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Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 6, 2026
Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): On Crossover Day, the Senate read incoming legislation and committee reports, then voted on bills covering utilities, elections, public safety, education, licensing and insurance. The Senate passed SB 410, which the sponsor said would end new data-center tax exemptions and require utility contract protections. Members disputed whether those protections would keep costs off household bills. The Senate also passed measures addressing clergy sexual abuse, AI safety, animal cruelty records, human trafficking and prosecutor oversight. SR 838, a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship and photo identification for voting, failed to receive the required two-thirds vote. SB 573, concerning nonpartisan elections in certain counties, failed, and the sponsor requested reconsideration. No reconsideration vote appears in this transcript. The session paused for dinner after passing SB 593.
It is also, finally, very curious to me that the party who says it stands with law enforcement is directly attacking those who have dedicated their lives to it. However, I did see the news That yesterday another criminal who assaulted police officers on January sixth and received a blanket pardon from President Trump was sentenced to life in prison in...
Um, it w- PAC is very skilled. That's one of the things we pay PAC to do, is to find an aide of the DA to step in in the event of a recusal. So I'm making a very slice, a very s- precise cut in this bill. If a DA is disqualified for misconduct, the AG gets the first bite of the apple but if it is simply a recusal, then we continue to function as we have...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 3, 2026
House floor session, March 3, 2026 (legislative day 26, PM)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House debated a major property-tax proposal, HR 1114, but it failed 99-73 because it needed 120 votes. The sponsor announced plans to seek reconsideration on the next legislative day. The House passed bills addressing school crisis-hotline information, vehicle obstruction of police, homelessness-service reporting in Atlanta, homeowners association rules, elder sexual abuse, drones near prisons, smoke alarms, zoo enclosures, a sales-tax incentive, code corrections and cotton as the state fabric. Members returned two bills to the Rules Committee and postponed several other measures, including the property-tax proposal’s accompanying legislation, HB 1116. The House also adopted a group of recognition and memorial resolutions without objection. After announcements and remarks on military service, foster children and school facilities, the House adjourned until March 4 at 10 a.m.
I request that House Bill 1324 be r- recommended back to Rules, please. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption? House Bill 1324 by Representative Ridley of the 6th and others be entitled an act to amend Article 4, Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices.
On the gentleman's motion that House Bill 1324 be recommitted to Rules Committee. Is there objection? Hearing none, it's so ordered. For what purpose does Representative Stevens rise? To make a motion. State your motion, sir. I move that House Bill 574 go back to the Rules Committee. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · April 2, 2026
Senate floor session, April 2, 2026 (legislative day 40, part 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed measures on insurance, contraceptive access, child-abuse reporting, property-owner claims against local governments, education, healthcare licensing and court procedures. Debate focused heavily on HB 295, which passed 30 to 22 after opponents raised concerns about lawsuits, local costs and treatment of homeless people. Senators removed a corn-flour fortification requirement from HB 1138 before passing it. The Senate accepted House changes to several bills, including SB 556, which combined a needs-based college scholarship with other education provisions. A proposed change removing medical-education scholarships failed before the House version was approved 36 to 17. Senators set aside HB 1142 after questions about its domestic-violence registry and withdrew a motion on HB 328. The session also included committee reports, honorary resolutions, tributes to departing senators and a local-consent-calendar vote. The excerpt ends with a dinner break.
So guess what? Now they're in pre-trial detention until their case can be heard, resolved, and decided. Colleagues, this is not a good bill. Micah 6 and 8 says, "Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." Proverbs 14 and 31 says, "He who oppresses the poor, he who oppresses the poor reproaches his maker." The Supreme Court stayed the case of...
Y'all giving me this moment. The truth is, I've had 10 contested elections over my years up here. I probably still shouldn't be here right now, honestly. Some of y'all know that. I survived two redistricting lawsuits, uh, survived a special session trying to stay up here. And I appreciate all y'all standing behind me all these years, and I appreciate even...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 31, 2026
House floor session, March 31, 2026 (legislative day 39, part 3)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed measures on synthetic hemp products, unclaimed livestock, public pensions, foster students’ school enrollment, and disruption of religious services. It adopted resolutions supporting arts-based mental health initiatives and promotion of the 988 crisis line. Members also approved Senate changes to HB 1077, HB 1185, SB 207, and HB 535. The House approved an amended version of HB 328 after discussion of school tax credits and an eight-year waiting period for certain transit votes. Debate included concerns about shareholder access to company records, protection of protests near religious services, and restrictions on local transit votes. The House adopted a group of honorary resolutions, postponed SB 437 and SB 446 to the next legislative day, and adjourned until April 2 at 10 a.m.
This is the ones we've been looking for. Senate Bill 437 and Senate Bill 446 will be postponed to the next legislative day.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 27, 2026
Senate floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed a revised election bill, HB 960, after extended debate, and approved the fiscal year 2027 budget, HB 974, 52-0. After the House rejected the budget changes, the Senate insisted on its version, leaving the chambers in disagreement. Senators also passed measures on income taxes, maternal leave for state employees, religious instruction during school hours, homelessness-service reporting, transit taxes, railroad maintenance, service dogs, teacher preparation and business court cases. Several bills were substantially rewritten from their original subjects. The Senate agreed to House changes on measures covering medical cannabis reporting, emergency services, securities fraud, school finances, clergy misconduct, AI chatbots and other subjects. It tabled SB 346, read numerous bills and committee reports, and adjourned until March 31.
You're talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of reams of pre-printed ballots that are gonna be sitting in somebody's fellowship hall, and for a smaller church, it's just gonna be in the sanctuary. Pre-printed ballots. And then I, I understand. I think the thought process is saying, "You know what? We need to make sure that all the ballots are...
But for some of our smaller counties that don't have access to major printers, we are talking about substantial cost. And the other piece that I wanna highlight that I see as a major problem with just the implementation of this bill as it is on its surface is that we have spent a lot of time in this body making sure that the wait time for voting is cut...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 4, 2026
House floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27, PM, part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed measures on vehicle repossessions, police safety grants and benefits, juvenile cases on military bases, foreign involvement in ballot campaigns, solar projects on closed landfills, cancer screening, healthcare payments, mental health services and other topics. Members adopted resolutions to study family farm sustainability and propose a dedicated statewide 911 fund. The longest debate concerned HB 1247, which would bar courts from giving special weight to state agencies’ legal interpretations. It passed 98–63 after supporters argued it protects independent courts and opponents warned of added lawsuits, costs and inconsistent rulings. The House also passed HB 1379 after discussion of foreign funding disclosures and concerns about effects on academic partnerships. Members returned HB 1276 to the Rules Committee, postponed several measures until the next legislative day and adjourned until March 6 at 10 a.m.
The following bills and resolutions will be postponed to the next legislative day, which will be Friday. House Resolution 1... Yes, I agree. House Resolution 1049, House Bill 334, 421, 545, 626, 892, 942, 1122, 1167, 1283, 1116, and House Resolution 1000 all will be postponed to the next legislative day.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · February 2, 2026
Senate floor session, February 2, 2026 (legislative day 10)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed HB 117, requiring restaurants to identify foreign imported shrimp, by a vote of 43 to 8. After extended debate over legal requirements, voter privacy and federal involvement in elections, the Senate adopted SR 563, urging the Secretary of State to provide voter registration information to the U.S. Department of Justice, by 31 to 22. The Senate returned SB 239, concerning funeral director licensing, to the Rules Committee without objection. Senators also adopted SR 639, recognizing Clark Atlanta University Day, heard bill readings and committee reports, and approved a consent calendar of resolutions whose individual measures were not identified in the transcript. During personal remarks, senators discussed insurance costs, honored a fallen Gwinnett County police officer and raised concerns about political violence and federal election investigations. The Senate adjourned until February 3 at 10 a.m.
Today is your signal moment, and that is the choice and the path you follow. Congratulations. With that, I yield the floor. Senator's yielded. Recognize the senator from 26. Thank you, Mr. President. I wish I could speak as eloquently as the Min- our deleader talked about this. But history teaches us what we've been through. What we've been through. Let me...
It's the one that clarified the rules on what good voting is, what fair voting is, what transparent voting is. And not long after that was signed into law, I, along with 20 plus other colleagues, were sued for passing SB 202. Not long after that, I received a telephone call from an attorney out of Pensacola, Florida, and I was told that this attorney had...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 25, 2026
House floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37, PM)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed bills on school financial oversight, artificial intelligence, criminal penalties, tourism taxes, insurance and property taxes. It approved SB 472, allowing stronger state intervention over school financial problems, 96-58 after debate over accountability and local control. It also passed SB 540 on AI companion chatbots and SB 594 on digital impersonation, election advertising and AI-generated child sexual material. The House agreed to Senate changes on district attorney pay and retirement, homeowner tax relief, soil amendments and state property transactions. Members approved a foster care cost study and a referendum on consolidating Quitman with Brooks County. They returned SB 475 to the Rules Committee and postponed three bills. The session also included honorary resolutions, a retiring committee chair's farewell and recognition of Georgia's relationship with Canada. The House adjourned until March 27 at 10 a.m.
Senate Bill 587 will be postponed until the next legislative day. Senate Bill 23 will be postponed to the next legislative day. Senate Bill 446 will be postponed until the next legislative day.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 25, 2026
Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed bills on education scholarships, elections, retirement benefits, tax credits, courts, boating and military scholarships. After debate, it passed HB 328, expanding education tax credits, 30 to 20, and HB 369, changing certain county elections to nonpartisan elections, 32 to 21. It tabled HB 1185 after discussion of business court rules and several amendments. Senators approved revised school-zone camera rules in HB 651 and agreed to House changes on reckless stunt driving, pharmacist access to HIV prevention medicine, school discrimination complaints, insurance decisions involving artificial intelligence and DeKalb County compensation. The session also included bill readings, committee referrals and ceremonial recognitions. The Senate adjourned until March 27 at 10 a.m.
Uh, we would fund mental health programs differently and more appropriately. We would, uh, decrease the amount of culture war in our schools and in our streets. We wouldn't encourage people to brandish firearms and use the Second Amendment as a thin cover for patriotism. There's plenty of things that we wouldn't do in this chamber if we really cared about...
President, is it not true that when the federal government came to its determination on this issue, it turned to Georgia and said, "You follow me"? Recognize the senator from the 13th. For what purpose do you rise? Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. President. State your inquiry. Mr. President, is a penny earned a penny saved still valid? I don't believe they're...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 27, 2026
House floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38, part 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed a package of local bills, including property tax exemptions, by a single 153-0 vote. It returned HB 1600 to committee for a technical correction after a member raised concern about delays near the end of the session. The House also returned three Senate bills to the Rules Committee. After presentations, members passed SB 478, concerning outdoor conservation funding, and SB 146, concerning cemetery protections and family access, each by 163-2. The clerk read new bills, resolutions and committee reports. Members also offered memorial tributes, recognized community groups and heard farewell remarks from the speaker pro tempore. The House recessed until 1 p.m.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Senate Bill 587 be recommitted to the Rules Committee. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption? Senate Bill 587 by Senator Still of the 48th, to be entitled An Act to Amend Article 1 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding offenses against public health...
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House recommit SB 23, SB 29, and SB 587 back to Rules. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption?
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 6, 2026
Senate floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed bills on home inspector licensing, gold and silver payments, cancer care, school funding and consolidation petitions, firearm silencers, veterans’ park fees, military retirement credit, and notices in civil lawsuits. Proposed constitutional amendments on data center property taxes and statewide grand juries failed to receive the required two-thirds support. A bill changing voting equipment and election procedures also failed. The Senate tabled a monument protection bill after two amendments were presented. A senator gave notice of plans to seek consideration of House changes to SB 179 on the next legislative day. The Senate adjourned until 1 p.m. Monday, March 9.
Senator from the 39th. Thank you, Mr. President. Request to move SB-532 from the table. Secretary, read the caption. Senate Bill 532 by Senator Halpern of the 39th and others. A bill to be entitled an act to amend Articles 2 and 7 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated relating to commencement of action and service and default...
So simple example, small business owner who's sued but fi- fails to file a timely answer because maybe they misunderstood the paperwork or believed a resolution was being worked out. The case goes into default and damages are determined, but without clear notice- You got it, baby. I'm done? Yeah. Okay. You got it. So- Everybody knows- Mr. President, I...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · February 20, 2026
House floor session, February 20, 2026 (legislative day 22)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed HB 1061, which the sponsor said would move certain 17-year-olds into juvenile court, by 155–0; HB 1199, an update linking Georgia tax law to selected federal provisions, by 106–54; and HB 1086, requiring warning signs on certain buildings with lightweight trusses, by 161–0. The House also approved a five-bill local calendar, including agreement to a Senate substitute, by 162–0. Members postponed HR 1000 and HR 1049 to the next legislative day. After recessing, the House disagreed with the Senate’s changes to HB 973, insisted on its position and appointed three members to negotiate a compromise. The session also included bill readings, committee reports, community recognitions and adoption of honorary resolutions. The House adjourned until February 24 at 10 a.m.
That will be House Resolution 1000 and House Resolution 1049 will be postponed to the next legislative day.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · February 3, 2026
Senate floor session, February 3, 2026 (legislative day 11)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed SB 420, which the sponsor said would create a paid fishing endorsement to support better saltwater catch estimates, by 52 to 0. After extended debate, the Senate passed SB 382 by substitute, 31 to 19. The sponsor said it would make statewide homeowner property assessment protections mandatory and deliver sales-tax-funded property tax relief sooner. Supporters emphasized predictable homeowner costs, while opponents raised concerns about local control, school funding and reversing an earlier compromise. A motion to send that bill immediately to the House failed, 30 to 20. The Senate also heard bill introductions and committee reports and adopted resolutions honoring community care providers, utility contractors, Kennesaw State football and Girl Scouts. Senators discussed healthcare affordability and other issues during personal remarks. The Senate adjourned until the next morning.
Our counties have widely variant economic conditions, so it really is not, in addition to not being particularly smart policy-wise to demand a blanket condition, it also isn't necessarily even practical or equitable. And it does tie our local officials' hands, um, in terms of how they can deal with their own budgets and provide the fiscal accountability...
On the passage of the bill, the yays are 31, the nays are 19. This bill, having received the requisite constitutional mar-majority, is therefore passed by substitute. Senator from the 19th, what's, what purpose do you rise? Mr. President, I ask your unanimous consent that we transmit that bill to the House. The senator has asked for unanimous consent that...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 10, 2026
House floor session, March 10, 2026 (legislative day 30)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed HB 974, the fiscal year 2027 budget, by 159 to 4 and voted 160 to 0 to send it immediately to the Senate. The budget presenter described a $38.5 billion spending plan with investments in literacy, healthcare, public safety and transportation. Members also passed 12 local bills together by 159 to 0, returned HB 1504 and HR 1049 to committee, and postponed SB 239 and SB 420 until the next legislative day. The clerk read numerous bills and committee reports. The House recognized community groups and visitors and heard from the federal Small Business Administration administrator and agriculture secretary. The agriculture secretary announced a $531 million agreement for Hurricane Helene agricultural relief. The House adjourned until March 12 at 10 a.m.
Members, we have a couple of Senate bills on the calendar Senate Bill 239 and Senate Bill 420, they will be postponed to the next legislative day, I think will be Thursday, right? Thursday. Will be Thursday. We do have some afternoon orders. In fact, we have one afternoon order. Representative Ali is recognized for an afternoon order.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · February 5, 2026
Senate floor session, February 5, 2026 (legislative day 13)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed SB 239, which separates funeral director and embalmer licensing, and SB 403, which changes how the state handles and returns unclaimed property, both by 50-0 votes. It also passed HB 414, expanding campaign-finance enforcement involving out-of-state people and groups, by 50-1 after questions about investigations and safeguards. Senators advocated for health insurance affordability, Medicaid expansion and tobacco cessation measures, without votes on those proposals. The chamber received HB 973 from the House and referred it to Appropriations, heard bill readings and committee reports, adopted an unidentified consent calendar of resolutions, and confirmed a Judicial Qualifications Commission appointment by 48-0. Senators also recognized visitors and discussed Black History Month, health and community services. The Senate adjourned until 9 a.m. February 6.
Now, this is a funny one. This is a funny story, uh, senator from Forsyth County. I don't know if you remember this, but you had a former colleague, Zara Karenshak. I can say her name. She's not here. Uh, wonderful person and helped connect me to some senators when I was serving in the State House. And I said, "I'd love to work on this long-arm issue." And...
And this doesn't change the underlying ethics laws. Again, if you, you know, want to change the ethics laws, you got to go into a different part of the code. So this is a good bill. It is in line with other reforms we also need to increase Georgians' rights vis-a-vis people out of state who might do harm, uh, and I'll be voting yes on this legislation...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 27, 2026
House floor session, March 27, 2026 (legislative day 38, part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed bills addressing retired teachers returning to classrooms, prosecutor oversight, charter schools, unclaimed funds, online notarization, towing and student support. After extended opposition, it passed SB 442, which concerns commercial licenses for noncitizens and moving-company rates, 98 to 59. It agreed to the Senate version of HB 369, discussed as changing local elections in five metro Atlanta counties, 93 to 64. Members disputed that measure's fairness, constitutionality and review process. The House also approved several Senate changes to House bills, including forestry tax credits and advanced mathematics instruction. It rejected the Senate version of the state budget, HB 974, without objection, and postponed SB 446 until the next legislative day. Members adopted recognition and memorial resolutions and adjourned until March 31 at 10 a.m.
Senate Bill 446 will be postponed to the next legislative day. So that will conclude our work on the calendar today. We're gonna move on to afternoon orders.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 4, 2026
Senate floor session, March 4, 2026 (legislative day 27)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed measures on outdoor conservation funding, retirement benefits, rental-home guarantees, condominium insurance, student political expression, school discrimination complaints, campus police protections, specialty license plates and cursive instruction. It also passed SB 406, establishing oversight of property owners associations, after adopting two amendments. Senators rejected amendments addressing broader religious-discrimination language, excused absences for civic events and local rent regulation. A road-naming resolution was adopted, while SR 668, concerning property taxation of data-center equipment, was set aside. The Senate confirmed a group of governor’s appointments 44-7 and tabled one nomination. Numerous bills received first or second readings. The chamber adjourned until 9 a.m. Friday, March 6.
We'll come back and then, um, try to get through these bills. So just stand at ease for the next 30.
Mr. President, that completes the order. Senator from the 9th, what purpose do you, what purpose do you rise? I ask for a unanimous consent to excuse the senator from the 7th. Without objection, the senator from the 7th is excused. All right, the s- majority leader has moved that SB 306, SB 465, SB 498, and SR 668 be engrossed. Is there objection?...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · February 24, 2026
House floor session, February 24, 2026 (legislative day 23)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House focused on education, passing HB 1193 to expand early reading instruction and support, HB 372 to extend a retired-teacher return program, and HB 1123 to expand access to pre-K after-school care. Members also passed HB 1009 to restrict personal electronic devices in high schools and HB 1023 to require school weapons detection systems, after debate about costs, local control and school safety. Other measures passed would expand career academy access, provide grants to student teachers and allow unused HOPE scholarship eligibility toward graduate or professional study. The House heard bill readings and committee reports, adopted recognition resolutions, postponed two resolutions to the next legislative day and reassigned HB 1377 to Transportation. The House adjourned until February 25 at 10 a.m.
Members, that completes the rules calendar. Also, we will House Resolution 1000, House Resolution 1049 will be postponed to the next legislative day.
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · June 17, 2026
Senate floor session, June 17, 2026 (legislative day 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate opened the special session and debated rules, scheduling and communication between party leaders. The chair announced that SR 1, setting special-session rules, failed despite a 30-21 vote in favor. Senators adopted SR 2 to notify the House that the Senate had convened, approved the meeting schedule in SR 3 by 45-5, and adopted HR 2 to notify the governor. Four bills and one proposed constitutional amendment received first readings and committee assignments. During debate, the president pro tempore said district maps would not be redrawn during this special session. Members also raised concerns about election equipment, Juneteenth plans and the costs of returning for a special session. The Senate adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on June 18.
And in that particular City of Mobile versus Bolden, and in that case, the court determined, similar to the court in Kale decision, determined that intentional discrimination was the key as far as bringing the Voting Rights Act was concerned. And Congress was so upset about that and so concerned about that, this is a bipartisan Congress, they actually...
And it's always been the same critiques, and in the Kale case it was the same critique that took place by Judge Alito. One of those was that Section 2 created this requirement of proportional representation. Nothing could be further than the truth. Section 2 does not create a requirement for proportional representation. It never has created a requirement...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 23, 2026
House floor session, March 23, 2026 (legislative day 36, PM)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed measures on medical cannabis, local government investments, mental health services, professional licensing, healthcare workforce data and clergy sexual abuse. After extended debate, the House passed SB 443, which increases penalties and allows civil liability for unlawful obstruction of public passages, by 96 to 69. Members also agreed to Senate changes on first-offender records and protections for code enforcement officials, and approved a revised magistrate court measure. The House returned SB 566 to the Rules Committee for a date change and postponed SB 23 until the next legislative day. Members approved a group of honorary resolutions and allowed unnamed local bills to be received together and assigned to committee. The House adjourned until March 25, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Hold it just one second. Hold just one second. Mr. Clerk, you've got a whole nother box, those privileged resolutions. We're gonna postpone, while we're on the rules calend- calendar, postpone Senate Bill 23, will be postponed to the next legislative day. Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption of group of Privileged Resolutions?
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