--- title: Senate floor session, June 22, 2026 (legislative day 4) collection: meetings id: 2026-06-22/senate-floor cite_as: Senate floor session, June 22, 2026 (legislative day 4), video https://vimeo.com/1203082656 (machine transcript by Georgia Commons) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-06-22/senate-floor md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-06-22/senate-floor.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-06-22/senate-floor/text source_url: https://vimeo.com/1203082656 date: 2026-06-22 status: machine transcript corpus_version: meetings-2026-10-23-8c15ead0f18d license: Machine transcript and summaries by Georgia Commons from the General Assembly's public video; the video stays on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-06-22.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-06-22/senate-finance.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-06-22/house-floor.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/index.md chamber: Senate body: Senate floor body_url: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/senate-floor.md meeting_kind: floor legislative_day: 4 session: 2026 Special Session start_time: 2026-06-22T13:00:00-04:00 location: Senate Chamber duration_seconds: 10914.0 video_id: 1203082656 video_title: Legislative Day 4 | 2026 Special Session | 06/22/2026 bills_discussed: - SB 5 - SB 6 - SB 7 - SB 8 - SB 9 - SR 9 bills_read_aloud: 1 summaries_model: gpt-6.1-sol transcript_turns: 113 --- # Senate floor session, June 22, 2026 (legislative day 4) Senate floor; June 22, 2026; legislative day 4; 2026 Special Session. Video, on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/1203082656. > This is a machine transcript of the General Assembly's video, made by a speech-recognition model. It is not an official record and can mishear words, names, and numbers. Speakers are not identified. The video is the record: every timestamp links to the moment it plays. ## Summary written by Georgia Commons Written by gpt-6.1-sol from the transcript below. It is not part of the record. Quote the transcript or the video, not the summary. The Senate received a favorable committee report and a second reading of [HR 3](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr3), concerning ratification of an executive order on motor fuel and diesel taxes. Five local homestead-exemption measures, [SB 5](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb5), [SB 6](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb6), [SB 7](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb7), [SB 8](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb8) and [SB 9](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb9), initially failed together on the local consent calendar, with 31 voting yes and 20 voting no. After discussion about the Senate's practice of deferring to local senators on local bills, the Senate voted 28–21 to reconsider, then tabled all five measures without objection. The Senate also adopted the recognition resolution [SR 9](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr9) without objection. Members offered personal remarks on organ donation, commercial property assessments and a firefighter's death. The Senate adjourned until 9 a.m. on June 23. ## Bills discussed (6) Each account was written by gpt-6.1-sol from the stretch of the transcript it names. The bill's number is said in that stretch, unless it was the only bill on a committee's agenda. ### SB 5. City of Toccoa; ad valorem taxes; homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST); provide homestead exemption [SB 5](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb5) (2026 Special Session). From [0:37:03](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2223s), turns 6 to 91. Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Committee Favorably Reported, 2026-06-22): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74856. The clerk reported a favorable committee recommendation and later described [SB 5](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb5) as providing a homestead exemption from City of Toccoa property taxes, with the amount determined annually. The measure was considered with four other local bills, without a separate presentation or questions about its provisions. The group received 31 yes votes and 20 no votes, which the chair announced was insufficient for passage. Afterward, one senator urged discussions before further local votes and argued against applying statewide disputes to local measures. The chair agreed that senators traditionally defer to members representing the affected districts. The Senate voted 28–21 to reconsider the failed calendar. The chair initially announced that motion had failed, then corrected the ruling because only a majority of the quorum was required. The majority leader then moved to table all five bills, and the Senate did so without objection. ### SB 6. Stephens County; ad valorem taxes; homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST); provide homestead exemption [SB 6](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb6) (2026 Special Session). From [0:37:04](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2224s), turns 6 to 91. Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Committee Favorably Reported, 2026-06-22): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74858. The clerk reported a favorable committee recommendation and described [SB 6](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb6) as providing a Stephens County homestead property-tax exemption determined annually using proceeds from a new local homestead option sales tax. There was no separate presentation or debate about its provisions. It was included with four other local bills in a vote of 31 yes and 20 no, which the chair announced was insufficient for passage. One senator then urged discussions to resolve the dispute and argued that statewide disagreements should not determine the fate of local bills. The chair supported the traditional practice of deferring to the senators representing the affected communities. The Senate subsequently approved reconsideration, 28–21, after the chair corrected an initial ruling that the motion had failed. On the majority leader's motion, all five measures were tabled without objection. ### SB 7. Webster County; ad valorem taxes; homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST); provide homestead exemption [SB 7](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb7) (2026 Special Session). From [0:37:05](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2225s), turns 6 to 91. Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Committee Favorably Reported, 2026-06-22): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74862. The clerk reported a favorable committee recommendation and later described [SB 7](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb7) as providing a homestead exemption from Webster County property taxes. No speaker separately presented or questioned the bill's provisions. It was considered with four other local measures, which failed together despite receiving 31 yes votes and 20 no votes because, the chair said, they lacked the required constitutional majority. One senator urged talks before further local votes and objected to allowing statewide disputes to affect local bills. The chair agreed that the Senate traditionally defers to the members representing the affected districts. The Senate voted 28–21 to reconsider. The chair first announced that motion had failed, then corrected the ruling to passage under the majority-of-a-quorum requirement. The majority leader moved to table the five measures, and that motion was approved without objection. ### SB 8. City of Plains; ad valorem taxes; homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST); provide homestead exemption [SB 8](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb8) (2026 Special Session). From [0:37:06](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2226s), turns 6 to 91. Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Committee Favorably Reported, 2026-06-22): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74863. The clerk reported a favorable committee recommendation and described [SB 8](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb8) as providing a City of Plains homestead property-tax exemption with an amount determined annually. The Senate considered it with four other local bills, without a separate presentation or questions on its provisions. The group received 31 yes votes and 20 no votes, which the chair said did not meet the constitutional requirement for passage. One senator called for discussions before proceeding with local measures and argued against carrying statewide disputes into local votes. The chair agreed that senators traditionally defer to the members representing the affected districts. A motion to reconsider passed 28–21 after the chair corrected an initial announcement that it had failed. The Senate then tabled all five bills without objection on the majority leader's motion. ### SB 9. Sumter County; ad valorem taxes; homestead property determined annually for the special district based upon the proceeds of a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST); provide homestead exemption [SB 9](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb9) (2026 Special Session). From [0:37:07](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2227s), turns 6 to 91. Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Committee Favorably Reported, 2026-06-22): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74864. The clerk reported a favorable committee recommendation and later described [SB 9](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sb9) as providing a homestead exemption from Sumter County property taxes, with the amount determined annually. There was no separate presentation or discussion of its provisions. The bill was part of a five-bill local consent calendar that received 31 yes votes and 20 no votes but failed to obtain the constitutional majority, according to the chair. One senator urged discussions to resolve the dispute and opposed applying statewide disagreements to local bills. The chair agreed that the Senate traditionally defers to members representing the affected communities. The Senate approved reconsideration, 28–21, after the chair corrected an initial ruling that the motion had failed. The majority leader then moved to table all five bills, and the Senate agreed without objection. ### SR 9. Steves, Dr. Elma Mera; recognize and commend [SR 9](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr9) (2026 Special Session). From [1:09:28](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4168s), turns 60 to 61. Confirmed by the bill's status history on the General Assembly's website (Senate Read and Adopted, 2026-06-22): https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74876. The clerk read [SR 9](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/sr9) as a resolution recognizing and commending a doctor. The Senate adopted it without objection, with no further presentation or debate. ## Bills read aloud (1) Read aloud only (a first or second reading, a committee's report), with no discussion. - [HR 3](https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr3) (2026 Special Session), General Assembly; motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes; ratify Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order: [0:36:50](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2210s); confirmed by its status history (Senate Committee Favorably Reported) ## Transcript (113 turns) [0:35:14](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2114s) The time for convening having arrived, the Senate will come to order. All unauthorized visitors please exit the chamber at this time. [0:35:31](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2131s) Chair recognizes the senator from the 6th. [0:35:44](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2144s) Good morning, Mr. President. Happy Monday to you. [0:35:47](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2147s) Happy Monday. [0:35:48](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2148s) I feel like I just saw you. Well, Mr. President, the journal has been read and found to be correct. I move we dispense with the reading of the journal. [0:36:01](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2161s) Is there objection to dispensing with the reading of the journal? Chair hears none and the reading of the journal is dispensed with. Is there objection to the confirmation of the journal? Chair hears none and the journal is confirmed. All senators that have bills or resolutions to introduce, please bring them to the secretary's desk at this time. Secretary will read the reports of standing committees. [0:36:24](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2184s) Mr. President, the committee on admin- committee on assignments has had under consideration the following appointments that were made by the governor which require Senate confirmation and were submitted by the s- to the Senate on June 17th, 2026, and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation: That the appointments be confirmed as submitted. Respectfully submitted, Senator Larry Walker, acting chairman. Mr. President, Senate committee on finance has had under consideration the following legislation, has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation: That House Resolution 3EX do pass. Respectfully submitted, Senator Hufstetler, the 52nd district chairman. Mr. President, the Senate committee on state and local governmental operations has had under consideration the following legislation, and has instructed me to report the same back to the Senate with the following recommendation: That Senate Bill 5EX do pass, Senate Bill 6EX do pass, Senate Bill 7EX do pass, Senate Bill 8EX do pass, Senate Bill 9EX do pass. [0:37:08](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2228s) Respectfully submitted, Senator Dixon of the 45th district chairman. Mr. President, that completes the order. [0:37:15](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2235s) Thank you, Mr. Secretary. The secretary will read bills and resolutions for the second time. [0:37:22](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2242s) House Resolution 3EX by Representative Gamble of the 15th and others. General Assembly, motor fuel and diesel fuel taxes. Ratify Governor Brian P. Kemp's executive order. Mr. President, that completes the order. [0:37:33](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2253s) It is now time for the afternoon roll call. Are there any motions to excuse? Chair recognizes the senator from the 15th, the Dean of the Senate. [0:37:43](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2263s) Thank you, Mr. President. I ask unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 2nd. [0:37:48](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2268s) Without objection, the senator from the 2nd is excused. Chair recognizes the senator from the 19th. [0:37:55](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2275s) Thank you, Mr. President. I move for unanimous consent we excuse the senator from the 42nd. [0:38:00](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2280s) Without objection, the senator from the 42nd is excused. Chair recognizes the senator from the 33rd. [0:38:08](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2288s) Thank you, Mr. President, and good m- afternoon, y'all. I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 26th for- [0:38:21](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2301s) I didn't w- I, I didn't have my glasses on. [0:38:28](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2308s) Chair recognizes the senator from the 8th. Thank you, Mr. President. I ask for unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 11th, please. Without objection, the senator from the 11th is excused. Are there any other motions to excuse? The secretary will call the roll. Will the senators signify your presence by voting the yay switch. The secretary will unlock the machine. [0:40:04](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2404s) It is now time for the morning devotion. All senators, please take your seats and cease, cease all conversation. I would ask the doorkeepers to secure the chamber at this time. [0:40:21](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2421s) I now recognize the senator from the 22nd for the purpose of leading the pledges and introducing the chaplain of the day. [0:40:32](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2432s) Will you please stand. Pledge allegiance to the United States flag first. 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. Now to our Georgia flag. I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag, and the principles for which it stands: wisdom, justice, moderation and courage. [0:41:03](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2463s) Thank you. It's my pleasure today to, uh, recognize our pastor of the day, which is Reverend Dr. Michael Wayne Sherman. He serves as the senior pastor and teacher of the Winton Hill Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. We took him from our good friend for the senator from the 15th today, and he is the founder and chief executive officer of Michael Sherman Senior Ministries and Hear the Word Broadcast Ministry. Dr. Sherman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Bo- Fort Valley State University. [0:41:34](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2494s) He further earned the Doctor of Ministry degree and Biblical Theology degree from Covington Theological Seminary. For more than three decades of ministry and pastoral leadership, Dr. Sherman has faithfully served congregations. He is the devoted husband of Mrs. Alma A. Sherman, the proud father of seven children, grandfather of six. He is also the grateful son of the late Reverend James and Bertha Sherman. Known for his practical biblical insight, theological depth, and spirit-led preaching, Dr. [0:42:05](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2525s) Sherman is committed to faithfully proclaiming Jesus Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God wherever the Lord opens a door for ministry. With that, it's my pleasure to present Dr. Michael Wayne Sherman. [0:42:21](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2541s) Good morn-- good afternoon. Let us pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we ask now for wisdom and for insight. Speak to our hearts that we might know your will and might be good stewards of what you've called us to do. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Mr. President, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, distinguished members of the Georgia Senate, constitutional officers, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Romans thirteen and four says, "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. [0:42:54](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2574s) But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Second Chronicles nineteen verses six through seven says, "He told them, 'Consider carefully what you do because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully with-- for the Lord our God there is no justice or partiality or bribery.'" Last scripture for consideration is Proverbs the third chapter, verse five through seven says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. [0:43:40](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2620s) In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil." The real measure of leadership is not how many people follow you but whether God can trust you with the people he has placed in your care. That statement brings us to the heart of the scriptures I read before us today. It is both a privilege and a sacred responsibility to stand in this chamber where laws are debated, policies are crafted, decisions are made that affect the lives of countless citizens across our state. [0:44:20](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2660s) Yet before we consider the responsibilities of government, we should first consider the sovereignty of God. These passages remind us of a simple but profound truth that our positions are not our identity, but rather they are our stewardship. In Romans thirteen:four, the Apostle Paul describes the governing authorities as the minister or the minister of God to, to thee for good. That word minister is translated from the Greek to simply mean that we are simply servants. [0:44:55](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2695s) Public office, therefore, is not merely a position of power, it is a position of stewardship. Authority is entrusted by God for a purpose, and that purpose is not self-promotion, personal gain, or partisan advantage. It is the pursuit of the common good. Let me be clear. Your position is not who you are, it is why you serve. Titles may and will change. Offices may change. [0:45:26](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2726s) Election cycles will come and go, but the responsibility remains the same. God entrusts leadership, God entrusts leadership to men and women so that they may serve the people with justice, integrity, and compassion. Yet if authority comes from God, then authority must also answer to God. If authority comes from God, then those who've been given that authority are answerable to God. King Jehoshaphat, uh, reminded the judges of Judah of that in Second Chronicles when he says to them, "Take heed for what you do. [0:46:02](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2762s) For you judge not for man, but you serve for the Lord." His message was clear that leadership is not merely about power, it is about accountability. Before the people answer to gov-- answer, before they answer to the people, they answer to God. The same principle remains true today. Offices may be granted by the election of the people, but your accountability still remains before God. Authority is never autonomous. [0:46:33](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2793s) It is delegated. Jehoshaphat further reminds us that God shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. His standard remains jus-- r-his standards remain justice, righteousness, and truth. Therefore, the greatest question facing any leader is not what is politically advantageous, but what is right. Throughout scripture, God repeatedly measures leadership by how it treats the marginalized, the vulnerable, and those whose voices often go unheard. [0:47:06](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2826s) True leadership is not measured merely by what benefits the powerful. It is measured by whether justice reaches those who need it the most. If authority comes from God and accountability belongs to God, then wisdom must also come from God. That's why Solomon writes, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to your own understanding." That word trust carries the idea of placing one's full weight upon a support or something to hold them up. [0:47:37](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2857s) Solomon is not merely encouraging belief in God. He's calling us to have complete dependence upon God. Experience is valuable. Education is valuable. Expertise is valuable. Yet human understanding still have limits. There are moments when political strategy cannot provide clarity and public opinion cannot provide righteousness. In those moments, leaders must remember that true wisdom begins with acknowledging God. [0:48:08](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2888s) These passages you heard today teach a truth that transcends every political season and every party platform. The assignment is not ultimately about being Republican, Democrat, or independent. It's about being dependent upon God. It's not ultimately about liberalism or conservatism. It's about submissive righteousness. Before you can serve people effectively, you must serve God exclusively. Before you can govern wisely, you must seek the source of wisdom, God himself. [0:48:40](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2920s) Before you can pursue justice publicly, we must embrace righteousness personally. Leadership begins with an allegiance to God. Before there can be wise governan- there's governance, there must be dependence upon God. Before there can be righteous decisions, there must be submission to God's will. Before there can be faithful service to humanity, there must be faithful allegiance to the one who grants the authority. Let's pray. [0:49:15](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2955s) Today, my prayer is to you, God, that you would grant each person in this chamber wisdom for every decision, courage for every challenge, integrity for every responsibility, and humility in every success. And may you, God, who has entrusted them with this responsibility, guide each individual to serve both you and the people of this great state with honor, justice, and compassion. [0:49:45](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2985s) And I ask this in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. [0:49:49](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2989s) Amen. [0:49:52](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=2992s) Good job. Good job. Thank you. We'll get our picture and- [1:02:28](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3748s) Ladies and gentlemen, I'm gonna get your attention for a minute, please. I do wanna let the senator from the 14th announce to you here who the daughter of the day is. Uh, she won't be coming to the rostrum, but, uh, he's gonna introduce the daughter of the day. [1:02:46](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3766s) Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, just so everyone is aware, if you need to be seen by a medical professional, Dr. Deborah Martin, uh, is downstairs in the clinic, and she is a general surgery expert. Always happy to host doctors from the 14th District. Thank you, Mr. President. [1:03:04](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3784s) Thank you. Are there any unanimous consents? [1:03:11](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3791s) Does any senator wish to rise on a point of personal privilege? [1:03:18](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3798s) I recognize the senator from the 56th. As a reminder, points of personal privilege, privilege are limited to three minutes during the special session. Thank you. [1:03:33](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3813s) Thank you, Mr. President. I want to take a moment to wish everyone, uh, a happy Father's Day from yesterday who I didn't get to speak to personally. Uh, it's obviously very meaningful, uh, in my life. Six years ago, most of you know the story that my older son, Will, uh, was raced to the hospital, and we almost lost him. And I want to thank again the wonderful medical professionals at Cherokee Northside Hospital for saving his life. But we went through a very difficult 11-month time of dialysis and trips to the hospital. [1:04:03](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3843s) Uh, but right at five years ago almost today, I got the greatest phone call in my life when the doctor said, "You're not just a match, John, you're a perfect match." So on July 21st, we will celebrate five years of us walking arm in arm into Emory University Hospital, where I conveniently gave Will lefty, my left kidney, and most of you know him personally, that he's happy, he's healthy, and I would encourage each one of you to please make sure that you have gotten your driver's license out. [1:04:34](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3874s) You're a donor as well as consider to be a living donor. Thank you. Mr. President, I yield the will. [1:04:48](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3888s) I recognize the senator from the 40th for a point of personal privilege. [1:05:04](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3904s) Thank you, Mr. President. I rise this morning to say a few words about property taxes, and my message is simple. Local government should actually start taxing big commercial properties at fair market values. The revenue for taxing these properties the way they should be would allow counties to reduce the burden on homeowners without hitting people with a massive sales tax hike. Here are 11 recent major Fulton C- Fulton commercial pro- commercial property sales that document the under-taxation. [1:05:43](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3943s) The Lincoln Rackhouse Data Center at the time of sale was appraised at 12% of its value. Kinetic Student Apartments, 17% of their value. The Krog Market, 19%. Colocation Data Center appraised at 50% of its market value. Magnolia Apartments, 53%. 30005 Peachtree, 77%. Perimeter Point Sandy Springs, 67%. [1:06:15](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=3975s) Hyatt Place on Lucky Street appraised at 50% of its value. Madison Yards Memorial, 66%. Chastain Market Roswell Road, 47%. Collectively, these properties are only bringing in property taxes at 38% of their market value. Counties are supposed to achieve 90% of the sale price. Lincoln Rackhouse Data Center alone is a $253 million property that is appraised at only $31 million. [1:06:52](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4012s) Do the math. That's $222 million that's tax-free for a data center. And this isn't just a Fulton County problem. We, as state legislators representing our communities, need to stop looking the other way. The Department of Revenue needs to stop looking the other way. County commissioners and city council members need to stop looking the other way. Tax assessors need to stop looking the other way. We can address property tax release without introducing any new taxes just by insisting that taxing big commercial properties at fair market value, boom, problem solved. [1:07:34](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4054s) No new taxes needed. Thank you. I yield the floor. [1:08:02](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4082s) I recognize the senator from the 43rd for a point of personal privilege. [1:08:26](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4106s) Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon, colleagues. I rise, um, in, uh, honor of the life of, uh, Rockdale firefighter Juan Antonio Smith. [1:08:40](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4120s) The Rockdale community is mourning, um, after learning that this young man was on a call, going to an emergency site, and the firetruck, uh, that he was riding in, um, turned over and he died on the scene. So just ask for a moment of silence, please. Thank you. [1:09:05](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4145s) Thank you. Mr. President, I yield the floor. [1:09:19](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4159s) Does any other senator wish to rise for a point of personal privilege? [1:09:26](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4166s) The secretary will read a resolution. [1:09:28](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4168s) Senate Resolution 9EX by Senator Harrell of the 40th. A resolution recognizing and commending Dr. Elma Mira Steves and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. [1:09:39](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4179s) Is there objection to the resolution? Chair hears none and the resolution is adopted. [1:09:47](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4187s) Are there any motions to withdraw and commit? [1:09:54](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4194s) You have before you a consent calendar of local bills. Mr. Secretary, have any objections been filed to any of the bills on the local consent calendar? [1:10:02](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4202s) Mr. President, no objections have been filed. [1:10:06](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4206s) Is there objection to agreeing the report of the Committee on State and Local Government Operations, which is favorable to the passage of the bills on the local consent calendar? Chair hears none. The report of the committee is agreed to. Questions on the passage of the bills on the local consent calendar. All those in favor will vote yay. Opposed, nay. The secretary will unlock the machine. [1:11:43](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4303s) On the passage of the bills, the yays are thirty-one and the nays are twenty. On the local consent calendar, having failed to receive the requisite constitutional marty- majority, uh, it is therefore lost. Chair recognizes the senator from the 26th. [1:12:07](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4327s) Mr. President, [1:12:10](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4330s) I'm gonna make a suggestion. Why don't we postpone the rest of the local consent calendar until there's a, a meeting with you, the minority leader, and those members of, of your party who are in position to make a decision on 3EX, which is over in the House. [1:12:43](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4363s) We are setting precedent. Local courtesy means those folks who have a part of a district, who represent a county, are the only ones that can bring it up, and then it has a referendum on it. We don't need to be fighting and taking state things and applying it to local folks. For example, when the pipes were busting in Atlanta, water's flowing out in the streets, we passed the most. [1:13:19](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4399s) We did a bill for DeKalb County. [1:13:25](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4405s) We need to have a discussion. We do not need to put folks on the limb on local courtesy, on local bills, that I don't live in the district or they don't live in the district. So we need to have a discussion prior to bringing this up so we can try to resolve that over what's going on right now. [1:13:50](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4430s) Senator, I agree. Traditionally, the Senate has, uh, given the courtesy to local senators that represent the district by approving their local bills, um, that don't affect the others, the other districts. Um, that's been the tradition of the Senate, and I'm, uh, sad to see we're moving away from that. Chair recognizes the senator from the 31st. [1:14:16](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4456s) Mr. President, I give notice that at the appropriate time, I will move that the Senate reconsider its action in failing to pass the local consent calendar. [1:14:28](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4468s) Thank you for the notice, Senator. [1:14:53](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4493s) Okay, so Senate rules require a minimum of 10 minutes pass before we can take, um, the re- vote on reconsideration up. So I, I'll say we're gonna do it at 2:15. [1:16:43](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=4603s) All right, the Senate will stand at ease till 2:15. Grab you a cup of coffee or water, return your phone calls, check your emails. [1:31:25](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5485s) If the Senate would please come back to order. [1:31:45](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5505s) The majority leader has motioned that the Senate reconsid- reconsider its action in failing to pass the local consent calendar. [1:31:57](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5517s) So I recognize the senator from the 31st. [1:32:02](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5522s) Mr. President, I move that the Senate reconsider its action in failing to pass the local consent calendar. [1:32:12](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5532s) Objection. [1:32:13](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5533s) On the motion for reconsideration, all those in favor will, will vote y- yay, those opposed nay. Secretary will unlock the machine. [1:33:30](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5610s) On the motion to reconsider the local consent calendar, the yays are 28 and the nays are 21. The motion fails. Hang on a second. Stand by. We got the rule, rule change here. [1:33:45](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5625s) Majority. [1:33:47](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5627s) So, the maj- it only requires a majority of the quorum. The motion passes. [1:34:03](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5643s) The chair recognizes the senator from the 31st. [1:34:08](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5648s) Mr. President, I move that the Senate table SB5EX, SB6EX, SB7EX, SB8EX, SB9EX. [1:34:21](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5661s) Secretary, read the caption. [1:34:23](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5663s) Senate Bill 5EX by Senator Hatcher the 50th, the bill to be entitled an act to provide for homestead exemption for the City of Taco ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually and for other purposes. Senate Bill 6EX by Senator Hatcher the 50th, the bill to be entitled an act to provide for homestead exemption from Stephens County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district based on the proceeds of a new local homestead option sales tax and for other purposes. Senate re- Senate Bill 6- 7EX by represent- by Senator Sims of the 12th, the bill to be entitled an act to provide a homestead exemption from Webster County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value and for other purposes. Senate Bill 8EX by Senator Sims of the 12th, the bill to be entitled an act to provide for a homestead exemption from the City of Plains ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually and for other purposes. [1:35:02](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5702s) Senate Bill 9EX by Senator Sims of the 12th, the bill to be entitled an act to provide for homestead exemption from Sumter County ad valorem taxes in the amount of the assessed value of the homestead property determined annually for the special district base and for other purposes. Mr. President, that completes the order. [1:35:17](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5717s) On the motion to table the bears, uh, bills, is there objection? Without objection, the bills are tabled. [1:35:42](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5742s) Chair recognizes the senator from the 31st. [1:35:45](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5745s) Thank you, Mr. President. Let's keep rolling. Mr. President, may the Senate stand in recess pending the call of the chair? [1:35:54](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5754s) The Senate will stand in recess. Uh, I, I believe the m- secretary has an announcement or something. [1:36:04](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5764s) Mr. President, the Senate Committee on Rules will meet upon recess in Room 125, 125 of the Capitol. Mr. President, that completes the order. [1:36:14](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5774s) All right, get to the rules meeting, those of you that are on the Rules Committee. [1:36:24](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5784s) Room 125 of the Capitol. [1:36:24](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=5784s) Room 125. Senate Rules Committee. [2:55:54](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10554s) The Senate will return to order. [2:56:25](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10585s) The Senate will return to order. [2:56:36](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10596s) Will all senators please return to the chamber? [2:58:54](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10734s) The Senate will return to order. [2:58:59](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10739s) Chair recognizes the senator from the 31st. [2:59:04](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10744s) Mr. President, s- I move that the Senate stand adjourned until 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 23rd. [2:59:13](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10753s) The secretary will read the announcements. [2:59:20](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10760s) There are no announcements. Uh, the senator from the, [2:59:30](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10770s) the senator from the 49th is gonna have an announcement, uh, but that can happen after we adjourn, but he's got a, a sad announcement to give us, if some of you might wanna stay for that. All right, the senator from the 31st has moved that the Senate stand adjourned until 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. All those in favor of the motion will say, "Aye." [2:59:57](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10797s) Aye. [2:59:57](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10797s) Those opposed, "No." [3:00:01](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10801s) No. [3:00:01](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10801s) The ayes clearly have it, and we s- we stand adjourned. [3:00:10](https://vimeo.com/1203082656#t=10810s) As soon as the senator from the 49th gets here, we'll let him give us an announcement.