House floor session, June 22, 2026 (legislative day 4)

Transcript

397 turns. Select a time to play that moment of the video.

1. 0:41:25

   All members, good afternoon. All members will please come to the floor. All members.

2. 0:42:09

   All members, please come to the floor. All members. Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, will you ring the bell? Thank you.

3. 0:43:02

   All members, please come to the floor. All members, because we're going to have the morning roll call in the afternoon. I guess it's afternoon roll call today. All members present will please vote green to signify their presence in the chamber, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

4. 0:44:31

   We've got you, Representative Glaize.

5. 0:44:42

   How about that? You're present in the Cl- county for now.

6. 0:44:48

   All members voted. All members voted?

7. 0:44:55

   If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machines. Doorkeepers, if you will close the doors and keep them closed.

8. 0:45:10

   As is our custom here in the House, we will begin our day, which we're beginning at 2- 2:00 PM today, with scripture reading and prayer by our chaplain, after which we will pledge allegiance to the flag of our country. Our chaplain this afternoon will be introduced by the lady from the 135th House District, Representative Beth Camp. Representative Camp.

9. 0:45:40

   Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon, everyone. Hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day, if you're a father. Pastor Matt Hensley is here today with us from Zebulon Baptist Church, um, sorry, First Baptist Church in Zebulon. And it's an honor for him to be here for a lot of reasons. I ran into him last year, and he had a group of seniors touring the Capitol, which is fun because most of the time we have kids that come into our Capitol. But he was here with, um, antique, little kids and senior adults, and they were enjoying this wonderful space.

10. 0:46:11

    So, it's a great opportunity to have him here today. He is, um, a wonderful person. He, again, has been at, uh, First Baptist Church in Zebulon for a little bit, and he graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and he's currently pursuing his doctorate in Old Testament Exposition. And his wonderful wife Carrie is here with us today. Carrie, thank you for being here. He has two children, Hayden and his daughter Maddie. And without further ado, I welcome Pastor Matt Hensley.

11. 0:46:45

    Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Appreciate that.

12. 0:46:51

    Thank you. So a preacher and a politician ran into each other at a diner. Both were looking exhausted, and everybody commenting to one another, "You wouldn't believe my week. No matter what I decide, half the room thinks I got it wrong, and the other half maybe thinks I got it right." The preacher nodded and said, "Try preaching on tithing sometime." Same thing, except they tell God on you afterwards instead of social media.

13. 0:47:26

    In reality, what we do, both of us, is no joke. It's difficult. It can be lonely. It can be exhaustingly misjudged. We're both stereotyped and Monday morning quarterbacked more than Mike Bobo himself. Why would any of us even do it? Why would we even try and do the right thing? Why try and carry the weight of the chair for which we sit? Speaking of that weight, scripture reminds us in Romans 13:1, "There's no authority except that from God." James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously." Psalm 90 in verse 12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

14. 0:48:21

    Every chair in this chamber has a history. Someone sat here before you. Someone will sit here after you. The chair remains. The work continues. Long before any of us arrived, others occupied these seats. They debated, they disagreed, they persuaded, and even decided. Some are remembered in history books. Most are known only to God himself.

15. 0:48:52

    Yet the effects of their service remain in the communities they shaped and the institutions that they strengthened. For me, this is both humbling and freeing. It's humbling because it reminds us that no one person is indispensable. The Republic does not rise or fall on any single vote, any single term, or any single career. It's freeing, though, because it reminds us that we're not called to carry the future alone.

16. 0:49:25

    We're called to be faithful stewards of the moment entrusted to each of us. Moses prayed and said, "Teach us to number our days." He understood that leadership is temporary, but influence can endure for generations. The question before every leader is not simply, what will I accomplish today? But the bigger question, what will remain? The Apostle Paul reminds us that authority is not self-created.

17. 0:49:58

    It's a trust granted by God. And James reminds us that wisdom is available to anyone who asks. Not merely intelligence, not political skill, but wisdom. It's a remarkable promise for such a remarkable room. So before the debate begins, before the pressure mounts, before the cameras find you, ask. Ask for clarity over cleverness.

18. 0:50:31

    Ask for courage over comfort. Ask for conviction without pride and humility without weakness. Ask to serve the people who sent you here rather than the interest of those that seek to influence you. And ask for the wisdom to remember that future generations will inherit what is decided in this room long after we are gone. One day, someone else will occupy every chair in this chamber.

19. 0:51:07

    The question is not whether our names will be remembered, but whether our stewardship would be worthy of the trust that you have received. The trust of both the American people, Georgians, but God Almighty himself. Ask for that wisdom. Would you join me in prayer and standing?

20. 0:51:36

    Heavenly Father, giver of all authority and source of all wisdom, we thank you for the privilege and the responsibility of public service. Grant to those who serve in this chamber clear minds, honest hearts, and courageous spirits. Help them to govern with humility, with justice, and with concern for future generations. Remind us that authority is borrowed, time is short, and our highest accountability is to you.

21. 0:52:09

    May our work today honor those who came before us. May we serve those who are with us now and bless those that will come after us. For we declare and we claim it all in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

22. 0:52:27

    Amen.

23. 0:52:27

    Will you join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

24. 0:52:30

    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.

25. 0:52:43

    Thank you, Brother Matt.

26. 0:52:44

    Thank you, sir.

27. 0:52:45

    We do this, then we're-

28. 0:52:46

    Thank you, sir.

29. 0:52:47

    Doorkeep- Doorkeepers, you may open the doors, unlock the doors. Members, you may join Brother Matt in the South Ante Room and thank him for his service today, and get a photo with him. Thank you.

30. 0:54:08

    Can all members please take your seats? Please take your seats and come to order. We have a special presentation.

31. 0:54:28

    The chair recognizes Chairman Hatchett for special recognition.

32. 0:54:36

    Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

33. 0:54:37

    One moment, Matt. One moment.

34. 0:54:42

    Oh, come on.

35. 0:54:57

    Chair recognizes Chairman Hatchett.

36. 0:55:01

    Colleagues, this Friday, June 26, marks a special day for our House family, for it's a remarkable couple's 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years. That's half a century. To put that in perspective, that's 18,262 days of shared mornings, countless cups of coffee and milk, most impressively, deciding what to have for dinner that night.

37. 0:55:45

    Reaching a golden anniversary is a remarkable milestone. It's a beautiful testament to partnership, patience, and unwavering commitment. In a world where things are so easily replaced, Speaker John and Dale Burns have shown us that the best things are built to last. You've weathered the storms and celebrated the triumphs, and your love story remains inspiration to us all.

38. 0:56:17

    Thank you for showing us that you choose daily to love, support, and cherish one another. Mr. Clerk, will you read a resolution?

39. 0:56:33

    House Resolution 23- 28EX by Representative Hatchett of the 155th, Parish of the 158th, Burchett of the 176th, Hitchens of the 161st, Meeks of the 178th, and others. A resolution recognizing and commending Speaker John Burns and Mrs. Dale Burns upon the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary and for other purposes. Whereas, on June 26, 1976, following their graduation from Georgia Southern University, John and Dale were united in marriage before family, friends, and loved ones at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Bartow, Florida, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, love, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

40. 0:57:22

    And whereas, as they celebrate the joyous occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary, they mark a milestone that reflects five decades of enduring devotion, shared purpose, and steadfast support through every season of life. And whereas, together they have built a loving family, raising two sons, John Burns and Wilson Burns, and delighting in the blessings of five beloved grandchildren, John David, Ava, Elizabeth, Georgia, and Lila, whose lives stand as a testament to the values of faith, integrity, and compassion instilled by their grandparents.

41. 0:58:00

    And whereas, their grandchildren have expressed profound gratitude for the impact John and Dale Burns have had on their lives, sharing that John and Dale's commitment to one another has taught them the importance of family, hard work, unconditional love, that some of them and their most cherished memories are because of their grandparents and will remain with them forever. That John and Dale have shown them what a strong marriage looks like and have always been the heart of their family, and they are honored to celebrate this milestone with them.

42. 0:58:33

    And whereas John and Dale are devoted members of the historic Mizpah Church in Clio, Georgia, where their faith and church family have served as the cornerstone of their marriage and lives. And whereas Mrs. Dale Burns devoted her distinguished career to educating and inspiring the children of Southeast Georgia, faithfully serving generations of students while expanding opportunities for academic achievement and lifelong success. And whereas Speaker Burns has faithfully served the people of Georgia with integrity, humility, and principled leadership, and his extraordinary service has been strengthened by the constant courage, wisdom, and partnership of Dale, whose support has been instrumental throughout his years of public service.

43. 0:59:21

    And whereas, united by a shared passion for improving the lives of their neighbors, they have championed meaningful advancements in education, including supporting Georgia's most significant early literacy reforms in decades, helping ensure that countless children are equipped with the foundational skills needed to thrive for generations to come. And whereas, throughout their marriage, John and Dale Burns have remained true partners in every endeavor, faithfully supporting one another from the farm to the classroom, from the halls of the state capitol to the warmth of their home, strengthening one another through every challenge and triumph while dedicating themselves to serving their family, their community, and the great state of Georgia.

44. 1:00:07

    Whereas it is abundantly fitting and proper that the members of this body recognize the extraordinary example set by John and Dale Burns, whose lives together have been defined by faith, family, service, and enduring love that continues to inspire all who know them. And whereas we, we know what they know, it's a great day to be a Georgian.

45. 1:00:34

    Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives that the members of this body recognize and commend Speaker John Burns and Mrs. Dale Burns upon the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on June 26th, 2026, extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes, and express profound appreciation for their many contributions to the State of Georgia.

46. 1:01:12

    Thank you, Mr. Clark. And now if the speaker and First Lady Dale Burns will come up to the podium for a moment.

47. 1:01:39

    Y'all can sit down. Y'all, we got work, we have work to do. Oh, wow.

48. 1:01:47

    Now I'm gonna have to buy flowers. Thank you very much. So I'll answer the number one question I know that y'all all are thinking about in y'all's happy relationships in y'all's lives. Um, no, we've never had a fight. But I won, right? Yeah, that's the one.

49. 1:02:12

    For, for all of you that think it's been 50 years of bliss, I'll meet you in the Annie room at the first break. And- All right, just cut it off, 'cause you gotta say that again. Huh? You gotta say that again. Y'all have work to do. Well, a- and y'all have work to do now, but I'll meet you in the Annie room in a little while and tell you the whole story, the rest of the story.

50. 1:02:44

    So thank y'all. We appreciate it. Thank you, Matt. Thank you sponsors. And I told the clerk I woulda, I would've had him read the, just read the caption would've been fine. But I will tell you all this.

51. 1:02:59

    That there are many things that make a difference in our lives. Um, our families and how we build our families, how we all come together. And I can tell you one of the most important thing in my life has certainly been, has been and is for Dale and I, our relationship with the good Lord. But our relationship has strengthened us, and certainly, I don't know about her, but it has sustained me through many, many trials and tribulations,

52. 1:03:30

    and been so v- so, so very important. I am very blessed. You can see, uh, she's aged very well. I haven't done so good, I can tell you that from the photos. But I can just say again, and I'll close this. You know, you look for opportunities to build relationships. I'm in the friend-making business. I know you all are. I'm in the family-making business with my family and my grandchildren. They're important.

53. 1:04:00

    But this family means the world to me and means the world to Dale. So thank y'all for honoring us with this. We were s- we were surprised, but I'm very, very blessed to have had someone come into my life like Dale Winkoff many years ago. And, um, for her to hang around. She's been, uh, she's been through a lot, y'all, I can tell y'all that. And all of it hasn't been great, but she stuck with me, and I appreciate that. Thank you, Dale. Love you very much. Happy anniversary.

54. 1:04:31

    Thank y'all.

55. 1:05:06

    Members, we do have a doctor of the day. Our doctor of the day is brought to us by the lady from the 51st house district, Representative Esther Panitch, and our doctor is Dr. Deborah Martin. Thank you, Representative Panitch. And she's downstairs. If you need Dr. Martin, you know where to find her.

56. 1:05:32

    Chairman Hilton, the chair of the Committee on Information and Audits is recognized. Chairman Hilton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I've got my anniversary in about a month, so I'm gonna go ahead and say happy anniversary, hon. We're at 24. I'm catching up to you. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Information and Audits has read the journal the previous legislative day, and we have found it to be correct. Thank you, Chairman Hilton. Good luck on catching up. Hope you don't catch up for quite a while. Uh, Chairman Hilton, the chair of the Committee on Information and Audits, reports that the journal of the previous legislative day has been read and found to be correct.

57. 1:06:07

    Is there any objection to dispense with the reading of the journal? Hearing none, the reading of the journal is dispensed with. Is there any objection to the confirmation of the journal? Hearing none, the journal is confirmed. Uh, Mr. Clerk, will you read the resolution establishing the order of business for the day? Mr. Clerk. Representative Efstration of the 104th moves finally establishes the order of business during the first part of the period unanimous consents. Introduction of bills and resolutions. First reading and reference of House bills and resolutions. Second reading of bills and resolutions.

58. 1:06:39

    Reports of standing committees. Third reading and passage of uncontested local bills and resolutions. Morning orders

59. 1:06:52

    Is there any objection to adopting of the resolution establishing the order of business for the day? Hearing none, the resolution is adopted.

60. 1:07:05

    First reading of bills and resolutions, Mr. Clerk will read.

61. 1:07:12

    House Bill 84EX by Representative Green in the One Hundred Fifty-Fourth. The bill will be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption for City of Morgan ad valorem taxes.

62. 1:07:22

    Inter- Intergovernmental coordination.

63. 1:07:25

    House Bill 85EX by Representative Stinson in the One Hundred Fiftieth. The bill will be titled an act to provide a homestead exemption from City of Reynolds ad valorem taxes.

64. 1:07:34

    Intergovernmental coordination.

65. 1:07:36

    That completes first readers.

66. 1:07:44

    Second reading of bills and resolutions. Clerk will read.

67. 1:07:49

    House Bill 75EX by Representative Burchett of the One Hundred and Seventy-Sixth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Lanier County ad valorem taxes. House Bill 76EX by Representative Stinson of the One Hundred and Fiftieth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Taylor County ad valorem taxes. House Bill 77EX by Representative Stinson of the One Hundred and Fiftieth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Butler ad valorem taxes. House Bill 78EX by Representative Ford of the One Hundred and Seventieth and O'Steen of the One Hundred and Sixty-Ninth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Tifton ad valorem taxes. House Bill 79EX by Representative Ford of the One Hundred and Seventieth and O'Steen of the One Hundred and Sixty-Ninth.

68. 1:08:22

    A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Tift County ad valorem taxes. House Bill 80EX by Representative Bonner of the Seventy-Third, Mathiak of the Eighty-Second, Bazemore of the Sixty-Ninth, and Jackson of the Sixty-Eighth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Fayette County ad valorem taxes. House Bill 81EX by Representative Hagan of the One Hundred and Fifty-Sixth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City of Santa Claus ad valorem taxes. House Bill 82EX by Representative Hagan of the One Hundred and Fifty-Sixth and Mathis of the One Hundred and Thirty-Third. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Telfair County ad valorem taxes.

69. 1:08:53

    House Bill 83EX by Representative Cox of the Twenty-Eighth and Barrett of the Twenty-Fourth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from Forsyth County ad valorem taxes. Senate Bill 3EX by Senator Burns of the Twenty-Third, Walker of the Twentieth, and Avarte of the Thirty-First, Robertson of the Twenty-Ninth, Still of the Forty-Eighth, and others. A bill relating to elections and primaries generally. Through second readers.

70. 1:09:30

    Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Representative Griffin and his bride are working on 60 years this year. Congratulations, sir.

71. 1:09:48

    We- let's see where we are here. Reports of standing committees. Mr. Clerk will read.

72. 1:09:54

    Representative Lauren McDonald of the Twenty-Sixth District, Chairman of the Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination and Local, submitted the following report. "Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination and Local has had under its consideration the following bills of the House. It is instructed me to report the same back to the House with the following recommendations. House Bill 68EX, do pass. House Bill 70EX, do pass. House Bill 71EX, do pass. House Bill 72EX, do pass. House Bill 73EX, do pass. House Bill 74EX, do pass. Respectfully submitted, Representative Lauren McDonald of the Twenty-Sixth District, Chairman." That completes the reading of the reports of standing committees.

73. 1:10:48

    We do have a local calendar.

74. 1:11:06

    We have a local calendar and six bills on the local calendar relate to homestead exemption require a recorded two-thirds roll call vote for passage. Third reading and passage of uncontested local bills. If there is no objection, we will vote on the local calendar as a whole with a recorded vote. Hearing none, it is so ordered. Mr. Clerk will read the local calendar.

75. 1:11:34

    House Bill 68 by Representative Hagan of the One Hundred Fifty-Sixth, City of Lyons. House Bill 70EX by Representative Hagan of the One Hundred and Fifty-Six, Toombs County. House Bill 71EX by Representative Meeks of the One Hundred and Seventy-Eighth, City of Blackshear. House Bill 72EX by Representative Meeks of the One Hundred and Seventy-Eighth, City of Patterson. House Bill 73EX by Representative Hatchett of the One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth, City of East Dublin. House Bill 74EX by Representative Hatchett of the One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth, City of Dexter.

76. 1:12:11

    Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered on the local calendar? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bills? Hearing none, the report of the committee is agreed to. Shall these bills now pass? All those in favor of the passage of the bills on the local calendar will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

77. 1:13:17

    All members voted.

78. 1:13:27

    All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the passage of the local calendar, the yeas are ninety-seven, the nays are seventy-four. These bills having failed to receive the requisite constitutional majority have therefore failed. For what purpose does Majority Leader Efstration rise?

79. 1:13:50

    Mr. Speaker, I serve notice of motion for reconsideration pursuant to Rule-- House Rule 143 concerning the House's action on the local calendar.

80. 1:13:59

    The gentleman has that right. It will be taken up on the next legislative day.

81. 1:14:12

    For what purpose does Representative Ef-Efstration rise again?

82. 1:14:16

    Make a motion.

83. 1:14:20

    Make a motion.

84. 1:14:21

    Mr. Speaker, I move that the House reconsider its action on the local calendar from Saturday, June twentieth, two thousand twenty-six.

85. 1:14:31

    Efstration's mo-- Leader Efstration's motion is that on Saturday, June twentieth, the House failed to pass the local calendar as a whole. The gentleman from the one hundred and fourth

86. 1:14:46

    has served notice of-- to re-reconsider the action of the House in failing to give the local majority-- local calendar as a whole the requisite majority. Now is the appropriate time for the gentleman to pursue that motion if he desires. He so desires.

87. 1:15:00

    Yes, sir.

88. 1:15:00

    He moves.

89. 1:15:06

    Representative Efstration, I'm gonna recognize you again to make that motion to make sure we have everything clear.

90. 1:15:11

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the House reconsider its action in failing to pass the local calendar from Saturday, June twentieth, two thousand twenty-six.

91. 1:15:20

    On the gentleman's motion, the House reconsider its action in failing to give the local calendar as a whole a requisite majority. All those in favor of the reconsider-reconsideration will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no, and Mr. Clerk will unlock the machine.

92. 1:16:32

    Have all members voted? All members voted. On the gentleman's motion, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the gentleman's motion for reconsideration on the local calendar, the yeas are ninety-seven, the nays are seventy-five. The motion carries and the House has reconsidered its action, and the local calar-calendar has re-- has been reconsidered, will be taken up at a future legislative day.

93. 1:18:34

    So here's our posture House-- House posture, House. Uh, we have just reconsidered our action on Saturday on the local calendar, and so now the local calendar, the vote on the local calendar can be reconsidered. There were sixty-six bills on the local calendar on Saturday that related to homestead exemption, and it continues to require, as our rules require, a two-thirds roll call vote for passage. So we will all know exactly what we're doing. We will have third reading and passage of that uncontested local bills on this calendar.

94. 1:19:06

    If there's no objection, we will vote on the calendar as a whole with a recorded vote. Hearing none so ordered. Mr. Clerk will read the calendar.

95. 1:19:16

    House Bill 1 EX by Representative Hatchett of the 155th City of Dublin. House Bill 2 EX by Representative Jochum of the 151st Sumter County. House Bill 3 EX by Representative Hatchett of the 155th City of Rentz. House Bill 4 EX by Representative Hatchett of the 155th City of Dudley. House Bill 5 EX by Representative Hatchett of the 155th City of Caldwell. House Bill 6 EX by Representative Erwin of the 32nd City of Toccoa. House Bill 7 EX by Representative Hatchett of the 155th Laurens County. House Bill 8 EX by Representative Cameron of the 1st Walker County.

96. 1:19:49

    House Bill 9 EX by Representative Leverett of the 123rd Madison County. House Bill 10 EX by Representative Yearta of the 152nd Worth County. House Bill 11 EX by Representative Townsend of the 179th Glynn County. House Bill 12 EX by Representative Townsend of the 179th City of Brunswick. House Bill 13 EX by Representative Campbell of the 171st Mitchell County. House Bill 14 EX by Representative Chastain of the 7th Fannin County. House Bill 15 EX by Representative Chastain of the 7th City of McCaysville.

97. 1:20:19

    House Bill 16 EX by Representative Chastain of the 7th City of Blue Ridge. House Bill 17 EX by Representative Wade of the 9th-

98. 1:20:25

    Clerk will suspend.

99. 1:20:34

    Proceed, Mr. Clerk.

100. 1:20:35

     House Bill 17 EX by Representative Wade of the 9th Lumpkin County. House Bill 18 EX by Representative Fleming of the 114th Morgan County. House Bill 19 EX by Representative Lumsden of the 12th Floyd County. House Bill 20 EX by Representative Fleming of the 114th City of Madison. House Bill 21 EX by Representative Chastain of the 7th Gilmer County. House Bill 22 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th City of Jakin. House Bill 23 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th City of Arlington. House Bill 24 EX by Representative Powell of the 33rd Franklin County.

101. 1:21:09

     House Bill 25 EX by Representative Erwin of the 32nd Stephens County. House Bill 26 EX by Representative Williams of the 148th Ben Hill County. House Bill 27 EX by Representative LaHood of the 175th Lowndes County. House Bill 28 EX by Representative Williams of the 148th City of Fitzgerald. House Bill 29 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th Calhoun County. House Bill 30 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th Early County. House Bill 31 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th City of Damascus.

102. 1:21:40

     House Bill 32 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th Baker County. House Bill 33 EX by Representative Ridley of the 22nd Cherokee County. House Bill 34 EX by Representative Jochum of the 151st City of Plains. House Bill 35 EX by Representative Jochum of the 151st Webster County. House Bill 36 EX by Representative Horner of the 3rd Catoosa County. House Bill 37 EX by Representative Hitchens of the 161st Effingham County. House Bill 38 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th City of Arlington.

103. 1:22:11

     House Bill 39 EX by Representative Horner of the 3rd City of Ringgold. House Bill 40 EX by Representative Horner of the 3rd City of Fort Oglethorpe. House Bill 41 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th Seminole County. House Bill 42 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th City of Edison. House Bill 43 EX by Representative Greene of the 154th City of Blakely. House Bill 44 EX by Representative Smith of the 138th Harris County. House Bill 45 EX by Representative Gambill of the 15th City of Emerson. House Bill 46 EX by Representative Gambill of the 15th City of Cartersville.

104. 1:22:45

     House Bill 47 EX by Representative Gambill of the 15th Bartow County. House Bill 48 EX by Representative Scoggins of the 14th City of Ellijay. House Bill 49 EX by Representative Scoggins of the 14th City of Adairsville. House Bill 50 EX by Representative Scoggins of the 14th City of White. House Bill 51 EX by Representative Smith of the 138th Troup County. House Bill 52 EX by Representative Williamson of the 112th City of Walnut Grove. House Bill 53 EX by Representative Williamson of the 112th City of Monroe.

105. 1:23:16

     House Bill 54 EX by Representative Meeks of the 178th Bacon County. House Bill 55 EX by Representative LaHood of the 175th City of Valdosta. House Bill 56 EX by Representative Fleming of the 114th City of Social Circle. House Bill 57 EX by Representative Meeks of the 178th Pierce County. House Bill 59 EX by Representative Williamson of the 112th Walton County. House Bill 60 EX by Representative Hagan of the 156th Montgomery County. House Bill 61 EX by Representative Mathis of the 133rd Twiggs County.

106. 1:23:50

     House Bill 62 EX by Representative Mathis of the 133rd City of Cochran. House Bill 63 EX by Representative Mathis of the 133rd Dodge County. House Bill 64 EX by Representative Mathis of the 133rd Bleckley County. House Bill 65 EX by Representative Wade of the 9th City of Dahlonega. House Bill 66.

107. 1:24:15

     House Bill 66 EX by Representative Scoggins of the 14th, and House Bill 67 EX by Representative Lumsden of the 12th City of Rome.

108. 1:24:28

     Thank you, Mr-- Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered on the local calendar that's being reconsidered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to agreeing to the report of the committee, which was favorable to the passage of the bills? Hearing none, the former committees agree to. Shall these bills now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bills on the local calendar from Saturday, June the 20th will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

109. 1:25:20

     Have all members voted? For what purpose does Representative Wade rise? Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker. State your inquiry. Mr. Speaker, is it not true that the local legislation that we're attempting to pass is actually not a tax increase because 17.2% of all sales taxes are paid by non-Georgians when they travel to this state because we are a state in which we do business and tourists come, and they pay this tax. They do not pay any property tax. Is this not true, Mr. Speaker?

110. 1:25:51

     I'm sure the gentleman's a fact-based banker. He knows what he's talking about. For what purpose does Representative Romman rise? Oh. Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Is it not true that we should not be adding any new taxes during an affordability crisis? I'm sure the lady believes in what she speaks. I'm gonna take a couple more, and then we're done. For what purposes Whip Burchette rise? Parliamentary inquiry. State your inquiry. Mr. Speaker, is it not true that these bills allow Georgians to go to the ballot box and make the decision?

111. 1:26:24

     And like most of my colleagues in this chamber, we would like to see Georgians make that decision, but some of my colleagues do not. I'm sure the gentleman believes what he speaks. Y'all stirred up a hornet's nest, and I'm gonna put a little smoke to it and knock it down here with a fuse so the hornets won't sting anybody. If y'all know about hornets, you know what I'm talking about. So have all members voted? I think we have both sides represented. All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk, we'll lock the machines.

112. 1:26:57

     On the passage of the reconsideration of the local calendar, the yays are 99 and the nays are 74. This bill that we're reconsidering has, having failed to receive the requisite constitutional majority, has therefore failed, and it will not be eligible to be reconsidered again.

113. 1:27:21

     Members, I'm gonna ask Excuse me. Members, I want to ask you to join me in standing. I have an announcement that we'll all be saddened to learn about.

114. 1:27:42

     Some of you may have already heard, understood somewhat that was, uh, mentioned in the hallway, but we lost a great Georgian today. Someone who's, um,

115. 1:27:55

     was a great conservative, but she was also a friend to all Georgians. That's Martha Zoller. Her family just released that Martha has, um, died this morning. We're going through some, um, procedures, and y'all know, most of y'all know she had had some conditions that were troubling with her heart, and she was gonna take a step back from her daily excuse me, from her daily activities and a schedule that was pretty hectic.

116. 1:28:31

     She was gonna step back and smell the roses a little bit with her family, her dear husband, and her children and grandchildren. I know many of you have had an opportunity to sit with Martha, be interviewed by Martha. She's always direct. She was always looking for a good story, but she was looking for the truth, and she was also always a kind interviewer, straightforward, someone you could trust on and off the record.

117. 1:29:03

     Georgia has lost a leader in, in the communications business, in the business of life. Our condolences. I know every one of you in this house and across our great state, all of those who knew Martha personally and knew of Martha's work are certain sad- certainly saddened by her loss to all of us.

118. 1:29:33

     We will remember Martha, and y'all know I like to say this, so I'll encourage you to do this. Story seldom told is soon forgotten. Let's tell the story of good people, but especially good people like Martha Zoller, as we go on down the days of our lives and remember her and her contributions to her community, her family, and our state. If you'll bow with me for a word of prayer, we'll thank, thank God for Martha and condolences for her family, if you'll bow with me.

119. 1:30:05

     Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing and enriching our lives, but most importantly, for placing folks on this earth that impart their love for you, Lord, to all of those they see and they come in contact with. Martha Zoller is special. You know that, Father. Thank you for her contributions to me personally, Father. Sad, I'm very sad to learn this, Lord, but to all of those gathered in this room that care about so many of the things that she cared about.

120. 1:30:38

     Thank you for blessing her. Thank you for blessing her family. Lord, we ask for comfort her, for her family, and Lord, we ask you to place your steady hand upon them and keep them safe. Amen. Thank you, members.

121. 1:31:05

     Pick up this time. We can do more orders, or we can take up this summit. Stacey's motion. Make more orders, then do a motion, we can do that.

122. 1:31:28

     We're gonna take up morning orders, then we'll get to you.

123. 1:31:34

     Okay, we have some morning orders in the afternoon.

124. 1:31:43

     So members will give the member in the well your attention. We will begin our orders this afternoon with, um, the minority leader of this House. Leader Hugley, the lady is recognized. Hold just for a second, let me get their attention.

125. 1:32:05

     Leader Hugley.

126. 1:32:09

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, today I rise to recognize and honor an incredible woman, Andrea Young. A woman who has an equally incredible and long history of public service that has made an impact here in our state, in communities across our country, and across the globe.

127. 1:32:33

     Lady will suspend just for a moment while some good friends join her, if you don't mind, lady. Yeah, come down if you'd like to join Representative Hugley.

128. 1:32:48

     From walking from Selma to Montgomery at the age of 10 with her parents, Ambassador Andrew Young and her mother Jean, and alongside Dr. King, John Lewis, and many others, to becoming an attorney and advocating for children, standing up for reproductive justice, working to end apartheid in South Africa, and extending voting rights and access to voting, Andrea Young has worked tirelessly in the service of others.

129. 1:33:23

     When Andrea joined the ACLU of Georgia, it was a small affiliate with three people on staff. Under her leadership, it grew into an organization of 20, and one that repeatedly stood tall defending the rights of all Georgians. One of her greatest victories came when she and the ACLU of Georgia successfully challenged the removal of 160,000 voters from the rolls in court, and helped expand access to voting across our state.

130. 1:33:58

     Today, we're here to say thank you on a job well done, congratulations on your well-earned retirement, and to promise that we'll continue working hard on behalf of all Georgians. Join me in welcoming Ms. Andrea Young to our House.

131. 1:34:23

     That's our link, sister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We yield the well.

132. 1:34:33

     Thank you, Representative Hugley. Welcome to the People's House. Good to have you. Thank you for being here.

133. 1:34:45

     Representative Buckner.

134. 1:34:49

     Give them just a minute to move out in front of you there. Just a minute.

135. 1:35:00

     The lady's recognized.

136. 1:35:03

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the House, I wanna talk to you briefly about state retirees who have lost about 40% of their purchasing power due to inflation. Many of them have experienced an even greater financial strain due to the rising healthcare cost. Countless of retirees have experienced financial distress in the face of daily challenges, including increased food cost, transportation-related cost, the out-of-pocket cost of necessary medications, and the cost of housing.

137. 1:35:38

     In FY 2023, $150 million was added to the budget as an investment to support COLAs, averaging approximately 1.1% to 1.2%. This was an important first step toward addressing the declining purchasing power for our retirees. This past session, we added an additional $100 million in funds to be appropriated to support COLAs by increasing the employer contribution. This investment was to trigger regular an- annual cost of living adjustments.

138. 1:36:14

     Eliminating this investment severely hampers the critical lifeline intended to help retired state employees stabilize what little purchasing power they have left. While neither increase is large enough to fully offset the retirees' cumulative losses, these investments represent meaningful incremental process toward achieving the goal of assuring state retirees a more consistent, predictable, and meaningful cost of living adjustment.

139. 1:36:45

     Without this year's $100 million, retirees are denied the ability to stabilize their purchasing power, prolong their finan- it prolongs their financial hardship, and undermines the effort to provide a more secure retirement for those dedicated and serve this state with great service, great public service. And we wanna welcome any of the state retirees who are here today, and we want to say thank you for your service. With that, Mr.

140. 1:37:15

     Speaker, I yield.

141. 1:37:41

     Representative Mason.

142. 1:37:47

     And members, sometimes when I'm not at, we do pause the time. Representative Mason, is someone joining you, Representative Mason? I see somebody following you. I'm not sure. No, he's not.

143. 1:37:57

     Yeah.

144. 1:37:57

     Oh. Well, good. Well, wait a minute. I think-

145. 1:38:01

     Yeah.

146. 1:38:02

     Yeah, you have some friends here. You make friends fast. Representative Mason is recognized.

147. 1:38:08

     Representative Taylor.

148. 1:38:13

     Lady's recognized.

149. 1:38:16

     Okay. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, members of the House. For my unofficial business, I'd like to wish my son Jeffrey a happy birthday. He's here with us in the gallery.

150. 1:38:24

     Yes.

151. 1:38:24

     He turned 10.

152. 1:38:26

     Yeah. Got his mother's personality.

153. 1:38:38

     For my official business, I rise today to honor a man who believed with every fiber in, of his being that democracy only works when everybody gets to participate in it. Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson came to Atlanta at age 22, sat in the pews of Turner Seminary right here in this city, and felt the call to meet people not just in their spirit, but in their struggle, to walk the faith all the way out the door and into the streets.

154. 1:39:08

     He became the 132nd bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, shepherding more than 500 churches across Georgia. He pushed until this state passed hate crimes legislation in 2020. He was a pastor who understood that the pulpit is not a place to hide from the world. It is a place to launch yourself into it. When they came for our votes, Bishop Jackson, Bishop Jackson did not issue a statement and go home. When Georgia passed Senate Bill 202, restricting drop boxes, criminalizing giving water to voters standing in line for hours, he sued this state.

155. 1:39:48

     He stood on the steps of this very capitol and called SB 202 exactly what it was, an attempt to turn back the time. He mobilized more than 500 AME congregations across Georgia into voter registration committees. He didn't just preach democracy. He organized it, and he did it under the scripture he lived by. "Faith without works is dead."

156. 1:40:14

     Amen.

157. 1:40:14

     Bishop Jackson passed on November 25th of last year. He did not live to see what is unfolding, but I believe he would recognize it. The Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act. Federal protections that generations bled for have been stripped away. And here in Georgia, the threat of redistricting our political maps to weaken the power of Black voters in communities across this state, that threat is not abstract. It is present. It is here.

158. 1:40:45

     The lines on a map are not just geography. They are a decision about whose vote counts. This resolution is for Bishop Jackson's children, Regina and Seth. It is for every AME congregation that stood up when stood up cost something. This work is ours to carry. Thank you.

159. 1:41:04

     Please continue. Representative recognized.

160. 1:41:08

     And I'd like to recognize his daughter, Ms. Regina. Thank you.

161. 1:41:12

     Yeah.

162. 1:41:13

     In the gallery. In the gallery. Thank you.

163. 1:41:18

     And any AME members.

164. 1:41:18

     Oh, and any other AME members in the gallery.

165. 1:41:20

     We all look like that.

166. 1:41:22

     Yeah.

167. 1:41:23

     I yield the will.

168. 1:41:26

     Lady's yielded the will. Welcome to the House, Representative Panitch and friends. Lady's recognized.

169. 1:41:38

     Mr. Speaker, we rise to thank the very important people who serve our survivors and domestic vi- of domestic violence and sexual assault. This past session, with their help, Representative Lupton and I passed the Family Justice Center Act with every single one of your votes voting yes, and the governor signed it into law on May 12th. His signature opened the door for survivors, but yet on the same day, and likely with the same pen, he slammed that door in their faces by cutting $9.4 million from domestic violence shelters and $3.3 million from sexual assault centers.

170. 1:42:19

     Last year, domestic violence programs answered more than 70,000 crisis calls, and 163 Georgians were murdered in domestic violence situations. A family running for their lives and away from their abuser cannot be put on a waiting list. They need the beds tonight, not next session, not next, next budget. We have the power to act. We have the ability to override the governor's veto and stand with survivors.

171. 1:42:54

     All we ask is the opportunity to vote to restore this funding. We are not obligated to finish the work, but neither are we free to walk away from it. We stood up together to protect them, and we will not walk away from them now. I want you to see exactly who all these people are. When I call your agencies, please stand up. Fulton County Family Justice Center, Fulton County District Attorney's Office, Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Atlanta Victims As- Assistance Association, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault directors from Waycross, Valdosta, Vidalia, and Habersham, and Cobb County District Attorney's Office.

172. 1:43:33

     Thank you to all of you.

173. 1:43:47

     Ladies, yield to the well. That completes all of our time for morning orders. Uh, we had one more speaker. See if you can get on this afternoon.

174. 1:43:58

     Okay.

175. 1:43:58

     'Cause we always love to hear from you.

176. 1:44:06

     Recognize Representatives Townsend and Representative Franklin. There they are. The gentleman will hold just for a moment.

177. 1:44:21

     The gentleman's recognized.

178. 1:44:22

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm here to recognize, uh, the Iran Awareness Georgia. If you guys will stand up. We have Pastor Hassan Azaran, Yoee Fried, Sherry Loristani-

179. 1:44:38

     Hey, man

180. 1:44:39

     ... and Carissa Tavolosi and a few others. This is a Iranian-Israeli group, uh, based here in Georgia.

181. 1:44:48

     Guys, one more-

182. 1:44:48

     Basically, this gr- local organization representing Iran, Ir- Is- Iranian and Israeli Americans. They're part of a national network promoting Iranian American civic engagement, mobilizing Iranian American voters. Their mission is to share what Georgians and, with, with Georgians about the, what's happening in Iran, folks. This is very important. They're a conservative group. They're not, they're against socialism, communism, dictatorships. They mention about in January, the Islamic regime has massacred over 43,000 Iranians, including minors.

183. 1:45:25

     Tens of thousands more have been imprisoned and tortured. Can you believe that? Imprisoned and tortured. That's not right, folks. Over 800 people have been executed in the last three months. This is the highest record in the world. The Islamic regime and its proxies have killed over 1,300 Americans. 1,300 Americans. That's not good. Iran is the fastest growing Christian nation in the world. This organization believes in freedom of religion.

184. 1:45:58

     I think we believe in that, too, don't we? Freedom of religion, fas- freedom of speech and equality of women, and the Islamic regime does not represent the will of the Iranian people. And their message to me when we met last week, and Representative Franklin and others, is they said a majority, they, they said 99% of the people in Iran is not for the current regime as it stands. And you know what's happening over there. So welcome to the capital. I think you'll see them around next year.

185. 1:46:28

     They'll be supporting, uh, the Iranian people and the Israelis working together for a peace process over there, so hopefully they can have their own democracy. And that's what we wish for everybody, isn't it? Let's give them a round of applause, guys. Thank

186. 1:46:48

     you.

187. 1:46:48

     Thank you for your work, and welcome to the People's House. Gentleman's yield to the will. Representative Hilton.

188. 1:46:58

     Is recognized for a morning order and afternoon. The gentleman's recognized.

189. 1:47:03

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm gonna yield, uh, to Representative Martinez and Schofield here to give everyone an update on the Georgia-Canada Caucus-

190. 1:47:12

     Whoo

191. 1:47:12

     ... and our t- recent trip to Quebec. Uh, you'll see some pictures up there. Uh, during my portion, Mr. Speaker, we have kickball and all numbers of sports we played. And so we were challenged by a couple of the representatives in the Quebec province to a game of pickleball, United States versus Quebec. And Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to report that the United States was victorious, 11-3. Defeated Canada-

192. 1:47:39

     Whoo

193. 1:47:39

     ... in our sport of pickleball, and we stood firm for this House, Mr. Speaker. Thought we'd make you proud.

194. 1:47:46

     Whoo.

195. 1:47:47

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. S- members, this trip was phenomenal. From economic opportunities, we toured the Port of Quebec. We had opportunity to spend some time with the consulate generals. We met the mayor, the deputy mayors. We attended a, a session of parliament to see how they're doing things. So this trip was not only f- engaging, but it was fruitful and meaningful, and we look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship with all of Canada. For those that couldn't make this trip and that are a part of the Canadian Caucus, I avi- uh, c- stay tuned.

196. 1:48:23

     And for those that like to join the Canadian Caucus and be an active member, see me or see Representative Martinez.

197. 1:48:32

     Thank you so much, uh, Representative Schofield. I'm gonna echo what Representative Schofield said. We had a phenomenal, uh, trip to Quebec City, Canada. 12 of us went, and let me tell you, we had a great time. Did you guys know that, uh, Georgia is the number one exporter, oh, I'm sorry, importer for Canada? So $6 billion. That's huge. So thank you so much. On behalf of the Georgia-Canada Caucus, thank you to, uh, so much for our members, and thank you so much.

198. 1:49:01

     Awesome.

199. 1:49:01

     Wait. I, I, I, I also just wanted you guys to know that when we went into their, the capital, the, uh, no, that was Utah. Sorry about that. I yield the will.

200. 1:49:12

     You've been everywhere.

201. 1:49:13

     Sounds like y'all had too much fun up there to me. Did y'all let 'em win?

202. 1:49:17

     I didn't.

203. 1:49:18

     Oh, y'all didn't let 'em win?

204. 1:49:23

     Yes, sir.

205. 1:49:23

     Great partners to our north, and Quebec's a beautiful city, no doubt. Thank y'all for representing us well. Representative Reeves. There he is. I couldn't see you, Representative. Gentleman's recognized.

206. 1:49:37

     Thank you, Speaker-

207. 1:49:37

     And friends

208. 1:49:38

     Thanks, Speaker Burns. Like to ask Chairman, uh, Yearta to join me in addition to Representative Donatucci. We have, um-

209. 1:49:44

     Gentleman will suspend just for a moment.

210. 1:49:45

     Thank you.

211. 1:49:47

     Let's give the gentleman in the well-

212. 1:49:51

     Your attention. The gentleman's recognized. A few years ago, this House passed the Financial Literacy Bill that Chairman Yearta sponsored that, uh, gives financial literacy training to 11th and 12th graders. World Financial Group is here today with their financial literacy pins on. They have helped carry that out in Georgia, and they're excited about the financial literacy that the House is doing. World Financial Group was a company started here in Georgia 25 years ago. Since then, they've served seven million customers across the nation. They've got 95,000 licensed agents.

213. 1:50:23

     They help people with financial literacy, empowerment, insurance, savings, and retirement. They are here today. Let's welcome them to the People's House.

214. 1:50:38

     And while I'm here, chairman, uh, of the Gwinnett delegation last term, Dewey McClain, got a good award in Gwinnett last week. Ask him about it. I yield the well, Mr. Speaker. Good job.

215. 1:51:03

     That concludes our

216. 1:51:08

     morning orders. I'm going to, uh, Representative Glaize, I was gonna recognize you at the end of the day, but I think now would be an appropriate time. And Representative Gillo- Gilliard, uh, some information about our family, about her family, but about our family, if you will. So members, I wish, and I'll ask you to give the lady in the well your attention, very close attention. This is a great story. Ladies, recognize. So this morning I wanna thank Speaker Burns for giving me the opportunity to stand before you because I do believe this is the House.

217. 1:51:44

     And this House of 180 have been elected from all around Georgia, and we sh- when we show kindness and support to each other, remember what has been said, a story that is not told is often and soon forgotten. And so I do wanna recognize that Thursday when I left here, I got a call from my daughter who was in a maternal crisis, and her life and the baby's life was... It's okay. It's okay.

218. 1:52:16

     That's okay. And, and... She's a grandmother.

219. 1:52:32

     And I stand because when I came to this House, we had lost our oldest son in a car accident. And so leaving here on Thursday, I, I said, "Lord, I can't lose another child." Yes. We won't make it.

220. 1:52:54

     And so we went through Thursday evening, and my daughter was at stroke level. Friday morning, stroke level.

221. 1:53:07

     And I called the speaker. I said, "I need some help."

222. 1:53:16

     Chris Riley immediately got back to me and said, "Call this number."

223. 1:53:26

     And I want you to know, because of the House, wasn't one side or the other. It wasn't a D or an R or an I. It was a person who had relationships with the people that he leads. And I know we're in difficult times in this session, but I want you to know, because difficult times should not make us difficult people. Amen.

224. 1:53:58

     Because people still need to have support in their crisis. And who better than the colleagues you work with, that you live with? And I wanna stand today and thank this leader of this House.

225. 1:54:19

     Speaker Burns, not only is it your 50th anniversary, but you helped get my daughter three days out of trouble, where she was leaving this world with a baby. We had a baby yesterday morning by emergency, and we thank God for it.

226. 1:54:47

     Her name is Shiloh Esther Mariah. She a combination? And so all that meant was that there's a place of prayer, always, Shiloh. And Esther being one who convened prayer. Mm-hmm. Mariah, her grandmother's middle name. And so I thank this House, and I thank the leadership of this House, Speaker Burns, Dale Burns, for their consistent care for the people who serve alongside them.

227. 1:55:21

     And I would be remiss if I didn't stand in the chambers and say thank you to each and every one of you, but certainly our leader, Speaker Burns. Thank you.

228. 1:55:43

     I don't love any more of you in this House more than I love that lady, I can tell you that. Not because of that, but thank God. Thank God to modern medicine. Thank you, Chief Riley

229. 1:55:53

     For, um, representing all the people in this House and making this happen. What a wonderful, wonderful tribute

230. 1:56:02

     to a grandmother and to a family who cares deeply, and there's lots of prayers there, and that they shouldn't stop. They should continue. So thank you.

231. 1:56:24

     I love that name, Shilo. I love Esther. I'm not sure about the Esther part, but, uh

232. 1:56:36

     We found it.

233. 1:56:36

     A little-

234. 1:56:36

     Sha- Shilo Esther, that's beautiful. Beautiful. And we look forward to, uh, monitoring her progress.

235. 1:56:47

     Representative, Representative Glaize, we won't be here a l- many more days. One more, I hope. But h- I know you will help us monitor her progress so we can all keep her in our prayers. If you will, we would appreciate that.

236. 1:57:07

     We don't have the rules down here.

237. 1:57:09

     No, sir.

238. 1:57:10

     We're done.

239. 1:57:11

     Other motion.

240. 1:57:14

     Mm-hmm.

241. 1:57:14

     Was they deciding not to make it?

242. 1:57:19

     I think that's wishful thinking on your part.

243. 1:57:21

     Huh?

244. 1:57:21

     Total wishful thinking.

245. 1:57:32

     For what purpose does Representative Evans rise? We'll take up some business we talked about a couple days ago, and I'll recognize the lady, I think, to make a motion.

246. 1:57:44

     Wait just a minute. Is it ... Wait a minute. That hasn't happened yet, has it?

247. 1:57:51

     You're in my shot.

248. 1:57:51

     Sabotage.

249. 1:57:56

     There we go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I rise to make a motion to override the governor's veto on House Bill 1192 that passed this House unanimously, that works to protect, um, this House's direction on the spending of state and federal funds given to the Department of Human Resources, excuse me, Human Services and Department of Community Health.

250. 1:58:24

     The lady has made a motion, and we had discussed this to, um, as this House always does, to bring as much information as we can about issues that arrive before this House. Lady has made her motion, and for what purpose does, uh, Representative Darleene Taylor rise, who, uh, I think, was the author of s- House Bill 1192, to help shed some light on this?

251. 1:58:46

     Parliamentary inquiry.

252. 1:58:48

     State your inquiry.

253. 1:58:49

     Is it not true that as the bill sponsor, I'm already working with the governor's office and the agency to implement this legislation? And if it is not fully implemented next year, I will be bringing this legislation back.

254. 1:59:09

     Representative-

255. 1:59:11

     Di-

256. 1:59:11

     ... recognized.

257. 1:59:12

     Is that directed to me?

258. 1:59:14

     Uh, that's rec- that's information for the entire House to consider on this motion.

259. 1:59:18

     Okay.

260. 1:59:20

     Do you f- wish to move forward with your motion?

261. 1:59:22

     I do.

262. 1:59:23

     Okay. For what purpose does Representative Gambill rise?

263. 1:59:27

     I rise to make a motion.

264. 1:59:30

     State your motion.

265. 1:59:31

     Mr. Speaker, I move that this House table the motion to override the governor's veto.

266. 1:59:37

     We have a motion that we override the governor's veto and a motion to table that motion.

267. 1:59:42

     Objection.

268. 1:59:45

     You're objecting. I was gonna tell you what the law is, but we can, you can object first if you'd like to. How about if I tell you what the law is, then you object? How about that? Or what our rules are. Per our House rules, a motion to table is in order and takes precedence such that we first must vote on the motion before voting on the underlying motion. Now, on the gentleman's motion that the House table the gentlelady's, Representative Evans' motion to override, we'll take that up.

269. 2:00:16

     Is there objection?

270. 2:00:22

     Objection.

271. 2:00:22

     Make sure your motion ... It's heard.

272. 2:00:25

     Y- yes, there's objection to the motion, and parliamentary inquiry on the motion.

273. 2:00:30

     You can state ... We're gonna vote your motion now, your objection, um, on, on the, uh, motion to table. There is objection. Does the gentleman move?

274. 2:00:45

     Move.

275. 2:00:45

     So we're h- he ... Can we all hear that? The gentleman's moved.

276. 2:00:50

     I, I move.

277. 2:00:51

     The gentleman's moved, and we'll vote the motion. Those who will vote green, members will vote green in support of the motion to over- excuse me, in the motion to table the, uh, motion. And to, uh, not lay the m- the, um, motion on the table will be red. So all those in favor of the motion will vote yes. Those opposed will vote no. And Mr. Clerk will unlock the machines.

278. 2:01:43

     Have all members voted? This vote takes a majority of the quorum. All members voted. If so, Mr. Clerk will lock the machine. On the m-

279. 2:02:01

     Let's table it.

280. 2:02:02

     On, on the motion to table, the yeas are 94, the nays are 77, and this, the motion is laid on the table.

281. 2:02:18

     Afternoon orders.

282. 2:02:23

     We have some afternoon orders at this time. Then we'll move on. We have a list of them. We'll start with,

283. 2:02:34

     with Sam Park. Did you, uh, add, did you wanna add her back to the list?

284. 2:02:41

     Sir?

285. 2:02:44

     Okay. Whip Park is recognized.

286. 2:02:48

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to yield the balance of my time to Representative Karen Lupton. Representative Lupton.

287. 2:02:56

     Representative Lupton.

288. 2:02:58

     Thank you so much-

289. 2:02:58

     Representative Lupton

290. 2:02:58

     ... Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Whip Park. Today, I rise to recognize and honor an exceptional Georgia medical cannabis practice, Medical Marijuana Therapeutics. Founded in 2019, MMT has helped patients across our state find relief from conditions such as PTSD, chronic pain, cancer, and many other conditions through compassionate patient-centered support. As a family-owned and operated practice, they have set the standard for excellence by going above and beyond for every patient they serve. Their team provides comprehensive guidance, education, and individualized treatment plans to help patients navigate Georgia's medical cannabis program with confidence.

291. 2:03:38

     Through their commitment to advocacy, accessibility, and clinical care, MMT has improved the lives of countless Georgians and continues to lead the way in ensuring patients receive the resources and support they deserve. Uh, it would have been my honor to recognize, um, Dr. Madeline Murad, Vicky Jacobson, and Melanie Jacobson for their outstanding service, um, but they have left the gallery. There's a little bit of confusion, but just imagine them there, and let's give them a round of applause.

292. 2:04:06

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

293. 2:04:10

     Thank you, Representative Lupton. Representative Jasmine Clark and the Gwinnett delegation.

294. 2:04:18

     Gwinnett delegation, come down with Representative Clark.

295. 2:04:25

     If the members of the Gwinnett delegation-

296. 2:04:27

     Co- Congresslady Clark

297. 2:04:27

     ... would like to join.

298. 2:04:29

     Should I say Congresslady Clark? Soon to be. Yeah, absolutely.

299. 2:04:43

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, today, we rise to honor the life and legacy of Elliot Brack, who was a distinguished journalist, historian, community leader, whose passing last month is a tremendous loss for Gwinnett County and the state of Georgia. Elliot Brack was a longtime resident of Norcross who dedicated more than six decades to informing, documenting, and celebrating the people of our state. As a respected newspaperman, publisher, and editor, he believed that the local journalism was essential to building strong communities.

300. 2:05:20

     Through his writing, he chronicled the growth of Gwinnett County, preserved its history, and gave voice to the stories that might otherwise have gone untold. He authored the definitive Gwinnett: A Little Above Atlanta, and it remained a trusted source of insight and perspective through the Gwinnett Forum, where he continued writing well into retirement. Beyond journalism, Mr. Brack was a true Gwinnett champion. He helped found Leadership Gwinnett, supported countless civic organizations, mentored fut- future journalists, and devoted his time and talents to strengthening c- strengthening the community he loved.

301. 2:05:58

     His impact can be seen not only in the pages he wrote, but also in the generations of leaders he inspired and institutions he helped build. So, on behalf of the House of Representatives, we, the Gwinnett delegation, extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Barbara, his family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May we remember Elliot Brack for his unwavering commitment to truth, service, and the enduring story of Gwinnett County.

302. 2:06:29

     And if we could have a quick moment of silence.

303. 2:06:38

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We yield the well.

304. 2:06:42

     Thank you, Representative Clark and members. Representative Kendrick. You're still there. Lady's recognized.

305. 2:06:51

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, members. I want to recite a small excerpt from a document that was delivered to c- what we now know as Congress on July 4th, 1776. And I want you to listen to these words. "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another, and to assume among the powers of this Earth, separate and equal station by which the Laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinion of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

306. 2:07:31

     We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men have been created equal, that they have been endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these rights, it is the Right of the People to alter and abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its foundation in, on such principles and recognizing its forms that it shall be most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." That is a little bit of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and the whole premise of the Declaration of Independence was very, very simple.

307. 2:08:15

     No kings and no queens in this country. And so as we celebrate 250 years of America, just remember that the whole foundation of this nation is that we don't have a monarch, that we don't have to bend to any one person. The whole reason we seceded from England is so that we would have no kings and no queens. So happy birthday to the United States, and hopefully 250 more years of no kings and no queens.

308. 2:08:46

     And Mr. Speaker, I know it is your anniversary, but it's my parents' anniversary as well. It's their 45th anniversary, so thank you to my parents for creating me. Thank you.

309. 2:08:57

     Yeah, happy anniversary.

310. 2:09:01

     It's a great day to be a Georgian on that day, evidently. Girl, Representative Burnough. Representative Burnough.

311. 2:09:13

     And R- Representative Westbrook, you're on deck.

312. 2:09:26

     Ladies, recognize.

313. 2:09:28

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In honor of Father's Day, I just wanna honor my dad, Charles Peter Hammons. He was a U- United States Marine, a retired Detroit police sergeant, an attorney, and a magistrate judge. But most important, he was our dad, and he made sure that we had all types of experiences so that we would know our value and stand up for what we believe. My dad loved politics, and he visited the Georgia Capitol before I was elected. So that's why it's important for me to say his name so he will be a part of Georgia history.

314. 2:10:02

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield the will.

315. 2:10:05

     Awesome dad, sounds like to me. Representative Westbrook. Lady's recognized.

316. 2:10:13

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon, colleagues. I rise today to remember. To remember the life of a leader, Robert Edward Robinson. Savannah native, graduate of Savannah High School, graduate of Savannah State University, and graduate of University of Georgia School of Law. One of the first African Americans to be admitted as a student to the University of Georgia School of Law.

317. 2:10:43

     An Air Force veteran. Robert Robinson was a participant in the Tybee Island wade-in, which desegregated the beach. He was joined by our dear colleague and friend, the representative of the 165th District. In 1982, he was elected to the Savannah City Council, representing the west side of Savannah. In 1989, his political career and his life were both tragically cut short.

318. 2:11:17

     A white supremacist, also from the State of Georgia, mailed a bomb to his law office, which is located on Abercorn Street in my district. And the, his murder followed the similar murder of a federal district judge in Alabama just a couple of days earlier. Both of these men were specifically targeted for their work in civil rights. Alderman Robinson was targeted for representing the NAACP in court, for accessing the courts, the institutions of the rule of law, to bring about multiracial democracy.

319. 2:12:00

     This event lives in my district's memory. I know this event lives in the memory of my colleague from Liberty County. This is not Jim Crow era. This is not the Antebellum era. This was 1989. I was a high school sophomore, two years from becoming a voter myself. So as we are being told that civil rights protections are unnecessary, that racism is over, these events live in the memory of the people I represent.

320. 2:12:33

     We're in a moment of great peril in our democracy, and the peril of this moment is that we are telling ourselves, and we are being told by leaders with power, that we are not in peril. Racism is not the shark, it's the water. There is no multiracial democracy without multiracial leadership. There is only the state of segregation and inequality and injustice that has dominated most of our 250 years. I ask you to join me in defending the institutions of the rule of law, in defending Black leadership and multiracial leadership.

321. 2:13:08

     And Mr. Speaker, I yield the will.

322. 2:13:11

     Good. Well done. Lady's yielded the will.

323. 2:13:17

     Representative Moore, I'm afraid they've done it to you again.

324. 2:13:23

     We're part, we gotta do better. Put her up top. Chairman Petrie, recognized for an afternoon order.

325. 2:13:45

     Getting ready for that new knee. I know you're walking good. The gentleman's recognized.

326. 2:13:49

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think you're gonna relate to this one. Uh, members, I wanna rise again, a- a, as I said the other day, as we approach the 250th anniversary of this greatest nation in the history of the world. Let me talk about some other great men, heroes of the revolution. I wanna begin, and, uh, Representative Mathis back there, wherever he's sitting, with General John Twiggs, who became Brigadier General John Twiggs. He was actually raised, Speaker, in Burke County, Georgia, and, uh, what was then St.

327. 2:14:24

     George's Parish became Bur- Burke County after the war. Fought the Cherokee Wars, and then fought in the Revolution with Lachlan McIntosh Where Buddy DeLoach, uh, at Darien, and, uh, from the Darien era. And, uh, most of you may be aware, Lachlan McIntosh had a due- Button Gwinnett, uh, uh, challenged him to a duel, and he killed Button Gwinnett. I'll tell you more about Lachlan McIntosh maybe tomorrow. At any rate, General John Twiggs helped liberate Augusta, where he lived.

328. 2:14:56

     He fought at the Siege of Augusta. He later fought with Elijah Clark at the Black Stocks, where he defeated Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who was known as Bloody Ban, the Butcher, who offered no quarter to American patriots. And ultimately, he defended Georgia throughout the balance of the war, and was known and given the title for the rest of his life as the Savior of Georgia. That is General John Twiggs, namesake of Twiggs County. Now, I wanna tell you about one that doesn't have a county named after him.

329. 2:15:27

     I wanna tell you very briefly about Austin Dabney. Austin Dabney was an enslaved African American who became a private in the Georgia Militia. He was from, uh, the area of about, of around Wilkes County, and he served in the militia, and he served under General Elijah Clark, who's another one I'd like to touch on tomorrow, one of our greats. And he served at the Battle of Kettle Creek, Speaker, one of our great patriot successes in Georgia. And that portrait is on the wall of myself and, and, uh, Chairman Stephens in our office.

330. 2:15:59

     And, uh, here's what's interesting about Austin Dabney. After the war, he was granted, he was the only African American, as far as I can learn, who was granted 250 acres by the Georgia Legislature. He was also granted his emancipation by the legislature, and rightly received a pension for the rest of his life. Another great American who fought in our revolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

331. 2:16:29

     Great moments in history. Thank you for that. Representative Townsend

332. 2:16:36

     got some history down there where you're from as well. The gentleman's recognized. We do, Mr. Speaker. I'm gonna talk about, uh, even the nation of, uh, we're s- getting ready to celebrate our 250th birthday. And, you know, back then they believed in, I believe, self-governing, self-determination. Unfortunately, that's not happening. Local control. W- what's happened in the recent House votes where we've had a majority party Republicans voting for property tax relief, Georgia House Democrats not voting for it, arguing about the extra penny.

333. 2:17:09

     I believe many people have voted for the SPLOST in the past, last time I remember. In Glynn County, did you know the city of Brunswick is majority Democrat? I represent them. I answer their phone calls. I'm friends with a lot of them. I taught a lot of their kids, or was a CEO of a career academy with their kids. County commissioners, majority's Republicans. We get along. We sit at the table. We make sure we have election integrity. We make sure we have a great voting process.

334. 2:17:41

     We talk at the table. We eat at the table together. I can be seen down there eating with a friend Democrat, former pres of Democratic Party, and nobody thinks nothing of it. We're friends. It's okay. That's okay. Now, all I asked for was for this House to allow me to put through local legislation that local Democrats, local Republicans in leadership said, "Hey, let's put it to the people." What's wrong with that?

335. 2:18:13

     You tell me, what is wrong with allowing the people to decide in my district? Can anybody in this room tell me you cannot, you know better than my local folks back home? Can you do that? I don't think so. I don't think you can tell me that. We'll talk afterwards. I think my local home folks understand that. I represent Blythe Island, city of Brunswick, St. Simons, and Sea Island. We all work together for a common good. They deserve the right to vote, and I wish that would've happened.

336. 2:18:48

     Mr. Speaker, I yield the well. Gentleman yields the well. Chairman Brad Thomas is recognized for an afternoon order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm about to give a speech that unfortunately, uh, my LHOST got voted down for Cherokee County, and I'll be quite honest with you, I am really angry about it. Today, I wanna talk plainly about what the LHOST does, what voting against it actually means, and why the fight matters to the people I represent.

337. 2:19:20

     For Cherokee County, the LHOST does one simple thing. It lets Cherokee County voters decide how Cherokee Vounty, County voters are taxed. It's not a statewide tax increase. It's not Atlanta forcing anything on anyone, 'cause that was the big one, uh, uh, for the constitutional amendment. It's not a mandate. It gives my constituents the right to vote on whether they wanna reduce county property taxes on homesteads inside Cherokee County, and it gave them the mechanism to do so. And that question belonged on our ballot. Cherokee voters do not m- merely deserve a voice, they have a democratic right to one, the right to read it, to debate it, to decide yes or no.

338. 2:20:01

     And every Georgian struggling to keep your home, guess what? The Democrats denied you the right to make that decision. That's right, I said it. Our fight is bigger than Cherokee County. Other Georgia communities have asked for the same basic thing, the right to let their voters decide w- what, whether this kind of property tax relief makes sense for them, and to make a local decision. If Democrats believe LHOST is a tax shift y'all, why are y'all afraid to argue it on a ballot?

339. 2:20:33

     Why y'all afraid?

340. 2:20:35

     If y'all are afraid, believe that LHOST is bad policy, why aren't y'all out campaigning against it? Oh, wait a minute. Oh, no, no, no, you didn't. 'Cause the simple fact is what you actually did was use the power of state government to block voters from even having a, a say. You didn't stand. You, you stood here in Atlanta and denied communities the right to decide for themselves. And I don't ever hear all these hours that I have to listen to you about you preaching about your access to the ballot box, 'cause you obviously don't care about the ballot box, 'cause you're making sure voters don't have a right to get to it.

341. 2:21:09

     That's right. You say, Democrats say property tax relief only helps the rich. Let me tell y'all something. You don't understand what it means to be a homeowner. You know, you think homeowner means wealthy. I hear homeowner, and I think about young families trying to buy their first house, a senior trying to stay at home, uh, stay in the home she worked for her whole life to pay for, a farmer trying to keep his family farm, and working families with mortgage escrows that, that keeps going up every time their property taxes rise.

342. 2:21:43

     Hello, Democrats. Guess what? Homeownership doesn't make you rich. Families can make decisions around the parts of their budget they can control, but they have no control over government assessments. No control.

343. 2:21:58

     Gentlemen, keep your focus on-

344. 2:22:00

     Uh, uh-

345. 2:22:00

     -your issue and don't-

346. 2:22:01

     I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker.

347. 2:22:02

     -turn it into-

348. 2:22:03

     I just... When my, when my people back home are denied the right to vote, I get really upset about it. However... It's okay. Listen, I, I listen to you when you're railing about your stuff in the well.

349. 2:22:15

     Make your point. Don't address members.

350. 2:22:18

     Sorry, Mr. Speaker. So, you know what? Let's just say this. It's a simple question. Democrats, do you still believe in the American dream? If so, why are you fighting for access to it? Republicans believe in a dream that more people want to own a home, more families keep building equity. We want to see young couples getting the keys to their first home, more seniors keeping their homes they've already earned. Republicans want wealth in the hands of Georgian families. Why do Democrats want more monthly rent checks flowing to out-of-state corporate landlords?

351. 2:22:49

     Democrat vision gives up helping renters become owners. Democrat vision treats permanent renting as the future. Republican vision says the American dream is still the front door, a family, a neighborhood, and something you can call your own. That was what was on the ballot. That was what's supposed to be on the ballot, and that brings us to fairness. Everyone benefits from a strong country, or county. People who drive on our roads rely on public safety, shop here, shop in Cherokee, work in Cherokee, rent in Cherokee, visit Cherokee, and commute through Cherokee.

352. 2:23:21

     The current system puts too much burden on a family homeowner. LHOST just asked a fair question. Should all the costs fall on homeowners, or should everyone who participates in a local community and economy help support the local community? A local sales tax means visitors help, commuters help, people passing through help, and people shopping in our communities help. Everyone contributes, but every citizen should be offered the, the chance to decide, and that's the most part, and I see the light blinking here, and that was denied to them.

353. 2:23:56

     So I would tell you, Democrats have chosen Atlanta Power. Re- Republicans have chosen the local voters. Democrats chose to block your access to the ballot box. Dem- That happened, Cherokee County. Republicans chose to let you decide. That's the difference.

354. 2:24:12

     Gentleman.

355. 2:24:13

     That's the fight.

356. 2:24:13

     Gentleman.

357. 2:24:13

     That's why I'm upset.

358. 2:24:13

     Step up.

359. 2:24:14

     And I, I yield the well.

360. 2:24:16

     Gentleman's yielded the well.

361. 2:24:20

     That concludes our afternoon orders.

362. 2:24:25

     Mr. Clerk.

363. 2:24:32

     Mr. Clerk, he will read the caption only, the caption to a group of privileged resolutions. Mr. Clerk.

364. 2:24:43

     Honoring the life and memory of Dr. Willie Frank Rainey Jr., beloved father of State Representative Dr. Jasmine Clark of House District 109, and recognizing his enduring legacy of service, leadership, and compassion. Honoring a life legacy and service of Miss Oretha Walker Ansley. Honoring a life in memory of Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson. Honoring the life and memory of Mattie Harrison Grice.

365. 2:25:16

     Honoring the life and memory of Betty Lee Harrison Dickey. Celebrating a life legacy and 87th birthday of James Schofield. Recognizing commending Jennifer Blakely upon the grand occasion of her retirement. Recognizing commending Pastor Arthur L. Powell for his outstanding ministry. Recognizing commending the Honorable Sylvester Mensah for his distinguished leadership, public service, and contribution.

366. 2:25:47

     Recognizing the, honoring the Haiti national football team for qualifying for and competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Recognizing commending Jermaine Dupri. Recognizing June 25th, 2026, as Pain Awareness Day. Recognizing June 29th, 2026, as Migraine and Headache Awareness Day. Recognizing and commending Santos Takira Express. Recognizing and commending the Broad Street Concert Band of Sugar Hill.

367. 2:26:20

     Recognizing the importance of educational funding. Recognizing and commending Robert Lund Hilton and Chris Ann Chapman Hilton. Recognizing and commending the Sugarloaf Community Improvement District upon its 10th anniversary. Recognizing commending Robbie for his outstanding contributions to the arts, culture, and state of Georgia. Recognizing commending Bee Hi Atlanta for its outstanding contributions to hip hop, media, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Recognizing the growing danger of artificial intelligence.

368. 2:26:53

     Recognizing September 2026 as World OKTA Global Startup Month and for other purposes. And that completes the reading of the privileged resolutions.

369. 2:27:11

     Is there any objection to adopting the privileged resolutions? Hearing none, the resolutions are adopted. Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

370. 2:27:51

     We have some announcements. We're going to take them up shortly. It won't be too long, but this House will stand at ease for a relatively short period of time, I anticipate, but maybe a little bit longer. So members need to stay close, and we'll conclude the remainder of our business here today, but this House will stand at ease until, uh, we'll send you a notice back, but I'll say until right now, till five o'clock.

371. 2:28:22

     Stand at ease until five.

372. 4:43:13

     Well, good evening. House will come to order. All members come to the floor, please, and we will see if we can move along. Mr. Clerk, how about ring the bell so everyone will know we're getting ready to finish up.

373. 4:44:17

     Members, we ... Thank you. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for being here to tend to your work. Uh, we have some announcements at this time. I'm gonna recognize Representative Stacey Evans for our f- our first announcement, and we have a couple more. Representative Evans.

374. 4:44:41

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good evening, colleagues. I just wanted to rise and make an announcement to make sure everyone knows that today is the anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance. Um, it was, uh, first, uh, developed in 1941, so today is the 85th anniversary. And when I think of the Pledge of Allegiance, I think of our flag. And when I think of our flag, I think of our rights and how we feel under this flag. And it makes me think of that quote, uh, I may not agree ... I'm, I'm gonna botch this, but there's a quote, y'all will recognize it when I say it, and I don't know who said it, but you know it's true.

375. 4:45:15

     Um, that, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fight to my death for your right to say it." And I think when we're in here, we need to recognize that, especially on this anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance, that we should be fighting for all of us to voice our opinions, and especially in here when we are brought here to do that. And when we table motions instead of taking up issues, when we, when we sit on our rights, we are really spitting in the face of so many that came before us to stand for our flag and to stand for our rights.

376. 4:45:50

     And I hate to see us abdicate it, and I see us doing it over and over again, and seeing us do it again today in the face of the Constitution that gives us a right. Um, just very sad, but I wanted to, uh, bring to you the announcement of the anniversary of the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

377. 4:46:06

     Thank you for your announcement.

378. 4:46:10

     Well noted, the anniversary of the pledge. Sticking to the rules, right?

379. 4:46:19

     Chairman Anderson, recognized for an announcement.

380. 4:46:25

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The, uh, full Governmental Affairs Committee will meet in room 606 CLOB at 7:30 AM tomorrow morning.

381. 4:46:37

     Thank you.

382. 4:46:39

     You're a popular man.

383. 4:46:44

     Chairman Williamson, recognized for an announcement.

384. 4:46:49

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Majority Caucus is gonna have a meeting in room 403 immediately upon adjournment this evening. Room 403 for the Majority Caucus. Thank you.

385. 4:47:01

     Thank you, Chairman.

386. 4:47:05

     It's today, isn't it?

387. 4:47:08

     Yes, it's today.

388. 4:47:09

     Well, we have a birthday today to celebrate. Yeah, we do. Almost missed it, but we got it. Chairman Bill Yearta, happy birthday, brother.

389. 4:47:31

     I'm going to recognize the majority leader for a motion of adjournment. We'll, uh, keep our, the business of this House moving forward, and I think you need to pay close attention to this announcement so we can all be here and get our work done. Leader is recognized for an announcement.

390. 4:47:49

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move-

391. 4:47:50

     Excuse me, for a motion. I'm sorry.

392. 4:47:52

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that this House stand adjourned until Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 at 8:00 AM.

393. 4:48:01

     On the motion of the majority leader, this House stand adjourned until 8:00 AM, Tuesday, June the 23rd, 2026 at 8:00 AM. All those in favor will say aye.

394. 4:48:15

     Aye.

395. 4:48:15

     Oh, boy, that's strong. All those opposed, no.

396. 4:48:21

     No.

397. 4:48:21

     Up with the early birds. This House will stand adjourned because the ayes have it until 8:00 AM, Tuesday, January the 23rd, 2026.