%.

[2:13:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8017s) Can you imagine that? Lady Justice is no longer blind. No, Lady Justice is, is, is, is, is being characterized as someone who can attack the, the five district attorneys in the metropolitan area and call it colorblind. We are now taking the instruments of justice and turning them on their heads. Georgia's elections must be by July 1st.

[2:14:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8051s) My colleague said four months. No, it's three months. April, May, June. July 1st. By July 1st, with $0 appropriated to pay for it, overhaul the entire Georgia voting system, leaving counties holding the bag for new equipment, training, and workflows on an impossible timetable, creating chaos. There are some that don't want an election in 2026. Why? Because elections are changing.

[2:14:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8081s) People are waking up. And I'm saying that we must wake up. We cannot give up this great experiment called America, where anything is possible. It's possible for me to stand in this well. When I was down in middle Georgia, running around in the woods barefoot, not having a dream of standing here. But America is the, is a place of possibilities. And if we take those dreams away, even those people who are, are dying in the, in the, in the, in the journey to, from tyrannous to real terrorist environments, will be challenged to come to a place where there are these possibilities.

[2:15:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8126s) We gotta protect this possibility. We gotta protect the voice of every voter. And that's why this mandatory post-election hand counting of every major race, every cycle, which takes weeks, is impossible.

[2:15:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8146s) And then the fine has gone from $1,000 to $100,

[2:15:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8152s) but it's still just bad faith, mass purge campaign targeting the wrong people. Then publishing a full voter roll turnout list by 9:00, by 11:59 on election night hands real-time targeting data directly to the same networks running voter intimidation and challenging voter operations across swing states. And this is a concerted effort from Washington, D.C. all the way to Georgia, and that's the problem we have.

[2:16:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8185s) We're attacking democracy at its core. I'm simply asking you to vote no. And I note that democracy is challenged even with bringing this legislation because we cannot bring an amendment. I have the legislation, I propose legislation that we not change any election law 180 days before an election qualification. Why? Because to run for an office and then change the rules in the middle of the race simply because you may be of one party or another is simply not right.

[2:17:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8222s) And I would ba- dare say that when we engross this legislation and not allow legis- le- allow any improvement, then we are challenging that notion called democracy. Mr. President, thank you for offering yourself

[2:17:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8239s) For the highest office in our land. Thank you for that. And I challenge you even, and I challenge everyone who is offering for election to protect our democracy, to me- protect this, protect this because it's bigger than a party, and it has survived some very great storms. The Bull Conners, Conners of our early latest history.

[2:17:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8273s) It has survived the '60s. It survived so many things. It survived and was implemented with Bloody Sunday 61 years ago, all about voting. It's still about voting. Give me the ballot and not the bullet. That's why we have to protect America. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the will.

[2:18:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8303s) Oppose 960, and let's do right by Georgians. Let's deal with the de- issues of affordability. Let's deal with issues to get these people off the streets that are now homeless. Let's get people jobs. Let's get people real relief, healthcare, education. I yield the will. Oppose 960. Thank you. Recognize the senator from 36.

[2:19:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8363s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, colleagues, I rise, uh, to join my voice with those of many others here who've spoken, uh, against, uh, the House Bill 960, uh, that's r- r- really an, an infamous, uh, bill. It, it, ha- It, it, th- this, this whole effort that's been poured into defaming people, challenging the honesty a- and the credibility and the integrity of people who wor- who have worked the polls, uh, of, uh, of our Secretary of State, who's elected statewide and in, in charge of the election process.

[2:20:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8405s) This has been going on, it's a drumbeat here in Georgia and across the land because Trump can't accept as r- the reality that he didn't win that 2020 election. So what does he have to do? Get his minions, and someday, some, some, some of the folks at the sound of my voice will regret steps that they've taken to, uh, you know, kiss the ring o- of this guy, uh, when, when all the f- facts are out there.

[2:20:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8439s) Uh, uh, he's very busy right now conducting another war a- and asking for p- uh, peace awards. But I, I'll not linger on that, but except to say you may one day come to regret that you signed on, uh, to boost his,

[2:20:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8459s) uh, lies around the country, and particularly here in Georgia, a swing state. So we have been subjected to a scrutiny and to a constant hammering, uh, and yammering, I would say, that our election process is fatally flawed. Anything can be improved. There, and there are folks among us on the sound of my voice here in this chamber who, who've run elections in their counties and know very well, uh, the, uh, tedious and, and precise, uh, nature of that work, and who have, have carried out their duties honorably for decades.

[2:21:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8500s) I will, uh, the, I, I will, uh, reflect for a minute, uh, as, as we, as this bill is before us, on, uh, my mother, who worked for between three and four, maybe five decades, uh, as a poll w- worker, uh, helping run elections in our hometown. Uh, and so I had a f- front row seat and a very personal experience of understanding what goes on as a poll worker.

[2:22:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8538s) I saw her, uh, firsthand, the dedication, her commitment, the sense of public service, the pride in civic duty, uh, that I've seen to be commonplace among those dedicated poll workers that train and retrain and work a very long day, get up before dawn, are there ready at 7:00 with everything ready to go precinct by precinct by precinct, uh, and working a, a long day that stretches, by the time they're, they're lucky if they get in bed by midnight.

[2:22:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8571s) Um, and they return to that duty again and again and again, and they, and they, they, they do it not asking for blue ribbons and commendations, but simply taking pride in, in the, the civic duty of doing that. But we've seen in this state our poll workers attacked, defamed, demeaned, accused. We had Fulton County f- poll workers who were forced to go into hiding.

[2:23:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8600s) For their physical safety and to take care of their mental health that was oc- that was occasioned by the, the, the, the defamation that was spread. And you know, a court ruled that, uh, up, up, I believe it was a hundred and thirty million dollars, I'm not sure o- of exact figures now, but, uh, way up over a hundred, uh, million dollars of damages. Uh, w- and they, they ruled that, uh, Rudy Giuliani had to, had to, uh, come forward and pay out. He, he still hadn't finished that, the, that, that, the, uh, complying with that as, as my knowledge.

[2:23:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8636s) But, but people like my mother who showed up, did the work because they believe in voting, they believe in the civic responsibility to vote, and they r- are ready to roll up their sleeves and help people vote by running a decent operation. So people who came before the ethics committee were brushed aside. They took a poll of, of, of the folks that, that, uh, run, run these p- uh, elections in county after county.

[2:24:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8667s) They took a poll and, uh, way over three quarters of them felt that this was, uh, a disastrous step to take. What they've predicted, and I've talked personally, not just to poll workers in Fulton County where I live, but who come from across the state and reached out to us and are massively concerned. Uh, when we were passing, uh, the, had this bill before the ethics committee the other night, they were over in Athens, good people. They'd, they'd got, been called to Athens for a couple of days of training.

[2:25:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8700s) You have to train your poll workers and you have to train the leadership in the county by county level, uh, uh, as you prepare for an election. And I heard the stories. There's gonna be chaos when you have to retrain workers that have already been trained when we're, when we're up here passing a bill that goes into effect, uh, July 1 after our election officials have already run, uh, the May primaries and the May runoffs.

[2:25:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8730s) They gotta turn and take all these new twists and turns that this bill puts into, into place, uh, and, and proceed then to w- uh, uh, with, uh, I believe as one person said, I think, yeah, I believe it is, uh, three months between April and July. So th- th- the, to, to me it, it's just common sense that this is no way to run an election system.

[2:26:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8761s) And I'm gonna, I'm going to, um, actually repeat what the, uh, senator from the 2nd lifted up, and that is that this, that this state election board, which is, which is unelected, appointed, answerable to no one, and have already e- exhibited extremely bad behavior in public, uh, highly partisan, that they're gonna be the ones that are placed, uh, in, in, in charge of this process when it comes to re- recounts and s- and auditing, uh, and that the secretary of state is gonna be forbidden from doing that.

[2:26:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8801s) D- do y'all not see the, the how pre- preposterous that is? That the secretary of state, elected statewide, uh, has, has served in office now for, uh, sever- uh, m- more than a few terms, and by the way, the, the secretary of state who declined to find votes when Trump called him up and asked him to do that, uh, that secretary of state is, i- is, i- in this bill barred from participating, uh, in that process. And, and instead, the state election board, if you look on, on, uh, line, uh, page 12, well, shall be responsible for overseeing the administration of this code section by election superintendents.

[2:27:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8841s) The secretary of state shall have no role in conducting, overseeing, or administering the provisions of this code section unless the state election board, uh, deigns to, uh, ask for help. Uh, it's, it's, it's, it's a bad bill, uh, and, and there were amendments offered and some prevailed that made things like this ludicrous $1,000 fine for each incidence, uh, of, uh, of, uh, uh, if you, uh, if you've failed to remove someone from the, from the, uh, voting rolls that should be.

[2:27:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8879s) Each incidence. So there were, w- we had, we had, we had, uh, uh, amendments offered in committee and some of them prevailed, and that was to take the $1,000 down to $100, uh, thi- uh, things like that. But the bill is fundamentally, uh, bad, and again, couched and based on a foundation that at its core is rotten, and that is, uh, the belief that the 2020 elections were rigged and that that's the, the, uh, the, the reason that we've got to go through the shenanigan of this.

[2:28:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8916s) And quite frankly, even, uh, the, the most sensible thing that could, could, could, could, could, you know, be the approach that anybody would, would view as common sense, and that is that you put these, you put, uh, uh, changes like this in place, uh, with a, with a year of lead time and not, and not in, in July 1st of this very year where we're having massive statewide elections.

[2:29:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8946s) Uh, on its face, the, the, the bill does not pass the smell test, uh, and I am gonna join with many, uh, in this chamber to vote against it. We're better than this. We can do better than this. We don't have to continue to spread lies and myths about the, the 2020 election and then justify, uh, this approach, uh, to crafting this bill. Uh, Mr. President, I will yield the well if there are no questions.

[2:29:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8979s) Thank you. I yield the well.

[2:29:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=8982s) Recognize the senator from the 41st.

[2:30:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9006s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, like many of my colleagues, I rise in opposition to, um, HB 960. Um, but I want to... I think my colleagues have done a great job of talking about some of the bigger picture issues with this legislation. But I'd just like to talk a little bit, bit brass tacks how this functions and some problems that I, I think we have. A- and first I'll begin with, um, how we got here. I think the premise that brought us to this place is that there is something wrong with our election system as it exists.

[2:30:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9039s) Um, the author of the bill has talked about there are vulnerabilities that have been proven to exist within our current voting machines. Well, that is true. Vulnerabilities have been proven, um, but some of those vulnerabilities equate to the equivalent of the same thing of if someone went to my car windshield with a sledgehammer, broke that windshield, and then wrote and said there was a vulnerability in the windshield, and that's somehow a problem when the problem was that somebody took a sledgehammer to my windshield.

[2:31:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9074s) That's really what we're talking about because many of the vulnerabilities that were found in these machines require people to be able to access the physical machine, get inside of it, and manipulate it, and there are enough mitigating protocols in place that prevent someone from ever getting a sledgehammer to the machine, to use my analogy. So I, I, I just wanna say I actually fundamentally disagree with the premise that there's something wrong with the system in the first place. We have protocols in place to mitigate and to make sure that our machines are fair and, uh, continue to be secure.

[2:31:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9113s) And that brings me actually to my major problem with this bill. This bill requires that we pre-print all of the necessary ballot permutations at an early voting location and have those on hand. So let me break this down for my own county and, and, and I'll say to the, to the author, you know, we rose a stink about having to have a predesignated early voting location because we called that voter suppression. I stand by that. Um, however, while you have opened it up for us to be able to vote anywhere in our county, here's the problem.

[2:32:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9149s) DeKalb County has over 500,000 voters, almost 600,000 registered voters in DeKalb County. We have over 400 different ballot styles. So what this bill requires DeKalb County to do, with no funding to help with that by u- by the way, is to make sure that all 432 permutations of our ballots are on location at every single voting, early voting location.

[2:33:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9182s) You're talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of reams of pre-printed ballots that are gonna be sitting in somebody's fellowship hall, and for a smaller church, it's just gonna be in the sanctuary. Pre-printed ballots. And then I, I understand. I think the thought process is saying, "You know what? We need to make sure that all the ballots are the exact same color. We need to stipulate by law what color is." The one thing that maybe could help us figure out if you have the right ballot permutation by changing the colors of them so you can easily as an election worker see like, "Okay, this is for DeKalb County District 41 in CD4." Instead of making those different colors, no, they're all the same color.

[2:33:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9225s) They're all in the same fellowship hall, and while they have some long digital number, you're talking about humans who have to go in and make sure that me, the one DeKalb citizen who decided to go in to vote way down south, that I get the exact right ballot amongst the 432 permutations. That's the system that we've created. We have built in all kinds of opportunity for human error, not along, not alone the major security risk and concerns that I have when you have thousands and thousands of pre-printed ballots sitting in someone's fellowship hall.

[2:34:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9270s) Now, I also wanna name, and I think this is important to know, that our county governments are really concerned, and they're concerned rightfully because what we're asking them to do is implement a lot of change with a lot of training, and my colleagues have spoken to that, but we've also asked them to take on the burden of a grave cost to making this happen. Um, now certainly DeKalb County, it's a big enough county. They probably can find a great printer who will give us a, you know, decent deal to print all of our, pre-print all of our thousands and thousands of ballots.

[2:35:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9303s) But for some of our smaller counties that don't have access to major printers, we are talking about substantial cost. And the other piece that I wanna highlight that I see as a major problem with just the implementation of this bill as it is on its surface is that we have spent a lot of time in this body making sure that the wait time for voting is cut down. We've made sure that people don't have to stand in long lines. You know, when SB 202 was passed and, uh, we complained that you couldn't hand out water, you know, the response was, "You won't need to hand out water anymore 'cause the lines won't be long anymore." We've done a lot of work to cut down on the wait time for people to be able to vote.

[2:35:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9344s) But now, if we move to these pre-printed hand-marked ballots in which there are four hundred and thirty-two different permutations in one location, your wait time's gonna go up. There's just no way to avoid it, because the election worker's gonna have to go and sort through. And despite how amazing and great my election workers are, they are gonna have to go through and find my permutation amongst the four hundred and thirty-two. Wait times are bound to go up.

[2:36:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9375s) And so all of the work that we've done to shorten the lines suddenly gets erased by virtue of us doing this. So again, I, I, I am clear. Georgia's moving in a direction of changing our system, um, because there's been so much doubt seeded into our election system, even though we've proven that they are safe and secure. We're moving in that direction. I acknowledge that, but we do not need to move in that direction in such a hasty manner when we could actually work out some of these logistical kinks.

[2:36:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9407s) There are solutions, and the author will tell you this. My issue with having all these thousands and thousands of pre-printed ba- uh, ballots, the solution is on-demand printers. Those exist. The author will say we have a procurement problem. That procurement problem only exists if we try to do this right now. If we just simply wait another year, procurement problem solved. All these blank ballots that are stuck around in somebody's fellowship hall, those disappear as soon as we procure the on-demand ballots that are necessary.

[2:37:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9441s) So we can go to hand-marked paper ballots if that is the will of the body. We just need to do this in a way that is systematic and that's logical and ultimately maintains the security of our elections. I fundamentally believe that if we pre-print four hundred and thirty-two permutations of ballots in DeKalb County, put them in every single early voting location in the thousands that are necessary in order to meet the demand, we create our own security risk and we increase the cost substantially to our counties with no money to help them sort this out.

[2:37:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9474s) So again, I urge my colleagues, based not on bigger issues, but even just on the logistical implementation issues that are included in this bill, I urge you not to vote for this bill. And with that, I will yield for questions.

[2:38:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9494s) All right, Senator. Recognize the leader for... Minority Leader. You ready to close it? I, I'll yield for questions. Oh, I'm sorry. Senator from the 35th. Thank you so much, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? Yes, I'll yield for my- Okay ... my new friend from the 35th. Um, you made some interesting points. Isn't it true that counties bear the responsibility of the cost of these elections? That's right. Counties, not only do they bear the responsibility and the brunt of the cost of these elections, they've also been, uh, blocked out.

[2:38:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9527s) They are no longer allowed to pl- apply for grants for outside agencies or outside places to help defer the cost. So they really do take on the full brunt and weight of the cost of these elections. And isn't it also true that counties have had to deal with a series of special elections due to the number of folks leaving their seat, seeking higher office, spe- you know, different unique things that have been happening over the last 24 months in our counties? Yes. That, that's right. I mean, even in my own county, we've had multiple special elections.

[2:39:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9557s) I have a city that I represent that's gonna have to have a special election. You know, so absolutely, counties are having to bear the brunt of a lot of election costs. Um, does the senator yield? I will further yield for you. Can you remind us, um, how counties are funded to be able to afford all of these special elections and traditional elections? Well, now, Senator, I believe you're just meddling. Um, but, uh, I believe that they're often funded by property taxes, which there's particularly one chamber in this, in this building that's not interested in continuing to fund property taxes.

[2:39:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9592s) Um, so we're creating even more problems on top of problems. Um, so but again, you're meddling with the business of another chamber right now, sir. Um, does the senator yield to one last question? I will yield for one final question from you, my brother. Um, isn't it true that both, uh, property taxes are a challenge, but they also help, uh, fund something as sacred and important as free and fair elections? The senator knows of what he speaks. Thank you.

[2:40:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9624s) Um, with that, Mr. President, I will yield the well. Recognize the senator from the 22nd.

[2:40:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9647s) Thank you, Mr. President. I'll be brief. I would like to rise in opposition to this bill because it gives support and credence to the fallacy and the complaints that cause persons to storm our Capitol and try to overturn an election over non-ballot or even legitimate concerns. We know these complaints that took place were not credible because when other people win, the wild, outlandish accusations are not made. In two tw- in 2024, no crazy lawsuits, no releasing of the Kraken, no phone calls asking for more votes, no Capitol storming, nothing.

[2:41:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9688s) But even looking back at 2020, the election fraud that supposedly took place somehow missed the 30-some-odd Republicans that got elected to this body, somehow missed the many House members that got elected across the hall, somehow missed the Republican district attorneys and solicitors and mayors and sheriffs.

[2:41:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9708s) It all magically skipped them. Instead, like some monster in the night, it basically only stalked supposedly one man. But it is ironic that today a judge right here would decide aspects of the Fulton County case dealing with search warrants, dealing with the theft of ballots that occurred in Fulton County, dealing with the force of the federal government backed up by guns and search warrants. So it is ironic that we are debating a bill based on the same debunked theories that caused the federal government to use bri- brute force coupled with the force of law to illegally steal election ballots.

[2:42:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9750s) To vote for this bill gives legitimacy to the unfounded arguments being made right now to justify stealing those ballots. Just take two arguments that have been used, that the federal government used to justify their theft. One was concerning missing ballot images. They used that as a reason within their search warrant, forgetting but- about the fact that it is the ballots that are counted, not the images. All of this already known to the federal go- government when they filled out their warrant. Another reason was the warrant was based on supposed double counting, yet the, eh, the federal government in their own expert says even if double counting took place, it was meant to align the recount, not to change the outcome.

[2:43:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9795s) But it goes further. Even if the, their own expert says that even if double counting took place, it actually would have benefited President Trump, and that fact was actually concurred with by the Secretary of State after their own investigation. All of this known by the federal government, but still put those reasons down to issue a search warrant and forcefully walk into an election center with guns and badges. And we could go on and on about everything listed in those warrants that has been debunked.

[2:43:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9827s) And not to mention, as has been mentioned, the huge unfunded mandates that are now being placed onto counties. But you have to understand, none of that matters. Logic does not matter. Facts do not matter because it's all about keeping power, and every time the other side loses, this will keep occurring. Understand this is not about election integrity. It is about the desire to control our state and our nation. It is about trying to move our state and our nation backwards. All of this is about a fear of change, the fear that those who have historically been discriminated against and dispossessed, that they now have access to the levers of government.

[2:44:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9865s) It is this fear that explains why we change how we vote for certain election office holders. It is this fear that sh- causes bills to be filed to dictate how communities can vote for their offi- for their officials. It is this fear that causes this body to continually keep getting involved in local communities, to where local control now means in the General Assembly what the General Assembly says local control means. And you can't reason with this fear. You can't provide logic.

[2:44:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9896s) You can't argue with it. You can't amend it. So to the people of Georgia, if you want to defeat this fear, in 220 days you must go out and win. If you want to stop this retreat backwards, in 220 days you have to go win. If you want to end all of this, in 220 days you have to go win. So for Georgians that want progress, that want real change, want to stop hate and divisiveness, there's only one thing, thing to do, and that is in 220 days, go win.

[2:45:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9929s) And with that, I yield the will. All right. That was the minority leader, and he just gave the mi- minority report. Recognize the author from the 27th to close.

[2:45:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9948s) Thank you, Mr. President. You know, there's a real dichotomy in the logic here, and that is, uh, the Democrats will tell you on one hand we should move to paper ballots. It's the gold standard. That's what we wanted to do in the first place, but now that we're trying to do it, it's a threat to democracy. Sunday, Bloody Sunday, voter suppression, Donald Trump. When we took the bill on Senate... When we took the vote on Senate Bill 189 two years ago, every Democrat in this chamber voted no. But now they come and tell you this is too fast, and all we need is one year.

[2:46:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=9980s) Well, we voted on a bill that was two years, and every Democrat voted no. So it gets a little tiring to listen to the recitation of, some of which I'm pretty sure was AI-generated content, um, that was pre- presented to you. Um, we were talked about a false sense of urgency, and this is all being done because of an election season. Mr. President, you and I, when you were in the chamber, co-signed a bill to move to paper ballots back in 2021. I did it again in 2023.

[2:46:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10011s) I did it again in 2024, and now here I am in 2025. There was reference to the ludicrous fines of, that we might have if counties refuse to remove people who are illegally registered to vote from their voter rolls. And the senator from the 36th who made that claim of luderi- ludicrous, uh, ludicrous fine is not in the chamber at the moment, but all that she's got to do is open up her office window and look outside, and she will see something that I think is actually ludicrous, and that is a building across the street where hundreds of individuals are registered to vote illegally.

[2:47:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10054s) And you could take a walk in any direction around this Capitol. You wouldn't have to go five minutes on your feet, and you'd find another location, probably dozens of locations, where people are registered to vote in violation of Georgia law.

[2:47:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10068s) Mr. President, that is ludicrous. And to those of you watching at home, I, I chuckled. Uh, senator from the 34th, you said I think millions watching at home. To the millions watching at home, all that we're asking is for Georgians to become green, to vote the way that the vast majority of people in America vote. 67% of Americans vote on a hand-marked paper ballot. We're an outlier, Mr. President. Not are, are, are we one of the two states that is all yellow, but we're the only state that is using statewide software that was identified back in June of 2023 by the Department of Homeland Security CISA department.

[2:48:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10113s) I don't think Donald Trump was president. I'm sorry, 2022. Don't think Donald Trump was president back there. That identified nine vulnerabilities, nine ways in which our system is known to have the capacity to be compromised. And the very first suggestion, or I should say very first mitigation, is to contact Dominion Voting Systems to determine which software and/or firmware updates need to be applied. Well, every other state that does use the software has made, has followed that first mitigation, but Georgia hasn't.

[2:49:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10145s) And I haven't heard a single Democrat in the last four years come down to this well and urge the secretary to at least do that. Now, I'm not even an advocate of doing that anymore because I think it's time that we go to the green. But Mr. President, there's, there's been some, what I would call fair reason debate. I think that the minority whip made some valid points of concerns that I would say are just rooted in a policy, uh, difference. But there are some claims made today, Mr. President, that were completely outrageous, um, that impugn the integrity of people that have been working on this issue, that have impugned the integrity of people that brought bills to this chamber for the last half of a decade, um, and somehow tried to misconstrue it as something that we're only doing this year because it's an election year.

[2:49:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10189s) With ma- that, Mr. President, I thank you for your continued work on this issue, um, for allowing us to bring this bill back for a second chance, and hopefully our House colleagues after we pass it today will give it serious consideration. With that, I'll yield the well.

[2:50:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10208s) All right, that was the closing statement. So the question is on the adoption of the committee s- substitute.

[2:50:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10218s) Is there objection on the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, this committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[2:51:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10318s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 32 and the nays are 21. And this bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

[2:52:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10334s) Senator from the 26th, for what purpose do you rise?

[2:52:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10339s) Mr. President, I, uh, I w- I would like serve notice that at the proper time I will ask, uh, for House Bill 960, uh, for us to vote on it again. And given it a constitutional majority, I ask to, uh, serve notice.

[2:52:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10362s) It, it, it's the time, it's the time right now? No better time than the present. I doubt it. I thi- I, I think if it's the last day, you got to do it then.

[2:52:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10374s) Hold on one second, Senator.

[2:53:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10410s) Unless it's on that last one. There's a trigger here pretty soon. You're gonna have to vote on the motion. So on the motion to reconsider, we'll, we'll put it up on the board here. Motion to reconsider. Parliamentary inquiry. States your inquiry. Uh, uh, Mr. Governor, when have we put a motion for reconsider on the board to be voted on whether or not you can do it? Uh, these are not the last two days of the session.

[2:54:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10441s) And in the last two days, you have to immediate, uh, reconsider. That's what we're doing, Senator.

[2:54:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10456s) So senator from the 26th has made a motion to reconsider. Is there- Huh? ... is there objection? At the top of the hour. There's objection. This erases- All those in favor of the reconsideration. All those in favor of reconsideration will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[2:55:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10542s) On the motion to reconsider, the yays are 21, the nays are 31, and this motion has failed.

[2:55:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10549s) Moving on, House Bill... Secretary read House Bill 229.

[2:56:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10560s) House Bill 229 by Representative McNeill of the 79th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 48-8-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to exemptions from sales and use taxes so as to exempt from local taxes the sale or use of materials used in construction of capital outlay projects for educational purposes that were approved and funded through constitutionally authorized education and special purpose local option sales tax to provide for conditions, limit- limitations and dates of applicability to provide for related matters to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the committee of the s- uh, the committee of the Senate on Finance recommends that this bill do pass by substitute.

[2:56:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10592s) Respectfully submitted, Senator Hufstetler of the 52nd District, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Finance offers the following substitute to House Bill 229. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to income taxes so as to exclude tips and overtime compensation from taxation to provide for reporting by employers, to provide for rules and regulations, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[2:57:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10628s) Recognize Senator from the 27th.

[2:57:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10638s) Mr. President, uh, House Bill 229. Senator from the 35th, this is another one that has been changed as part of the process. Uh, but it's been changed, I think, in a way hopefully that we'll agree to. Senators, y'all voted for this bill already in the IRC language where we voted to comply with the no tax on tips and no tax on over section portion of the IRC. Um, th- that was then s- uh, taken out and so we have essentially encapsulated the language. Uh, we did not put this in the IRC but we spelled out the provisions of the no tax on tips and no tax on overtime that are part of the one big beautiful bill and that is what this bill is.

[2:57:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10676s) Mr. President, I'll take any questions. If there are none, I will yield the will.

[2:58:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10684s) You have no questions, Senator. I yield.

[2:58:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10688s) Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Questions on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporter committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporter committee is agreed to. Is there objections to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[2:59:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10783s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 51, the nays are zero. This bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed by substitute. Secretary read House Bill 974.

[2:59:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10796s) House Bill 974 by Representatives Burns of the 159th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to make and provide appropriations for the state fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027. To make and provide such appropriations for the operation of the state government and its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions and other agencies for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities and political subdivisions for all other government, governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law and for all leases, contracts, agreements and grants authorized by law to provide for the control and administration of funds to provide an effective date to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

[3:00:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10830s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Appropriations recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Tillery of the 19th District, Chairman. Mr. President.

[3:00:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10842s) The Senate Appropriations Committee offers the following substitute to House Bill 974. A bill to be entitled an act to make and provide a- appropriations for the state fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027. To make and provide such appropriations for the operation of the state government and its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions and other agencies for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities and political subdivisions for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law and for all leases, contracts, agreements and grants authorized by law to provide for the control and administration of funds to provide an effective date to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[3:01:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10874s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[3:01:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10887s) Recognize the senator from the 19th.

[3:01:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10899s) Thank you, Mr. President. I rise to present House Bill 974 on behalf of Representative Burns, Speaker Burns.

[3:01:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10911s) The state's FY27 amended year budget. First let me tell you thank you so much for allowing me to chair this committee for the past seven years. It's my 13th budget and final as you know and it has just been an honor and I appreciate the opportunity and the pleasure you all have given me to serve in this role for this committee.

[3:02:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10934s) The FY27 budget is roughly 30, 38.5 billion dollars, about 4% over the budget that we saw, 400 million or so over the budget that we saw for last fiscal year. The Senate's budget on your desk invests in the futures of our people and our state. We, through investments, use these to accelerate and create positive tomorrows in the lives of young people, uplifting livelihoods and promising our workers salaries and in some cases you'll see in this budget our former workers a little bit of inflation relief.

[3:02:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10970s) We invest in education. We invest in public safety. We invest in healthcare and healthcare rates to our providers. We also continue our state's fight against maternal fetal mortality. We invest in transportation.

[3:03:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=10985s) And we invest in other areas that in the past we may have somewhat skipped over. The budget is laid out in by departments, and you may or may not know the first departments in the budget's gonna be as you open the first page, it takes you straight to the state Senate. Then takes you to the House, and then takes you to the judicial branch. And after that, it runs alphabetically through every single department of the executive branch till it ends up at workers' compensation. There are over 265 pages in the budget on your desk, and each line matters not just to the employees who work at that agency, but to the citizens across our state who receive benefits, assistance, help, aid, just an answer to a question at each one of those departments.

[3:03:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11037s) Let me take a second now and begin peeling back that onion and walking through those different departments. Under the legislature at the Department of Audits, you'll see a 2% salary adjustment. That's mainly related to some new duties that we're gonna require audits to do. In the past, you may have heard we've had an issue, particularly at Dublin City Schools. It has accelerated even today and this week. And what we found out is that the Department of Education was not either reading, accepting, or noticing they were accepting, uh, the audits from different school systems.

[3:04:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11068s) Those have left Dublin City Schools and the people in Dublin in quite a predicament. Now they face a potential, um, issue of insolvency. We are not gonna allow that to happen in other school systems, and so you will see an increase in the Department of Au- Audits related to the new duties there. At DOAS, the Department of Administrative Services, the Senate's budget is going to support funding for the state's new enterprise resource program. We've been funding that for several years. We're gonna continue that, and we do it for several reasons.

[3:05:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11100s) One, though, that shouldn't be overlooked is that we as the legislature need greater visibility and accountability into these programs. Right now, if you were to ask me certain questions about, uh, Department of Transportation, I simply can't tell you, even though you have allowed me to chair the Appropriations Committee. And as a bill's already passed this body to move to zero-based budgeting, that greater visibility and accountability is going to be absolutely necessary. In the judicial branch, we stuck with a House position related to judge pay, and we've also supported the House position of setting a state pay salary of $175,000 for each district attorney.

[3:05:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11143s) We have created three judgeships almost every year that I've been chair. I think we might have taken a break during the COVID years where we were taking 15% out of the budget. But we wanna look in the Senate side at that judicial formula a little more. We, the formula's set up where it will always show you need a new judgeship each year. We're not necessarily certain that's where we need to move forward in the future. So while we're evaluating this judgeship creation formula, we've also taken and added $300,000 to the Senate budget for senior judge days.

[3:06:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11174s) We hope that this helps bridge over that for- that program as we look at the ju- uh, whether or not we should be creating additional judgeships. Moving now into the executive branch, the Department of Ag. There's no change to funding for consumer protection, but we do take and separate out the law enforcement program just for better efficiency and clarity. The Senate's budget also supports a House increase at the new agriculture lab that's requested by the commissioner. That's $30.4 million. The Senate's budget also supports multiple line items of agricultural research.

[3:06:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11208s) $500,000 at the Georgia Tech Research Institution- Institute. What that does is adds a base level now of $1 million for peanut research. We also add $80,000 for a peanut breeder program. We did something previously with a probe to hopefully help make it where, uh, peanuts aren't busted as much and, and more accessible for markets. In that process, there's gonna need to be a one-time, hopefully, $80,000 ad for that peanut breed- breeder program. The Senate supports and adds this item. We also take and move money that was, uh, set for a cotton breeder and move it instead to a pepper weevil program.

[3:07:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11245s) Uh, the peppers of our state and those who aren't doing row crops or doing more produce are seeing that this weevil is causing, uh, quite a considerable amount of blight among our peppers. And at the suggestion of the subcommittee chair, we've moved $80,000 into pepper we- weevil research. The Department of Human Resources and Developmental Disabilities. If you remember in the amended budget, the biggest move from the Senate was to add over $400 million to create the state's first mental health hospital in, since the 1960s. That was on the trail of us being, uh, allowed out of the Olmsted decision, which related, uh, only for the purposes, though, of, uh, developmental, not developmental disability, sorry, as to behavioral health.

[3:08:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11286s) We still reside underneath that Olmsted decision on developmental disabilities. We wanna make the same strides to come out from underneath Olmsted on developmental disabilities as we did on behavioral health, and so you're gonna hear a couple of line items here that work towards that. SAGs, special attorney appoint, uh, special appointed attorneys general who work for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and those at Department of Human Resources. The Senate's budget's gonna support increases to their pay to help us move forward on some of these decisions we've been working on.

[3:08:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11317s) The Senate's budget's also is gonna support a transfer of $200,000 out of the Department of Behavioral Health and over to the Department of Veterans' Services for the purpose to assist with cleanup related to a new veterna- uh, new veterans cemetery site located in Augusta. And we can't talk about the Department of Behavioral Health without talking about waivers.

[3:09:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11340s) The Senate's budget includes over $20 million to fund 1,217 new NOW/COMP waivers.

[3:09:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11360s) When combined with expected attrition, these fund all one thousand six hundred and seventy-eight individuals on the planning list identified by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities as having urgent needs, effectively serving one hundred percent of that population. This also represents over one-third of all eligible individuals currently on this list. And to support implementation of this, we know we're also gonna have to create some management positions at the Department of Behavioral Health.

[3:09:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11395s) The Senate's budget includes funding for twenty-six such positions. These roles are intended to support eligibility processing, service coordination, and oversight. It's to help ensure that these waivers we've created actionally- actually get operationalized effectively and efficiently, and translate into meaningful reductions in the planning list while improving access to services for individuals and their families in community settings.

[3:10:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11426s) When we talk about waivers, I want to explain to you this as well. There is a chance we have overfunded this item. I'm gonna lean into that. What we have heard is that even though we fund this item at the level we've been at, that there are not enough providers in Georgia to actually accomplish this purpose, and that may be so. But the reason that these families will wait, we wish for that to be because of a lack of providers, not because of a lack of funding.

[3:11:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11465s) This investment is targeted. It prioritizes individuals in the inte- intellectual disabilities community with the most urgent needs, and it supports families who rely on these waiver services and ensures Georgians can receive services in their communities rather than in an institutional setting. I stated before that we want to move just as ardently to get out from underneath the Olmsted decision on developmental disabilities as we have for the past few years to come out from underneath the Olmsted decision on behavioral health.

[3:11:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11498s) These next few items aren't necessarily at the Department of Behavioral Health, but they relate to opioid funding, and that is usually centralized at Behavioral Health, so I wanna talk about it here. The Senate's budget uses opioid funding to fund our RSATs and also to account for population growth among our accountability courts. At the Department of Community Affairs, I mentioned in committee, and I wanna bring it up again, there's been an issue with Lake Lanier. The smell of the water has led many to ask if there are other things that are happening there that maybe we need to look into a little bit further.

[3:12:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11535s) Some have asked if it's caused by agricultural runoff. Some have asked if it's caused by other environmental features and, uh, quite frankly, that remains to be determined. But what we do know is that forty percent of all Georgians get their drinking water from Lake Lanier. It's an issue that we need to address on the front end, not on the back end. So the Senate's budget, at the urging of the subcommittee chair, includes two million dollars to be combined with local funding to r- com- complete a water study, potentially with the Army Corps of Engineers, to address the issues that we see with smell, possibly other things related to Lake Lanier.

[3:12:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11578s) At the Department of Community Health, the Senate's budget supports ra- rate increases in Medicaid. Some of those are primary code increases, bringing those primary codes from Medicaid, current Medicaid rates up to the Medicare level. We also support a twenty percent in- increase in dental codes at our Medicaid, uh, code process. That's a substantial increase, but what we've seen is that many of our dental providers, the rates are so low that they simply will not provide the service, leaving many who are in our foster care and also on Medicaid at a position where they cannot s- receive dental care.

[3:13:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11613s) The Senate's budget also fully funds ABA in-clinic codes related to autism at the same rate as in-home care rates. That was a request by almost every senator in this body, and the increase ends up being- bringing total state funds to over seventeen million dollars. The Senate's budget also supports a six point eight million dollar increase in the FRV formula related to skilled nursing facilities for what we believe will be one-time adjustments.

[3:14:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11644s) We also add one million dollars in our GME programs to a family medicine residency in Riverdale, and we restore funding for the Senate's Slots for Docs program, uh, in hopes and preparations that we can soon see the state plan amendment move forward there. The Senate's budget also supports various increases that the House added for graduate medical education, understanding that do- the doctor shortage in Georgia is real and that we need to not only train more, we need to make sure we have residency positions open so that once those are- those students are trained in medical school, they can complete their residency here in Georgia.

[3:14:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11683s) The Senate's budget has several true-ups, uh, some may call them deductions, they're, they're really just true-ups, related to the Rural Health Transformation Program. You know Georgia was the recipient of a very massive federal grant related to Rural Health Transformation that tied into the Big Beautiful Bill. If the feds are gonna pay for some of those things on the grant side, we wanna move our state general funds that may have been, uh, considered for those programs instead to, uh, things that we are looking at in, uh, other graduate medical care.

[3:15:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11714s) It's still in healthcare, but if there's things that the Rural Health Transformation Program doesn't cover that we can use state general funds to supplement instead, we wanna be in a position to do so. The Morehouse and Mercer medicine programs are absolutely critical to our state for providing, uh, medical training and residents. The Senate does support these programs, but we support them at a slightly less amount than the House did. The House had a four million dollar increase. The Senate instead supports both of these programs at a two million dollar increase, and we also support home and community-based care services with a one point three million dollar increase.

[3:15:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11754s) At the Department of Corrections, the Senate recognizes that we have made substantial gains on our correction officer retention, thanks in no small pa- small part to the senator from the twenty-ninth and the senator from the fifty-sixth. The Senate's budget wants to go further and suggest and recom- or recommends a supplement to correctional pay of an additional two thousand dollars and also work within that formula to alleviate further compression. We know that these jobs are among the hardest in the state.

[3:16:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11786s) The turnover at one point in time was the highest in the state there in the Department of Juvenile Justice. If we're going to keep people in these positions to house our worst violent offenders, we are gonna have to make sure that they're compensated accordingly. The Senate's budget in the Department of Corrections also adds to the physical health contract, but we do so at a lesser dollar amount than the House and Governor due to a long-term care facility that's coming online that we built and funded in two amended budgets ago, and also, uh, different modular units that we believe are gonna bring additional space online.

[3:17:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11822s) The expectations of this mod unit and the long-term care unit is that we should be reducing outside the wire care and that that outside the wire, wire care cost reduction should lead to a reduction in the physical health contract. At the Department of Early Care and Learning, the Senate supports the House position on la- at lottery funding of extended day learning. That'll free up additional cap spots for our citizens. And at the Department of Economic Development, we promote good go- governance by separating tourism into its own budget category, and we also are gonna support grants to local tourism offices from that category.

[3:17:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11858s) The Department of Education, I'm gonna talk about a little later, but I want- do wanna lead in here and say at this line item in BOOST, uh, we, the Senate supports an additional two point five million to the BOOST program. And at the Department of Human Services, the Senate supports fifty-five million dollars to alleviate budget pressure on out-of-home care, which is our foster care program. The Senate's budget also tries to address our SNAP er- error rate. You know that we've had one of the worst in the nation, and that that's gonna have to be addressed based on changes at the federal level.

[3:18:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11890s) The Senate did not agree with the House funding of roughly eleven million dollars to address this rate. We chose instead to accept the offer of a free state partnership with Equifax over spending that eleven million dollars and instead rolled that eleven million dollars into other items in DHS and several other departments. At the Department of Labor, the Senate supports the addition of thirty new positions in customer service, in audits, and in agents to rights- rightship the department. We also support the commissioner's request to fund a call enhancement center.

[3:18:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11922s) You know about five years ago that this was an agency that we saw that had, uh, many, many issues. Those issues, we believe, underneath the new commissioner and our former colleague, uh, Commissioner Thompson, uh, have been right-sized, and we wanna make sure they have the funding to, if we end up in that position again, that they're, they're ready to move forward in a much more, um, efficient fashion. Did you know that feral hogs cost the state of Georgia over one hundred and fifty million dollars annually? And we actually take and fund programs to try to eradicate feral hogs in several different line items, some in the soil and water program, some in Department of Ag, and some at the Department of Natural Resources.

[3:19:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11961s) In the Department of Re- Natural Resources, the Senate's budget tries to combine most of those, uh, kinda one-off payments and fight this pro- problem of feral hogs more efficiently and effectively. Florida has had a similar issue with invasive species as it relates to pythons. They were able to bring a vendor in that is actually turning those into fashion items. And what we've done at our state, uh, instead on this year, in this year's '27 budget, we've adopted that Florida model.

[3:19:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=11993s) We've come in in contact with that vendor, and we set aside one million dollars to help eradicate the feral hog program, the feral, feral hog program, not program, problem, sorry, here in Georgia, which we do hope that will, that will lead to something that very rarely happens, that then we will be able to el- eradicate the feral hog program, uh, once the feral hog problem is, is eradicated. At the Department of Public Health, the Senate supports the House visiting pilot program to reduce maternal mortality and to spans its core into ten counties more than the governor's original program.

[3:20:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12028s) That's thirty-one counties, uh, that would be new added to this program. And we also talk about navigable items, navigable waters and navigable careers. The Senate supports both. And we support the navigable career and the navigable waters program at three million and two dollars across two items. The navigable waters, I believe you find in, uh, DNR and the navigable careers, or maybe it's at DCA, sorry, and the navigable careers at three million dollars at the Governor's Office of Student Achievement.

[3:21:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12064s) The Senate's budget fully funds the Augusta, Augusta Technical College building under the TCSG program, and we restore funding to the Dual Achievement Program, and we fund that by using funds that the House had used for adult education. We also fund the Senate's half of the Central Georgia Tech Healthcare High School, which is located in Houston County. The House had already put half of the funding in for that item. At the University System of Georgia, there are quite a number of adds. We fund $8 million in additions for research at the cancer center in Augusta.

[3:21:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12098s) We also fund $42.8 million for a building that we previously had planned for at Savannah State University, and we reject the House proposal to reduce funding for the Center for Civic Thought and instead restore it to its original request. Through the Georgia Research Alliance, the Senate supports moving, the move of Georgia Southern University and Kennesaw State University into R1 research institutions. And then, as you may have heard, we take a hard look at online classes.

[3:22:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12131s) More than 30% of the University System of Georgia's classes are now taught online, and I don't think that's a bad thing. But it should be less expensive to offer a class online than it is in person. The building costs, the utility costs, the security costs all either remain one time or they should be less online. The Senate's budget alters the funding formula by making 1.1 hours offered online equivalent to 1.0 hours of in-person instruction.

[3:22:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12169s) This is not a drastic move. It simply requires 10% more online hours to earn the same pay for a credit hour as an hour in person. I recognize there are some concerns about this change to the teaching formula, but it's important for this body to understand that while the state has been paying the same cost per credit hour for an online hour and an in-person hour, the students are paying more typically to learn from home.

[3:23:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12204s) Tuition, yes, is typically the same for an online class, but fees decidedly are not. Online fees at our colleges range from 52% to 100% of on-campus mandatory fees, and students pay this online fee in addition to mandatory campus fees, which already in many instances include a technology component. Fees for fully remote students on average are 15% higher than for a traditional student, and students who take a blend of online and in-person classes face even more costs.

[3:23:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12239s) They pay on average about 65% more in fees. At some schools, they pay twice as much. And remember, HOPE won't cover these fees. Second, I think it's important to just look at common intuition, which should direct us that online classes cost less to operate than in-person class offerings. So why should they be treated the same? Much less, why should they cost more?

[3:24:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12270s) The Senate's not willing to blithely follow this path, so we've made the change to the funding formula I already presented to you. We've also set a study committee to look at this further, but sometimes the greatest encouragement is change, and the Senate proposal offers that encouragement. By making this change, we ensure schools receive roughly the same dollars to educate an in-seat student as they do an online student, and our future study will help determine whether com- what we believe common sense already tells us.

[3:25:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12305s) There's been some other questions here, and I think it's fine to go ahead and address them. We were asked to look at several other things as well. For instance, instead of looking just at online classes, what if we looked at funding out-of-state students and the state only paying half the credit hour cost for an out-of-state student as composed, compared to what it'd do for an in-state student? In other words, making sure there was a financial incentive to take in-state students. So we looked at that proposal.

[3:25:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12337s) The proposal I remind you to move from 1.1 online hours equaling one hour in person is about a $123 million move. That's about 3% of the teaching formula, or it's about .75% of the entire USG budget. That's that move, $123 million. If we instead were to take and do 50% of credit hours for those who are not Georgia residents, out-of-state residents only fund that, pr- provide that incentive to take in-state students, that would be a reduction of $200 million.

[3:26:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12374s) We were also asked to look at another item, what it would be if Georgia were to st- take the position that if you are not a U.S. citizen studying at a u- a university institution, these are not folks who are here illegally, they're here legally, but they're not U.S. citizens, and they're studying at a USG institution, what if Georgia and Georgia taxpayers simply did not pay any co- underwrite any part of that cost, uh, credit hour? If Georgians were to not do that, that would be a reduction in the university system's budget of $537 million.

[3:26:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12412s) To say differently, the citizens of the state of Georgia under the current formula pay for and underwrite the cost of non-U.S. citizens learning at USG institutions to the tune of $537 million. If we were to separate that out instead and say we're only gonna focus on the undergraduates, we're not gonna focus on the graduates who are non-citizens, then that still is a knock to the funding formula of $63 million.

[3:27:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12446s) Let me paint that in terms that you have to deal with as a legislator. I believe we should be incentivizing Georgia students at Georgia colleges. But when you get that call from a student in Brunswick who says they didn't get into Georgia Southern this year or the University of Georgia because someone else did, 'cause there are only so many spots, and then they find out that that person's actually not even a US citizen who took their spot, you also would have to tell that family member that not only did someone who was studying abroad here take that spot, but they were part of the citizens of Georgia that underwrote the cost of that tuition for that individual to a tune of over 537 million.

[3:28:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12496s) When we study this cost formula over the summer for next year, we need to remember those figures and work, one, to fund degrees, not hours, but two, to provide incentives to keeping and retaining and bringing into as students Georg- a, an incentive to do that for Georgia residents. I've also heard this be proposed as a cut. Guys, if you look at page 192 of your budget, you can see the regents budget clearly.

[3:28:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12535s) Turn with me there now.

[3:29:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12541s) The bottom, section 41, teach y'all how to read this on my last time. State general funds last year to regents was $3.6 billion.

[3:29:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12554s) Many of you have been called by regents, professors, and others and told you had a cut to regents. If you go down and look at the next portion that says, "Total section final," even after this supported, pro-pu- suggested cut, I don't know what you'd call it, it's not a c- it's not, the regents end up with $3.76 billion.

[3:29:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12581s) I know this isn't a literacy thing, it's a math thing, but that's 160 million more going to regents this year than went to regents last year even after the Senate's budget proposal. Only in government could an agency get more money next year than it had the year before and that somehow equate to a cut.

[3:30:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12609s) The Department of Transportation, the Senate's budget supports road maintenance and capital projects through motor fuel funds. We also support the House's $10 million increase to airport aid. But in the airport community, there's something going on with something called ADS-B. It was used to track planes for safety. You've heard a lot about it with the, uh, safety syn- co- concerns that happened in the Washington DC area with the plane and the helicopter. What ADS-B was not meant for is for billing. You're seeing some of our airports now use ADS-B for billing purposes.

[3:30:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12643s) If someone lands at 10:30 at night, they get sent a landing fee later on. We don't think that's fair to the citizens of the state of Georgia. What has actually happened is Georgians have paid for that runway once already. They don't have to pay for it again. So the $10 million that we included in airport aid will not be available to airports who use ADS-B for tracking and billing purposes. At the Department of Vet- Veteran Services, the Senate continues its support for ending veteran homelessness with an additional $5 million, tagging on to the $5 million that we already put in the amended version, 10 milli- million in total.

[3:31:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12679s) We want to support ending homelessness, but we think the most, um, needy in that group and the ones that we want to support first are our veterans community, and this $10 million advance is meant to eradicate and completely eliminate veterans homelessness. We also support quality at our Milledgeville Veterans Home with $5 million to promote that, that additional quality and also to open all the beds there. In education, which I skipped over earlier, the Senate supports $50 million in bonds for school safety.

[3:31:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12709s) We also add to the, uh, cut that was made by the House for the Promise Scholarship. They cut out, carried out $70 million. We added 30 million of that back, which gives it a base of 100 million. And in a topic discussed, uh, quite frequently in these halls lately, literacy, the Senate's budget fully supports the Senate substitute to House Bill 1193. That began, our study on literacy began several years ago with a senator from the fourth. It expanded with the Literacy Council's work and the great work they have done.

[3:32:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12743s) GOSA is now transitioning into a different role, more of a coordinator and not an implementer. And the Senate's budget for literacy focuses intently on one thing. That is help in the classroom. The Senate's budget proposal adds over $70 million to literacy coaches, funding one literacy coach in every single K through s- three school of our state. That's 1,313 literacy coaches.

[3:32:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12777s) We also funded this program outside of QB, so it's not subject to the local five mil share, so local districts do not have to pick up the 20% cost sharing in this measure. The Senate's budget proposal also includes $5.5 million for research and coa- coaching implementation, most likely at Georgia Southern University, but we did move that out of education and moved it over to the university system's budget line.

[3:33:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12800s) Mr. Chairman?

[3:33:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12801s) Yes, sir.

[3:33:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12802s) Give me just a minute if you don't mind.

[3:33:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12803s) Okay.

[3:33:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12804s) Um, you're doing a great job. We appreciate the thoroughness. Uh, you are out of time, and I would a- accept a motion to extend your time 10 minutes. Uh, recognize senator from the 29th for a motion to suspend the rules and extend the senator's time to explain the biggest, most important bill we pass.

[3:33:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12828s) Mr. Chair, I ask for unanimous consent to extend the senator's time in the will.

[3:33:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12834s) Is, is there objection? Without objection, Senate rules are suspended, and he will be given 10 more minutes.

[3:34:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12842s) Have we already gone 30 minutes? I apologize, guys. Went through... I mean, it's only 30 and, $38.5 billion.

[3:34:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12847s) You do have questions too, Senator.

[3:34:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12849s) Okay.

[3:34:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12849s) But you're doing good. I'm not... If we need to extend further, we probably will. Thank you.

[3:34:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12853s) Understood. Yes, sir. The one thing I wanna point out on, on this literacy instance, this is not a center for kids who can't read good. It is real work in the Senate by funds from the state taxpayers, and moving those funds over to the university system to ensure that our Board of Regents ma- maintains the high quality of this program. And finally, I wanna talk one of the last big items in this budget, and that's our employees' retirement system. The retirement of many of our state's, um, retirees has been eroded by inflation for decades, and by a change we made in the budget pre- or in the, was previously made during the Great Recession, has not helped them in that process.

[3:34:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12899s) The Senate's budget proposal includes $100 million to trigger more reasonable, effective, and consistent COLAs for our state's retirees.

[3:35:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12922s) I believe this is one of the most important lines in this budget. It is one that many of you have fought for for years. We have added up now to where we're over 80% funded on this formula, and by putting $100 million into the base, we hope that we build this consistently for many, many years to come so that those who have seen their retirement eroded by inflation will finally see some end at the light of the tunnel. What you don't see in this budget is a lot of frivolous spending. We made clear our principle investments, and we invested there. We wanted to make sure we funded things that we felt bent the arc of outcomes so that Georgians of the future see a brighter day than we see even now, and we've done that in literacy, in public safety, in waivers, and in employees' retirement, just to name a few.

[3:36:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=12969s) It has been my honor to present this budget to you now for the final time, the 13th budget, seven years, and I do wish to say one thing specifically. You'll see some folks standing around the wall here. Uh, Brent, Austin, Sam, Caroline, Jennifer, Emma, Emma, Angela there at the very back, Courtney, Beckett, Emily, Winona, Virginia, and Lindsay. If there are things that are wrong in this budget, if there are things over the past seven years that have been mistaken, it is because of me.

[3:36:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13003s) But if there is anything that was right over these past seven years, it is truly and exclusively because of them. Thank you.

[3:37:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13037s) With that being said, happy to take any questions, Mr. President.

[3:37:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13041s) I recognize the senator from the 37th.

[3:37:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13047s) Mr. Chairman, yield?

[3:37:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13048s) Yes, sir.

[3:37:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13049s) Again, thank you for your presentation. Thank you for your work, uh, on these 13 budgets. Um, we have gotten some feedback from some of our universities about this, uh, this, this formula adjustment with respect to online learning. It was new to me that 30% of the courses in the university system were online. That, that was, that was, that was new to me. I, I, I thought it was more of a... I knew it was part of the picture, but I didn't realize it was 30% of the picture. Um, the adjustment you referred to, $123 million, in the context of a $3.76 million budget, or billion dollar budget, um, isn't it true the university system essentially, because of the constitutional protections they have, essentially get a block grant from us?

[3:38:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13099s) That's true.

[3:38:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13099s) They have flexibility to spend the dollars. I mean, we show the budget line items to kind of show our work of how we arrived at our final number. But, um, to those that are concerned, isn't there still complete flexibility in the hands of the regents to determine exactly dollar for dollar how these dollars will be allocated?

[3:38:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13115s) It is actually constitutionally protected. Yes, sir.

[3:38:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13117s) Okay. Um, I appreciate that. I, I also wanted to ask you, um, you know, the numbers about the, um, you know, Georgia is a very, is a very welcoming place. We welcome students from around the world. I, I was of a mind that most of our international students kind of paid full freight. Um, the idea of the public supporting citizens we welcome, but they're not citizens in terms of how we treat our, our, our, our ci- citizens that are Georgia-based.

[3:39:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13148s) How is that in, in your-

[3:39:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13151s) Yeah.

[3:39:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13151s) Help me understand from, from a, from the perspective of in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition. How, where does that number come from? I wanna make sure I understand that-

[3:39:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13158s) Yeah

[3:39:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13158s) ... 'cause I do think members of the public who support our, our, our award-winning university system do feel like in-state kids ought to have a little bit of a bump there. How does that work exactly?

[3:39:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13167s) There, there is a difference in in-state and out-of-state tuition. Um, the, there are a lot of inst- out-of-state tuition waivers. I'll tell you that, too, and that's something that I hope that the study committee looks at over this year. But I think what you're trying to get at there is what, how... How do I make the premise that we are essentially subsidizing folks who are not from the US studying at University System of Georgia?

[3:39:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13190s) Yes, sir.

[3:39:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13190s) It's on credit hours. We fund right now based on credit hours. If you take the total number of credit hours of s- people who are... They're here legally. I don't want that to make this, that people think they're not here legally. They're here legally. They're students. But they're studying here in Georgia. They're from Brazil. They're from Germany. They're from Venezuela. They're from, uh, Kor- China. Wherever you pick, and you add all of those credit hours, the state's paying for those credit hours in a funding formula to s- the university system as well. And if we take all of those credit hours for all of those students and put it together, part of this funding formula, it's $537 million that the state taxpayer subsidizes the education of someone who's a non-citizen but studying here in, in Georgia, legally by the way.

[3:40:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13232s) Does Senator fur- further yield?

[3:40:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13233s) Sure.

[3:40:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13234s) And I- I just appreciate that clarification 'cause again, we're, we're a welcoming place. We've got global research institutions. But I do think from a, from a funding perspective, I do think our, our state citizens do expect there to be some advantage to being in, in Georgia. Thank, thank you for that. Um-

[3:40:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13248s) Well, the, the change, if we changed and funded the cr- the, the formula less per credit hour for someone who was not in, from, not a United States citizen or funded it at a higher percentage for someone who was a Georgia citizen, then I think it would give that in, that, uh, as you stated, incentive to the local school to want to bring the Georgia student there instead of interested in the SAT score that was 10 points higher from Texas or 20 points higher from China.

[3:41:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13275s) Thank you, sir. Um, final question would be, and by, by the way, thank you for the, the work with the state retirees. State retirees in my community have been very polite and consistent in their advocacy to, to be... And I think this, this fair treatment moves back towards the direction, um, isn't it true, uh, of promises been made in, in, in times past. Um, my question, my last question to the senator was about the NOW-COMP waivers. I mean, th- these are the most fragile of all Georgians. Um, I know it's not cheap to grant these. These are very costly. Um, but 1,217 slots.

[3:41:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13308s) Um, could you speak to that in terms of the balance in this budget? What, what the dollar's tied to that and k- kind of show the commitment that you and the senator have made-

[3:41:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13316s) Sure

[3:41:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13316s) ... to these most fragile Georgians.

[3:41:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13318s) Based on attrition, that would be a little over 1,600 waivers for the entire state. The cost in this, this year's budget's $20 million. Let me go ahead and prepare you. You fund it half this year. You fund the second half last year. It'll be an additional $20 million next year. And it is meant to remove every single person who's on the urgent needs list, every single family who's waiting for that call for their loved one, for their child. It moves every single one of them off of the urgent needs list based on funding. Again, caveat, as long as there are enough providers.

[3:42:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13348s) But it will not be because this built, this body did not fund it.

[3:42:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13353s) Mr. Chairman, on behalf of those who really struggle to advocate for themselves and are in greatest need, I appreciate your support of that program. Thank you.

[3:42:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13361s) I recognize the senator from the 31st, the majority leader.

[3:42:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13367s) Will the senator from Toombs County yield?

[3:42:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13372s) Um, Senator, I just want to make a more of a comment statement. I just want to say personally on behalf of me and my colleagues in this chamber, I just want to say thank you for chairing this committee for so many years. This work is not easy. I think the citizens of the state know this work is not easy. Um, but I think one of the things under your leadership and this body's leadership that we've committed to the citizens of Georgia, um, is something that Washington, D.C.

[3:43:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13402s) will never experience, is showing where every dollar is being invested, how does it impact the life of Georgians, and what does that mean for the next 50 to 100 years in the state? And I just want to say thank you for, um, the work that you've done to lead us through this process, um, and be collaborative as possible, um, and wish you well wishes and just say thank you, um, for serving as our chairman.

[3:43:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13426s) Thank you.

[3:43:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13430s) Recognize the senator from the 52nd.

[3:43:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13434s) Thank you, Mr. President. Will the senator yield?

[3:43:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13436s) Yes, sir.

[3:43:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13438s) First of all, I want to say how much I've enjoyed watching you grow into this position over the last seven years and the wisdom that's there. On a personal note, your dad, Michael Tillery, who I went to high school with and elementary school, if he's watching, I'm pretty sure he is, is equally proud. But my question is, um, my math's pretty good too, I think. On line, on, uh, page 192, the, the amount we talked about from 3.77 billion to 3.6 billion, if I math's right, that's a 4.77% increase in the regent's budget.

[3:44:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13477s) I had people call me saying their budget was cut, but I think that's almost a 5% increase if my math's right.

[3:44:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13484s) I, I think you're right, Senator. In fact, if I had to explain it in simple terms, if the, making it even easier, if the regents were to have gotten $100 last year, they're now getting 104 or $105. The only cut they could possibly say is 'cause if, when the bill came out of the House, they thought they were getting $107. 104 is still more than 100.

[3:45:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13510s) Well, thank you again for your, uh, service to this State Senate and the State of Georgia.

[3:45:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13514s) Thank you.

[3:45:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13517s) Senator from the 11th, you're recognized.

[3:45:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13522s) Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield?

[3:45:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13524s) Yes, sir.

[3:45:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13525s) Uh, thank you. Um, you mentioned in your opening comments about, uh, peeling back the, uh, the onion on this budget, and so I just wanted to, uh, ask you, do you know how much, uh, revenue is generated from the sale of Vidalia onions in the State of Georgia? the cool thing- That go into this budget You know, I actually do because it's a line item and it's on one of the first few pages. So if you look, you'll see the royalties from Vidalia onions alone attribute to, gosh, why is it not written on this version?

[3:45:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13559s) It's, it's several hundred thousand dollars related to royalties of Vidalia onions. So yes, sir. So I'm glad you peeled that back for this whole body. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, just want a, a follow-up question, if I may. Yes, sir. Um, you, you mentioned the pepper weevil, uh, on line fifty-two eleven. Could you tell me what the scientific name of the pepper weevil is by chance? Um, it's weevilis pepperis. So yes, sir. Hey, that's n- not really close, but I'll take that. Well, I will tell you, I was gonna ask the senator from the eighth, but that red light's on and he'd roll, burn through three or four of them.

[3:46:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13593s) Uh, that's right. That's right. Well, I'll, I'll let you go. Myself and the, uh, Senate, uh, Budget Office just wanted to make sure that you fully understood this budget. So, uh- ... appreciate the opportunity to work with you, Mr. Chairman.

[3:46:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13607s) Well, thank you. Senator from the thirty-sixth, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. Sorry. Well, as a big fan of Vidalia onions, uh, we're glad to hear those numbers you provided, uh, uh, on the royalties for that delicious Georgia treat that all of us enjoy and tout around the country wherever we go. I just wanna add my thanks for the wisdom, uh, and the leadership that you brought to making this decision to address this long-standing concern of the, the shrinking po- the shrinking, uh, buying power, uh, for our retirees of their, their pension checks.

[3:47:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13648s) And, um, I, I really wanna applaud you heartily. I've, uh, been on Retirement Committee. Many of us here have worked and advocated over the years and, uh, you, you, you heard and understood and saw the necessity and you rose to the occasion and I just, uh, wanna offer my thanks, uh- That's kind ... and appreciation. It's a, it's a game changer. Well, thank you. Also, please give credit also to the lieutenant governor. This was, uh, one of his number one budget requests, was to make sure that we, uh, looked after our state retirees at the $100 million level this year.

[3:48:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13680s) Thank you. Thank you so much. There are no- Senator, you have a, uh, guest sitting in your seat it looks like. I don't know if that's scribbles or what, but they- Yes ... uh, your guest has got his button pushed. Yes. That brings me back to some of the early days on the floor. So yes, sir. Yeah. Uh, Senator, you can yield the well at any time. There are a number of questions, but- Mr. President, I'd happy to take one more question, so you pick who it is. Uh, recognize the senator from the twenty-ninth.

[3:48:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13715s) Thank you, Mr. President. Does my good friend, the senator yield? Yes, sir. Senator, you've stilled prior appropriations bill that raised justice and judge pay. Is that not true? Could you say that one more time? You have carried appropriations bills in the past that have raised pay for justices and judges. Is that not correct? Um, eventually. Yes, sir. That is true. So that is true. After much, uh, fight and after cons- concessions from them on raising their retirement age and on doing away with locality pay.

[3:49:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13753s) Yes, sir. Well, I appreciate your excuses. I think the answer was yes. Um, is it not true that that was just a self-serving measure in order to have an exit strategy if your statewide campaign for lieutenant governor does not work out? Oh.

[3:49:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13773s) You know, that could've been the case, but I can now honestly say that if I am able to win that statewide race, I know for certain that the senator from tw- the twenty-ninth will not be the Appropriations chair.

[3:49:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13786s) So... So what you're saying is I should feel okay then, right? It has been a pleasure to work with you, Senator. You've done really well, and thank you for all of your questions. Thank you. Um, uh, Mr. President, if you'll give me one moment of indulgence. I did not get to this point by myself. It's been my honor to serve under, uh, three lieutenant governors, to serve under, uh, two governors, one governor as chair, and, uh, two OPB directors, uh, Director Kelly Farr and Director Dunn. Uh, followed on the heels, as you know, of the death of, of Chairman Jack Hill.

[3:50:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13816s) He was a good friend, and, um, his shoes won't be filled, but I promise you whoever comes next will do much better than me. I also had two incredible budget directors, Melody Debussy, who taught me everything. I mean, we had to take 15% out of the budget in year one. We came back around to an incredible time of growth, and honestly, we're back now about where we were in 2019. Ecclesiastes, the, the, the, the Lord is right when he says that there's nothing new under the sun, and as the Sol- as Solomon wrote, there is nothing new.

[3:50:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13848s) We're simply on a path, and it's kind of funny that this one only took seven years. We've gone from incredible growth back around to where we were in 2017. There's also two other people I've had the pleasure of working with for two speakers. Uh, Speaker Ralston, who was my friend. That man put his arm around me on a, and wrapped his arm through my arms and the arm of my wife on the absolute lowest week of my life, and I miss him. And Speaker Burns, who has re- maintained a close friendship, even though sometimes I think folks in the media want us to fight a lot.

[3:51:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13882s) I, you just can't fight him. He's too nice. He's too likable. We can disagree, but we'll always be friends. Chairman Hatchett, well, is a statesman, and he is someone who you will be able to work with for decades to come. He's been a, a true friend to me. And then, of course, Terry England, who when we went through that process in 2020, it was, uh, Kelly Farr, the governor, um-

[3:51:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13912s) Terry and myself on Zoom calls couldn't meet in person. One of the Senate traditions I hope whoever stands in this role will continue is that Terry always wore a purple tie when on the day he presented the budget. No one really notices it. Y'all may have noticed you see these pictures of me a lot in the newspaper. I don't just only have one tie, it's I only have one purple tie. It's because of, uh, the d- dementia and, um, issues that he had with his mother, and he does it to remember her. So I hope that this is just a small reminder that the budget that we pass actually affects people.

[3:52:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13949s) It's not a game, it's not a token. We're literally looking and affecting lives. And I hope whoever carries on after me will consider to do something like this as well as just a small reminder that the budget that passes this body is not the budget of the Senate. It's not the budget of the legislature. It's not the budget of the folks in the hall, and in fact, many times they don't have anyone arguing for them. You have to be the one who stands up oftentimes and says no, because it's never your money that you're spending.

[3:53:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=13983s) It is always their money that you're spending. Thank you so much again for the pleasure of presenting this budget. Mr. Chairman, I yield the floor.

[3:53:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14025s) Mr. Chairman, I wanna add my thanks to your, uh, friendship and your tireless work on behalf of the Georgia Senate, but more importantly on behalf of Georgians. Uh, I've learned a lot, uh, working with you, and I appreciate your dedicated service and, uh, look forward to a bright future together. Thank you. Uh, Secretary, read the caption to House-

[3:54:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14051s) You wanna lower the

[3:54:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14060s) I got one job. Kinda got caught up in the, in the moment there. Um, question is on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? The chair hears none and the main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill will vote yay, oppose nay.

[3:54:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14092s) The secretary will unlock the machine.

[3:55:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14101s) Senator from the 49th, what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. President. State your inquiry. Isn't it true that there's agencies all over the state of Georgia breathing a sigh of relief that the senator, the chairman of the 19th just presented his last budget? I don't know. I think he's gonna be sorely missed

[3:55:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14157s) On the pass of the bill, the yays are 52 and the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

[3:56:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14181s) Now, the secretary will read the caption of House Bill 451.

[3:56:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14199s) House Bill 451 by Representative Cannon of the 172nd and others, a bill to be entitled an Act to amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to other educational programs under the Quality Basic Education Act so as to provide that local boards of education shall be authorized to provide instruction in hunting safety in grades 6 through 12, to provide for the adoption of content standards by the State Board of Education, to provide that local boards of education may establish a curriculum in hunting safety, to provide for instructor requirements, to provide legislative findings, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[3:57:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14230s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Education and Youth recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hickman, Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Education and Youth offers the following substitute to House Bill 451, a bill to be entitled an Act to amend Subpart 2 of Part 1 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to compulsory attendance so as to provide for public school students to be permitted to attend courses in religious moral instruction provided by an individual or organization independently of a public school, subject to certain conditions, to provide for such conditions, to provide for students to receive academic credit for such courses, to require local education agencies to adopt certain policies, to prohibit students who participate in such courses from being counted as absent from school, to provide for responsibilities of the Department of Education, to require criminal record checks, to provide for immunity, to provide, to provide for definitions, to provide for a short title, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[3:57:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14279s) Mr. President, Senator Setzler of the 37th and others offers the following amendment. Amendment 1, amend the Senate Committee on Education and Youth substitute to House Bill 451 by replacing lines 32 through 34, 34 with the following. 3A, if the release time course is not held on the property of the public school in which the student is enrolled, transportation to and from the location of the release time course, including transportation for students with disabilities, is the responsibility of the student or his or her parent or legal guardian, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[3:58:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14309s) I recognize the senator from the 27th to speak to the bill.

[3:58:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14320s) Mr. President, I'm going to speak fast in hopes that we complete our fourth bill by 2:00 PM. Uh, this is a bill that passed House Education and made its way, uh, to the Senate via a committee substitute, uh, that actually stripped a different House bill. Um, and this is a release time education bill, and the, the meat of the bill really is on, uh, the definition of release time course, means a course of religious moral instruction provided by an individual organization independent of a public school. This is rooted in a Supreme Court case that allows this type of teaching to take place, and I, I really should have said the meat of the bill is in lines 24 through 26, where we just require local education agencies to adopt policies by which these courses can be taken.

[3:59:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14367s) Uh, you'll see a number of things in here, uh, such as criminal background checks, rules around transportation, the, the option for academic credit to be applied. Uh, this bill passed out of the House Education Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. Be happy to answer any questions. I know there's an a- an amendment as well.

[3:59:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14390s) You were to-

[3:59:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14393s) Recognize the senator from the 41st. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator yield? I do. Senator, is there a reason why students can't get this type of education on a Saturday or a Sunday in our local mosques, synagogues, and churches, and civic clubs? Is there a reason why we need to take them out of class for, to do this? I do, Senator, believe that there is the possib- certainly the option for them to do that on a weekend or after school or before school. Um, the reason that we're allowing this release time education is, uh, there is obviously value, um, in moral instruction, and the Supreme Court has recognized that fact, and so we're just putting some rules and regs here around how that can happen in the state of Georgia.

[4:00:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14439s) And I think that what the amendment is doing as well is, at least the f- first part of it, or not, both parts of it, is seeking to really, uh, meet that floor that the Supreme Court has given us. Does the senator further yield? Yes. You use the language of can, uh, so that student, uh, so school systems can allow, but isn't it true that your amendment says shall create policies? The bill says shall, yes. I forget where I said can. I, I s- I may have referenced can, if it wasn't in to answer your question. I'm not, I'm, I'm, don't recall.

[4:01:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14471s) Um, the, the may language is on line 54 as it relates to course credit. But in terms of having policies to allow it, yes, ma'am, that is a shall. Do you further yield? I do. Senator, is there a reason why you would not trust our local school systems to make that decision themselves as opposed to essentially forcing every single local system to create some possibility for this to happen? Um, why are we not leaving this in local control's hands?

[4:01:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14499s) Senator, we want to be sure that this is an option for all Georgia students. And while we do have some systems that have adopted policies of that, uh, we do want to have, A, all systems have a policy that does allow students to participate. But B, do what we do in lines twenty-seven through fifty that gives guardrails for those policies, that ensures that the transportation is paid for by the parent or the organization, that ensures the school, uh, is released of liability, uh, that ensures that the background checks are happening.

[4:02:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14531s) So, uh, we're doing something that we do a lot down here, Senator, which is kind of putting a structure in place for local school systems to adopt a, to, to follow through on a policy that we would say is of value to the students of Georgia. One final question, if you'll allow, yield. Yes, ma'am. Uh, have you had a chance to look at the amendment? I have. The s- the Senator, I'm, I'm neutral on the amendment. I know that the bill sponsor in the House, um, wanted to keep his bill clean. I will tell you that I think what the amendment does, uh, I, I understand the intent of the amendment is to clarify that you do not need to be transported off-site.

[4:02:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14565s) So it really changes the transportation language that's in the original bill from essentially saying parents have to pay for it to say that if there is transportation off-site, and then the second piece gets to the equal access policy, um, for access to the facility. So I certainly understand the Senator's, uh, amendment. I'm not opposed to it. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. President, I yield the will. Senator from the thirty-seventh, you're recognized to speak to your amendment.

[4:03:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14603s) Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, um, I do rise to speak to the amendment. Appreciate the support of the majority leader and others in this clarification. Um, the Supreme Court ruled that the release time, uh, is always available to kids. Um, the bill that was crafted in the House, uh, tries to recognize that. This, the amendment is really a clarification of what the underlying bill says, but clarifies the thing in an important way. Um, on lines forty-seven through forty-nine, um, those, those lines say that children may be released off campus for, uh, release time, uh, education, as, as the Supreme Court's ruled is, is a requirement.

[4:04:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14649s) Um, the way, however, line forty-seven reads, it's stated in the negative. It says release time are not to be held on school property unless they're permitted under a neutral policy of equal access, which means they may be as long as the policy is equal to all groups. A Christian group, Jewish group, Muslim group, other group. Uh, what the amendment simply clarifies, and this was something we were going to offer in education committee, but I didn't want to offer it on the fly. I wanted to make sure we could be thoughtful, sit down with legis- with legislative counsel and state it very clearly.

[4:04:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14680s) It states the same essence, but it says the local education agency may perma- may per- permit release time to be held on public school property as long as it's under a neutral policy. What this does is it makes sure that the floor set by the Supreme Court, um, that we are not inadvertently coming along and making it more restrictive than it needs to be, but we're making as permissive. If there's a school that says, "You know what? We've got e- got extra space. It's being available to all kids. There's no need to take your kids off campus. If we have space on, on, on the school campus that could be available at no substantial cost to s- to the school district," kids would be allowed to stay on campus.

[4:05:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14719s) The underlying bill states that. The amendment just states it more clearly so as not to confuse legal counsel with school boards i- in ways that would inadvertently seek to restrict what the Supreme Court has already ruled. Glad to take questions.

[4:05:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14736s) Uh, you have a question from the senator from the forty-first. Thank you, Mr. President. Does, does Senator yield? I do. So does this amendment change anything actually about the bill other than to just kind of clarify things? The, the same principles are still here. Right. Is that correct? Yes. The, the essence of the bill is exactly the same. It's just my belief w- as the bill's crafted, it stated in the negative, it might confuse school leadership into thinking that there's more restrictions that exist than clearly do.

[4:06:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14766s) The amendment clarifies that and talks about that which is permissive in a may is clearly available to school districts and to schools in how they implement the policy. Does the senator further yield? Yes, ma'am. It seems to me that perhaps then our schools could really benefit from additional course time in literacy and reading comprehension if this, uh, type of amendment is actually necessary, given that the underlying bill states exactly what you're trying to do. Well, well, I think what it does, to the lady's question, is if there's an ability to logistically not have to take kids off campus for release time, um, education, this makes it more permissive.

[4:06:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14803s) Again, as- as- it, it requires that there be an equal policy that applies to all, that potentially, it makes it very clear that potentially if there's space on campus, it could still be done on campus- Right ... which could lead to less ti- kids, time for kids being away. I just don't think that's unclear.

[4:07:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14821s) I mean, that's fine. He can, he can make it. I think that's- Uh, s- I don't see any other questions, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Just again, support, uh, urge your support of amendment number one, which provides an important clarification to schools.

[4:07:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14835s) Senator from the thirty-sixth, you're recognized to speak to the bill or the amendment or both.

[4:07:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14857s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I rise to speak, uh, against this bill. I find it troubling, and I, let me share my point of view. Um-

[4:07:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14868s) First of all, this amendment pulls us back into having, having school facilities used by an outside entity, uh, to, to, d- to do their moral or religious ed- moral character building religious education. So we've, we got the camel's nose under the tent. Now, uh, uh, at first it was gonna be leaving to go to an, a, a place where that was being done. But now this amendment, if I understand the, y- uh, from my seatmate, the gentleman from the 37th, that's, what this does is s- slip it b- a- actually onto the campus of the school.

[4:08:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14905s) Now, where does this end? This is, this is not a, a, the, the, the... This is not a p- a part of p- public education. It's not, it's not, that's not the place for it. And we are constantly trying to keep kids in school, attending to their studies, learning and growing, and building for success. So w- why, w- w- w- why would you stick in a whole nother reality, "Oh, I'm gonna leave the campus and go, uh, elsewhere and get..." During school time, during school time.

[4:09:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=14944s) You know, you've got after school, you've got weekends. I'll tell you, I decided which church to join based on wanting a place for my children to have a reinforcement of the values that they had in my home. And it was very important to me to find the, the, the place that I felt comfortable that that was happening in a way that I would agree with. What's, what's happened, folks, is that a vendor has come to town, okay? Now, look at it closely. A vendor has come to town that has a, that has a, uh, a product and wants buyers for that product, and has come down here to get us to change what's happening on our s- uh, uh, in our schools and with the time that children are at school for them to be taken off campus, or as the gentleman from 37th have, give them a facility on campus.

[4:10:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15000s) Give them a facility. Come on, come on campus and, and bring your, the thing that you're gonna make money off. That's what that, that's, that's what the program is about. It's a vendor making money,

[4:10:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15013s) and now we have it a, a... And it got over here to the Senate, and all of a sudden may become shall. And then the next thing you know, we got an am- yeah, you, yeah, you did change may to shall, uh, in, in, in, in, uh, when it got over here. That didn't happen in the House. That came over here, and it happened in the Senate. Then now we've got an amendment on the floor to say, "Let's, let's provide them, uh, space at, on our, uh, uh, here at our school." Good Lord. I mean, where does it end? Are you gonna get, are you gonna get them a desk in the principal's office the next thing you know?

[4:10:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15045s) This is an intrusion, uh, in, into the very demanding, challenging job of running an orderly, uh, education facility.

[4:10:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15059s) And all of a sudden we're sticking this onto it, and it's done at the des- at the, at the wish of a vendor who has lobbyists and who's come to town and, and, and wants to sell a product, and so wants Georgia, for us, us to change how our schools work, uh, to either take kids off campus during academic time. I don't, I don't know where, where you find in a school day a time t- to go off campus and do something else other than tend to your lessons, y- uh, learning your ABCs, if you will.

[4:11:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15097s) Um, I, I, I, I, I, that's, th- that's inarguable to me, that we don't have the time in a school day as it is to, to cover all and meet all the needs and do all the work, uh, and, and put, put, put, move the students through an education process. And we have, as a state, done some beautiful work, uh, on, on literacy. We've, we've got it in the budget. We've got, we've got, we've got leaders, uh, the, the gentleman from the fourth, our, our K through 12, uh, ch- uh, committee chair, uh, that, that are, that are working hard to create, uh, maximal, uh, o- opportunities for students to b- become literate and c- and capable and competent and s- set them on the pathway, uh, this education pathway, which is so critical.

[4:12:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15143s) It's a cornerstone of, of what we want to provide to our kids. So w- why does a vendor, why are y'all swayed by a vendor who's got a product to sell, coming to town, coming over to the legislature, having lobbyists, and pushing this whole thing through? That's, that's what's going on here. And then you're gonna put a shall in there to make the, the school systems, uh, uh, uh, accommodate this.

[4:12:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15171s) And I know that you had some testimony from, from the education folks, uh, with some heartburn about this. So, uh, I, I, I think the, the, the, the, the amendment, the amendment, uh, uh, opens the doors of the, uh, of, to bring, bring this program on campus inside the school's, uh, walls, number one. And then y- and then have a product that you're gonna sell and make money on. That's what this is about.

[4:13:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15202s) Then who said follow the money? Follow the money here, and you will find, uh, it's, it's a different, it's a different story than what it sounds like on the surface. So, uh, I, I, I, I'm, I'm voting against this, and, uh, uh, I'd welcome an amendment to turn the m- the shall back to a may. But, uh, I, I, I think we, uh, uh, we're, uh, way off base on embracing this concept. And there's plenty of other time in the, in the week other than in the school hours for parents to have their children properly schooled and supported in questions of character and religion.

[4:14:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15246s) Thank you. I will yield the well.

[4:14:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15255s) All right.

[4:14:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15258s) Recognize the senator from the 29th. Y'all got a lot done while I was gone. Whole bill, a whole bill later. Hour and a half and a whole bill later. Thank you, Mr. President. And I'd like to point out we have spent billions of dollars while you have been gone.

[4:14:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15277s) It's a rare day that I would stand up here and say I agree with the senator from the 36th, but I do. I'm gonna vote for this legislation. I'm gonna vote for the amendment but what I would like to do is next year, I would like for us to sit down and study in every club, every association, in every group in school, let's move them to the evenings and the weekends, and let's focus on education. The only other thing is we have sports and we have physical education from kindergarten through 12th grade mandated, but that the school day is spent on reading, writing, arithmetic, the tech, the ag.

[4:15:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15323s) Just focus on that. Let's get all of these other distractions out of there, all of these clubs, associations, all of this, and let's go back to letting school be school. Student government, they can meet in the evening, they can meet on Saturday. Let's make the available space there. But if we're gonna do what they wanna do, then let's don't cherry-pick. Let's do it, and let school going back to being school. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the well.

[4:15:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15353s) Thank you, Senator.

[4:15:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15356s) Senator from the 37th, you have your light on. You've already spoken on your amendment, haven't you? All right. Any other senator who wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Now, we're gonna take up Amendment Number 1 authored by the senator from the 37th. Is there objection to Amendment Number 1?

[4:16:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15379s) Yes.

[4:16:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15381s) All right. So all those in favor of Amendment Number 1 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary will allot the machine.

[4:17:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15440s) Senator from the 27th, where is he?

[4:17:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15446s) Senator from the 27th.

[4:17:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15449s) Senator from the 27th, do you have any more bills today?

[4:17:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15456s) I do not.

[4:17:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15456s) On the adoption of amendment, the yays are 32, the nays are 18, and this amendment has been adopted.

[4:17:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15468s) Questions on the adoption of, of, of, adoption of the committee substitute as amended. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute as amended? Hearing none, the committee substitute as amended is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill? By substitute, all those in favor will vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary will allot the machine.

[4:19:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15564s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 33, the nays are 18. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed by substitute.

[4:19:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15574s) Secretary will read House Bill 1118.

[4:19:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15585s) House Bill 1118 by Representative Donatucci of the 105th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 20 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to personnel administration so as to provide 80 hours of maternal birth leave, to provide for definitions, to provide rules, to provide for penalties, to provide notice, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Children and Families recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Kirkpatrick, chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[4:20:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15613s) Recognize senator from the 42nd.

[4:20:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15621s) Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate, I bring you House Bill 1118. What this bill does is it creates a new, um, time for leave for new mothers for maternal birth leave. What it'll do is give a new mother three extra weeks, and this is for state employees, us as the employer of state employees, including our teachers. This will give that new mother three weeks at home to help recover from the childbirth. In addition to that, she could also still get the other six weeks of paternity leave for a total of nine weeks.

[4:20:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15654s) And again, as employers, I think this is the right thing to do for our employees, and that's what the bill does on paper. Let me tell you a quick story When our oldest was born back in two thousand seventeen, the week after he was born, I had a two-week long jury trial in Spalding County, and I had to go right away and go try a very difficult case over a commercial lease. It was not a fun time for me. I was very tired. I had a newborn at home, so I looked extra tired every single day in court.

[4:21:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15685s) My wife, though, was recovering from a C-section, and she also was trying to figure out how to learn to breastfeed and how to pump. I could go back to work and look tired. She couldn't go back to work. There is a difference biologically and also as a society in how a birth affects a man versus a woman, and it is about time that we as a state legislature, as employers, recognize that. This bill is pro-family, it is pro-woman, it is pro-life, and it's just the right thing to do.

[4:21:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15719s) Hope you all will join me in supporting House Bill 1118.

[4:22:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15725s) Happy to take any questions. I'll yield the will. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporting committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporting committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill? All those in favor vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[4:23:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15811s) On the passage of the bill, the ayes are fifty and the nays are zero. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. All right, we're gonna do this last one before we b- uh, break for a, just have a little break. So, uh, I'm gonna let, I'm gonna let the senator from the 50th go. Let's see how brief he can be. Secretary, read 1208. House Bill 1208 by Representatives Gunter of the 8th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to depositions and discovery so as to require depositions in this state to be taken before certified court reporters to repeal requirements that depositions in this state shall be recorded by stenographic means to provide an effective date, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws for other purposes.

[4:24:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15856s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Judiciary recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Strickland of the 42nd District. Chairman, Mr. President, I kindly seek your order. Recognize the senator from the 50th.

[4:24:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15871s) Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1208, uh, simply updates the Civil Practice Act to reflect that depositions taken under the Civil Practice Act, um, are taken by a certified court reporter utilizing any means recognized by the Georgia Board of Court Reporting. This is a consensus bill by all entities involved, and I ask for your favorable consideration. Recognize the senator from the 14th. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator yield? I do. Uh, Senator, isn't it true that court reporters are trained to do a lot more than just transcription and they're a critical part of making sure that a deposition and other court proceedings go smoothly?

[4:25:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15907s) Is that not true? That is true. And isn't it true that there is a threat from AI transcription and other automated technologies that would undermine the valuable services that court reporters provide? That's true. Then I guess we're probably gonna get a unanimous vote. Good job, Senator. Thank you very much. With that, I yield the will. All right. Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporting committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reporting committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered?

[4:25:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=15940s) Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill? All those in favor vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[4:26:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16008s) On the passage of the bill, the ayes are 48, the nays are zero. This bill, having received re- requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. Oh.

[4:27:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16023s) Uh, recognize the Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move the Senate table the remaining legislation on the Senate Rules Calendar. All right.

[4:27:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16035s) No. All right. The Majority Leader's moved that the Senate table the remaining legislation on the Senate Rules Calendar. Is there object- is there objection?

[4:27:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16050s) All right. Would you like to speak to your objection?

[4:27:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16071s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, we object to this because we believe that His Eminence, the Rules Chairman, in his divine wisdom and, um, great sense, put together a Rules Calendar that we should stand by and, uh, stand in order with. So that's why we object. You know, you know, you bring up a good point there, Senator. You bring up a great point. So, so I'm gonna let these folks right here have a lunch break, and, uh, when we come back, we'll, uh, we'll take up that motion. How about that, sir?

[4:28:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16101s) No, I'm just kidding. Let's take it up right now. You still objecting? All right, they object. So all those in favor of the Majority Leader's motion will vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[4:29:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16148s) Senator from the 19th, what purpose do you rise?

[4:29:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16150s) Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. President.

[4:29:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16151s) State your inquiry.

[4:29:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16152s) Is it not true that a red vote is a vote to stand with our distinguished rules chairman?

[4:29:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16178s) Oh, Todd. Team Brass.

[4:29:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16184s) Team Brass.

[4:29:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16185s) He is a great rules chairman, though, isn't he?

[4:29:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16189s) Yeah.

[4:29:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16189s) He's strong as oak.

[4:29:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16194s) Senator from the 6th, what purpose do you, what purpose do you rise?

[4:29:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16197s) Motion to reconsider.

[4:29:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16198s) Oh, I don't recogn- I can't recognize it. I'm-

[4:30:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16201s) I'ma get them all one more chance.

[4:30:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=16202s) Motion, motion's out of order. Here we go. The, uh, on the vote, the yays are 26 and nays are 22, and this motion from the majority leader has passed. Y'all go take a lunch break. We'll reconvene here in about, uh, I don't know, 30, 40, 45 minutes. Maybe an hour. We'll, we'll reconvene when we reconvene. How about that? Stay around. Bye.

[5:39:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20375s) We're gonna sign some, uh, House bills. So Secretary.

[5:39:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20381s) Mr. President, the following message was received from the House through Mr. Riley, the clerk thereof. Mr. President, the House has passed by the requisite constitutional m- majority the fol-

[5:39:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20389s) State and local government

[5:39:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20390s) ... House Bill 1404 by Representative Stephens of the 164th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to author-

[5:39:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20395s) State and local government

[5:39:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20396s) ... House Bill 1558 by Representative Glaze of the 67th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Palmetto ad valorem taxases for mul- municipal purposes in the amount-

[5:40:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20406s) State and local government

[5:40:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20407s) ... House Bill 1560 by Representative Burns of the 159th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to authorize the City of Springfield, Georgia, to exercise all re-

[5:40:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20414s) State and local government

[5:40:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20415s) ... House Bill 1562 by Representative Camp of the 135th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act providing a homestead exemption from all Pike County ad valorem taxes.

[5:40:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20425s) State and local government

[5:40:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20426s) ... House Bill 1563 by Representative Camp of the 135th, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act providing a homestead exemption from Pike County-

[5:40:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20432s) State and local government

[5:40:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20433s) ... House Bill 1564 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Lee County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of the full assessed value of the homestead-

[5:40:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20444s) State and local government

[5:40:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20447s) ... House Bill 1565 by Representative Yearta of the 152nd, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Lee County School District ad valorem taxes-

[5:40:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20454s) State and local government

[5:40:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20455s) ... House Bill 1566 by Representative Burchett of the 176th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Ware County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount-

[5:41:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20464s) State and local government

[5:41:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20465s) ... House Bill 1568 by Representative Thomas of the 21st and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act reincorporating and recreating the City of Woodstock approved April 17th, 1975, as amended, particularly by an act approved April 12th, 2012, so as to change the corporate limits of the city to provide for related matters through-

[5:41:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20481s) State and local government

[5:41:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20483s) ... House Bill 1569 by Representative Santos of the 117th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to authorize the assessment-

[5:41:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20488s) State and local government

[5:41:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20491s) ... House Bill 1573 by Representative Gaines of the 120th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from-

[5:41:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20496s) State and local government

[5:41:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20497s) ... House Bill 1575 by Representative Sainz of the 180th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act to provide a homestead exemption from all City of Kingsland ad valorem taxes for any city purposes-

[5:41:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20507s) State and local government

[5:41:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20507s) ... House Bill 1576 by Representative Sainz of the 180th, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Kingsland-

[5:41:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20514s) State and local government

[5:41:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20514s) ... House Bill 1581 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd and others, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Fayetteville ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in a floating-

[5:42:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20523s) State and local government

[5:42:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20525s) ... House Bill 1582 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd and others, a bill to be entitled an act-

[5:42:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20529s) State and local government

[5:42:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20530s) ... House Bill 1583 by Representative Bonner of the 73rd and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act providing-

[5:42:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20536s) State and local government

[5:42:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20538s) ... House Bill 1587 by Representative Sanchez of the 42nd and others, a bill to be entitled an act to abolish the office of elected county surveyor of Cobb County, to provide for the appointment of a county surveyor by the governing authority of the county after January 1st, 2029, to provide for success-

[5:42:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20550s) State and local government

[5:42:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20551s) ... House Bill 1588 by Representative Cummings of the 39th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act changing the compensation of-

[5:42:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20557s) State and local government

[5:42:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20558s) ... House Bill 1594 by Representative Williams of the 160th-

[5:42:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20561s) State and local government

[5:42:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20562s) ... House Bill 1595 by Representative Frye of the 122nd and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act to grant r- residents of Clarke County and the Clarke County School District upon their homesteads an exemption of $10,000 from certain ad valorem taxes levied-

[5:42:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20574s) State and local government

[5:42:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20574s) ... House Bill 1598 by Representative Hatcher of the 155th, a bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Laurens County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes-

[5:43:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20584s) State and local government

[5:43:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20585s) ... House Bill 1599 by Representative Jackson of the 128th, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act-

[5:43:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20590s) State and local government

[5:43:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20590s) ... to create the c-

[5:43:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20591s) State and local government

[5:43:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20591s) ... House Bill 1601 by Representative Dubnick of the 29th-

[5:43:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20594s) State and local government

[5:43:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20595s) ... House Bill 1602 by Representative-

[5:43:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20597s) State and local government

[5:43:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20601s) ... Dubnick. House Bill, House Bill-

[5:43:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20602s) State and local government

[5:43:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20604s) Mr. President, that

[5:43:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20623s) completes the order.

[5:43:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20626s) Secretary, read the caption.

[5:43:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20630s) Mr. President, the following message was recei- received from the House through Mr. Riley, the clerk thereof. Mr. President, the House has disagreed to the Senate substitute to the following bill of the House, House Bill 974 by Representatives Burns of the 159th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to make and provide appropriations for the state fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027, to make and provide such appropriations for the operation of the state and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[5:44:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20655s) Recognize, uh, Appropriations Chair. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I move that the Senate insists on its position to the substitute to House Bill 974. Speak to it. All right. Need to speak? Chairman, chairman, would you like to speak to-

[5:44:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20679s) Speak to the House's shortcomings about not wanting to follow exactly what we do in the budget? Thank you, Mr. President, members of the Senate. Here we are again. After your hard work and over 30 minutes of presentation earlier today, where we extolled the virtues of the House, their previous speaker, their current speaker, their previous Appropriations Chair, their current Appropriations Chair, all of that praise was for naught.

[5:45:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20709s) Instead, they have now rejected our substitute- Boo ... to House Bill 974. So we stand in a predicament. What shall we do? Shall the mem- shall the members of this body cave? No. Shall the members of this body stand? Yes. Mr. President, I ask that we insist on the Senate's position to House Bill 974.

[5:45:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20744s) All right, recognize the-

[5:45:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20750s) Order. S- the Senate, the, the chairman has moved that the Senate insist on a substitute to HB 974. Any objections? No objections. We'll let the senator fight on for the Senate.

[5:46:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20780s) Recognize the senator from the 32nd.

[5:46:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20785s) Recognize the senator from the 32nd.

[5:46:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20789s) Yay. Yay. Recognize the senator from the 32nd. Yay. Senator from Francis. Yay.

[5:46:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20800s) You, you need my hearing aids back. Sorry, Mr. President, I was distracted by a House member.

[5:46:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20809s) Boo. There's, there's one still working. I know. Mr. President, I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute for Senate Bill 395. All right. Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 395 by Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2A of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Public Health so as to require a physician to submit certain information to the Georgia Composite Medical Board when certifying an individual as eligible for the low-THC oil patient registry, to provide for annual reporting, to authorize the Department of Public Health to disclose certain information, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[5:47:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20848s) The House offers the following substitute. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 395, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2A of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the D- Department of Public Health so as to authorize the Department of Public Health to disclose certain information regarding the low-THC oil patient registry to the Georgia Composite Medical Board for certain purposes, to provide for annual reports by physicians, to restrict the use of such reports, to amend Chapter 11 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to emergency medical services, to designate ambulance services as an essential service of the state, to provide for statutory construction, to provide for the EMS Interstate Compact, to provide for related matters, and for other purposes.

[5:48:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20883s) Mr. President, I complete the order.

[5:48:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20891s) Is there objection? No, she needs to present. Senator from the 32nd.

[5:48:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20902s) They're cleaning off the table. There's some special action. I just can't make a difference. I hate that sometimes. Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is, has changed slightly since we passed it, and you probably remember it addresses the disconnection in communication between the Department of Public Health and the medical board as it relates to medical cannabis. This allows the Department of Public Health to share information with the medical board. The other thing that the House added on is a bill that we voted on in the Health Committee, and it has to do with making EMS an essential service within healthcare, which I agree with.

[5:49:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20944s) Be happy to answer any questions.

[5:49:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20951s) You can have control. Thank you.

[5:49:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=20958s) She's sitting right beside you, Senator. You can ask her a question there if you want to. But, uh, you want to excuse somebody? All right, go ahead. I'd like to excuse the senators from the 5th and the 35th for this reason. Without objection, senator from the 5th and 35th excused. Any other, any, any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure from the senator from the 32nd? Hearing none, all those in favor of SB 395 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary will align the machine.

[5:51:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21085s) On, on the passage of SB 395, the yays are 46 and the nays are zero, and this bill has passed. Senate has agreed.

[5:51:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21101s) Recognize the senator from the 31st. Mr. President, point of order. State your, state your order. It is Friday afternoon at 3:42, and it amazes me that the Senate continues to work while the House decides to take the Friday off to go home and enjoy the weekend, while we are still here passing our bills and their bills for the public's record.

[5:52:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21123s) Well, they got a lot more bad bills than we do, so- And apparently they wanna pass all these bad bills, so.

[5:52:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21133s) So we're here, Senator, working hard. We appreciate your leadership.

[5:52:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21140s) Recognize the senator from 56.

[5:52:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21147s) Mr. President, I move the Senate agree to the House substitute for Senate Bill 470.

[5:52:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21155s) Secretary, read the caption.

[5:52:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21157s) Senate Bill 470 by Senators Albers of the 56 and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to offenses against public order so as to prohibit the possession, use, operation, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution or import of signal jammers. S- specifically authorize the Attorney General to commence forfeiture proceedings, to provide for exemptions, to provide for definitions, to provide a short title, to provide an effective date, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 470, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating t- to offenses against public order so as to prohibit the possession, use, operation, manufacture, sale, offer for sale, distribution or import of signal jammers, to establish criminal offenses, to provide for penalties, to require that certain penity- penalties shall not be suspended, stayed, deferred or withheld by the sentencing court, and for other purposes.

[5:53:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21207s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[5:53:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21217s) Recognize senator from 56.

[5:53:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21227s) Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 470 came back from the House. This is the GBI agency legislation for signal jammers. We just clarified two words to separate someone who might be personally shielding their property versus, uh, protecting all of your homes and public safety professionals for those that would do harm with blocking all those signals. If there are no questions, I will yield the will.

[5:54:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21249s) Yield. No questions, senator.

[5:54:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21252s) Thank you.

[5:54:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21254s) Is there any other senator who wishes to speak for or against the measure? Hearing none, all those in favor of SB 470 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, allot the machine.

[5:55:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21328s) On SB 470, agreeing to the House substitute, the yays are 46 and the nays are zero, and this bill has prevailed.

[5:55:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21346s) Recognize the pro tem, senator from the 20th.

[5:55:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21350s) Pre- Mr. President, I move the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 284.

[5:55:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21357s) Secretary, read the caption.

[5:55:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21359s) Senate Bill 284 by Senators Walker III of the 20th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008, so as to authorize the issuance of orders by the Commissioner of Securities directing persons who have violated certain securities provisions to return to investors, customers or clients sums paid in connection with securities purchases, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 284, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008, so as to authorize the issuance of orders by the Commissioner of Securities directing persons who have violated certain securities provisions to return to investors, customers or clients sums paid in connection with securities purchases, to amend Part 10 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to capital outlay funds under the Quality Basic Education Act so as to provide for the award of low-wealth capital outlay grants to qualifying school systems that award certain contracts for roofing improvements to suppliers that meet certain criteria, to provide for such cri- criteria, to amend Chapter 91 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to public works bidding so as to provide that certain contracts and for other purposes.

[5:57:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21423s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[5:57:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21429s) Recognize the senator from the 20th.

[5:57:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21435s) Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I bring you Senate Bill 284. Um, the original version of this bill we passed out of this body on March 6th of 2025 by a vote of 54 to one, um, and it provides a additional tool for the Securities Division of the Secretary of State's office. Uh, currently they can, under current law, if there's somebody defrauding investors, they can issue a cease and desist order, which could include a denial or revocation of their license or conditional license to operate in Georgia, or they can issue civil penalties, uh, and of course those penalties when paid are, go to the state treasury.

[5:58:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21484s) This bill would allow them to require the perpetrator of the fraud to return invested or stolen funds essentially or invested funds to the defrauded investors. Um, again, we passed this in March of 2025, and I believe it was July of 2025 the First Liberty, uh, scheme came to light and, uh, that has been investigated and is now in, uh, federal receivership.

[5:58:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21517s) Uh, but had this been in place at that time, the Securities Division could have h- hopefully, um, gotten some of that money returned to the defrauded investors. But there are other, other similar situations going on now, uh, that this would help with and, uh, I think a lot of times it's our senior citizens that get duped by these schemes and this is a good, good way to protect them or have them restored, their finances restored if they're defrauded.

[5:59:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21549s) The House, um-

[5:59:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21552s) Added some language to the bill that, uh, has to do with low wealth schools and the procurement method for roofing improvements. Uh, it's something that's been requested by the Georgia Department of Education. Uh, the last change to it is that it'll be effective upon the governor's signature. Uh, I'd ask for your favorable consideration. Happy to answer any questions if there are any. Otherwise, I'll yield the well. You, you do have a couple questions, Senator. Recognize the senator from the 14th.

[5:59:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21583s) Thank you, Mr. President. Does the Pro Tem yield? Yes, sir. Ms. Pro Tem, thank you so much for your great work on this over the last few years. I know that the victims in various securities fraud cases really appreciate it, and is it not true this bill is really just about making victims whole? That, that's the intent. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.

[6:00:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21603s) No more questions, Senator. Thank you. I ask for a green vote.

[6:00:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21612s) Any other questions? Any other senator wish to speak for or against it? Hearing none.

[6:00:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21622s) The Pro Tem has moved that the Senate agree to House Substitute to SB 284. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[6:00:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21652s) Order.

[6:02:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21722s) On the motion to agree, the yays are 44, the nays are 0, and this motion has prevailed.

[6:02:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21733s) Recognize the senator from the 3rd.

[6:02:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21738s) Mr. President, I move that the Senate agree to the House Substitute for Senate Bill 500. Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 500 by Senator Hodges the Third and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce so as to expand the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Database to include data from licensed healthcare professionals, to revise definitions, to rename such database as the Healthcare Workforce Database, to provide for conforming changes, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 500, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce so as to expand the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Database to include data from licensed healthcare professionals, to revise definitions, to rename such database as the Healthcare Workforce Database, to provide for conforming changes, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[6:03:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21787s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[6:03:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21791s) Recognize the senator from the

[6:03:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21808s) 3rd. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, colleagues, Senate Bill 500, um, was agency legislation for the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce. It enhanced an existing data system they have to manage our healthcare providers in the state by adding nine different, um, licensing agencies so that the data system could have more healthcare providers. We needed to add one more, uh, a tenth, and we added that in the House, um, to increase the number of licensing boards and thereby increase the number of, um, healthcare providers in the data list.

[6:04:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21849s) If there are no questions, I'll yield the well. You have no, no questions, Senator. Thank you.

[6:04:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21871s) Is any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure?

[6:04:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21875s) Hearing none. All those in favor of Senate Bill 500 agreeing to the House Substitute will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[6:06:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21970s) On the agrees, the yays are 45, the nays are 2, and this motion has prevailed.

[6:06:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21982s) Recognize the senator from the 52nd. Mr. President, I move that the Senate agree to the House Substitute to Senate Bill 566.

[6:06:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=21993s) Senate Bill 566 by Senators Hufstetler, the 52nd, and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the OCGA relating to ad valorem taxation of property so as to provide for the ac- acceptance of tax digests in the event of a publication error made by a newspaper to revise required information for bills and notices of assessment for ad valorem taxation of property, to provi- to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute, substitute to Senate Bill 566. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to ad valorem taxation of property so as to revise required information for bills and notices of assessment for ad valorem taxation of property, to revise definitions, limits, and procedures related to statewide base year homestead exemption, to provide for annual submissions and review of homestead information across the state, to expand the period of time within which taxpayers may apply for homestead exemptions, to provide for penalties for failing to report ineligibility for a homestead exemption, to make conforming changes, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[6:07:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22048s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[6:07:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22052s) Recognize the senator from the 52nd.

[6:07:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22063s) Thank you, Mr. President. This is a bill about our, uh, tax appraiser notice. This is not the property tax bill. That's for another day. But the tax appraiser notice, which we cleaned up, making it more user-friendly, we passed out unanimously. The House passed out unanimously, but they changed one thing. There's apparently eight counties where the tax commissioner takes in the homestead exemptions instead of the tax assessors, so they made that change. That's all. If there's no questions, I'll yield the well.

[6:08:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22094s) You're good. You're good, Senator. No questions. Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure?

[6:08:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22111s) Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion to agree to the House, to the House substitute on Senate Bill 566, all those th- that agree will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[6:09:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22192s) On the agrees, the yays are 48 and the nays are one, and this motion has prevailed.

[6:10:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22210s) Recognize the senator from the 4th.

[6:10:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22215s) I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 472.

[6:10:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22221s) Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 472 by Senators Hickman of the 4th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to elementary and secondary education so as to provide for the suspension of members of local boards of education following certain audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct, to provide for a cap on the total amount of advanced distributions of state allotted funds that may be made by the State Board of Education to local units of administration, to provide for intervention plans, to provide for the authority of the state auditor relative to such intervention plans, to provide for an effective date, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[6:10:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22255s) Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 472. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to elementary and secondary education so as to provide for the suspension of members of local boards of education following certain audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct, to provide for employment contract terms, conditions, and limitations for local school superintendents under certain con- conditions. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[6:11:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22289s) Recognize the senator from the 4th.

[6:11:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22302s) Thank you, Mr. President. This is on Senate Bill 472. We agree the House made two minor changes to this bill. We agree with both changes. One of the changes was on line 55, and I'll just read it. Local school system is designated by the state auditor as requiring the highest level of monitoring, support, intervention promulgated by the Department of Audit and Count. That was originally, uh, that the s- the superintendent referred to the State Board of Education. The House changed it, changed it to the state auditor. We're obvious- we're obviously good with that change. Um, then also they inserted a section, um, the current law says that in order for a school system to, um, vote on a move to a county system, it requires a twen- a 25% of the voters sign a resolution to do that.

[6:12:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22348s) Um, this amended that to, to say that they must sign, they can sign a 10% of the registered voters in that area or that city can sign a resolution, and then it moves to the voter. But at all times, it's still, in order to move to the county system, it still has to be approved by all the citizens in that city s- in that city. Mr. President, that's the way, that's it. Uh, and I yield the will. Thank you, sir.

[6:12:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22378s) Any other senator who wish to speak for or against the measure?

[6:13:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22383s) Oh, hey, Senator. Senator, senator from the 41st.

[6:13:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22390s) Senator, you have been active this session, I tell you what. Are you, are you running for something? Well, I haven't checked.

[6:13:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22400s) Uh, thank you, Mr. President. I just, um, want to be clear about, um, why I do not want to agree to this. Um, and it's simply because of the small provision in this bill that allows, um, a group of people that represent only 10% of a municipality to go to a ballot initiative to dissolve the education system. Um, in a place like where I come from, having such a low threshold, uh, for being able to go to referendum to dissolve the entire school system, uh, just gives us some trepidation and some- Some pause.

[6:13:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22433s) And so that's, that's why I just wanted to explain my red vote. Y'all carry on, but I just wanted to be clear that a 10% threshold to be able to get on the ballot to dissolve an entire school system does cause us some heartburn. Thank you. I yield the will.

[6:14:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22450s) Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Hearing none, the senator from the fourth has moved that the Senate agree to House substitute. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary will allot the machine.

[6:15:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22532s) On the agree to SB-472, the yays are twenty-nine and the nays are seventeen, and the motion prevails. Senator from the twenty-ninth.

[6:16:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22568s) Mr. President- There you go ... I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute on Senate Bill 542. Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 542 by Senators Roberson of the twenty-ninth and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to sexual offenses so as to permit clergy members to be charged with certain improper sexual contact offenses, to provide for definitions, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 542, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to sexual offenses so as to establish certain criminal offenses by clergy members for improper sexual contact with victims who are under their pastoral care or spiritual guidance, to provide for penalties, to provide for a limitations period, to provide for definitions, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[6:16:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22616s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[6:17:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22621s) Recognize the senator from the twenty-ninth.

[6:17:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22629s) Thank you, Mr. President, colleagues. Y'all are very familiar with this bill. It's, it's been called the Clergy Bill. Sent it over to the House. They made two small adjustments that I agree with. They've closely defined a definition for clergy, and they raised the statute of limitations from seven years to fifteen years, which I think are both very positive changes. What this does is it gives our adult women in whatever house of worship in this state the protection that they've longed for a long time, have needed and deserved.

[6:17:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22670s) And with that, Mr. President, I'll stand for any questions. No questions, Senator. I appreciate your support on this bill. I yield the will.

[6:18:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22683s) Seeing if the senator would speak for or against the measure.

[6:18:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22687s) Hearing none, all those in favor of agreeing to SB 542, agreeing to the House substitute will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary will allot the machine.

[6:19:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22763s) On the motion to agree to the House substitute, the yays are forty-seven, the nays are zero, and this motion has prevailed.

[6:19:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22777s) All right, we'll just finish up some special actions, then we're gonna start taking bills off the table. So you ready? So I recognize senator from the fiftieth.

[6:19:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22792s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that we remove House Bill 1396 from the table.

[6:20:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22801s) Secretary, read the caption. House Bill thir- 1396 by Representative Strachan of the one hundred and fourth and others, a bill, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 8 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions relative to the Department of Community Affairs so as to require certain privately funded organizations that operate a shelter or provide outreach services to homeless individuals within one thousand feet of schools, public parks, public playgrounds, or certain childcare facilities, and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. Is there objection? Hearing none, senator from the-

[6:20:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22852s) To participate in the Georgia Homeless Management Information System, to provide violations and for non-criminal citations, to provide for exceptions, to provide for a territory of applicability, to provide for legislative findings, to provide for definitions, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, Senator Robertson. Mr. President, Senator Robertson of the twenty-ninth district and others offers the following amendment. Amendment 1, amend HB 1396 by striking lines sixty-one and sixty-two and replacing with the following. Section 3, Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to state government is amended by adding a new code section to read as follows, "50-18-79, if any claim o- of an unlawful employment practice made against the General Assembly and for other purposes."

[6:21:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22891s) Mr. President, Senator Merritt of the ninth district offers the following amendment. Amendment 2, amend House Bill 1396 by replacing line seven with the following, "Citations to provide for exceptions, to provide for a terri- territory of applicability, to provide for the provision of transport to and services by other municipalities under certain circumstances, to provide for cost of such transportation and services, to provide for, or, and for other purposes." Mr. President, that completes the order.

[6:21:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22915s) Recognize senator from the fiftieth

[6:22:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22922s) Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to bring you House Bill 1396. This bill requires organizations operating homeless shelters and providing outreach services to participate in Georgia's Homeless Management Information System, the statewide data tool under DCA that tracks services, identifies gaps, reduces duplication, and measures outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. It will apply to providers of homelessness services operating within 1,000 feet of a school, university, daycare, or public park inside the city of Atlanta.

[6:22:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22956s) This focused approach allows for proven results before any broader statewide rollout. In the amended budget, we invested a significant amount of money, approximately $15 million, to address the homelessness issue. What this does is allows us to track homelessness in the city of Atlanta now with-- where the highest density of homelessness occurs. It also is a public safety measure because it'll allow us to track those that are on the sex offender registry and make sure they are not within a certain perimeter of a school.

[6:23:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=22991s) Hopefully, this will be a successful program, and we will be able to expand it statewide. But this is a pilot, and it'll help us most effectively use the resources and the money that we've allocated to homelessness. And with that, Mr. President, I'm happy to yield, yield for questions. You do have a few questions. And I recognize the senator from the forty-first. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? Hey, yes, I do. Um, Senator, can you, um, talk to me about why this experiment is only going to happen in the city of Atlanta?

[6:23:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23021s) How come this bill doesn't apply to other cities that also experience, um, people who have-- who are experiencing homelessness? That's a good question. So the city of Atlanta right now has the, the highest density of homelessness. And so it's a targeted approach, and it's, uh, we're gonna use our resources this year and see if this will make an impact on collecting data and, uh, see if it will help us administer the services that we need using the money that's been allocated to, to address homelessness in the most effective manner.

[6:24:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23051s) And if it works, which I hope it will, uh, we look forward to implementing this statewide. But for now, because of the resources that we have, this is a pilot program, and, um, we hope it'll work. Does the, does the senator further yield? Yes. Can you speak to me a bit about these non-criminal citations that will be issued to anyone who violates this? Um, are these fines, fees? What, what is a non-criminal citation? They will likely end up being fines. Um, but yeah, it is not a criminal citation.

[6:24:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23085s) We have to have some enforcement mechanism. This is a very low bar for enforcing. Hopefully, most people will comply because if you do comply with this, you get state and federal funding, which could also help out these, uh, uh, places that are sh-- um, housing the homeless. Does the senator further yield? I do. You suggest that by participating in the Georgia Homeless Management Information System, that if I participate because I provide sandwiches to eleven or twelve people, which would make me therefore have to qualify, that that would therefore make me qualify for state and federal funds.

[6:25:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23120s) Is that what you're saying this bill does? Yes. Um, does the senator further yield? I will. Will you please expound on exactly how that mechanism works and how it is that we can ensure that these private entities are going to receive state funding to address homelessness just by virtue of the fact that they served eleven people sandwiches in the course of twelve months? So my understanding of how HMS works is if you participate, which most homeless shelters do, then you will get federal and state funding.

[6:25:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23156s) And if you, if we, if these new or, or these churches or other places that shel-- um, house the homeless participate in this system, that they will be eligible for state and federal funding. I'll let your colleague help you. Recognize the senator from the nineteenth. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, do you yield? I do. I think you got to that at the end. I was gonna try to help you answer the question from the senator from the forty-first. Is it not true that your bill simply makes these entities eligible- Correct ...

[6:26:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23187s) for state and federal funding? Eligible. Yep.

[6:26:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23194s) Senator from the thirty-sixth.

[6:26:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23200s) Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield? I do. Uh, s-s-Senator, um, if you could, uh, when this bill was presented in committee, we had, uh, a, a, a conversation that did not include the, any reference to, you know, qualifying for, for federal funds. Um, but, uh, I, I understand that you're saying that would be a potential outcome.

[6:27:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23232s) Is that right? That's correct.

[6:27:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23236s) Uh, and

[6:27:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23242s) there were concerns that, uh, ma- many of us share, um, that there, there are organizations that, uh, out of the, uh, out, out, out of a commitment to address suffering and, and provide, uh, food, for example, uh, to, uh, unhoused people, uh, that the, these organizations, uh, that are not, not publicly funded, uh,

[6:27:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23276s) oftentimes w-lack the capacity to do the administrative work that's being, that they're being invited to do, and that they're gonna be fined or ci-cited if, by the police if they fail to do it, if they fail to go online and, and, uh, make entries. Isn't that the, isn't that what this bill would do?

[6:28:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23297s) What this bill would do would actually allow them to access additional state and federal funds. Now, the purpose of this bill is, is obviously to, um, bolster our support for the homeless and to help homeless shelters across the city of Atlanta, and hopefully this will turn into a positive program statewide. But when the governor puts $50 million in for homelessness, this is how we make sure our dollars are going where they're needed most. Well, i- if you will, uh, we're, we're, we're, we're pu- putting the police in charge of issuing citations to people that are handing out, um, uh, bologna sandwiches and the like, uh, in, in a, in a park or, uh, in, in, in a church, um, social hall.

[6:29:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23350s) We're gonna, we're gonna put the police on them if they don't, if they don't go online and, and, and enter data? Uh, th- these are not heavy-handed citations. These are not meant to punish. We have to have some sort of enforcement mechanism, but I believe that these shelters will be w- will welcome the system because of the ability to access more state and federal funds. And like I said, if this is a successful program, we'll be able to implement it statewide, and we can further address the homelessness issue in the State of Georgia, which you and I both agree is an issue that needs to be addressed.

[6:29:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23384s) Well, isn't, isn't it, isn't it, isn't it true that, that we're, uh, people that are tr- that are helping in the, uh, in ways that they can best do through their church organization or their nonprofit, again, they don't have public funds, uh, they're not, they're not publicly funded, and they're, it- it- it just, I see a, a scenario that results in, uh, th- uh, information being entered into a database that is likely to be full of errors.

[6:30:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23421s) You know? It's just, because these are not, these organizations aren't set up to administratively be going and, and, um, um, making these, d- documenting all this stuff and putting it in a state database. The, the, uh, the, it, it, it, this doesn't comport to the reality of their circumstances. But if they don't do it, they're gonna get a citation. It, I mean, I mean, I'm, I'm, uh, uh, it's, it's amusing in it to me, uh, uh, were it not so, uh, draconian to, uh, create a citation for people that are trying to help, uh, unhoused people.

[6:30:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23455s) I guess I don't understand the opposition to this bill because my understanding is, you know, the homele- those who help the homeless are, are somewhat of a community in, uh, in amongst themselves. And, and tracking this population across the state to further the state's efforts to support them is not a bad thing. And I don't know how anyone could say this is a bad thing. We're going to implement a system that will track the homeless population through Atlanta and also make sure sexual predators are not within a certain amount of feet from our schools, and then they'll have access to state funds and access to federal funds.

[6:31:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23493s) I don't understand how this is a bad thing in any way, shape, or form. We've already put $50 million in our budget to address this, and this system allows us to most effectively address the issue at, at, that has been a problem. And the City of Atlanta is neutral on this issue. If this was going to be a big issue, the City of Atlanta, the mayor, they would come out against it. They haven't. This is a neut- they are neutral, and this is going to be a bill that helps the homelessness and allows the state to most, to be fiscally responsible with our money that we've allocated for them. I- I- I- I- Isn't it true that th- this actually, uh, puts a pressure on organizations that are pr- are, are attempting to provide services, however meager or however underfunded they are?

[6:32:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23535s) And I repeat to you that in the committee to which this was assigned, we had a, a, a, an extensive discussion about it, and there was never a mention of these theoretical s- funds that are gonna come to these organizations. And I would suggest if we want the outcome that, that's being described, we would s- set up training opportunities for th- uh, for these organizations to even, uh, uh, know how to go about entering, entering data. And what are they gonna, what they're supposed to put in the names of people, and how are they gonna extract names from people, uh, down in a, down in a park?

[6:32:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23572s) Who's gonna be down there writing everything down? I mean, it just to me it, it is, it is burdensome and not the, not the way to get the behavior that you're s- that you're seeking. I would, I would respectfully disagree that this is a burden. I, I believe this is more of a relief valve for them. And, and the larger homeless shelters in the, in the city I believe will be more than willing to help and assist so that we can track this population, monitor them appropriately, and send funds where they're most needed. It's true that it's the larger organizations are, uh, would b- are doing that already.

[6:33:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23606s) Exactly. Like, like Ga- Like Gateway, but the- The larger organizations that assist homelessness are already doing this, and this just spreads the wealth, so to speak, and helps tracking and allows us to be fiscally responsible while supporting the homeless population. And has our police tied up issuing citations for people for giving out sandwiches. If that's what you have to say to vote against it, then I respect that. Th- th- uh, I- I'm, I'm afraid that is With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor. Thank you.

[6:33:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23637s) Senator from first, would you like to speak to your amendment? No, that's, that's not my amendment. I just...

[6:34:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23645s) Mr. President, I was, uh, about, I wanted to make a motion to call the previous question. But may need to...

[6:34:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23655s) But I think we have the, the amendment to discuss first. Gotta discuss amendments first, and then they'll be ready

[6:34:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23669s) Senator from the 29th.

[6:34:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23680s) Colleagues, I would love to come up here and explain this amendment to you, but I think I've explained it three other times. It has picked up a, uh, name floating around the Capitol called the Epstein Amendment. Um, I wanna start out by saying I never knew Mr. Epstein, and I have no reason to ever wanna write his name on anything that, uh, that I would carry. But on the day that I first passed the clergy bill, which was, I believe, March 4th, here in this chamber, on that day, our friends in Washington, DC, on House Resolution 1100 voted 357 to 65 to send House Resolution 1100 to the Committee on Ethics in the US House of Representatives, which would have basically asked representatives there in Washington to do the same thing, and they chose not to.

[6:35:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23745s) And what disturbed me is a lot of the people who chose not to were the same people who rightfully demanded that a Republican congressman from Texas not seek re-election after a staffer who he is alleged to have had an inappropriate relationship with died

[6:36:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23769s) after catching on fire. And so I felt it necessary to hold ourselves to the same standard that we hold others to. Now, oddly enough,

[6:36:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23786s) while I take a lot of pride of serving in this building, there's a lot of childish behavior that goes on in this building. I've had several people come and ask me, "Who are you going after?" I've been in this building for eight years. I've only known of one elected individual in this building who has ever had a complaint filed against them, and it was before I was elected. Somebody asked me it had something to do with the upcoming races.

[6:37:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23821s) I've endorsed one person in the upcoming races for anything, and he's standing behind me.

[6:37:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23834s) And as far as I know, there's never been a complaint filed against him. So let's look at this for what it is.

[6:37:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23841s) If it was, they'd have a commercial about it by now, you know.

[6:37:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23850s) That is true.

[6:37:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23855s) So please don't try to read any more into this than there is, because you folks know me, and I'm really not that complicated. And with that, Mr., uh, President, I'm happy to answer any questions, and I'm just as happy to yield the well.

[6:37:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23870s) All right, Senator. You, uh, you do have one question. Recognize the senator from the 18th.

[6:37:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23876s) Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield?

[6:37:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23878s) I do yield to the trial attorney.

[6:38:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23880s) Oh, thank you. This, uh, this amendment's not the first time we've seen this, and I fully support it, and un- unfortunately, the House has stripped it twice now. I just, I'd wanna ask the distinguished senator from the 29th, um, if he'd care to speculate on who they're trying to protect over there.

[6:38:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23901s) Oh.

[6:38:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23901s) Well, in 31 years of law enforcement, I've been trained to never speculate. But to be honest with you, to be completely honest with you, I think that sometimes, um, these things make us nervous, they make us scared because we don't know. And all I'm saying is this is very clear as, as, as to what this does. And I look around this room and I see a lot of men and women that I have a lot of respect for, no matter the party, and I trust that we are all professional, ethical, honest, and walk through these halls with character, that we treat our staff with the utmost respect, and I believe, I like to believe, that everybody on both sides of this Capitol do the same thing.

[6:39:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23946s) And with that, Mr. President, I yield the well.

[6:39:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23950s) Senator has yielded.

[6:39:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23958s) Recognize the senator from the 9th.

[6:39:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23962s) Senator, you've been quiet this session. You've been, you've been quiet this session, Senator. You sh- you should talk as much as the senator from the 38th does now.

[6:39:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23978s) Oh.

[6:39:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23978s) It's quality, not quantity.

[6:39:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=23984s) Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I'm gonna speak to the amendment that I introduced, but, um, I rise in opposition to HB 1396. I, I'm, I'm troubled by this bill. I know, um, the senator from the 50th came here and pitched the bill as, "Hey, oh yes, we're just collecting data." And, uh, unfortunately, there is language in the, the language that he was referring to about collecting data on, um, sexual predators and that it provides some guaranteed funding or funding availability of state and federal funds, none of that is in the language of this bill, by the way.

[6:40:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24024s) Nowhere. If someone finds it while I'm up here, point it out to me And we'll, we'll discuss. But this is a con- more concerning than it sounds or seems. Just to let y'all know a story, not long ago, I met a woman right here, outside a church here in downtown Atlanta, and she wasn't asking for much. All she wanted was a warm meal, a blanket, and someone to look her in the eye and just treat her like a human being.

[6:41:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24062s) And the people helping her weren't these big organizations. It was the smaller private organizations that we're talking about, and they're not funded by the state. They were volunteers, they're often neighbors, and they're doing this work because no one else will. Now, I had some folks come and talk to me about this bill because they're trying to clean up their area. I get it. Everybody wants to clean up their area. A, a lot of where this part of Atlanta is, is becoming gentrified and people are moving in, and frankly, no one wants any home- no one wants homeless people around them, but they're here.

[6:41:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24107s) What are we supposed to do with them?

[6:41:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24112s) I get it. And then I was told that there's organization coming in to just come and giving them sandwiches and when they get these sandwiches, the homeless people stick around, cluttering up their neighborhoods. I got it. So give us a solution. What is the solution? Going after these private companies is not the solution. HB 1360-- uh, 1396 will punish the very people that are trying to help fill a gap and provide support for our homeless population.

[6:42:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24144s) This bill doesn't create housing, it doesn't expand treatment, it doesn't add a single outreach worker to the streets. It provides no solution to our growing homeless crisis, and now at a time where we're having a problem with affordability. People are having s- they're struggling just to stay in their homes. But because things are becoming more affordable, we're actually cr- creating a more of a wealth gap where we may have more homeless and nowhere to put them.

[6:43:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24180s) What this does do is it creates citations for privately funded groups who don't enter this da- this data system, and also the bill prese- it's no evidence that these groups near these schools or parks are even creating real harm besides feeding homeless people who are hungry. And we're talking about these are church groups coming in.

[6:43:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24209s) What this bill, bill does, it creates new mandates, new burdens on the very organizations that are trying to do the work

[6:43:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24220s) where our state has failed to fund properly any homeless solutions. I won't say any. We have some. I know we put some money in the budget, but we can do more.

[6:43:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24237s) What it does is, and we keep alluding to this, it pro- it has punitive citations on these small private service providers. A, a citation, not a solution for homeless, for our homeless population. In lines one through nine, including, uh, lines one through nine, including lines six through seven, explicitly says that this bill is to provide violations for non-criminal citations, yet we're not funding housing treatment or services.

[6:44:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24270s) We're creating a ticketing, penalizing system for nonprofits and out- outreach workers. A law enforcement style citation aimed at service providers does nothing to address homelessness, nothing to increase beds, nothing to expand mental health or addiction treatment. Nothing. And the same folks that came to come and talk to me about this bill, I'm like, "Well, how does this, how does this piece of legislation solve your problem?" I couldn't get an answer.

[6:45:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24309s) I said, "You're just tracking data. How is this solving your problem?"

[6:45:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24320s) The bill's core requirement is a mandatory participation in the HMIS, as we're saying, for these privately funded providers near schools, parks, and childcare facilities. It's about data collection. There is no guarantee in this bill of more shelter, more outreach, more treatment tied to this mandate as the reason as to why they're collecting the data. I could understand if it was pitched to me that that's why we're collecting data, but that's not the information that I got.

[6:45:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24352s) We just don't want homeless people in our yard or in our streets. We're telling people d- that are doing this work, providing services to our homeless population, "Give us your data or we're gonna cite you. We're gonna give you a citation," instead of, "Here's some funding, here's some coordination, and here's some support to actually move people off the street."

[6:46:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24381s) The HMIS participation and what's written in the bill, it sounds nice on paper, but in practice it's gonna create an administrative nightmare. It's got data entry, it's got staff training, some compliance ch- checks, and for small profits just trying to help a handful of people as they're dropping off food on a Thursday, if they fail to report into this system, it's a non-criminal citation.

[6:46:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24411s) Create more legal pressures for them.

[6:46:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24416s) Also ask the question, give me some data on how these groups are doing harm. There's no evidence of harm from privately funded groups near schools and parks. Haven't seen that data. Nowhere in this bill, neither in the findings nor the operative language is there data showing that privately funded groups near schools, parks, pra- and playgrounds are causing this measurable harm. The sponsor has not pre- pres- presented any evidence that these organizha- organizations are a real problem.

[6:47:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24454s) We're regulating the helpers without a record,

[6:47:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24460s) creating... Th- they have no record of creating danger, disruption, or justifies this level of state intrusion.

[6:47:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24470s) But what this bill does do, it quietly and surgically targets the City of Atlanta. It doesn't specifically say the City of Atlanta, but if you look at the bill, the territory of applicability language that's on lines 80 through 110 is drafted so narrow, a 10-mile radius, a multi-county municipality around independent school systems. I don't know about y'all, but that describes the City of Atlanta to me. And if this truly was about a statewide coordination about accountability, it should be written as a statewide standard.

[6:48:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24508s) Instead, it singles out Atlanta Homeless Support Network, and I can't imagine that the City of Atlanta is asking for a bill that curbs and chills the very outreach efforts that they rely on. I understand they were neu- neutral, but I would be astonished if they were trying to curb these type of support. Meanwhile, neighboring municipalities aren't even considered in this bill that are leaving gaps.

[6:49:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24542s) Now, the amendment that I have proposed here, this is actually something from, uh, Governor DeSantis. We can call it the DeSantis Amendment.

[6:49:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24555s) And it just basically say if there's a shortage of outreach services in an area, uh, homeless individuals are unable to obtain outreach services in such area, that they shall be transported to and provided outreach services by a municipality creat- created after January 1st, 2024, that is also located within a county with 15 or more municipalities, or wholly or partially located within such county.

[6:49:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24587s) And that municipality shall be responsible for all costs and transportations and provisions of outreach.

[6:49:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24596s) So some of you are saying like, "Well, what, what city is that?"

[6:50:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24601s) It is my beloved City of Mulberry. Love me some Mulberry. Knock on... Because if we're gonna create some mandatory data reporting requirements for privately funding homel- out- h- homeless outreach groups without considering what happens if these groups stop providing services, you should support my amendment. Let's send them to Mulberry. It's new, they got, they probably got some shiny new money.

[6:50:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24632s) Let's let them help us out with our homeless problem.

[6:50:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24638s) And in closing, let's be clear, the original bill is impractical, it's morally tone-deaf, and it is shortsighted. Homeless people deserve protection, not punishment, services, not restrictions.

[6:50:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24657s) And this amendment that I've introduced here just helps ensure that our communities are cared for and kept safe if we have to transport them out the City of Atlanta. And with that, Mr. President, you know, I'll take questions. Okay, I'm yield the will. My, my, my team back there is saying yield the will. With that, Mr. President, I y- I yield the will.

[6:51:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24681s) You made up for lost time, Senator. Good job.

[6:51:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24687s) All right. Recognize the s- oh, we got another amendment. All right.

[6:51:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24698s) Mr. President, Senator Jackson of the 41st District offers the following amendment to amend House Bill 1396, amendment number three, by, to amend by striking on line 48, "Shall be required to," and replacing with "May," striking lines 50 through 52. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[6:51:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24715s) Recognize the senator from the 41st.

[6:52:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24730s) Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Um, I rise and ask for your support, your favorable consideration of amendment number three. Um, and let me, let me just start by saying I rise today to speak as Mother Kim, which is what I'm known by on the streets of Atlanta. I'm the associate director who serves the Church of the Common Ground, a church that works every day with people who are experiencing homelessness here on the streets of Atlanta. So I, I, I'm standing here with some real, um, real experience and real understanding of how this works on the ground.

[6:52:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24765s) And I wanna start by saying that if we continue to have this bill in its current form with the mandatory language of you shall- ... enter this data into the database, I fundamentally believe that that will be an infringement on my religious rights. You see, as a church and as a Christian, I am compelled to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and help heal the sick.

[6:53:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24795s) That is a religious mandate, and if we go forward with this bill as it is written, you are telling every single church in the city of Atlanta that the moment they open a food bank, a food pantry, they have some extra clothes that they have out and they let more than 10 people who are experiencing homelessness come in and get it, every soup kitchen that they run, every time they actually have maybe, I don't know, does it count for Maundy Serv- uh, Maundy Thursday service too if you wash the feet and you let 10 people who are homeless come in for that too?

[6:53:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24830s) You are telling people in the city of Atlanta who operate as churches, as mosques, as whatever religion that they are, as they are trying to exercise their religious duty not using federal or state funds, you are forcing them to register in a database, and I fundamentally believe that that is a deep infringement on our religious freedoms. But let me also be clear. I run an organization and have during the entire time that I've been here that participates in this very system.

[6:54:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24861s) I have a social worker that I've hired who is a part of an authorized group that puts people's information in the database. I believe in the database. The database is good because, not because it gives the organization access to state funds and federal funds. Let me be clear. The database gives the individuals who are put into it access to additional resources that are maybe funded by state and federal governments. And so we participate voluntarily because it's good for our people.

[6:54:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24896s) In the course of the two years that I've had this social worker working with me who's been able to put people in the system, we've been able to get permanent housing for 180 people. It's a great system, but we're volunteering. And, and I wanna just echo some of the words that you heard from the senator from the 36th. She's not wrong. If you ask every single group that rides up into the middle of, of, of a park and distributes food, if you ask every single one of them to be responsible for entering data into the system, you are gonna get trash data.

[6:55:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24932s) Trash data in is trash data out. These folks are not trained and equipped to do this. And also, I just wanna highlight once more what we are asking of our law enforcement. We are asking our law enforcement that instead of making sure that we remain safe, instead of enforcing some of the parameters that we have around those who are sex offenders, we are asking law enforcement officers to come up to Mother Kim with my collar on and write me a citation for feeding the hungry, for putting a cup of coffee in the hand of someone who had to sleep on the street last night.

[6:56:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=24971s) You are asking police officers to take the time off from protecting and serving to write me a citation, to write other people who are convicted by their religious beliefs, by their own morality, their sense of love for fellow neighbor and human, you are asking police officers to write them a citation. I don't know very many police officers who wanna do that, and I don't think it's fair to put them in that position. Now, I understand what the city of Atlanta's doing.

[6:56:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25003s) I work down here every Sunday. I will be clear. Listen, it is easier, and now in the park, at Woodruff Park, it is easier to sell drugs than it is to hand out a sandwich. I know it because I try it every Sunday, and you now have to have a permit in the city of Atlanta to hand out food. So I understand that the city of Atlanta wants to clean things up, but there's a way to do it that's right, and then there's a way to do it that fundamentally infringes on my religious freedoms, on your religious freedoms. But again, the brass tacks, to be clear, is that every single church, mosque, religious organization that dares to open their doors and provide free food, and if 10 people who are experiencing homelessness happen to come through that coffee hour and get free coffee, they are now required to sign up and put the information in that database.

[6:57:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25061s) And if they don't, we're gonna send our law enforcement officers to those churches, to those food pantries, to those soup lines, to those coffee hours, and make them give citations. This is not a good use of our time. So by way of conclusion, I have this amendment. It makes it v- it makes it voluntary. Again, I started by saying my organization participates in this database. It is very helpful when you can put the data in and people have access to the resources. I'm not opposed to the database.

[6:58:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25093s) I'm just very clear that we should not make it mandatory, and so that's what my amen- my amendment does. It allows those organizations who have the administrative capacity to add to it to be able to do so, who have the ability to do it, it allows them to do it, but it also doesn't make it mandatory. So I do ask with great, great sincerity, because this is the work that I do, this is the experience that I have, I do ask that you would consider this amendment and vote for it. And with that, I'll yield for questions.

[6:58:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25126s) You do have a couple questions. Rec- recognizing the senator from the 14th. Thank you, Mr. President. Does the senator yield?

[6:58:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25134s) I will yield for my good friend from the 14th. Senator, I, I think everyone in here knows that you speak with absolute sincere conviction when you talk about your religious beliefs and also the work that you do in your capacity as a, of, of being part of the Church of the Common Ground. Um, my question to you is: Is it not true that this state in the last couple years through both, uh, houses of the legislature and the governor's signature passed RFRA, a law that would protect religious freedoms beyond the First Amendment to the US Constitution and enshrine a statutory right that any religious conviction that is sincere must be protected by laws that are narrowly tailored to protect that sincere belief?

[6:59:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25176s) Is that not true? That is very true, and I, I already began to go through my Rolodex to see who I would need to represent my church if this were to become law because I'm clear that is an, it is absolutely an infringement on RFRA and on our religious values, plain. Senator, further yield? I absolutely do yield. Would it be a fair characterization of the argument that you're making from the well today to say that you're essentially arguing that under RFRA, this state law would not be narrowly tailored in such a fashion as to protect your religious freedoms consistent with the statute this chamber passed?

[7:00:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25207s) You know, my good friend who also graduated from Furman talked about the importance of a balancing test, and I don't believe that this will meet the balancing test. This is an unnecessary hardship and burden on people who are simply trying to exercise their religious beliefs. It's ironic that me as a Black lesbian who fought very hard against RFRA is now standing here really saying I'm grateful for that protection, but I 100% believe that this is a violation of it. Final question, Senator. Yes, sir. If this chamber has any heartburn about you invoking RFRA to protect the Church of the Common Ground's activities in this way, wouldn't that be a reason why maybe they shouldn't have passed such an expansive statutory right in the first place, Senator?

[7:00:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25247s) Senator, I appreciate your question. Again, I just turn back to my amendment. I think this is a middle way. We wanna get data about people who are experiencing homelessness in downtown Atlanta. We want the organizations to serve them to be able to put that data in. Um, let's do this. Give them a carrot and not a stick. Invite organizations to participate so that their people that they serve can have access to the additional resources that come when you are part of that database. Um, I think this is a measured compromise for us to be able to do this. Thank you, Senator.

[7:01:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25279s) Recognize the senator from 36. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, if the senator would y- yield, um, just very briefly. Um, uh, isn't it true I, I, I believe you have really brought your wisdom to bear here, uh, on, on a path forward, and that is we can support this amendment and then wholeheartedly support the bill, and that's what I would call a win-win, and we'd go forward- Well, thank you, Senator, I- ...

[7:01:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25310s) shoulder to shoulder ... I appreciate that. I, I will say I feel like this is one of the first times that I've stood in this well really clear I am standing here not as a Democrat, not as a whip, but I am standing here really as a Christian pastor who does this work regularly with people that I love and care about and that this fundamentally, this comes, this is not a, this is not a partisan issue. For me, this is very much about a humanity issue, about being able to serve folks without having to be a part of a registered system unless you choose to, unless you volunteer to participate in it.

[7:02:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25340s) Thank you. I think you, you, you have offered the perfect example for us to all have a deeper understanding and, and, and vote together on this. Thank you. With that, Mr. Chairman, um, Mr. President, if there are no other questions, I will yield the well. Senator, you may yield. Thank you.

[7:02:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25367s) Recognize majority leader. Mr. President, move the previous question. All right. Is there objection? Objection.

[7:03:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25381s) All right. It's just one of them days, I guess. All right, the senator's m- majority leader has moved that, uh, moved to the previous question. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, enlighten the machine.

[7:03:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25416s) Senator from 55th. Mr. Presiding, uh, Mr. Presiding President, isn't it the truth that I had my light on trying to speak to the- ... bill and this amendment? And I join with my distinguished colleague in wanting to avoid infringement on my right to ex- exercise my religious freedom in the way- ... that would not be infringed upon. Each and every senator is gonna have an opportunity to vote on every amendment and the bill itself.

[7:04:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25457s) On the motion for previous question, the yays are 32, the nays are 17, and the motion has passed. All right, here we go. We're gonna take up amendment number one authored by the senator from the 29th. Is there objection to amendment number one?

[7:04:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25477s) Without objection, amendment number one is adopted. On the amendment number two authored by the good lady from Gwinnett County,

[7:04:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25489s) is there-

[7:04:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25493s) Yeah. Is there objection to the amendment? There is objection.

[7:05:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25501s) And so all those in favor of amendment number two will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:05:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25519s) Senator from the ninth. Is this not true? Is this the Mayberry amendment?

[7:05:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25533s) Recognize the senator from the ninth. Recognize the senator from the ninth. Mr. President, it is the DeSanta's Mulberry amendment. It's the Mayberry amendment. Mayberry, or we call it Freeberry because they keep asking for stuff.

[7:06:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25573s) On the adoption of amendment number two, senator from the, excuse me, on the adoption of the amendment, the yays are 17 and the nays are 33, and this amendment has failed. I thought there was a little coalition going on over there.

[7:06:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25596s) On amendment number three, senator, authorized senator from the 41st, is there, uh, objection to amendment number three? Yeah. There is. There is objection to amendment number three. All right. All those in favor of amendment number three will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:07:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25630s) Senator from the 41st, for what purpose did you rise? Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Isn't it true that a green vote is a true compromise vote that protects all of our religious freedoms? Each and every senator had to, had to make that decision.

[7:07:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25676s) On the adoption of amendment number three, the yays are 20, the nays are 29, and this amendment has failed.

[7:08:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25685s) Senator from the 45th, are you wishing to speak or waive? Okay. Is there objection to agreeing to the reporter committee, which is favorable to the pass of the bill? Chair here is none. As far as the committee is agreed to, is there objection to the main question be in order? Chair here is none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the pass of the bill as amended. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:09:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25768s) On the passage of HB1396, the yays are 33 and the nays are 17, and this is prevailed.

[7:10:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25813s) Recognize senator from the 45th.

[7:10:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25819s) You know, they, you know, they missed their one chance to do the right thing.

[7:10:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25824s) Every day. Every day, all day.

[7:10:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25829s) You gonna take it off the table, Senator?

[7:10:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25834s) Man, the chairman is, the, the chairman agreed with him.

[7:10:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25838s) Oh, no. Yes.

[7:10:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25840s) Thank you, Mr. President. I was putting the cart in front of the horse. Um, I would ask for HB1316 be lifted off the table.

[7:10:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25849s) Secretary, read the caption.

[7:10:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25852s) House Bill 1316 by Representatives Tarver II and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act to provide a homestead exemption from Walker County School District ad valorem taxes for educational purposes. Approved May 13th, 2025. So as to remove the five-year residency requirement for the homestead exemption for residents of such school district who are 75, uh, years of age or older. To provide for definitions, to specify t- the terms and conditions of the exemption, and the procedures relating thereto. To provide for applicability, to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements. To provide for a referendum, effective dates, automatic repeal, mandatory execution of election, and judicial remedies regarding failure to comply.

[7:11:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25884s) To provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:11:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25890s) Is there objection? Not objection.

[7:11:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25895s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on State and Local Govern- Government Operations General recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th District, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:11:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25905s) Recognize senator from the 45th.

[7:11:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25913s) The originator. He's the founder.

[7:11:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25917s) Hmm? He's the founding father.

[7:12:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25922s) I can't comment up here. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Senate colleagues, I bring a local bill before you. Um, it, it, uh, the reason we've got it as a general bill, the, it was a seat, uh, that's vacant. The senator does not fill a seat, so we have to run it as a general bill. Uh, essentially all it does is it removes a five-year requirement before, uh, residents of, uh, trying to know what town this is in, Walker County, uh, can receive a homestead exemption at the age of 75. So currently they have to live there five years and be 75 years of age.

[7:12:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25955s) This just takes the five years off. Mr. President, I'd be happy to answer any questions or yield the floor.

[7:12:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25960s) You have no questions, Senator.

[7:12:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25961s) Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

[7:12:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=25968s) Any other senator who wishes to speak for or against the measure? Is there objection to previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, align the machine.

[7:14:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26064s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 48 and the nays are zero. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

[7:14:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26079s) Recognize the senator from the 32nd.

[7:14:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26083s) Mr. President, I move that House Bill 668 be removed from the table.

[7:14:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26089s) Secretary, read the caption.

[7:14:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26091s) House Bill 668 by Representatives Thomas of the 21st and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 16, Chapter 4 of Title 30 and Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to crimes and offenses, rights of persons with disabilities, and uniform rules of the road, respectively. So as to change references to assistant guide dogs to service dogs, to provide for definitions and conforming changes, to provide for a criminal penalty for a person who causes death or physical harm to a service dog, to provide for exemptions, to revise provisions relating to the use and training of service dogs, to provide for a penalty for persons who misrepresent the need for a service dog, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:15:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26127s) Is there objection? Secretary, finish the ca-

[7:15:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26134s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Public Safety recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Albers, Chairman. Mr. Pre- Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Public Safety offers the following substitute to House Bill 668, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 16, Chapter 4 of Title 30 and Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to crimes and offenses, rights of persons with disabilities, and uniform rules of the road, respectively. So as to change references to, and for other purposes. Mr. President, Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others offers the following amendment. Amendment 1, amend the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security substitute to House Bill 668 by inserting before to provide for related matters on line eight to provide for a short title and for other purposes.

[7:16:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26169s) Mr. President, Senators Kirkpatrick of the 32nd District offers the following amendment to amend House Bill 668. Amendment 1A by, on line one, striking House and adding Senate after the, and striking and Homeland Security after Public Safety. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:16:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26185s) Recognize the senator from the 32nd.

[7:16:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26199s) Thank you, Mr. President. Some of you may remember in 2018- Senator Renee Unterman chaired a study committee about service animals. And what we learned is that there's a lot of confusion about what a service animal is and what's the difference between those, an emotional support animal, and a therapy dog. Service dogs are highly trained to do specific tasks to help individuals with disabilities. They can cost up to $50,000 when they're trained. These animals are protected under federal ADA laws.

[7:17:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26232s) This bill strengthens protections for service animals and the people who depend on them and updates the terminology. The bill clarifies that emotional support dogs are not service dogs. It updates the terminology and creates penalties for harming or killing a service dog and requires restitution. It also esta- establishes penalties for knowingly misrepresenting a service dog. There is an amendment which makes a few changes recommended by an ADA lawyer who worked with the study committee several years ago, and there's also a 1A that I hope you can read my cursive writing, that corrects the name of the committee that heard the bill.

[7:17:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26273s) Amendment one names this the Mara Jade Act. She is a service dog owned by Nicole Whitworth, who's up in the gallery today. She's confined to a wheelchair, and Mara Jade was her service dog and was attacked by another dog that was wearing a service dog vest but was not a service dog. You guys have all seen these around. Mara Jade ended up blind, leaving Nicole without her essential help, and this required her to get another service dog.

[7:18:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26304s) This bill passed unanimously in the House and in our Public Safety Committee. Two years ago, we passed Figo's Law, which provided the same type of protection for K-9 officers. This bill ensures that service animals who are working dogs, not pets, have the same protections. I'd be happy to answer any questions about this long overdue bill. You have no questions, Senator. Thank you. I yield the way.

[7:18:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26335s) Does any other senator wish to s- Oh, we got amendments. But they're also... Okay, amendments from the author, huh? Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Question is on amendment number one. Is there objection to amendment number one? Excuse me, amendment number 1A. Is there objection to amendment number 1A? Hearing no objection, amendment 1A is adopted. So your quest- question is on a- adoption of amendment one.

[7:19:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26369s) No objection? Amendment one is adopted. Question on adoption of the committee substitute as amended. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute as amended? Hearing none, the committee substitute as amended is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:21:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26471s) On the passage of the bill, the ayes are 47 and the nays are 0. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed by substitute.

[7:21:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26484s) Recognize the senator from the 18th. Gotta ask for the bill, Senator. Gotta pull it off the table. This is funny. This is funny.

[7:21:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26496s) Let, let it go. Y'all help him out.

[7:21:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26501s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move to pull House Bill 1121 from the table. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 1121 by Representative Williams of the 148th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 15-6-3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to terms of superior court so as to change certain terms of court in the Cordell Judicial Circuit to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:22:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26529s) Senator from the 42nd, for what purpose do you rise? Point of order. State your order. Mr. President, the senator from the 18th is not at his desk. He's not, is he? You're exactly right. Can you- I'd like to make a motion ... can you explain... Well, well actually, yeah, I'll entertain a motion. I'll move that the sergeant at arms escort him out of the chamber.

[7:22:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26555s) Sounds, it sounds appropriate. Sounds appropriate.

[7:22:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26564s) Or you could, or you could just object to him, you know, his bill ever getting, getting presented here. So...

[7:22:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26576s) Is there objection to moving it from the table? No objection. But I mean, he's still not in his seat. Look at him.

[7:23:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26586s) I mean, man, this guy's been here four weeks. All of a sudden he just... Well, just walk down the center of the aisle. Go ahead, Senator. Just walk down the center aisle. Just break all the rules here.

[7:23:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26599s) Is there objection? Hearing none, s- the secretary will finish the caption. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Judiciary recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Strickland, the 42nd District chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Judiciary offers the following substitute to House Bill 1121, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 15 of the Off- Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to courts so as to change certain terms of court in the Cordell Judicial Circuit and for other purposes. Mr. President, Senator McNeel of the 18th and others offers the following amendment. Amendment one, amend the Senate Committee on Judiciary substitute to House Bill 1121 by replacing lines two through four with the following, "Change certain terms of court in the Cordell Judicial Circuit to provide for related matters," two, by deleting s- lines 25 through 39.

[7:24:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26640s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:24:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26644s) Senator from the 18th, would you like, um, would you like people to f- y- host you do- on the way down here today? Could y'all please, uh, roll out the red carpet for the senator from Bibb County?

[7:24:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26667s) Thank you, Mr. President. And colleagues, I'd like to present to you HB 1121. This bill is simply modifying the schedule for Superior Court terms in all counties of the Courtville Judicial Circuit. It originally was going to re- allow co- county clerks to retain forfeited bond monies in the court registry until the statutory period for remission, but upon further examination, we discovered this was going to qualify as a retirement bill. That would've nullified, uh, the, the effect of this bill, a- because it has to be brought in the first year of a biennium, and this is not.

[7:25:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26705s) So, um, I'll ye- take any questions if anybody has them, and I- Yeah ... urge your green vote on this one. You have no questions. All right. Mm. Senator, senator has yielded the well.

[7:25:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26726s) Any other senator ... Oh, we got an amendment here.

[7:25:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26734s) Any other senator who wishes to speak for or against the measure? Hearing none, is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Questions on the adoption of amendment number one. Is there objection?

[7:25:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26751s) Not only does he, like, break every rule to take a bill off the table, he doesn't even have a bill that's complete yet. He has, he has to amend it, huh? So, man, I tell you what. Where'd he go? Where is he? Oh, there he is right there. He's not in his seat. I tell you what.

[7:26:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26768s) Y'all work on him over there. I mean, y'all, I'm, I'm blaming y'all. Y'all are the veterans right there, so. All right.

[7:26:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26779s) Amendment number one has been adopted. The question is on the adoption of the committee substitute as amended. Is there objection to the, to the adoption of the committee substitute as amended? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the party committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. Party committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:27:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26847s) Senator from the 48th, for what purpose do you rise? Inquiry, Mr. President. State your inquiry. Mr. President, is it not true that it was much easier to train the sharp legal mind of the gentleman farmer from the 49th than our blessed attorney over here from the 18th? You know, we didn't have much problems out of the, out of the good Hall County f- farmer. The best dressed farmer I've ever seen up there, by the way.

[7:27:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26877s) He's a gentleman farmer.

[7:28:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26881s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 47, the nays are zero. This bill, having received a requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute.

[7:28:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26895s) Recognize the senator from the 25th.

[7:28:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26904s) Mr. President, uh, request that HB 985 be removed from the table. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 985 by Rep- Z- Zenovis Bonner of the 73rd and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to Georgia veteran cemeteries so as to revise the terms of eligibility for persons to be buried in Georgia's veteran cemeteries, to provide for a definition, to require an affidavit in certain circumstances, to provide for applicability, to provide for fees, to provide for the Veterans Service Board to have certain discretion, to provide for related matters, and for other purposes.

[7:29:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26942s) Is there objection? Hearing none, secretary finish the caption. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Payne, chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:29:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26958s) Recognize the senator from the 25th. You are my senator. That's right. The undertaker from Baldwin County.

[7:29:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=26974s) President, and, uh, this is a cemetery bill. This, uh, addresses our two veteran cemeteries here in the State of Georgia, one in Milledgeville and one down in Glennville. And this is in bringing our state cemeteries in alignment with our national cemeteries, allowing Hmong, Laotian special guerrilla units, people that fought in Vietnam, to be eligible to be buried in the Georgia veteran cemeteries, and, uh, people who have served in the

[7:30:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27011s) Reserve components of the

[7:30:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27016s) Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Space Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. And, uh, be glad to answer any questions. I ask for your favorable consideration. Oh, yeah. You got questions, all right. Okay. Recognize the senator from the sixth. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, do, do you yield? I do. Senator, are you feeling okay?

[7:30:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27047s) I beg your pardon? Are you feeling okay? Like health-wise, are you, you... Do you feel all right? 'Cause it's just not like you to bring forth a, a bill dealing with cemeteries or funeral homes or anything around that. So I just wanna make sure- Well, it's- ... you're feeling okay ... it, it's a little unusual. I, I, I, I, I do, um, agree with you. A little unusual, but, um, just doing it for the department. For our veterans. Yes, sir. Recognize the senator from the 13th.

[7:31:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27081s) Senator, do you yield? I do. Senator, I have, uh, in my district, there's several cemeteries that have designated veteran area plots in them. Um, like maybe two acres or so that's for veterans. Would that bill apply to those cemeteries or does it have to be just for completely veteran cemeteries? No, it only applies to the state-operated veteran cemeteries. There's two of them in the State of Georgia. There's one in Milledgeville- Right ... and the one in Glennville. So the others will just do their thing in their own little town.

[7:31:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27112s) Those, uh, would be under the direction of whoever owns those cemeteries or are managing them. Thank you, Senator. Yes, sir. Recognize the senator from the 23rd. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, yield? I do. Is it not true that there's a proposed veteran cemetery for Augusta? Uh, yes, sir. And if that cemetery becomes a, a part of the state se- veteran cemetery system, these laws would apply to that cemetery, is that correct? It will apply to that one also. Thank you. Thank you, sir. You have no further questions, Senator.

[7:32:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27143s) Thank you. I ask for your favorable consideration for the veterans. Thank you. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. The question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:33:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27204s) You want him to do what? We're asking him all the page names to really kind of, um, it's played. It's funny. Okay. With Jack losing his mind over the quorum with his chopper.

[7:33:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27216s) Um,

[7:33:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27220s) I'll follow that. It's not so good for him. It's bad. Mm-hmm. Kinda get what you're talking about. He's kinda, I kinda encourage it. It's a definite Costanza situation over here for sure.

[7:33:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27230s) I admit it, it's not you, it's me.

[7:33:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27234s) That's funny. All those in favor of the bill, the yays are 48 and the nays are zero. This bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

[7:34:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27248s) Recognize the senator from the 50th. Did y'all change your num- numbers right there? Y'all, y'all, y'all are sitting at the wrong desk right, right there by the way. Um, thank you, Mr. President. I move that House Bill 1254 be removed from the table. Secretary. Secretary, uh, read the caption. House Bill 1254 by Representative Reeves of the 99th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend various titles of the OCGA so as to move the regulation of various professions from individual boards of the Secretary of State to amend Chapter 14 of Title 10 of the OCGA relating to cemetery and funeral services to amend Title 43 of the OCGA relating to professionals and businesses to amend Code Section 53-2-27 of the OCGA relating to DNA testing to amend Title 43 of the OCGA relating to professions and businesses to amend Title 43 in Code Section 12-8-107 of the OCGA relating to professions and businesses to amend Title 43 of the OCGA relating to professions and businesses to amend Code Section 43-10A-5 of the OCGA relating to powers and duties to provide for related matters to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[7:35:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27314s) Is there objection? Hearing none. Secretary, finish the caption. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Regulated Industries and Utilities recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Cowsert of the 46th District. Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order. You could've gone so many different ways with this. Huh? Recognize the senator from the 50.

[7:35:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27347s) Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to bring House Bill 1254, which is a governor's bill. Uh, what this does is it revises licensing, um, boards for cemeterians, auctioneers, geologists, and hearing aid dealers and dispensers. Uh, this has been a year-long process of streamlining. Um, say it's a little bit of red tape rollback in a way. Um-

[7:36:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27375s) But for these four industries, we are, uh, eliminating their boards. Uh, for the hearing aid dealers, we're actually combining their boards with the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and the Hearing Aid Dispensing Board now. I'm happy to answer any questions, but, uh, would just request favorable consideration.

[7:36:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27396s) Nobody has any questions.

[7:36:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27397s) Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

[7:36:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27405s) Does any senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none and the reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. Main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:38:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27519s) Order.

[7:38:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27519s) On the passage of the, the bills, the yays are forty-nine and the nays are zero. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

[7:38:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27533s) Recognize the senator from 52nd.

[7:39:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27541s) That's you. That's you, Bo.

[7:39:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27542s) Recognize the senator from the 52nd.

[7:39:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27544s) What more have I got up here?

[7:39:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27546s) 1278.

[7:39:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27546s) Oh, 1278.

[7:39:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27549s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that we take 1278 House Bill off the table.

[7:39:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27556s) Secretary, read the caption.

[7:39:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27559s) House Bill 1278 by Representatives Hawkins of the 27th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions relative to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants so as to improve efficiencies in the issuance of permits for dentists to administer conscious sedation and general anesthesia, to provide for the evaluation and certification of a properly equipped facility, to provide for demonstration of proficiency in administering sedative techniques, to authorize the board to designate qualified personnel to perform certain evaluations, certifications, and examinations, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:39:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27591s) Is there objection? Hearing none, secretary, finish the caption.

[7:39:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27595s) The committee, Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Health and Human Services recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the 1st District, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:40:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27609s) Recognize the senator from 52nd.

[7:40:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27622s) Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is about, uh, conscious sedation, which is probably what our House members are involved in right now since they left us earlier, wherever they're sitting at, or maybe unconscious sedation by this point, knowing a few of them, I don't know. But anyway, this is for our dentists. Um, and, um, I see our only dentist is excused right now. I, I thought he would be here, but I did discuss it with him. Right now, there's training involved. Um, they have to, uh, get certified.

[7:40:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27654s) They have to have the right equipment. The only thing this bill is doing is taking away the site visit. It says they don't have to be there for the site visit, um, which has been a problem getting them all certified. So that's all it has to do with, with this bill is removing one requirement for a site visit. Everything else is the same. If there's no questions, I'll yield the well.

[7:41:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27681s) Do you have any questions, Senator? Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. All those in favor of the bill will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:42:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27774s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are forty-six and nays are zero. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

[7:43:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27782s) Recognize the senator from the 30th.

[7:43:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27789s) Thank you, Mr. President. Ask we move House Bill 549 off the table.

[7:43:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27794s) Secretary, read the caption.

[7:43:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27797s) House Bill 549 by Representative Sebaugh of the 34th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 35-8-22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to reimbursement of training expenses by subsequent employer of peace officer, collection procedure, and required documentation so as to extend the timeframe for which a reimbursement of total training expenses by a subsequent employer of a peace officer may be sought, to provide for types of training eligible for reimbursement, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:43:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27823s) Is there objection? Hearing none, finish the caption.

[7:43:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27828s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Public Safety recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Albers, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:43:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27837s) Recognize the senator from the 30th.

[7:44:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27849s) Mr. President.

[7:44:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27850s) Yeah, Strong.

[7:44:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27853s) Thank you, Mr. President. I bring forth House Bill 549. This bill extends the amount of time from fifteen months to thirty-six months. If an officer is hired by another agency within thirty-six months for completing, from completing basic mandate training, the hiring agency will pay the sponsoring agency, the one that hired them-

[7:44:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27876s) For the actual cost of the training and up to ninety days of salary that the officer spent in a field training program. The Georgia Chiefs of Police and the Sheriffs Association supports this bill. With that, Mr. President, I will yield the well. You have one question, Senator. Recognize Senator from 37th. Yield? Yes. Is it true this is a dog- a doggone good bill, long overdue? Yes, it is. Appreciate you. And with that, I yield the well.

[7:45:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=27906s) Is there any other senator who wishes to speak for or against the measure? Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is or- ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:46:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28007s) On the passage of the bill, the ayes are forty-seven, the nays are two. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. Recognize the senator from the fourth. Mr. President, I request that House Bill 1284 be removed from the table. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 1284 by Representative Silcox of the fifty-third and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Article III of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to local boards of education; to establish; to provide for the awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who are at the end of life; to provide for waivers; to provide for posthumous awarding of such diplomas; to provide for policy, rules, and regulations; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

[7:47:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28049s) Is there objection? Hearing none, Secretary, finish the caption. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Education and Youth recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hickman of the fourth district, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order. Recognize the senator from the fourth.

[7:47:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28069s) Thank you, Mr. President. I know that we have passed at least two bills, one senator from 49th and senator from 16th that are just very good humanitarian bills, and this is another very good humanitarian bill. House Bill 1284 provides for the awarding of high school diplomas to high school students who have a terminal medical diagnosis and are, and are, and are at the end of life. For many students in this situation, they have been dedicated to their education and receiving a diploma is extremely meaningful to the student and their family.

[7:48:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28103s) Children's Healthcare of Atlanta employs education staff that work with students in the hospital to continue their education. When they have encountered this situation previously, there have been mixed results, with some school districts being willing to grant a diploma and others citing inability to do so. Over the last three years, Children's Hospital of Atlanta teachers have advocated for eleven such students. Despite hundreds of hours of advocacy, only four students were able to receive a Georgia high school diploma. House Bill 1284 would create a standardized and expedited process to honor a student's academic journey that would have successfully continued if not for their terminal illness.

[7:49:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28144s) This legislation has been named the Jacobi Milton Act in honor of Jacobi, who passed away while still in high school. His schoolwork and, and academic success meant a great deal to him, even while going through treatment. This bill recognizes these students who re- who have remained dedicated to their studies and provides a meaningful recognition of their academic achievement up to the end of their life. I just want to let you know the ultimate decision on recognizing these students with a diploma will, will be made by the State Department of Education.

[7:49:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28178s) I encourage you very heavily to vote green on this bill. This is a great humanitarian bill. Mr. President, I yield the well. Is there any other senator who wishes to speak for or against the bill? Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. Previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Question is on the passage of the bill. All those in favor of the bill will vote yay.

[7:50:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28209s) Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:50:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28232s) Hey, where's the, where's the senator from Savannah?

[7:51:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28274s) Probably on I-16 already. On the passage of the bill, the ayes are forty-eight and the nays are zero, and this bill, having received the requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed.

[7:51:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28305s) Recognize senator from the 29th. Mr. President, I move that the Senate agree to the s- ho- House subcommittee to SB 285. What? Secretary read the caption.

[7:52:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28322s) Senate Bill 285 by Senator Robertson of the 29th. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Title 38 and Part 4 of Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 46 of the OCGA relating to the Emergency Communications Authority and emergency telephone number 911 system, respectively, so as to provide for an increase of the percentage of all 911 charges to be remitted to the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund; to amend Code Section 47-17-80 of the OCGA relating to retirement benefit options, payment to a surviving spouse, requirements effective reemployment, effects of changes in retirement benefits, and payment on death of member, so as to provide, provide for an increase in monthly benefits; to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:52:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28358s) Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 285, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 38-8-8.3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the funding of services or reduction of ad valorem taxes in unincorporated areas of counties and powers and duties of governing authorities so as to require counties and municipal corporations to remit a portion of premium taxes to the Peace Officers' Annuity Benefit Fund; to amend cha- to amend Chapter 17 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the Peace Officers' Annuity Benefit Fund so as to provide for certain premium taxes to be paid to the fund, to provide the board with the authority to increase the monthly benefit multiplier, to provide for limitations and restrictions, to provide for legislative intent to appropriate certain funds, to provide for a definition, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[7:53:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28397s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:53:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28405s) Recognize the senator from the 29th.

[7:53:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28413s) Thank you, Mr. President. Everybody's familiar with Senate Bill 285. It's the bill that, um, affirms and, and, um, supports the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund. Uh, the primary beneficiaries to this are municipal and county law enforcement officers, which, as we know, um, conduct over 90% of all law enforcement operations in the state of Georgia. This bill went over to the House. They did great work on it, found a much better revenue source for this that impacts our constituents much, much less.

[7:54:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28446s) So I would ask your support on this, and Mr. President, if there are no questions, I'm happy to yield the well. There are no questions. Thank

[7:54:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28458s) you, sir. Recognize the senator from the 14th.

[7:54:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28471s) Thank you, Mr. President. I wanna commend the author and I wanna commend the House on doing the great work that the author described to change the revenue source away from a $1 surcharge on every phone line in the state, because that would've been a mistake. It would've been a consumption tax, and y'all did a great job fixing it. So I'll be happy to vote for the bill. Thanks, Mr. President. Well, there you go. Bipartisan support here. Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure?

[7:55:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28502s) Hearing none. All those who agree- ... to the House substitute on SB 285 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[7:55:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28533s) So, the Pro Tem has been kind enough to, uh, provide y'all with dinner in the Annie Room. We're gonna go according to the senator from the 13th. It's, it's pretty good. So, um, we're not gonna take a break. We're just gonna keep plugging through these things, and y'all just go in there and eat at your pleasure. But we wanna go ahead and get through as many bills as we can, 'cause I know the guys across the hall will be whining come Monday about, "Oh, my bill hadn't done this and that," and all that stuff.

[7:56:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28564s) So we're gonna knock out as much as we can. Then we'll probably adjourn early on Sunday dine.

[7:56:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28575s) Where's Bloomstein? Where is he? Is he at the Braves game? Is he at the Braves game? I bet he is.

[7:56:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28587s) Only the, only the good media folks are still here right there, so.

[7:56:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28594s) On the passage of the SB 285, the yays are 46, the nays are zero. And this bill...

[7:56:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28609s) Recognize the senator from the 54th.

[7:56:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28615s) Mr. President, I move that s- Senate agree to House Bill substitute to s- Senate Bill 485.

[7:57:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28625s) Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 45 by Senators Payne of the 54th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10A of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to examination regarding professional counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists so as to authorize applicants for a license in social work enrolled in a master's degree program to take the Master of Social Work Licensing Examination in their final semester of the program, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 45, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 10 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to barbers and cosmetologists so as to require that an applicant for a certificate of registration as a nail technician provides a photocopy of such applicant's driver's license or identification card with his or her application, to require that the holder of such certificate of registration provides a photocopy of such holder's driver's license or identification card upon a application for renewal of such certificate, and for other purposes.

[7:57:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28676s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[7:58:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28687s) Recognize senator from the 54th.

[7:58:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28703s) Thank you, Mr. President. Friends, if you'll remember, uh, when we passed Senate Bill 485, that was the bill that, uh, allowed for students in their final semester of a master's degree of social work to sit for their master of social work licensing examination in their last semester of school. Um, this bill comes back from the House, and they've added re- uh, in addition to require that nail technicians that don't own, and after July 1, 2028, any applicant or registration must present a real ID copy of their license as part of their application or renewal applications.

[7:58:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28736s) If there's any questions, I'll be glad to yield the floor.

[7:58:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28739s) I have no questions, Senator.

[7:59:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28741s) I ask for your favorable support.

[7:59:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28744s) Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Hearing none, all those in favor of SB 485 agreeing to the House substitute, vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[8:00:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28823s) On the agree to the House substitute, the yeas are 46, the nays are 0, and this motion has prevailed.

[8:00:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28843s) Recognize the majority leader.

[8:00:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28846s) Mr. President, I move the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 540.

[8:00:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28853s) Secretary, read the caption.

[8:00:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28855s) Senate Bill 540 by Senators Anavitarte, the 31st and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 39 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to online internet safety so as to require certain disclosures related to controversial AI services, to require the operators, operators of controversial AI services to take steps to limit certain actions related to minors by such systems, to require operators to provide certain privacy tools to users, to require operators to adopt a protocol for conversational AI services response to suicidal ideation or self-harm, to provide for enforcement by the Attorney General, to provide for exceptions, to provide for definitions, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[8:01:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28893s) Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 540, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 5 of Title 39 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to online internet safety so as to require certain disclosures re- related to AI companion chatbots, to require the operators of AI companion chatbots to perform age verification and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:01:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28913s) Recognize senator from the 31st.

[8:02:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28926s) Thanks, Mr. President. Senate Bill 540, just as a quick reminder, um, was our bill, uh, regarding artificial intelligence related to protecting children. Um, the House did some really good bipartisan work over there in, in terms of enhancing this bill around a few areas. Um, the House expanded protections around emotional manipulation and dependency and tightened language around enforcement, as well as allowed the Attorney General to create rules and publish guidance, uh, for the implementation.

[8:02:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28957s) One more notable thing that we did was we moved the effective date to July of '27, um, with all the, uh, federal and White House, uh, directives. Basically allows the federal government and Congress to develop an AI legislative and regulatory framework this year, and the timeline gives innovators time to come into compliance while also preserving the General Assembly's ability, uh, to revisit the law next session if there's any sort of federal action that creates a conflict or requires adjustments, um, between now and next year.

[8:03:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=28991s) Georgia can lead AI without compromising innovation, and this bill will ensure that we remain competitive in the AI race while making it clear that protecting children comes first. So I ask for your unanimous support, uh, support. Mr. President, yield the floor.

[8:03:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29007s) Is there any other senator who wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. All those in favor on agreeing to House substitute of SB 540 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[8:04:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29085s) On the passage of the bill, the yeas are 44 and the nays are 1, and this...

[8:05:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29105s) Recognize the senator from the 25th.

[8:05:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29109s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 543.

[8:05:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29118s) Recognize the secretary.

[8:05:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29124s) Senate Bill 543 by Senator Williams of the 25th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend an act creating the Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for Butts County, approved February 24th, 1941, as amended so as to provide that the Board of Commissioners shall only be required to read an ordinance, resolution, or other matter before the board at one meeting prior to the adoption of such ordinance, resolution, or other matter, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 543, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act creating the Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for Butts County, approved February 24th, 1941, as amended so as to provide that the Board of Commissioners shall not be required to read an ordinance, resolution, or other matter before the board at more than one meeting, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[8:06:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29167s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:06:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29174s) Recognize the senator from the 25th.

[8:06:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29180s) What are you doing in my hometown here? I heard Butts County in there.

[8:06:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29186s) Our people, Mr. President.

[8:06:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29187s) Yes, sir. Excuse me. A little local legislation for Butts County Board of Commissioners. This, uh, we passed it out as local legislation and it went through, and then they realized that there was some mistakes that happened in the drafting through legislative council, so it was amended in the house and sent over for us to agree. I ask for your favorable consideration.

[8:06:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29214s) You have no questions, Senator.

[8:06:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29215s) Thank you.

[8:07:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29220s) Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. All those in favor of agreeing to house substitute on SB 543 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, enlighten the machine.

[8:08:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29316s) On the agreeing to house substitute of SB 543, the yays are 47, the nays are 0.

[8:08:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29329s) Recognize the senator from the 48th.

[8:08:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29332s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate agree to the house substitute to Senate Bill 570.

[8:09:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29343s) Secretary, read the caption.

[8:09:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29344s) Senate Bill 570 by Senator Still of the 48th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 21 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to rights, duties, and liabilities of innkeepers so as to provide for a required human trafficking training program for inns and short-term rental properties, to provide for definitions, to provide for training policies and procedures, to provide for the retention of certain records, to provide for limitations, to provide for penalties, to provide an effective date, to provide a short title, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 570, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 21 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to rights, duties, and liabilities of innkeepers so as to provide for a h- required human trafficking training program for inns and short rental properties, and for other purposes.

[8:09:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29384s) Mr. President, I complete the order.

[8:09:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29385s) Recognize the senator from the 48th.

[8:09:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29399s) Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, Senate Bill 570. This bill that passed unanimously about three weeks ago, and this is our human trafficking training program for innkeepers, short-term rentals. The bill is almost the same as when we passed it. The only addition in the language is if you're looking at the pink version of the bill, starts on line 85, where we have added an exclusion for short-term rentals of private homes that are rented for less than 15 days.

[8:10:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29438s) This accounts for specialty events when people wanna lease their home as a, a one-time event per year that might happen to be in their backyard, perhaps an event that plays a little golf that might be happening next week in the senator from the 24th's backyard. And, uh, so this is just in consideration of that, make sure we, uh, we don't capture anybody, uh, in any unintended way. This is a great bill. This, uh, tries to help keep our state safer and continue to ensure that we are doing all that we can to eradicate the horrible, horrible sin of human trafficking in our state.

[8:11:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29476s) Happy to take any questions.

[8:11:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29479s) Recognize the senator from the 19th.

[8:11:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29481s) Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, you yield?

[8:11:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29483s) I do.

[8:11:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29484s) I understand what you're doing. I appreciate it here, and thank you for your work on human trafficking. Just wanna make sure you realize that, and make sure it was intentional, that now every short-term rental property will have to post the National Human Trafficking Po- Hotline number in every Airbnb and FRBA?

[8:11:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29504s) If they are rented for less than 15 days per year, they will not. If, so if it's a specialty event, if, if someone is using their home for a rental property, yes, they will have to if the, if the home is continuously being used for that. That is the intention, yes.

[8:12:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29522s) No more questions.

[8:12:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29523s) Thank you. I yield the floor.

[8:12:05](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29525s) Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure?

[8:12:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29531s) Chair hearing none.

[8:12:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29535s) The senators move that we agree to Senate Bill 570 as the House, with the House substitute. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, enlighten the machine.

[8:13:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29617s) On the agree to the House substitute, the yays are 38 and the nays are six, and the Senate has agreed.

[8:13:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29627s) Recognize the senator from the sixth.

[8:13:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29631s) Should I tell Tillery to pray his mates when we get rescued? It's like letting them know.

[8:13:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29635s) Recognize the senator from the sixth.

[8:13:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29638s) Where's Brass?

[8:14:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29642s) The Chairman of Rules.

[8:14:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29650s) There he is.

[8:14:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29656s) Mr. President, I move that Senate Bill 293 be lifted from the table.

[8:14:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29665s) Wrong, wrong one. Wrong one, s- senator. Try again.

[8:14:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29673s) 293.

[8:14:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29676s) You're agreeing to it, Senator

[8:14:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29681s) Mr. President, I withdraw that emotion. Motion. And I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 293 as amended by Amendment 1. You've been training that, the senator from the 18th, haven't you?

[8:15:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29702s) That's why he, he's messing up. Well, he didn't. He's looking for his notes. Mr. Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 293 by Senators Anderson of the 24th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 40-2-85.1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to license plates for certain veterans so as to increase the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 293, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to motor vehicles and traffic so as to revise penalties for certain offenses relative to license plates, revalidation decals, def- temporary operating permits, certificates of registration, certificates of title, and for other purposes.

[8:15:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29741s) Mr. President, Senators Brass of the 6th District offer the following amendment. Amendment 1, amend the substitute to Senate Bill 293 by replacing line five with the following: Employees to revise fees for manufacturer, manufacturer headquarters, distributor, and dealer license plates to provide for required materials and design of such license plate to amend and for other purposes. Mr. President, Senator Brass of the 6th District offers the following amendment, Amendment 1A. Amend the amend- amend the amendment to the substitute to Senate Bill 293 by replacing lines three and four with the following: Dealer license plates to provide for required material and design of such license plate, to provide for required material and design of a dealer's license plate, to provide for the issuance of annual permits by the Department of Revenue to operate unregistered motor vehicles upon highways of the state, to provide for conditions and limitations upon such operation, to provide for application requirements, to provide for violations and pun- punishment, to provide for authority to suspend or revoke such permits, to authorize collection of a fee for such permits, to provide for authority and for other purposes.

[8:16:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29790s) Mr. President, that completes the order. Senator from the 14th, what purpose do you rise? Mr. President, I, I mean, take this as a point of order or parliamentary inquiry or whatever have you. Um, I'm dying to know how the rules chairman wants to amend this substitute, and so I would ask that we get some sort of a maybe standing at ease or some process by which we could receive Amendment 1 to SB 293 substitute. I think they're en route right now, Senator. They're in the book. They're in the book?

[8:17:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29821s) Se- Th- this is the type of robust conversation I was looking for. Thank you, Senator from the 6th.

[8:17:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29830s) Senator, Chairman of Rules, come on.

[8:17:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29840s) It's in your book.

[8:17:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29844s) Thank you, Mr. President. And Senator from the 14th, you're exactly right. The amendments are in the book. They have been in that book since you walked in this chamber at 10:00 AM. So- He, he just opened it. And the reason I know that, 'cause I went to get copies of them earlier, and I was told that they were in the book. So, Senate Bill 293, this was originally a license plate bill for veterans and, uh, was changed over in the House, and it has emerged as a used car industry, uh, plate bill.

[8:18:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29886s) So simply what it does, and these are the, we're talking about these tags that dealers receive. And so we're, we're doing some things. There's been some abuse, especially since COVID, around these dealer plates, and so we're trying to clean it up a little bit. So we're simply increasing the bond amount from 35,000 to 50,000, increasing criminal penalties. We're limiting the use of the dealer plates to six months per vehicle. We're requiring dealers' plates to be metal and stamped.

[8:18:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29918s) If you remember back in the old days when the, um, when we used to have prisoners make our plates, that's essentially what these would be, those old metal ones. We're requiring the Department of Revenue to report to the General Assembly, uh, any concerning activities of fraud, and we're sub- this subjects the Used Car Dealer Board to the Administrative Procedures Act. This brings more transparency and oversight, and this gives the Department of Revenue the authority to investigate used car dealers.

[8:19:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29951s) Now to the amendments. The amendments. Amendment 1 is simply because we, uh, we're going from a paper type license plate to a metal plate. We've thought that there would be an extra cost, and so I would like to increase the fee for that. So we're taking it from $62 to $80 to cover that cost and are requiring a payment of, instead of $12, taking that to 15. So that's Amendment 1.

[8:19:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=29982s) Amendment 1A. This is actually why I needed this bill and wanted to carry this bill. I've got a constituent back home, and there's probably a few others out there, um, that rebuild cars and rebuild motors for a living. And if you think about a car, uh, that's been sitting in a barn for several years or just has been out of, out of use for several years, it may not be tagged, it may not be titled, and so this allows them to get a temporary tag so that as they rebuild that motor, they can, um, they can test drive it.

[8:20:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30021s) We took, I worked with the Department of Revenue on this. We took language from the specialty tags that overweight trucks have to obtain, and it's very similar in structure in how they do it. And so, uh, 1A covers their, uh, the insurance that they would need to cover it. It covers the bond, all that stuff. So it is, and it's simply a temporary tag for them to be able to test drive these vehicles. So that is the bill. That is the amendments. And I will-

[8:20:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30050s) I can yield the well. You do have a couple questions. Recognize Senator from the 19th. Sure do. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, do you yield? I will yield for the senator- Lines ... from the 19th. Lines 319 through 320, it looks like these license plates will have to be metal, have raised text and raised designs. Senator, I don't think our current license plates have the raised text or raised designs anymore. It, uh, I'm hearing they don't. Are we- They don't ... good with that language? They don't. This is a, this is a specialty tag that there is...

[8:21:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30083s) And, and part of the problem, part of the reason there is extra fraud going on is because they are not raised, they are not metal, and it's very easy to duplicate these tags, and that is the reason we are moving to, uh, to this process and this new tag. Thanks. Great question, but I thought I said that earlier. I'm like the senator from the 51st, I didn't hear it in committee . Yeah, no further questions, Senator. All right. Well, Mr. President, colleagues, I urge your favorable consideration of Senate Bill 293, and please accept amendments 1 and 1A, and let's get it back to the House.

[8:22:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30121s) Recognize the senator from the 14th. We're getting there, Senator. We're getting there.

[8:22:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30133s) Mr. President, there are limits to compromise. I wanna articulate those limits briefly. I love the bill. I love amendment 1. I have to draw the line at amendment 1A. And don't get me wrong, the senator from the 6th and I have done great wondrous things in late hours of legislative days. Why, the senator from the 6th and I legalized bare-knuckle boxing together a few years ago through exactly this process. And so why am I turning my back on the senator from the 6th in this moment of a late hour in amendments?

[8:22:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30164s) Because I think it's dangerous to have unregistered cars, rebuilt cars, after they've been totaled, by the way. These are cars that might have been completely totaled, ruled that way for insurance purposes, that again, there are some businesses that rebuild them. What this 1A would do, this amendment, is it would allow rebuilt cars to drive on our highways. And folks, as folks who care about public safety in here, I just don't think that that's safe, and I think that some things do deserve a committee process.

[8:23:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30194s) With that, Mr. President, I'll yield the well.

[8:23:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30203s) Senator, would you like to close?

[8:23:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30215s) We bring amendments like this all the time because it affects very few people, but it does affect people. These are bills that, that are tough to get through committee 'cause we lack time, and we lack time 'cause we have people that come down to this microphone and they like to talk. And then they like to talk some more. And I'm one of them. I like to talk. I like to filibuster. But at the end of the day, 1A is a g- is a good bill, a, a good amendment.

[8:24:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30249s) It will, it will serve a few people and it will do a good job. Thank you.

[8:24:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30260s) Senator from the, senator from the 26th, you've, uh, you've rebuilt some cars in your day, hadn't you?

[8:24:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30267s) That's what I thought.

[8:24:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30273s) He didn't have to have one in Bibb County.

[8:24:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30278s) The question is on the adoption of amendment number 1A, adoption of amendment 1A. Is there objection? Objection. And we have objection. All those in favor of amendment 1A, authored by the chairman from the 6th. All those in favor will vote yay, all opposed nay. Secretary, alight the machine.

[8:26:06](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30366s) Question is on adoption of amendment 1A. The yays are 43, the nays are 3, and this amendment has prevailed.

[8:26:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30380s) Now the question is on amendment 1.1, as amended. Is there objection? Hearing none, amendment 1.1, as amended, is...

[8:26:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30392s) So we're now voting on the underlying bill, Senate Bill 293, agree into the House substitute, as amended. All those in favor will vote yay, all opposed nay. Secretary, alight the machine.

[8:27:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30465s) On SB 293, agree into the House substitute, as amended. The yays are 41, the nays are 2, and Senate has agreed.

[8:27:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30477s) Recognize the senator from the 48th. Thank you, Mr. President. I move the Senate agree to the House amendment to the Senate substitute to House Bill 750. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 750 by Representatives Cox of the 28th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend an act to create the State Court of Forsyth County, approved April 15th, 1996, as amended, particularly by an act approved May 1st, 2002, so as to add a judge to the court to provide for related matters to appeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[8:28:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30511s) Senator Williams of the 25th and- The House offers the following amendment. Oh, the House offers the following amendment. Amend the Senate substitute to House Bill 750 by replacing lines one through the end with the following, to amend an act to create the State Court of Forsyth County, approved April 15th, 1996, as amended, particularly by an act approved May 1st, 2002, so as to add a judge to the court to provide for related matters to appeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:28:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30534s) Recognize this, mm, senator from the 48th.

[8:29:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30541s) Thank you, Mr. President. Sound like you had a frog in your throat there, sir. You might have slipped in your voice talking too much today, trying to get work done when the House is not. But, uh, here we are finishing up the drill on a bill that, uh, that didn't make it across the finish line three hundred and sixty-three days ago. This is adding a third state court judge to Forsyth County.

[8:29:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30571s) This is, uh, a unanimous, uh, resolution bill from the Board of Commissioners, from the House delegation, from the Senate delegation, and I know y'all have probably never heard that there's any drama in Forsyth County, but let me assure you this has had plenty. The senator from the 27th and I have, uh, taken a lot of blistering on this one, so we're glad to get this done. This will, uh, ensure that the county is gonna be able to add this third judge to handle all the people moving to the great Forsyth County, uh, area, and, um, ask your favorable consideration.

[8:30:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30609s) And on a final note, I just want to say for the record that I miss the days when Chairman Todd Jones would bring the Senate delegation and the House delegation together to solve these matters together, and hopefully we can get that back together again one day. Thank you. I yield.

[8:30:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30628s) Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Hearing none. All those in favor of agreeing to the House amendment to the Senate substitute on HB 750. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[8:31:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30712s) On the agree to House Bill 750 to the Senate substitute, the ayes are forty-seven and the nays are zero, and the Senate has agreed.

[8:32:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30727s) Recognize the senator from the 45th.

[8:32:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30733s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 10.

[8:32:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30739s) Secretary, read the caption.

[8:32:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30741s) Senate Bill 10 by Senators Goodman of the 8th and others.

[8:32:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30747s) Dixon.

[8:32:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30748s) Hmm?

[8:32:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30750s) You want to refine your motion as amended.

[8:32:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30752s) Oh, thank you.

[8:32:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30754s) Sorry.

[8:32:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30754s) Mr. President, I left a key part out, as amended.

[8:32:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30758s) As amended? Okay.

[8:32:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30759s) Yes, sir.

[8:32:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30762s) Senate Bill 10 by Senators Goodman of the 8th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Code Section 15-6-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the number of judges of superior court so as to provide for an additional judge for the Superior Court of the Alafafa Judicial Circuit, to provide for related matters, to provide for an effective date, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes. Mr. President, the House offers the following substitute to Senate Bill 10, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to courts so as to pr- provide for superior court judicial officers in certain judicial circuits, to provide for the appointments, qualifications, terms, duties, and employment status of such judicial officers, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[8:33:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30797s) Mr. President, Senator Dixon of the 45th District offers the following amendment, amendment one. Amend the House substitute to Senate Bill 10 by replacing lines one through the end with the following: To amend Code Section 20-2-268.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to facilities grants for charter schools, propo- purposes for which grants may be used, upkeep of charter school property, and availability of unused facilities so as to revise provisions relating to the use of unused facilities by charter schools and charter school petitioners, to provide for negotiations between local boards of education and charter schools and charter school petitioners, to provide for conditions on such use or purchase of unused facilities, to provide for appeals and petitions, to revise the definition, to provide for an effective date and appli- applicability, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[8:33:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30837s) Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:33:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30839s) It is.

[8:34:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30842s) Recognize the senator from the 45th.

[8:34:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30854s) We got about four more.

[8:34:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30861s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Senate colleagues, I bring before you Senate Bill 10. This was the, originally the senator from the 8th's legislation. Um, the House removed that legislation, added legislation dealing with judges, um, in a judicial circuit of 15 or more judges. We, we've removed that language, and we've added language in to help with, uh, charter schools, uh, dealing with, uh, unused buildings and them being able to purchase them or lease them to have access for additional classrooms. Be happy to answer any questions, Mr.

[8:34:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30892s) President.

[8:34:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30894s) You have one question. Recognize the senator from the 38th.

[8:34:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30899s) Thank you, Mr. President. Does the gentleman yield?

[8:35:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30901s) I do.

[8:35:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30902s) Is it not true that one of the biggest hurdles that charter schools across the state face, uh, is access to facilities?

[8:35:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30910s) That is true, Senator.

[8:35:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30911s) Okay.

[8:35:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30911s) Uh, it is one of their biggest challenges.

[8:35:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30913s) Thank you. And is that the aim of this, uh, bill, to make it a little bit easier for them to have access, that facilities that were not normally used for educational purposes, to hopefully give them access to educate students, uh, in these buildings?

[8:35:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30929s) That is correct. That is exactly what the bill does. And if you remember Senate Bill 498 that we voted on earlier this year, it, it allows for access for revolving lines of, of credit to buy buildings or remodel them. It is one of the biggest hurdles for our charter schools is having facilities or remodeling those facilities. And every time they do it, uh, they're pulling money out of the classroom, so these two bills will help keep money in the classroom.

[8:35:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30951s) That's right. Thank you.

[8:35:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30952s) Thank you, Senator.

[8:35:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30954s) You have no further questions, Senator?

[8:35:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30956s) Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the well.

[8:35:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30958s) Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the amendment?

[8:36:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30964s) Senator has moved that the Senate agree to House substitute as amended on SB10. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[8:36:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=30990s) All do agree to the House substitute as amended.

[8:37:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31038s) The yays are 38 and the nays are seven, and the Senate has agreed. Recognize the senator from the 50th.

[8:37:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31052s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate agree to the House substitute to Senate Bill 553.

[8:37:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31058s) Secretary, read the caption.

[8:37:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31060s) Senate Bill 553 by Senators Hatchett of the 50th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 43 of the OCGA relating to professions and businesses so as to repeal Chapter 14 relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air con- contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors and enact a new Chapter 14 to amend Code Section 48-7-38 of the OCGA relating to deduction for payments to classified subcon- contractors, disclosure of tax returns, and maintenance of list of classified subcontractors so as to provide for a definition to provide for related matters to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[8:38:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31091s) Mr. President, the House offers the following substitutes. Senate Bill 553, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to professions and businesses so as to repeal Chapter 14 relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors and enact a new Chapter 14 to provide for the state Cotton Construction Industry Licensing Board and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:38:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31114s) Recognize senator from 50th.

[8:38:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31133s) Thank you, Mr. President. I bring to you Senate Bill 553. Passed this out unanimously. Went over to the House, made some slight changes just to allow a pathway for tier two low voltage utility contractors to get licensure. It passed unanimously out of the House. This is a governor's bill dealing with streamlining the licensing process for utility contractors, electricians, low voltage electricians, and HVAC, uh, contractors.

[8:39:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31167s) I'm happy to answer any questions, but I'd ask for favorable consideration.

[8:39:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31170s) You have no question, Senator.

[8:39:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31172s) Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

[8:39:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31173s) Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? All those in favor of agreeing to the House substitute on SB553 will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the ma-

[8:39:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31193s) We're almost done.

[8:39:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31194s) Yeah,

[8:40:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31209s) it's done.

[8:40:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31210s) Senator from the 6th, you're on deck.

[8:40:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31213s) I'm ready, baby. Hit a homer.

[8:40:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31248s) On the passes of SB553 on agreeing to the House substitute, the yays are 46 and nays are zero, and the Senate has agreed. Secretary, read House Bill 1275.

[8:41:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31270s) Sorry, recognize senator from the 6th.

[8:41:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31273s) Mr. President, I move that HB 1275 be lifted from the table.

[8:41:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31279s) Secretary, read House Bill 1275.

[8:41:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31282s) House Bill 1275 by Representatives Newton of the 127th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2, Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical practice so as to ensure that stem cell therapies are used to advance medical treatments and improve patients' outcomes in an ethical manner that does not involve stem cells derived from aborted fetuses, to provide for definitions, to provide for the designation of a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, to provide for certain requirements and patient protections, to provide for notice, to provide for consent, to provide for certain exceptions, to provide for the use of Georgia facilities, to provide for related matters, to provide for legislative findings to repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[8:41:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31317s) Is there objection? Hearing none. Secretary Finch. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Health and Human Services recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson, the first district chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services offers the following substitute to House Bill 1275, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to medical practices to ensure that human stem cell therapies are used to advance medical treatments and improve patient outcomes in an ethical manner that does not involve human cells derived from aborted fetuses, to provide for definitions, to provide for the designation of a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, to provide for certain requirements and patient protections, to provide for notice and for other purposes.

[8:42:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31355s) Mr. President, that completes the order. Recognize Senator from the sixth.

[8:42:45](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31365s) Bring it home. Bring it home. Thank you, Mr. President. This bill authorizes physicians as well as physician assistants and nurse practitioners that are designated by a physician to perform non-FDA approved human stem cell therapies. I'll yield for questions. Thank you. Any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. All those in favor of House Bill 1275.

[8:43:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31428s) Questions on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objections to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objections to the report of committee which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is a- agreed to. Is there objections to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill vote yay. All opposed nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[8:44:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31484s) On the passage of the bill, the yeas are 48 and the nays are zero. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed by substitute. Recognize the senator from the fourth.

[8:44:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31498s) Mr. President, I ask that House Bill 1107 be removed from the table.

[8:45:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31502s) Secretary, read the caption.

[8:45:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31504s) House Bill 1107 by Representative Rice of the 139th and others.

[8:45:40](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31540s) A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Part 10 of Article 17 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to professional standards so as to require the Professional Standards Commission to develop and report annual performance measures that evaluate the performance of each educator preparation provider in the state. To provide for minimum contents of the EPP performance measures. To provide for definitions. To provide for a short title. To provide for related matters. To repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[8:46:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31567s) Is there objection? Hearing none. Secretary, finish the caption.

[8:46:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31570s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Education and Youth recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hickman of the Fourth District. Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:46:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31578s) Recognize the senator from the fourth.

[8:46:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31586s) Thank you, Mr. President. This is another great education bill. House Bill 1107 is called the Excellent Teacher Preparation Act. This strengthens educator preparation in Georgia and continues this legislator's work to ensure our teacher pipeline remains strong, effective, and aligned with classroom needs. This bill establishes uniform statewide performance measures for educator preparation programs through Georgia Professional Standards Commission beginning the year 2027.

[8:46:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31617s) These measures evaluate completion rates, certification pass rates, job placement, teacher retention, employer satisfaction, teacher effectiveness, and student outcomes, ensuring new teachers enter Georgia classrooms fully prepared for success. House Bill 1107 also improves workforce alignment by using graduate and employer feedback and performance data to better connect teachers' training programs with district hiring needs, making preparation responsive to real classroom demands.

[8:47:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31649s) Just as importantly, this legislation is a ro- result of strong collaboration among the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the University System of Georgia, the Governor's Honors, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement. Together, these partners align this framework with the, with the Literacy Act and math initiatives already passed by General Assembly, ensuring teacher preparation reflects evidence-based instructional practices. House Bill 1107 strengthens accountability, increases transparency, and supports teacher readiness and long-term retention through data-driven improvement.

[8:48:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31687s) I respectfully ask for your favorable, favorable consideration for House Bill 1107. Please vote green. And Mr. President, I yield the will.

[8:48:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31698s) Senator has yielded. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[8:49:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31790s) On the passage of the bill, the yeas are 49, the nays are 0. This bill, having received requisite constitutional majority, is therefore passed. Recognize the senator from the 48th.

[8:50:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31802s) Thank you, Mr. President. I ask that we lift House Bill 583 from the table.

[8:50:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31809s) Secretary, read the caption.

[8:50:11](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31811s) House Bill 583 by Representatives Glaze of the 67th and others. A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 40-2-85 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to the license plates for certain veterans so as to increase the number of free license plates issued to certain veterans. To provide for related matters. To repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes.

[8:50:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31829s) Is there objection? Hearing none. Secretary, finish.

[8:50:32](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31832s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Ethics recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Watson of the 11th District. Chairman. Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Ethics offers the following substitute to House Bill 583. A bill to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 8 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to sales and use taxes so as to prohibit the use of special district mass transportation sales and use taxes for the provision of free or reduced fares for public transit services. To provide for time limits upon the recalling of an election for approval of special districts for transit purposes, sales and use tax within non-attainment areas upon failure to approve.

[8:51:03](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31863s) To provide for related matters. To repeal conflicting laws and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[8:51:09](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31869s) Recognize the senator from the 48th.

[8:51:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31885s) Thank you. Thank you. Um, colleagues, House Bill 583 addresses an issue that really only pertains to Metro Atlanta non-attainment areas. It revises Georgia law and transit SPLOST funding in elections because it focuses on restricting fund usage and limiting repeat referendums. You see, what happens is that In some of the counties, they like to use that SPLOST money year after year after year to try to keep convincing voters that they need to support these.

[8:51:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31918s) And what this bill does, very simply, is it says that a failed transit SPLOST cannot be retried for eight years. So it gives them, the voters, time to cool down, gives everyone time to rest, reevaluate what they need to do. So this protects taxpayer dollars. It keeps the funds focused on long-term infrastructure instead of big marketing campaigns. It prevents misuse. It stops diverting dollars to ongoing operational subsidies.

[8:52:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31951s) And it respects voters. It ends repeated ballot attempts year after year of rejection. And it promotes investment. It prioritizes capital projects with lasting impact.

[8:52:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31968s) Passage of a transit referendum in one of these non-attainment areas means it will effectively never expire because the county commission can renew it after thirty years. In one metro county that I happen to represent, they were proposing a fifty-year, a five-decade transit plan that voters rejected three years in a row.

[8:53:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=31994s) This is the type of common sense legislation that we need to make sure that we keep our SPLOST dollars focused on what they were intended. Thank you. I yield the will.

[8:53:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32010s) Senator has yielded the will. Recognize the senator from the thirty-ninth.

[8:53:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32028s) Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in opposition to this bill. At its core, this legislation does two things, and both of them move us in the wrong direction when it comes to the future of transit in Georgia. First, it tells communities how they are allowed to use their own transit dollars. Today, when voters approve a transit SPLOST, um, they are investing in a system that works for their community, roads, rails, buses, but also access, because transit is not just about infrastructure.

[8:54:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32059s) It's about whether people can actually use it. This bill would prohibit the use of those funds for free or reduced fares, which may sound like a small policy change, but it's not, because for many Georgians in this metro area, that fare is the difference between getting to work or not, between making a doctor's appointment or missing it, between a student getting to school or falling behind. We're talking about seniors on fixed income, students trying to get to class, working families already stretched thin.

[8:54:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32092s) And what this bill says is even if your community wants to make transit more accessible, even if voters support it, the state knows better. That is a preemption, and it ignores a simple reality, which is that a transit system people can't afford to use is not a successful transit system. Second, this bill limits the voice of voters. If a transit referendum fails, communities would have to wait eight years before they can even bring the question back.

[8:55:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32123s) Eight years. Think about how much changes in eight years. Population growth, economic development, workforce needs, traffic patterns. We are essentially telling communities, "If you don't get it right the first time, you don't get another chance for nearly a decade." And that is not how responsive government should work. We should be encouraging communities to engage, to refine the proposals, and to come back to voters, not shutting the door on them.

[8:55:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32154s) And let's be honest about something else. This may be aimed at a few specific counties, but it may not stay there. It sets a precedent for the entire state, because once we start restricting how local communities can lose their own transportation dollars, once we start limiting when voters can reconsider their own decisions, we are reshaping the future of transit in Georgia. Colleagues, if we believe in local control, we should trust local voters.

[8:56:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32186s) If we believe in economic opportunity, we should support access to transit, not restrict it. And if we are serious about growth in this state, we should not be tying the hands of the very communities trying to plan for their future. This bill does the opposite, and for those reasons, I respectfully ask for your no vote, and I will yield unless there are questions.

[8:56:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32213s) Uh, you do have one question, Senator. Thank you. You do have one question, Senator. I do. Sorry, sorry about that. Recognize Senator from thirty-six. Yes. Uh, th- uh, thank you, Mr. President. Does, uh, uh, Senator yield? I do. Uh, Senator, you have a, a strong appreciation of the role of public transit. W- Would you, would you share your understanding of that with us?

[8:57:20](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32240s) So public transit, one, it, it, it, it, it is necessary in order for us to be able to have everybody be able to access opportunities. Unfortunately, not everybody can necessarily afford a car. Not everybody can afford to jump in an Uber every time they have to move around. And public transit absolutely serves a very important purpose, which is moving people around. Where are they going?

[8:57:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32270s) They are going to their jobs. They are going to school. They are also going to playtime, like going down to the, uh, stadium or going down to the, um, Mercedes-Benz to spend money. People have lots of different reasons for why they use it, but the point is it has to be there and be available for their use, whatever that range of option is. And Georgia happens to be one of the states, it is like the only state, I believe, in the nation that does not actually invest in its public transit system.

[8:58:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32304s) So we are already, um, needing to rely, our communities need to rely on the TSPLOST dollars. They need to be able to go to voters, and voters should have a say in whether it expands and what that looks like. But to be able to limit voters to that decision once every eight years when we know that this metro area is growing exponentially seems like we are really handcuffing voters instead of really coming back to them and allowing them to have a say so in what the future of transit looks like in this region.

[8:58:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32339s) Thank you, Senator. Um, have you heard much talk around town, and I don't care which town you're in, have you heard much talk around town that we've got too much traffic? That we've got a traffic issue? Every day. That we got problems in traffic? That we lost all this time sitting in traffic? Do you ever hear that? I hear that all the time. I myself have commiserated over that same thing, even if it's a, a Saturday at 1:30 in the afternoon.

[8:59:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32370s) That's right. And, and what, uh, to yield further, what could be the possible reason that somebody under this Gold Dome ever thought it was smart to limit local efforts to put transit options before the public- Before the public ... for them to have a say? I don't- What, what could possibly be behind that? It, it doesn't seem like very forward-thinking or strategic to limit what can happen around transit.

[9:00:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32402s) For whatever you think that is already the case, whether you think that it runs well or not, whether you believe in it or not, whether you use it yourself or not, what we know is that there are thousands and thousands of Georgians who rely on our public transit and others who more and more are starting to understand that this might be good in their own communities too. Exactly. Well, I, I, I appreciate your s- sounding the horn on this and, and, um, making a, a compelling argument for why w- we would be foolish or we would be viewed as foolish by the voting public to know that we were down here limiting their access to the ballot to make choices for their community around transit options.

[9:00:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32454s) Isn't that true? Yes. Amen to that. Thank you. You have no further questions, Senator? You have no more questions? No more. Okay, good. Thank you. Thank you. Isn't it, isn't it idiotic? I mean- Recognize Senator from the 10th.

[9:01:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32485s) Members of this body, I thought we were gonna have a, a nice slow, um, slide into the finish of today, but it certainly doesn't appear to be that way because, uh, this bill has been sprung on us. The reason why I wanna talk about this bill is that I'm a native Atlantan. I was born and raised in the city, and I'm not gonna tell you how many years ago, but let me tell you, it's been a long time ago, and I've seen the growth in the City of Atlanta. Uh, the author of the legislation refused to take questions, and I had several that I wanted to ask him.

[9:01:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32519s) But considering the fact that he yielded the will, there's no opportunity for me to ask him the questions, so I figured I'd come up here and just put those questions out, and hopefully I can get a response somewhere at some time. Hopefully I can get a response with a no vote on this legislation and kill it, because I believe it's gonna be detrimental to the City of Atlanta. Uh, one reason, one of the questions that I wanted to ask the senator to author this legislation is, what is the impact is MARTA is gonna have on a county that I currently represent is DeKalb County?

[9:02:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32556s) Uh, MARTA is a, is not just an Atlanta transit system. It's much more of a regional transit system. And if you limit the ability of the City of Atlanta to raise m- much needed revenue like it definitely needs, then that's gonna have an impact on the future expansion of MARTA, not just in Fulton County, but also in DeKalb County and Cobb County and some of the other surrounding counties as well. Another question that I wanted to ask the author of this legislation is, why eight years?

[9:03:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32590s) When you get up and make a statement and you introduce legislation that has a fixed amount of time in it, there should be some kind of explanation from the author of the legislation is why eight years. And I can tell you, uh, from DeKalb County

[9:03:26](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32606s) And from Henry County that I represent and working with the senator from the forty-second, we just recently passed the TSPLOST in Henry County. And we did that by working together as Republicans and Democrats because we realized that if we were gonna attract some federal dollars and if we were gonna attract some state dollars, that the local communities had to have some buy-in. And I believe that that TSPLOST that we authored in Henry County has gone exceptionally well, and we now see that we have future expansion on Interstate 75 because the State of Georgia saw that Henry County was now making an investment in its future.

[9:04:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32652s) And by putting a number of eight years, it's really difficult to say how is it that the City of Atlanta or any other county, by the way, or a city would be able to make the kind of needed investment to keep an engine certainly as large as Atlanta, which is the heartbeat of Georgia, running. Another question that I had for the author of this legislation is, this body has given a tremendous amount of tax credits and tax rebates to redevelop the Gulch.

[9:04:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32683s) That is a massive redevelopment, particularly those of us that has served on the Economic Development Committee. We spent an entire summer discussing the projects that's been, that's coming up out of the ground and the redevelopment of the Gulch in Atlanta. How is it that we now can say after committing to that kind of redevelopment and tax dollars and tax abatements for, to, to build that area up, that now we're gonna tighten the reins around Atlanta by saying you can now not have a SPLOST or a TSPLOST if one actually fails.

[9:05:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32719s) That really doesn't make any sense to me. That's another question that I'd like to get from the sponsor of this legislation.

[9:05:29](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32729s) City of Atlanta just attracted a mega attraction in FIFA, but that's just one of the many sports teams that this city is going to attract, not just FIFA, but if you talk and interact with the Blank Foundation, you can see that there's plans for many, many others to come to the City of Atlanta.

[9:05:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32749s) The question that I'd like to ask the sponsor of this legislation is, what impact is our ability to attract these kind of international, and I really do mean international attractions to the city when you've put a ring around the city and tightened the noose around, the noose around its neck. By the way, I hate to use that description, but that's what I think is happening here. You're choking off the lifeline and the bloodline of the city by limiting its ability to raise money using TSPLOST and SPLOST and some of these other economic vehicles.

[9:06:23](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32783s) And I would ask that those of us that are still present here vote no on this legislation simply because there's too many unanswered questions, and I don't think the author of this legislation, the sponsor's willing to come back to the well and explain some of these questions and what their response would be. And Mr. President, I would kindly ask that this body vote down this legislation until such time we can get some studies and some of the responses to the questions that have been asked.

[9:06:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32814s) And for that, I yield the well.

[9:06:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32817s) Senator's yielded. Recognize senator from the thirty-seventh.

[9:07:14](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32834s) Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, Senate, I rise today to address some of the issues raised by the senator from the tenth and address why this is such important legislation. This is a classic case of concentrated benefits and decentralized costs. What we have here is you've got a citizen base that's gonna potentially be taxed for twenty years, thirty years, or more years. And when citizens get together as they have many times in the past and voted so- voted a proposal like this down, what happens?

[9:07:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32870s) If citizens get together with limited funds, limited organization to try to stop something, that in the case of a previous regional SPLOST effort raised eight million dollars, eight million dollars of private sector money raised by people who would benefit directly from these, the, the, the concentrated benefits of transit to sell the public on an idea that, that was, was, was, was very focused and only citizen groups could organize against.

[9:08:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32902s) How many times should the citizens have to vote something like this down? If a proposal for a thirty-year tax, not a four-year tax, but a thirty-year tax that would span the term of seven county commission or city council, um, terms, a thirty-year tax. If they propose it, the citizens vote it down and say, "We don't want it." Should they be able to come back in a year or two years if it fails a second time? They raise the money, bring it back another time, and again, and again, and again.

[9:08:57](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32937s) How many times do citizens have to vote a well-funded, focused, multimillion dollar campaign to spend millions of dollars that would raise billions of dollars of revenue? How many times should citizen groups have to organize to stop it? It comes again, and again, and again. Friends, this is like a vampire movie. The citizens fight something back they don't want, but it resurrects itself and comes back. They fight it down, it comes back again, and again, and again.

[9:09:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=32970s) All this bill does, it gives citizens the respect that if they're asked to fund a ten-year, twenty-year, thirty-year tax, at some point they should get a reprieve. Citizens are organizing themselves with their own, in their own neighborhoods with, with, with, without billion-dollar development groups funding them or infrastructure groups who are gonna benefit from design and construction funding them. These concentrated benefits, decentralized cost.

[9:10:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33002s) How many times does grandma in the outer rim of a suburb have to organize to say no, and no means no? This isn't saying you're gonna have to wait eight years for a four-year tax. This isn't even saying you're gonna have to wait eight years to vote again on an eight-year tax. This is a twenty or thirty-year tax. If it passes by 50% plus one, locks them in for a generation. Locks people in for 30 years of paying.

[9:10:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33036s) Should they be able to come back if it fails once? Should they be able to come back the next year, and the next year, and the next year? When are we respecting our voters' voice adequately? This is a balanced proposal. This doesn't deal with a s- a short splosh referendum. This deals with a long-term referendum that purports to take, or proposes to take billions of dollars from citizens. This is a balanced proposal. The proposal says that if you're gonna, if you're gonna have a tax that spans multiple terms of office, the wait should span two terms of office.

[9:11:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33070s) That's all it says. It's balanced, it's focused, it's appropriate, and it's respectful to the voice of our citizens that when they organize and say no, millions of dollars of capital should not be able to organize against them to sell them the next year and the next year until they finally say yes, they can be locked in for a generation. That's what this bill's about. It's a very simple proposal. The citizens say no to a multi-ye- decade tax, there ought to be a reasonable period of time in which they don't have to organize again to stop it again, and again, and again.

[9:11:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33107s) With that, Mr. President, I urge all members to support House Bill 583.

[9:11:53](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33113s) Senator's yielded. Recognize the senator from the ninth.

[9:12:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33128s) Real quick, I'm gonna make this brief. Um, bad bill. This is a bad bill. HB1377, it blocks innovation, it slows our growth, uh, it makes Metro Atlanta less competitive in all the ways you can think of. Uh, no business is even going to wanna relocate here when our state won't even let local voters modernize their own transit system. And this tells our fast-growing counties they gotta, they have to wait eight years to solve a problem that's growing every month.

[9:12:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33163s) We have a major traffic problem in this state, and Metro Atlanta needs to compete. We need to compete nationally for corporate headquarters, film and entertainment, tech hubs, logistics centers, high-skilled workers. We just voted, I think last week, to move Georgia clocks forward, but HB1377 would move our entire region backwards. This is bad policy, and you can't win national competition for a job when we are basing bills on a 20th century transit rule that would keep our state from progressing.

[9:13:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33204s) And with that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

[9:13:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33208s) Senator has yielded. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Does the senator from the 48th like to close? All right, Senator, floor is yours.

[9:14:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33244s) Misinformation is a heck of a thing. This bill does not impact at all single county TSPLOSTs. Does not impact regional TSPLOSTs. It does not affect one penny of the MARTA sales tax. What it does do, as the senator from the ninth pointed out, is it reminds us that Gwinnett County has held a transit referendum three times over the last seven years. And if we are to vote no on this, let's just keep it going.

[9:14:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33276s) Let's just go year after year after year, keep voting them up, keep wasting s- taxpayer dollars on something that the t- the, the voters and the residents don't want. The senator from the 37th made a great point. He said, "If you spend all this time and all this money doing this, you got a little cooling period for two cycles before you bring it up again." Time to reevaluate, time to decide. Maybe technology has changed.

[9:15:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33308s) Maybe we don't lock people into, as the senator from the 37th said, a generational tax. We all know that we live in a world where transportation changes daily. The cars we're driving today will not exist a year from now. In five years from now, who knows where rail will be?

[9:15:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33331s) Why are we wanting to vote no on something that locks people in for a minimum of three decades? In three decades, I don't think a single one of us will be sitting here. But if you vote no on this, whoever is sitting in your chair a decade from now, two decades from now, three decades from now, will still be wondering why we voted no and blocked this. Please vote yes. Let's get this done. Thank you.

[9:16:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33361s) Senator has closed. Previous question has been ordered. Questions on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on adoption of the committee... Questions on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay.

[9:16:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33391s) Opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[9:17:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33455s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 34 and the nays are 15, and this bill has passed.

[9:17:49](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33469s) Recognize the senator from the 51st. Applause, have mercy.

[9:17:56](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33476s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move that we move House Bill 1070 off the table. Secretary, read the caption. House Bill 1070 by Representative Hagan of the 156th and others, a bill to, uh, to be entitled an act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to income tax, imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits so as to increase and extend income tax credit for expenditures on the maintenance of railroad track owned or leased by Class III railroads to provide for related matters through conflicting laws for other purposes.

[9:18:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33507s) Is there objection? Hearing none. Secretary, finish the caption. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Finance recommends that this bill do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hufstetler of the 52nd District. Chairman, Mr. President, that completes the order.

[9:18:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33526s) Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Finance offers the following substitute to House Bill 1070, a bill to be entitled an act to amend Article 2, Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to income tax, imposition, rate, computation, exemptions, and credits so as to increase and extend an income tax credit for expenditures on the maintenance of railroad track owned or leased by Class III railroads to provide for related matters through conflicting laws for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[9:19:13](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33553s) Very good. Senator from the 51st.

[9:19:21](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33561s) Thank you, Mr. O'Gragan. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, House Bill 1070 is a simple bill. It's for infrastructure investment in Georgia. We currently have 26 short line railroads or Class III railroads predominantly scattered throughout Middle and South Georgia. We currently offer a tax credit for those Class III railroads to reinvest and do maintenance on their tracks. Currently, the tax credit is $3,500 per mile, that's per track mile, and this bill increases that to $5,000 per track mile, and it also extends the sunset for one year.

[9:19:59](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33599s) Happy to take questions or yield the well. Recognize the majority leader. Does the senator yield? I'll consider it. Go ahead, majority leader. Senator, can you explain to us why, why do we need to do this for the railroads? Well, if you've ever been railroaded, you would understand, Mr. Majority Leader. But no, the railroads are an important factor in economic development for Georgia, especially trying to move freight to and from our ports and up and throughout Central and North Georgia. And the more money we put in rail, the more freight we'll get off of our interstates and our secondary roads throughout our state.

[9:20:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33635s) So it's a very in- important investment in our rail system. All right, so you're saying we ought to vote with the, uh, the choo-choo trains, right? I would encourage you to s- stick with the, the Class III railroads. Good for economic development in all your rural counties. It's also good for the children because it's good for ag. Anything that's good for ag is good for the children, right, Mr. Chairman? Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. Recognize the senator from the 13th. I f- I feel a, I feel a train coming.

[9:21:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33667s) Senator, do you yield? Senator, ain't it true that, uh... I, I really appreciate this bill and it adds economic development to rural Georgia also with our short line rails, et cetera? Absolutely. There's, with these 26 short line rails that are owned by different entities, you can attract other industry to those communities because they have access to the short line rails, which will also have access to the Class I railroads throughout our state. And we're al- if you... Senator, do you yield? I do. And we're also hoping this bill will lead way to hopefully expanding the, uh, rails so the short lines can travel faster down the rails back and forth.

[9:21:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33699s) F- faster and safer and more dependable, that's correct. I appreciate the bill, Senator. Thank you. Thank you very much. You have no more questions, Senator. Thank you very much. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objections to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Questions on the adoption of the committee substitute. Is there objections to the adoption of the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee substitute is adopted. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to.

[9:22:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33730s) Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the passage of the bill by substitute. All those in favor of the bill, vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[9:23:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33804s) On the passage of the bill, the yays are 44 and the nays are three, and this bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed by substitute.

[9:23:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33822s) Bring it down, Senator from 48.

[9:23:44](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33824s) Thank you, Mr. President. Ask it that we fly House Bill 1230 from the table.

[9:23:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33832s) Secretary, read the caption.

[9:23:55](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33835s) House Bill 1230 by Representative Jones of the 25th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 1 of Title 6 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions regarding aviation so as to prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft systems over a place of incarceration, to provide for a definition, to provide for exceptions, to require posting of signs warning of such prohibition, to provide for violations and penalties, to declare much such system contraband, to provide for related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[9:24:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33864s) Is there objection? Hearing none, finish the caption.

[9:24:27](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33867s) Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Transportation recommends that this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Dolezal of the 27th District, Chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order.

[9:24:41](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33881s) Bring it down, Senator from the 40th.

[9:25:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33902s) It's my last bill of the day, I promise. Mr. President, I think we got a broken chair situation over at, uh, the senator from the 51st, so, uh- Broken chair. GBA, GBA to the rescue.

[9:25:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33922s) House Bill 1230 is exactly why we voted yes on the previous bill. I first learned about this from the mayor of our great city of Atlanta, who told me about a little problem that we have with drones. Drones making deliveries of food, cell phone, and drugs, and weapons to our jails here in Atlanta. Can you imagine that drones are flying over and making deliveries to inmates in jail?

[9:26:00](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33960s) They can bring anything to them they want. The key provision to this bill is that it prohibits drone activity over jails and prisons. It criminalizes the misuse of those. It establishes the penalties. It gives law enforcement authority to be able to use controlled means to take those drones out. It defines drones as contraband when they're used in that way. And it gives us statewide regulation updates.

[9:26:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=33995s) The FAA has given the states the air rights above places of incarceration, so we've already checked that box. This is critical to our goal to eliminate contraband deliveries. Second, it prohibits the operation of drones over places of incarceration for delivering contraband. It prohibits the operation of drones from adjacent and nearby properties from being able to improperly take video and use over places of incarceration.

[9:27:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34030s) Law enforcement will be empowered via this bill to utilize whatever tools they need to capture or disable the drone, so it's not gonna be an open fire exercise. I'm sorry, Senator from the 29th, we can't utilize firearms to take them out. I know that that was the amendment you were hoping for. But ultimately, PAC informed the General Assembly that there are a couple of hundred drone prosecutions occurring today based on our current law.

[9:27:42](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34062s) And the expectation, the number will go up five to 10X with the passage of this bill.

[9:27:51](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34071s) Colleagues, as you may be aware, and I'm sure you are, especially the senator from the 45th, that last Saturday was World Poetry Day. I know that's your thing. So in honor of that, I've prepared a few stanzas to bring your, to your attention a very serious matter facing Fulton County and our state.

[9:28:15](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34095s) You see, in the jail on Rice Street where tall fences grow, there was trouble above and much trouble below. The guards at the gate were as sharp as a tack, but the sneakiest sneaks found a way through the back. Not through a tunnel, not through a door, but flying through the air with a hum and a roar. The inmates were hungry. The inmates were sly. They looked for their dinner way up in the sky.

[9:28:46](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34126s) With a whir and a zoom and a beep and a blast, the contraband drone started flying quite fast. They carried tobacco. They carried some drugs. They carried some files for some jailbreaking thugs. But the strangest of all, and this part is true, was a bucket of crab legs for two. You cannot have crab legs in a jail. You cannot feast without your bail. We cannot let these drones win the day, but colleagues, I have found a new way.

[9:29:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34159s) With a zip and a zap, we'll use a jammer, so inmates cannot crack crabs open with a hammer. The drones will fall high from the sky with a twitch as we flip this no-fly zone switch. The signal will scramble. The rotors will stall.

[9:29:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34178s) The buttery sauce bounty will start a great fall. No biscuits, no clusters, no Old Bay delight, just gravity winning the Rice Street drone fight. The inmates will grumble, the inmates will groan as they watch their surf and turf fall down like a stone because crabs do not have wings and a jammer is the end of such contraband things. Thank you, senators. I yield the well.

[9:30:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34217s) Got some questions over here, senator.

[9:30:25](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34225s) Senator's yielding. Recognize the senator from the 13th. For what purpose do you rise? I won't.

[9:30:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34234s) All right, you waive. Thank you. Does any other senator wish to speak for or against the measure? Chair hears none. Is there objection to the previous question being ordered? Chair hears none. The previous question is ordered. Is there objection to agreeing to the reported committee, which is favorable to the pass of the bill? Chair hears none. The reported committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. Questions on the pass of the bill. All those in favor of the bill will vote yay, oppose nay. Secretary will unlock the machine.

[9:31:07](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34267s) Yes, senator from the 29th, for what purpose do you rise? Pa- parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Mr. President, is it not true that the, uh, author of the bill speaks as if he's very familiar with the jail on Rice Street?

[9:31:28](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34288s) Hey. Boo. Too soon, too soon. Uh, I think we got time for one more bill after that one, so.

[9:31:38](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34298s) Senator from the 50th, are you ready?

[9:32:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34337s) On the passes of the bill, the yays are 45 and the nays are zero. And this bill, having received the requisite, uh, constitutional majority is therefore passed.

[9:32:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34354s) All right, last one of the day here. Hey. Last one. Recognize the senator from the 50th. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that we remove House Bill F- 1185 from the table. Secretary, secretary read the caption. House Bill 1185 by Representative Strachan of the 104th and others, a bill to be entitled an act to amend titles 14 and 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to corporations, partnerships, and associations and courts respectively to provide for certain shareholder claims to be brought before the Georgia Statewide Business Court, to permit a corporation's bylaws or articles of incorporation to require certain claims to be heard by the Georgia Statewide Business Court, to provide for removal of certain claims to the Georgia Statewide Business Court, to provide for attorneys' fees and costs, to exempt payment of attorney, attorneys' fees and costs in certain situations, to provide for definitions, to provide for an effective date and applicability, to provide for re- related matters, to repeal conflicting laws, and for other purposes.

[9:33:30](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34410s) Is there objection? Hearing none, s- finish, Secretary finish caption. Mr. President, the Committee of the Senate on Judiciary recommends that this, this bill do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Strickland, the 42nd District chairman. Mr. President, Senator Tillery of the 19th District and others offers the following amendment to amend House Bill 1185 by adding, "Brought by a shareholder or member," after the word proceeding on line 22, by inserting reasonably between is and expected on line 154, by inserting reasonably between are and expected on line 156, by replacing the word shall with may on line 180, and for other purposes.

[9:34:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34444s) Mr. President, that completes the order. Recognize the senator from the 50th.

[9:34:17](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34457s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, this is a bill we had on the floor on Wednesday that was tabled, uh, due to some disagreements. We have reached a great compromise. That compromise is in amendment number four. This bill deals with our business court and the jurisdiction they have over certain cases. This is the governor's bill and I'd appreciate favorable consideration. I'm happy to answer any questions. You have one question.

[9:34:48](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34488s) No, no questions. Thank you, Mr. President. With that, I will yield the well.

[9:34:58](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34498s) Recognize the senator from the 14th. Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. S- uh, the senator from the 19th gets to speak to his amendment first. I apologize. No, no, no, no. I don't wanna go out of order.

[9:35:35](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34535s) We, we j- we want you to speak to four, amendment number four. Yeah

[9:35:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34543s) Please, sir, if you don't mind.

[9:35:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34550s) Senator from the 50th, as this goes a long time, you might as well forget about the last two days. That's it. Well, Mr. President, he won't be a floor leader any longer after this bill, so

[9:36:02](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34562s) he's on his own. He's, he's the longest serving floor leader in the history of the chamber. He's on his own. Uh, thank you, members of the Senate. Uh, amendment four is a compromise working with the longest serving floor leader in state Senate history, our friend, the senator from the 50th, and myself and the governor's office. We were able to come up with some language. You know, I had a strong problem with the possibility of one party consent possibly removing a lot of cases to business court.

[9:36:33](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34593s) If you look, we took on line 22 and added some extra language that says that these claims have to be brought by a shareholder or member, helping to tighten the definition of that, those entity claims. We also added the words reasonably in at several parts to deal with attorney's fees, and we also came down, really, if you get, strike on down through there a little bit more, remember I had some issues with this presumption that had been created where the, they struck the presumption that you were supposed to be tried in your own court, not business court.

[9:37:04](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34624s) We were able to add that pre- that, um, presumption back in on the bas- the very bottom part of this amendment on lines 358, 369, and 370. And, uh, we also helped tighten up the definitions as to internal entity claims. In short, let me give you the layman's version. If you are not a publicly traded company, or you are not one of these tier one companies or tier A companies, uh, sophisticated in investments, you're not going to be able to be drug to business court unilaterally. That's the is- the, the gist of the amendment.

[9:37:34](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34654s) Happy to take any questions, or Mr. President, if there are not, I will, uh, yield. You have no questions, Senator. Thank you so much. Uh, thanks all.

[9:37:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34670s) Go ahead, Senator. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. I need to, uh, make a motion to withdraw amendment three. Senate has moved to withdraw, withdraw amendment number three. Is there objection? Hearing none. Uh, senator from the 14th. Yes, and, uh, Mr. President. Mr. President, ask unanimous consent to withdraw amendment 3A.

[9:38:19](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34699s) 3A is gone.

[9:38:22](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34702s) He's 3, 3's gone. Senator from the 18th. Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for unanimous consent to move to withdraw amendment two. All right. Is that objection? Amendment two is withdrawn. Senator from the 19th. Thank you, Mr. President. It is with great honor that I ask we withdraw amendment one. Is there objection? Sen- amendment number one is withdrawn. All right.

[9:38:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34734s) Question is on amendment- question is on amendment number four,

[9:39:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34741s) authored by the- Oh, yeah. Does anybody else want to speak for or against this thing?

[9:39:12](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34752s) How did this thing get so far off the tracks when I wasn't here? I mean, this... Mm-mm.

[9:39:24](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34764s) All right. You want to come close? You can wave it.

[9:39:43](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34783s) Come on, close it out, baby. Close it out. Come on. I just wanna take this time to, uh, thank my partners for withdrawing their amendments. The last couple of days, we put our heads together and, uh, were able to come up with a very good bill. Can't hear me. And I think this will be good for business courts and business in the state of Georgia. With that, Mr. President, I'm happy to, uh, yield for questions. You do, you do, you do have one question. All right. Senator from the 19th. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, do you yield? I do. Is it not true that this is your last bill as a floor leader?

[9:40:16](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34816s) I believe, well, hopefully it's not my last bill, period. Uh, but, uh, as far as carrying administration bills, I think this is the last one of the session. Will the senator further yield? I will. Is it not true you've been a floor leader for the governor for four years now? I've actually been a floor leader for six years. Six years now. Would you, would you like to give a farewell speech right now? Will the senator further yield? I do. And is it not true that the governor has patented the phrase, "Keep chopping"? He has. And will the senator yield for one final question?

[9:40:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34847s) I know where this is going. Uh, yes, I will. Will the governor be able to keep chopping if he has now lost his hatchet? That's a good one. I will yield the will, Mr. President.

[9:41:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34868s) That was, that was good. I mean, we laugh at a lot of, like, poor jokes around here, but that was really good. That was funny. Question is on the adoption of amendment number four by the senator from the 19th. Is there objection? Yeah.

[9:41:31](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34891s) Are we being serious? Yeah. All right.

[9:41:36](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34896s) They're objecting. All those in favor of the amendment number four will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[9:42:01](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34921s) Senator from the 8th, what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. President. State your inquiry. Mr. President, is it not true that Number 4 amendment protects the little man in this state from getting drugged to Atlanta and getting sued? Senator knows what he speaks.

[9:42:47](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=34967s) On the adoption of the, of Amendment Number 4, the yeas are 37 and the nays are nine, and adoption number four, I mean, amendment number four has been adopted. All right, on to the bill. Is there objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which is favorable to the passage of the bill? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Is there objection to the main question being ordered? Chair hears none. The main question is ordered. The question is on the passage of the bill as amended. All those in favor will vote yay. All opposed, nay. Secretary, unlock the machine.

[9:44:18](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35058s) On the passage of the bill for the longest serving floor leader in the history of the State of Georgia, the yeas are 45, the nays are two. This bill has received the requisite constitutional majority. It is passed as amended.

[9:44:37](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35077s) Recognize the majority leader.

[9:44:39](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35079s) Mr. President, I move the Senate stand adjourned pursuant to H.R.998 till 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 31st.

[9:44:50](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35090s) Secretary, read the announcements.

[9:44:52](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35092s) Mr. President, there are no announcements.

[9:44:54](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35094s) No announcements. The majority leader has moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 31st. All those in favor of the motion, signify it by saying aye.

[9:45:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35108s) Aye.

[9:45:08](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35108s) All those opposed, no.

[9:45:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35110s) No.

[9:45:10](https://vimeo.com/1177100062#t=35110s) The ayes clearly have it. See you the... Have a great weekend.