Georgia CommonsHouse Rules Committee, March 31, 2026
2025-2026 Regular Session · 341 CAP · 28 min
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.
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Summary
Written by an AI model (gpt-6.1-sol) from the transcript. It is not part of the record, and the video is what was said.
The committee heard presentations on retirement changes in SB 261 and a revised version of SB 23. It approved the substitute for SB 23, then placed that bill and HR 713, HR 1007, SB 261, SB 431 and SB 591 on a second supplemental calendar. The chair asked for opposition to each action, and none was voiced.
Bills discussed (6)
Each account covers the stretch of the meeting it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda.
SB 261. Magistrates Retirement Fund; early retirement benefit; provide
From 0:24:18 · turns 2 to 24 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
The sponsor said the substitute would change the formula for calculating magistrate judges’ retirement allowances and allow members to contribute more, without requiring state money or additional funding. A committee member asked whether magistrates and the pension fund endorsed the bill, and the sponsor confirmed that they did. The member also asked about the fund’s funding level before and after the change. The sponsor said they believed it was 140% before and 126% afterward. Later, the committee placed the bill on the second supplemental calendar with no opposition voiced.
SB 23. Retirement; total percentage of funds that the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia may invest in alternative investments; raise the limit
From 0:25:35 · turns 11 to 22 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
The presenter said groups seeking to diversify retirement holdings had brought the bill forward. The presenter explained that the substitute added language barring investments in investment vehicles investing in single-family homes or residences, responding to members’ concerns about private equity and private debt investments in such housing. No questions followed. The committee approved the substitute with no opposition voiced and later placed it on the second supplemental calendar, also without voiced opposition.
HR 713. Healthcare providers; help promote 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; urge
From 0:26:59 · turns 16 to 18 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
The committee placed the resolution on the second supplemental calendar after a motion and second. No opposition was voiced, and there was no substantive discussion.
HR 1007. House of Representatives; effectiveness of arts for health initiatives in improving mental health outcomes; acknowledge
From 0:27:09 · turns 18 to 20 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
The committee placed the resolution on the second supplemental calendar after a motion and second. No opposition was voiced, and there was no substantive discussion.
SB 431. Education; enrollment of foster care students within two school days of a request for enrollment by such student's parent or legal custodian; require
From 0:27:39 · turns 24 to 26 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
The committee placed the bill on the second supplemental calendar after a motion and second. No opposition was voiced, and there was no substantive discussion.
SB 591. Offenses Against Public Order; the disruption of a religious service; prohibit
From 0:27:47 · turns 26 to 28 · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 4136
The committee placed the bill on the second supplemental calendar after a motion and second. No opposition was voiced, and there was no substantive discussion.
Official records of this meeting
- 2026 House Journal, pp. 3833 to 4241 (March 31, 2026)
Transcript
29 turns. Select a time to play that moment of the video.
- 0:23:57
Good evening, everybody.
- 0:24:07
We'll, we'll call the meeting to order, please. Okay. Sue Harbin, come on up and tell us what you got there.
- 0:24:18
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it. Thank you for opening up for us, uh, on, uh, two- 261. Basically, this is a magistrate judge bill. Does not take any state funds. It's all self-funded. But the substitute bill would change the formula for calculating the retirement allowances. And currently, members receive a benefit equal to four percent of their average final monthly benefits allowed in each se... The bill allows them to put more in, but does not require any, uh, state money or additional funding.
- 0:24:51
Okay. You have a question, Chairman Carson?
- 0:24:56
Thank you, Senator. Uh, is it not true that the, this bill, in regards to the magistrate's fund, is it not true that this bill is endorsed by, uh, the magistrates and by the magistrate's pension fund itself?
- 0:25:06
That is correct, sir.
- 0:25:07
Is it als- also not further true that this plan is 147% funded before this bill and 120%, 126% funded for the actuaries after this bill?
- 0:25:18
I believe it's 140 and then 126 after this change.
- 0:25:21
Got it. Thank you, sir.
- 0:25:23
Okay, I don't see any other questions.
- 0:25:25
Okay. Thank you so much. Have a good evening.
- 0:25:27
Yes, sir. Okay, um, gonna recognize, uh, Chairman Carson to speak to Senate, the rules to Senate Bill 23.
- 0:25:38
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, this is a, a bill that's been brought to us by, um, various groups that are looking to diversify their retirement holdings. The only change, uh, this is, uh, from the, the prior, uh, Senate Bill 23, is on line 31 to 34. We've heard from some members just to make sure that when we're doing alternative investments, that we're not allowing private equity and private debt, uh, investments into single-family homes and large portfolios and so forth.
- 0:26:09
So what we put in, uh, line 31 provided further that no such investment shall be made in investment vehicles investing in, and all the wording, single-family homes or residences. And so that's all the bill does. It's about diversification as, uh, uh, in regard to some of the large retirement systems that we oversee.
- 0:26:31
Any questions? Don't see any questions. Do I hear a motion that we approve the substitute Senate Bill 23 LC 560712S?
- 0:26:43
Move.
- 0:26:43
Have a move and a second. Any, any opposition? Okay, it's approved. Okay, now, let's set a sup- a second supplemental calendar. House Resolution, House Resolution 713.
- 0:27:02
Move.
- 0:27:03
Have a move and a second. Is there any opposition? It's on. House Resolution 1007.
- 0:27:12
Move.
- 0:27:13
Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Okay, Senate Bill 23 substitute LC 560712S.
- 0:27:25
Move.
- 0:27:26
Have a move and a second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 261.
- 0:27:33
Move.
- 0:27:35
Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 431.
- 0:27:42
Move.
- 0:27:42
Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. Senate Bill 591.
- 0:27:49
Move.
- 0:27:50
Second. Moved and second. Any opposition? It's on. I hope that this will be the last time I have to see you all tonight. I know you'll be happy that you don't have to see me anymore. But, uh, our next scheduled meeting, uh, Thursday at 9:00 AM. Okay? Thank you all. We're dismissed.