Session Day 11: 2.3.26

God of all creation, we bow before you acknowledging that it is in you that we live and move and have our being. We bow before you this morning, Lord, to first of all, say thank you. Thank you for your love, your mercy, and grace manifested in so many ways every day in our lives. Thank you for Jesus, our Lord and savior. And thank you for the blessing of living in America and the blessing of living in the state of Georgia.

Thank you for those you've raised up to serve as leaders. Thank you for everyone from the highest officials in our state to those who serve in our local communities. Lord, today, we continue to grieve for the life of yours and our servant that was taken and mourned for his family. Please hold this family close to your heart in this time of loss. We ask for healing for your servant who was injured, and just please place a hedge of protection around all of our first responders.

Thank you for those who selflessly served our state over the weekend to make it possible for us to get out and about and to protect us from the dangers incurred by the weather. Lord, especially today, will you bless with your presence, your wisdom, and guidance, those of this chamber as they consider the important matters before them. Open their minds for the discernment needed to make, not just good decisions, Father, but the best decisions for the well-being of our state now and the years to come. Thank you for the work in progress that has been done. You've been so good to us, Lord.

Thank you for that which is presently being done in our state. We thank you for the blessings of opportunity this brings for families and citizens across our state for the future. And now, Lord, may the words of your servant David and our savior Jesus, when they said, Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit. Be the sentiments of our own hearts today in everything praise. In Jesus' name, amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the Republic, which is one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Nice to meet you.

Let me just get the doors open, and we'll get some pictures. Doorkeepers will unlock the doors. Members may meet the chaplain in the South Anteroom.

Chair recognizes chairman Hilton, the chair of the committee on information on audits. Chairman Hilton.

Thank you, mister speaker. Happy Girl Scout Day at the Capitol. Your, committee is filled of cookies and happy to report that we, read the audit that you read the journal on the previous legislative day when you found it to be correct.

Good job. I love girl scout cookies. No doubt. Glad they're here. 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.

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. Mister Clerk, will you read read the resolution establishing the order of business for the day?

Representative, the administration of the hundred fourth moves following me establishes the order of business during the first part of the period unanimous sense. Introduction of bills and resolutions, first reading in reference of hospitals

and

resolutions, second reading of bills resolutions, reports of standing committees, warning orders.

Is there any objection to the adoption of the resolution establishing the order of business for the day? Hearing none, the resolution is adopted. First, reading the bills and resolutions, mister Clerk, will you read

House Bill eleven seventeen by representative Franklin, and a hundred and sixtieth Smith of the eighteenth, Stevens, and a hundred and six fourth Jokas, hundred and fifty first. Gamble, the fifteenth, and others will be titled back to event chapter six and thirty four. Title 33, the official code Georgia annotated relating to unfair trade practices. Insurance. House bill eleven eighteen by representative Donatucci of the hundred

and fifth.

Jones, the forty seventh. Cooper the forty fifth, Chokas the hundred and fifty first, Green in the hundred and fifty fourth, and others. Bill be taught an active man article on a chapter 20 entitled 45 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating the general provisions relative to personnel administration.

Public and community health.

House bill eleven nineteen, be a representative of Carpenter of the fourth, Bonner of the seventy third, Stevens sixth, fourth, Gullen of the nineteenth, year to the hundred and fifty second. Bill be titled act to amend chapter nine of title 34 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to workers' compensation. Help. House bill eleven twenty by representative Gunner the eighth. The bill will be titled act to provide for an advisory referendum.

Is that 20? Intergovernmental coordination.

Council bill eleven twenty one by representative Williams, a hundred and forty eighth. Hagen to the hundred and fifty sixth. Stinson to the hundred and fiftieth. It'll be titled an active end code section fifteen six three of the official code of Georgia annotator relating to terms of superior court. Judiciary.

House bill eleven twenty two by representative Douglas, the 78, Newton in the hundred and twenty seventh, Hughley, the hundred and forty first. Hawkins, the twenty seventh. Howard, the hundred twenty ninth. The bill will be titled back to amend article one of chapter 24 of title 33 of the official code of Georgia annotator relating to general provisions regarding insurance generally. Insurance.

Eleven twenty three by representative Jones, the forty seventh, Erwin in the thirty second, Hilton of the forty eighth, Ballad of the 140, Donatucci of the hundred and fifth, and others. The bill will be titled an act to amend part 14 of article six of chapter two, title 20 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to other educational programs under the quality basic education act.

Education. House

eleven twenty four of our reps have panich of the fifty first McDonald twenty seventh, Evans the fifty seventh, Baird of the twenty fourth, Tran of the eightieth. He'll be titled an act of men chapter one and title 50 of the official code of Georgia and it's a relating the general provisions relative to state government. Judiciary. House bill eleven twenty five by representative Neil the seventy ninth and Carpenter the fourth. Bill be titled an act to amend code section forty eight seven forty point two six of the official code of Georgia annotated the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act.

Ways and means.

Eleven twenty six by representative Neil the seventy ninth and Carpenter the fourth. Bill be titled back to amend article two chapter seven of title 48 of the the official code of Georgia annotated relating imposition rate computation exemptions and credits regarding income tax. Ways and means.

House bill eleven twenty seven by

reps Crawford of the eighty ninth, Westbrook of the hundred and sixty third, Oliver the eighty fourth, Holcomb the hundred first, Willis the fifty fifth, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend a part two of article four chapter 11 of title 16. The official code of Georgia annotator relating to possession of dangerous weapons.

Judiciary, non civil.

House bill eleven twenty eight by representative Seeball, the thirty fourth gamble of the fifteenth way to the ninth, Werkheiser, the hundred and fifty seventh at the bottom of the seventy third, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend code section thirty four nine twenty six of the official code of Georgia, annotated relating to required notices regarding injured peace officers.

Public safety and homeland security.

House bill eleven twenty nine by representative Seaball, the thirty fourth gamble, the fifteenth way to the ninth. Demonstration of the hundred and fourth, Hong of the hundred and third, and others. Bill b. Title and act to amend code section thirty six eighty eight six of the official code of Georgia annotator relating the criteria for enterprise zones. Governmental affairs.

Hospital eleven thirty by representative Seeball, the thirty fourth. Gamble, the fifteenth, thrice, the hundred and thirty ninth. Deloach, the hundred and sixty seventh. Richeda, the hundred and seventy sixth, and others. Bill will be titled an active man, chapter five with title 21 in the official code of Georgia Annotated relating to government transparency and campaign finance.

Governmental affairs.

House bill eleven thirty one by representative Hong of the hundred and third, Smith of the eighteenth, Saints of the hundred and eightieth, Reeves of the ninety ninth, and Scoggins of the fourteenth. Bill be titled back to amend arbor three chapter four, title 17. The official code of Georgia annotated relating to warrants for arrest.

Judiciary, non civil.

House bill eleven thirty two by representative Franklin in the hundred and sixtieth Stevenson, a hundred and sixty fourth. Evans, the fifty seventh, Jones, the twenty fifth. Crow of the hundred and eighteenth and others. It'll be titled an act to amend part one of article one of chapter eight of title 48 of the official code of Georgia Annotated relating to general provisions relative to state sales and use taxes.

Ways and means.

House bill eleven thirty three by representative Dickey, the hundred and thirty fourth, Corbett, the hundred and seventy fourth, Campbell, the hundred and thirty fifth, and Smith, the seventieth. That bill will be titled an act to amend chapter 23, a title 50, code section thirty six ninety one one hundred, and code section forty eight eight two hundred. The official code of Georgia annotated relating to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. Governmental affairs. House bill eleven thirty four by representative of New the fortieth, Corbett of the hundred and seventy fourth.

Mathis a hundred and thirty third, Powell the thirty third, Smith the hundred and thirty eighth. They'll be titled an act to amend part five article eight of chapter 14 to title 44. The official go to Georgia annotator relating their pawn brokers.

Regulated industries. How It's a clerk. Will you suspend just for a moment? Members, I'm challenged enough as it is. I would hate to sign your bill to the wrong committee because I can't hear.

So if we could all just tone it down just a little bit, it'd be very helpful to those who wanna hear where we assign and to myself. So thanks for that. Continue, mister Clerk.

House bill eleven thirty five by representative Hilton of the 48 Jones, the forty seventh, the frustration of the hundred and fourth, Cannon, the hundred and seventy second, Townsend, the hundred and seventy ninth, and others. They'll be titled an act to amend chapter two a of title 20, the official code of Georgia intended relating the student scholarship organization.

Ways and means.

House bill eleven thirty six by representative Glaze, the sixty seventh thrice of the hundred and thirty ninth Franklin of the hundred and sixtieth Mitchell of the eighty eighth Williams hundred and sixty eighth and others. They'll be titled and act to amend chapter 12 a of title 31 of the official code of Georgia annotated the Georgia Smoke Free Air Act of 2005. Public and community health 37 by representative Silcox, of fifty third, Jaspers of the eleventh, Evans of the fifty seventh, Willis of the fifty fifth, Trans of the eightieth, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend an act known as the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Authority, act of 1965. Transportation.

House bill eleven thirty eight by representative Campbell, the hundred and thirty fifth Jones, the forty seventh. Ballard, the hundred and forty seventh. Rice, the hundred and thirty ninth. Reeves, the ninety ninth, and others. It'll be titled an act to amend article three chapter four titled 26 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to the practice of pharmacy.

Help.

House bill 39 by representative camp, the hundred and thirty fifth and matheac of the eighty second. Bill be titled an act to amend the act creating Spalding County Water and Sewage Facilities Authority.

Intergovernmental coordination.

House bill eleven forty by representative Hagen in a hundred and fifty six. Liam is a 148. They'll be titled an act to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the magistrate court of Ben Hill County.

Intergovernmental coordination.

House bill eleven forty one by representative camp with a hundred and thirty fifth Jenkins, the 130, Rice, the hundred and thirty ninth, and Panitch to the fifty first. The bill will be titled an act of men code section fifteen eleven one thirty one point one of the official code of Georgia Annotator relating the right to obtain an independent medical evaluation. Judiciary juvenile. House bill eleven forty two by representative Hagen in the hundred and fifty sixth, Hong in the hundred and third, Jones the forty seventh, Adel Tucci the hundred and fifth, Reeves in the ninety ninth, and others. They'll be titled an active men, titles fifteen and nineteen of the official code of Georgia annotator relating to courts and domestic relations.

Judiciary non civil.

House bill eleven forty three by Remsos Schofield, the sixty third. Buckner, the hundred thirty seventh. Hughley, the hundred forty first. Davis, the eighty seventh. And Scott, the seventy sixth.

It will be titled back to amend chapter one of title 31 of the official code of Georgia annotator relating the general provision regarding health.

Public and community health.

House bill eleven forty four by representative Schofield, the sixty third, Hughley, the hundred forty first. Bucknell, the hundred and thirty seventh. May the act of the eighty second. Davis, eighty seventh and others. The bill will be titled back to amend chapter eight of title 48 of the official code of Georgia Annotator relating to sales and use taxes.

Ways and means. House

eleven forty five by representative Paris of the hundred and forty second, Oliver the eighty fourth, Holcomb the hundred and first, Fry the hundred and twenty second, Lever to the hundred twenty third and others. They'll be titled an act to amend part one of article two of chapter five with title 48, where the official code of Georgia annotated relating to tax exemptions. The ways and means House bill eleven forty six by representative Lalli a, the fifty ninth, Hughley, the hundred and forty first, Townsend, the hundred and seventy ninth, Westbrook, the hundred and sixty third, Herring, and the hundred and forty fifth, and others. They'll be tied in act two men article one of chapter one a of title 20 of the official code of Georgia Annotated relating the general provision relative to early care and learning.

Education.

House bill eleven forty seven by representative of the 59th, Glaze at sixty seventh, thousand hundred and seventy ninth, Wilkerson, the thirty eighth. Howard, the hundred and twenty ninth, and others. They'll be titled an active man article one of chapter one a, title 20. The official code of Georgia Annotator relating the general provisions relevant to early care and learning. Appropriation.

House bill 48 by representative Cannon of the hundred and seventy second, Dickey the hundred and thirty fourth, Corbett of the hundred and seventy fourth, Rhodes in the hundred and twenty fourth, Meeks in the hundred and seventy eighth and others. They'll be titled an act to amend article two of chapter seven of title 48 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to income tax, imposition, rate, and computation.

Ways and means.

House bill eleven forty nine by representative Cooper, the forty fifth Jones, the forty seventh, Hawkins, the twenty seventh, Gisler the hundred and twenty first, Hagen in the hundred and fifty sixth, and others. They'll be titled an act to amend chapter 24, title 33 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to insurance generally. Insurance. House bill eleven fifty by reps in Apollo 33rd Jones, the forty seventh, O'Steen, and the hundred sixty ninth, and Donna Tucci, the hundred and fifth. They'll be titled an act to amend chapter 34, title 43 of the official code of Georgia Annotator relating physicians, assistance, and others.

Health.

Hospital eleven fifty one by Rep Center Park on 107th, Hughley, The Hundred And 41st, Miller, the second, Gisler the hundred and twenty first, Herring in the hundred and forty fifth, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend article seven, chapter four, title 49. The official code of Georgia annotator relating to medical assistance generally.

Public and community health.

House bill eleven fifty two by Rep. Smith Park with a hundred and seventh, Hughley with a hundred and forty first, Miller with sixty second, Gisler with a hundred and twenty first, Herring in a hundred and forty fifth, and others. Bill be taught an act of men code section forty eight seven twenty seven of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to computation of taxable net income.

Ways and means.

Hospital eleven fifty three by representative Oliver the eighty fourth, Halcomb of the hundred and first, Fry the hundred and twenty second, Ali the hundred and sixth, Williams the thirty seventh, and others. The bill will be titled an act to amend article two chapter seven of title 48 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating imposition rate computation, exemptions, and credits. Ways and means. House bill eleven fifty four by representative Clark the hundredth, Smith the eighteenth, Gulliver the nineteenth, Powell the thirty third, McCollum the thirtieth, and others. They'll be titled an act of Menco section seventeen ten thirty of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to procedure for imposition of the death penalty.

Yes, sir.

Judiciary, non civil.

House bill eleven fifty five by representative Ford of the hundred and seventieth and Osteen in the hundred and sixty ninth. They'll be titled an act to amend an act creating the board of commissioners, TIF County. Intergovernmental coordination. House bill eleven fifty six by representative Richardson in a hundred and twenty fifth, Newton in a hundred and twenty seventh, Lever to the hundred and twenty third, Clifton in a hundred and thirty first, Smith at the hundred and thirty eighth, and others. They'll be titled an act to amend title 36.

The official go to Georgia annotated relating to local government. Ways and means. House bill eleven fifty seven, my representative Evans, the fifty seventh, McLean to the hundred and ninth, Trans to the eightieth, Blaze the sixty seventh, Kendrick of the ninety fifth, and others. A bill to be entitled in act to amend chapter four, title 34, the official code of Georgia Annotator relating to minimum wage law.

Industry and labor.

House bill eleven fifty eight by representative Horner the third, Cox of the twenty eighth, administration of the hundred and fourth, Fleming of the hundred and fourteenth, Campbell of the hundred and seventy first, and others. Bill be titled an act to amend chapter one of title 50. The official go to Georgia annotator relating to general provisions regarding state government. Governmental affairs. House bill eleven fifty nine by representative Gamble of 15, Seaball of thirty fourth, Wade of the ninth, Blackman of the hundred and forty sixth, Williamson of the hundred and twelfth and others will be titled to act to amend chapter two of title seven of the of title 48 of the official code of Georgia Annotator relating imposition rate computation exemptions and crowd and credits relative to income taxes.

Ways and means.

House of eleven sixty by representative Crawford of the eighty ninth, Smith of the eighteenth, Evans fifty seventh, Hong of the hundred and third, Kelly the sixteenth, and others. They'll be titled an act to amend our five of chapter three of title nine of the official code of Georgia Annotator relating to tolling of limitations.

Judiciary. House

bill eleven sixty one by representative Lim of the ninety eighth, Clark of the hundred and eighth, Santos hundred and seventeenth, Ong of the hundred and third, Reeves of the ninety ninth, and others. It'll be titled active men. Title 40, the official code of Georgia Annotator relating motor vehicles and traffic.

Public safety and homeland security.

House eleven sixty two by representative Holly, the 160, Santos, the 100 Sanchez, the forty second, Buffton, the eighty third, Neil, the seventy ninth. Bill be taught an act to amend article 16 and chapter two and article 11 of chapter 11 of title 14. The official code of Georgia, and it's headed relating to records and reports relative to business corporations. Judiciary. House resolution eleven seventy seven by representative Glaze the sixty seventh, Rice the hundred and thirty ninth, Mitchell the eighty eighth, Williams the hundred and sixty eighth, Buckner the hundred and thirty seventh, and others.

A resolution urging pedestrians in Jordan to wear bright or reflective clothing.

Special rules.

House resolution eleven seventy eight by representative Richardson, the hundred and twenty fifth, Newton, the hundred and twenty seventh, Levert, the hundred and twenty third, Clifton, the hundred and thirty first, Smith of the hundred and thirty eighth, and others. A resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution so as to remove the cap on benefits granted.

Ways and means

House for resolution 1,200 by represent Gisler the hundred twenty first, Draper, the ninetieth, Roberts, the fifty second, Tran, the eightieth, Leilier, the fifty ninth, and others. A resolution urging the Georgia secretary of state to continue to per to protect private and protected information. Governmental affairs. That completes first readers.

Second reading of bills and resolutions. Mister Clerk, will you read

House bill ten eighty three by representative Levitt of the hundred and twenty third and Powell the thirty third, a bill to authorize the assessment and collection of a technology fee by the magistrate court of Madison County. House bill Levitt of October by representative Levitt of the hundred and twenty third and Powell the thirty third, a bill to authorize the assessment collection of a technology fee by the probate court of Madison County. House bill ten eighty five by representative Petrie of the hundred and sixty sixth. Burns of the hundred and sixty ninth. Canada, the hundred and seventy second.

Bershed of the hundred and seventy sixth. Buckner of the hundred and thirty seventh and others. A bill relating to imposition rate, computation, exemptions, and credits relative to income taxes. House bill ten eighty six by representative Chestnut, the seventh, McDonald the third of the twenty sixth, candidate the hundred and seventy second, McComb of the thirtieth, Jespers of the eleventh, and others. A bill relating to regulation of fire and other hazards in persons and property.

Hospital ten eighty seven by representing Bonner with seventy third, Hitchens of the hundred and sixty first, Christine of the hundred and sixty ninth, Prince of the hundred and thirty second, Donatucci of the hundred and fifth, and others. A bill relating to general provisions regarding provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporation. Hospital ten eighty eight by representative Mathew of eighty second, Reeves of the ninety ninth, Jones of the hundred and forty third green and the hundred and fifty fourth, Evans of the fifty seventh, the bill relating to chiropractors. Hospital October by representative Mathew of the 100 of the eighty second, Clark of the 100, Hagan of the hundred and fifty sixth, part of the twentieth, and of the eighty first. The bill relating to all substance and pharmacies and pharmacies.

House bill ten ninety by representative corporate of the hundred and seventy fourth. The bill to amend an act of advising superseding and consolidating the laws creating and governing the board of commissioners of Eccles County. House bill ten ninety one by representative corporate of the hundred and seventy fourth, a bill to provide a non binding advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the electorates of Brantley County support a perimeter highway pass around Waycross. House bill ten ninety two by Yerta of the hundred and fifty second, Green with hundred and fifty fourth, Chokas of the hundred and fifty first, and Sam's hundred and fifty third. A bill to amend and act greatly Chee Hawke Park Authority.

House bill ten ninety three by Rosetta of the hundred and seventy sixth, corporate of the hundred and seventy fourth. The bill to provide for a non binding advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the elections of Ware County support a perimeter highway bypass around Waycross. House bill ten ninety four by representative Davis of the eighty seventh, Scott at the seventy sixth, Cofield the sixty third, a bill relating to elementary and secondary education. House bill ten ninety five by representative Powell the third the third, Tarvin of the second, Ridley of the sixth, and Jaspers of the eleventh, a bill relating to regulation of fireworks. House bill ten ninety six by representative Taylor the hundred and seventy third, Hatchett of the hundred and fifty fifth, Sharper of the hundred and seventy seventh, Osteen of the hundred and sixty ninth, Cooper of the forty fifth, the bill relating to general provisions relative to the Department of Public Health.

House bill ten ninety seven by representative Petrie of the hundred and sixty six, Dempsey of the thirteenth, Hilton of the forty eighth, Cameron of the first, and Sainz of the one hundred and eightieth, the bill relating to mental health. House bill ten ninety eight by representative Davis of the eighty seventh, Scott of the seventy sixth, and Scofield with sixty third, a bill relating to the one Georgia authority. House bill ten ninety nine by representative Florida of the seventy fourth, Reese of the hundred and fortieth, Howard of the hundred and twenty ninth, Adinia of the hundred and tenth, Dawson of the sixty fifth, a bill relating to educational programs in elementary and secondary education. House bill 1,100 by represent Bill of the seventy fifth, Friday of the hundred and twenty second, Barry of the fifty sixth, Jones with the 60, extension of the hundred and fiftieth, and others. A bill relating to sales and use taxes.

House bill 11 o one by represent Clark of the 100 100, Kaye Ann of the eighty first, Dunhill of the thirty first, Fleming of the hundred and fourteenth Reeves of the ninety ninth. A a bill relating to ad valorem taxation of property. House bill 11 o two by Representative Clark of the one hundredth, Greene of the hundred and fifty fourth Reeves of the ninety ninth, Bonner of the seventy third, Hilton of the forty eighth and others, a bill relating to miscellaneous local administrative positions regarding ad valorem taxation of property. House bill 11 o three by representative Bell of the seventy fifth, Gilead of the one hundred and sixty second, Holly of the hundred and sixteenth, Jackson the hundred and twenty eighth, five the hundred and twenty second, and others. A bill relating to the state highways house bill 11 o four by representative Townsend of the hundred and seventy ninth, Blaze with the sixty seventh, Stevens with the one hundred and sixty fourth, Matthew with the eighty second, Al, the fiftieth, and others.

A bill relating to the required disclosures and consent for certain procedures, exceptions, rules, and regulations. House bill 11 o five by representative Washburn, the hundred and forty fourth, Donahue, the thirty first. Scoggins of the fourteenth, Reeves of the ninety ninth, Donahue, the hundred and fifth, and others. A bill relating to tax exemptions. House bill 11 o six by representative Barry of the fifty sixth, Miller of the sixty second, Park of the one hundred and seventh, Barnes the eighty sixth, Drenger of the eighty fifth, and others.

A bill relating to the Department of Community Health. House bill 11 o seven by representative Rice of the hundred and thirty ninth, Jones at the forty seventh, Irwin of the thirty second, Townsend of the hundred and seventy ninth, Hilton of the forty eighth, and others. A bill relating to professional standards. House bill 11 o eight by representative of the twentieth, Gahan of the eighty first, Fincher of the twenty third, a bill relating to elections and primaries. House bill 11 o nine by representative of the twentieth, Gahan of the eighty first, Dunhill of the thirty first, and Barrett of the twenty fourth, the bill relating to presentation of proper identification to poll workers.

House bill eleven ten by representative Hilton of the forty eighth Reeves of the ninety ninth, Thompson of the twelfth, Newton of the one hundred and twenty seventh Smith of the one hundred and thirty eighth and others, a bill relating to imposition rate, computation exemptions, and credits for income taxes. House bill eleven eleven by representative Leverett of the hundred and twenty third Williams, a Hundred And 48th roads of the Hundred And 24th Gunter of the eighth, the bill relating to sales and use taxes. House bill eleven twelve by representative Barrett of the twenty fourth, Martin of the forty ninth, Cox with the twenty eighth, Blackman with one hundred and forty sixth Smith with the hundred and thirty eighth and others, a bill relating to selling and other trade practices. House bill eleven thirteen by representative Barrett of the twenty fourth, Martin of the forty ninth, Jaspers of the eleventh, Cox of the twenty eighth, the bill relating to definitions regarding the Georgia defined contribution plan. House bill eleven fourteen by representative Yerta of the hundred and fifty second.

Douglas of the twenty ninth, Darwin of the thirty second, Reed of the ninth, Paris of the hundred and forty second, a bill relating to competencies and core curriculum under the Equality Basic Education Act. House bill eleven fifteen by representative McCollum of the thirtieth, presented the hundred and seventy sixth, Fleming of the hundred and fourteenth, Stevens with 160, abstration of the one hundred and fourth. A bill relating to regulation of specialized land transactions, house bill eleven sixteen by representative Blackman of the hundred and forty sixth, sixth, Burns of the hundred and fifty ninth, Abstraction of the hundred and fourth, Mahashan of the hundred and fifty fifth, Canada, January, and others. A bill relating to Advalor and taxation of property and sales and use tax. House resolution eleven fifty five by representative of the sixty third, Davis of the eighty seventh, Scott of the seventy sixth, Sanchez of the forty second, Matthew at the eighty second, resolution urging statewide support for the passage of the Georgia PADD screening and amputation prevention act.

House resolution eleven fifty six by Ramesses of Baker of the sixty fourth, Davis of the eighty seventh, Dempsey of the thirteenth, Scott of the seventy sixth, and Simpson of the hundred and fiftieth, and others. Resolution recognized in January as National Birth Defects Prevention Month. House resolution eleven fifty seven by representative Petrie alone, hundred and sixty sixth, Stevens of the one hundred and sixty fourth, Seeball of the thirty fourth, Canada of the one hundred and seventy second, Dickie of the one hundred and thirty fourth. Resolution reaffirming support for of The United States national motto through second readers.

Reports of standing committees. Mister Clark, will you read?

Representative Hawkins, the 27th District chairman of the committee on health submitted the following report. Mister speaker, committee on health has had under its consideration following bill of the house has instructed me to report saying back to the house following recommendations. House bill six twenty nine do pass by substitute. Respectfully submitted to representative Hawkins of 27th District Chairman. Representative John Corbett of the 170 on committee on motor vehicles submitted the following report.

The speaker of your committee on motor vehicles has had under its consideration of following bills of the house, and has instructed me to report the same back to the house with the following recommendations. House bill two zero four, Dupasse. House bill nine forty four, Dupasse. House bill ten twenty two, Dupasse. House bill nine fifty seven, Dupasse.

Respectfully submitted, representative John Corbett, to the Hundred And 74th District Chairman. Representative Alan Powell, thirty third district chairman of the Committee on Regulatory Industry submitted the following report. Mister speaker, Committee on Regulated Industries has had under his consideration the following bill of the house and instructed me to report the same back to the house with the following recommendation. House six thirty two do pass, respectfully submitted. Representative Alan Powell, thirty third district chairman.

That completes the reading of the reports of standing committees.

Members, we will move on to morning orders. We have a lot of good friends in the gallery and members that want to, recognize them. So hope you be courteous and come to your seats. See some I can tell. I can read lips.

I see some very important conversations going on. So if you'll take those conversations to any room, that would be I would be very grateful. Members, please take your seat and give the gentleman who's about to enter the well your attention. We'll start with representative Al Williams for a two minute morning order, and then we'll take the other morning orders, and you'll have about a minute minute minute and a half to recognize your visitors. Minute minute and a half.

That's minute and a half is ninety seconds if you're slow on math. So that's what that is. So representative Williams is recognized.

Thank you, mister speaker. You sound like a preacher when I'm getting ready to speak at a funeral. Two minutes. And I forgot my

Not possible.

At the seat. Not possible. I rise this morning for a moment in black history that's very personal. On your desk, I was glad to see today's Rosa Parks day, and there is a reception going on from nine until twelve. It's a very personal moment.

When I was in the ninth grade, I met Rosa Parks. The only people that doesn't like that is a leader in State Farm, but my age has caught me. But to meet Rosa Parks was an experience. He was one of the gentle she was one of the gentle souls of the civil rights movement, soft spoken, full of wisdom. But sitting with her was a lady who was truly the mother of the civil rights movement, and to sit and listen to this wisdom.

And we documented a lot of this in a documentary that has been done called, Dorchester Academy Liberty. And it documents Andrew Young's work at Dorchester Academy where he the first real job he had in the civil rights movement was in Liberty County. And going down there and meeting Rosa Parks, reading miss miss September Clark, who was the mother of the civil rights movement, meeting name people that would one day be household names. Jesse Jackson, when the only thing I recognized was his Afro, John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer. The greats of the civil rights movement came through Dorchester Academy.

If you're ever in Liberty County, on your way to heaven, you may join, come by, and see Dorchester Academy, where the legend of the civil rights movement, where the Birmingham movement was planned. I had a very rare seat to listening to the planning, but the history comes alive at Dorchester. And I invite you to look at the documentary on Dorchester that was produced by Kaye Flowers Johnson. She used to be an anchorwoman for channel eleven. She's done an excellent job.

This tells a seldom told story about this fantastic place. It was once a school started in 1871, ended up the school that trained over 10,000 people in community organization and qualifying people to run, to go home, and register to vote all over the South. That's my moment in black history.

Thank you, representative Williams. I didn't know about Dorchester so much. I've heard you mentioned it before, but we all know that a story seldom told is soon forgotten. Right? So let's tell the story.

Chairman McDonald and representative Schofield, recognized for a morning order and some recognitions, I believe, and some other friends. Chairman McDonald.

Thank you, mister speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, the house, today is firefighter appreciation day. Many of you have volunteers in your community and many of you have full time. So this is an annual thing we do here to recognize firefighters. I think a lot of them are in the governor's office right now, having a a photo op.

But we have over 30,000 firemen in the state of Georgia with 900 fire departments. This this is in each and every one of your your community. So you'll see them around today. Thank them for what they do, the sacrifice that they make from from their families, and and waking up at all hours of night serving our communities. So today, 02/03/2026 is Georgia Firefighter Appreciation Day.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Thank you. I get a chance to brag on our firefighters. Members of the house join me in welcoming Atlanta fire chief Roderick Smith and the members of the Atlanta Fire Rescue and Foundation as we honor and recognize firefighter day at the Capitol. We thank chief Smith for over thirty years of dedication, particularly in the city of Atlanta and for the countless hours that he's give. He's a proud Georgian, and he has led the brave men and women in the fire Atlanta fire rescue department.

As a result, it is my distinct honor to recognize chief Smith for his years of dedication, service to our state as outstanding Georgia citizen, and award, highest award presented by the secretary of state. And I also want to thank Teos Nguyen for your contributions for the Atlanta Fire Foundation. Join us at '2 5th 2 sixteen upon adjournment for a meet and greet. Thank you, mister speaker. Please stand and let us recognize you.

I yield a well. Thank you.

Thank you, members. Chief Smith, thank you for your service, and thanks thanks to all of our firefighters who risked their lives and their well-being to represent us all and keep us safe. Thank you, sir. All around the state, most grateful. Chairlady Dempsey and friends.

Let's see. She has some friends. Herman Blackman, Lumsden, and Bart Barton and Hitchens. Please come join the chairlady in the well, if you will, gentlemen.

Thank you, mister speaker. As we honor all firefighters, particularly this morning, one is on my heart and on my friends behind me as well. We were privileged to know chief Gordon Henderson. He lived a life of dedication and service. He passed away this past fall at the young age of 75.

Very young. His legacy of service spanned nearly five decades. He was a native of the Georgia model community which is in Rome, a veteran of the Rome fire fire department, and steadily rose to the ranks since 1975 to earn many awards, honors, and distinctions through that time. When he stepped away with retirement in 2015, he continued to serve our state in many ways. Over the years, he served as president of the Georgia State Firefighters Association, the district vice president for the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs and multiple leadership roles within the National Fire Protection Association.

Chief Henderson continued to serve statewide as the executive director of the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council, a role which he fulfilled until 2022. He ensured the compliance and regulations and collaboration that continue with all of the firefighters that we see in each of our communities. Today, I would ask y'all to please stand, his family members and dear friends are with us, particularly executive director Randy Toms, who is recognizing his legacy, our own current Rome Floyd fire chief Troy Brock, Jason Brownlow, Christian Tifton, and his widow, missus Dawn Henderson. Please stand and let us recognize you and thank you.

Condolences to the family. A life well lived and well served, sounds like to me. And to all of our fire professionals, thank you so much. And it's great having y'all here in the people's house. Thank you, dear lady Dempsey.

Thank you, mister speaker. I yield the well.

Representative Beckles, ladies recognized for a morning order. Do you have some friends coming with you? We'll also allow them to join you as well. Thank you, mister speaker. Recognized.

Thank you, mister speaker. Today, I rise to recognize a pillar of faith and community service, the Harvest Tabernacle Church as they celebrate their twenty fifth anniversary. For a quarter of a century, under the visionary leadership of pastor Travis and Stephanie Jennings, the Harvest Tabernacle has been more than a house of worship. It has been a beacon of hope and transformation in our community. Since 1999, this church has faithfully served through food pantries, which has fed hundreds of families.

Their commitment extend beyond Sunday services from homelessness outreach to community cookouts, from nurturing young lives through children's ministry to uplifting families in crisis. The Harvest Tabernacle embodies the principle of service beyond self. Mister speaker, as we honor their twenty fifth years of faithful service, I ask this body to recognize pastor Travis and Stephanie Jenkins. Could you please stand? Thank you.

Yeah. Yeah.

Mister speaker, are you Louelle?

Thank you, representative Beckles. Thank you for your service, and welcome to the people's house. We appreciate what you've been doing and what you will do as well. Thank you so much. Chairman Hitchens, do you have a morning order?

Me call on someone else first? You mean to call someone else first? I mean, you don't have to speak if you don't want to. I can assure you of that. And because, you know, do we do have a ninety second time limit?

Absolutely. Chairman Hitchens is recognized.

I was supposed to do this yesterday, but the people who, who were supposed to be in the gallery weren't, weren't here. So, yesterday was Effingham Day at the Capitol. All our folks, the speaker and my folks were, were here, but they were at a DOT meeting. Effingham County is, one of the original eight counties in Georgia founded in, actually, the Salzburgers landed there in, 1731, and it was incorporated into The United States, in 1777. Our first governor of the state of Georgia, not under English rule, was John Adam Treutland, who was an indentured servant that came from Salzburg, Austria and worked his way up through the legislature to be to be our first governor, who was later, assassinated by the Tories after the revolutionary war.

So there's a lot of history in Effingham County. You heard me speak to the, chaplain of the day. Everything there is old, including myself and the speaker. But,

do we have some

of the folks from Effingham County here? There we no. They're leaving. So I appreciate everybody turned out last night for the reception. We had a great reception.

A lot of lot of representatives showed up, and, we're very appreciative.

A minute and a half. You you made it. Time to spare. Thank you, chairman Hitchens. We're always glad to have home folks.

I know all the other members are as well when they come up and and visit us here as we work. We appreciate our folks from Effingham County. Representative Buckner, representative Debbie Buckner And friends, what's the name of that town? Junction City. Y'all know where that is.

That's where she's from. Representative Boatner.

Thank you, mister speaker. There are a number of us here today that are wearing green because we used to have different little uniforms that were green because we were Girl Scouts. Today's Girl Scout day in the capital, and we have some Girl Scouts upstairs. So I'm joined by Girl Scouts that prove that the leadership programs in Girl Scouts work or we wouldn't be here. You're here.

That's right.

That's right. So the other great thing about Girl Scouts is it started right here

in

Georgia in Savannah with Juliette Gordon Lowe in 1912. So it's over a 100 years old and she did something very unique at the time by reaching across class, cultural, and ethnic boundaries to ensure that all girls, including those with disabilities, had a place to grow and develop their talents and leadership skills. She is to be commended for her vision, and we are excited to have girls 43,000 Georgia girls in the program, learning, growing, and becoming strong. If will the girls in the Girl Scouts in the gallery that aren't already standing stand up so we can recognize them and welcome to your house. So when you enjoy your cookies, think of them.

Go, girl.

Lady, yield for a question. Sure. So, Juliet Gordon Lowe, where'd you say she was from? Savannah. I thought you said Atlanta.

I beg your pardon. Oh, I'm Savannah. I'll listen more intently next time. Just checking. Hey, y'all.

That's our future. Thank you, young ladies, for being here. We appreciate the Girl Scouts. Thank you so much for being in people's house. Representative Mitchell and the city of Tucker delegation, representative Billy Mitchell, all you folks from Tucker, Georgia.

Me too. Who am I missing? Imani? Yes. Thank you, mister speaker.

I'm delighted to be able to stand before you in the same place that I stood ten years ago making the proposal that this body pass and adopt the new incorporation of a city that has done extraordinary things since that time, scandal free, the city of Tucker. I'd like them to stand as I call their name. They have joined us in the gallery, starting with Frank Allman, the city's first mayor, city council member Virginia Rees, and Anne Lerner, the city's only the second mayor of the city. Please help me welcome the city of Tucker as we celebrate Tucker Day.

Thank you, mister

speaker. Good work at Tucker. Chairman Blackman have some friends too? Yeah. Yes.

He has friends too.

Everybody's welcome, mister speaker. Thank you, fellow members. Please feel free to to join us down here as we honor Georgia's aerospace industry, recognizing 02/03/2026 as Georgia Aerospace And State Capitol. Just, many of you probably saw the, simulator down in the rotunda, but just a few facts about our aerospace industry. There's over 800 companies that employs more than 200,000 Georgians.

One to my left here at one point, representative Jones, it's the state's second largest manufacturing industry, and it generates an annual economic impact of almost $60,000,000,000 It remains Georgia's, number one international exporter with exports totaling over $12,000,000,000 over 12 and a half billion dollars and we have seven of the world's top 10 defense contractors housed here in the state of Georgia. We are joined today by a number of those companies, and they are represented by the, Georgia Aerospace and Defense Alliance. If you're here with us in the gallery, I would invite you to stand up. If not, we'll recognize, this day in the aerospace industry just the same. Please join me in thanking them.

Thank you, mister speaker.

Thank you, mister chairman. Chairman Dubnick and represent representative gamble Florida gamble, recognized for a morning order. Do y'all mind clearing the aisle there, chief, so they can get by?

Yeah. Okay.

Thank you, speaker.

It's an honor to be up here today. We have the students from the engage club from around the state that are here today. There are officers and some students which are all, studying civics education. And, this is a part of national CTAE month, which we celebrate in February, career and technical student organizations. And we just wanted to take an opportunity to recognize them for being here at the Capitol today.

And if we have any of the members of the engaged club, we would invite them at this time to stand so that we could recognize y'all. There they are. Thank you, mister

speaker. Thank you, members. Welcome, engaged club. I think that's our future there as well. What do you guys think?

No doubt. Thank you all for being here. Representative Santos is recognized and friends for a morning order. Representative Santos.

Thank you, mister speaker. Also part of the engage club, we have the McDonough High School NJ ROTC program and a 158 cadets who serve in it. The cadets live by three words, honor, courage, and commitment. Those values shape their character, guide their leadership, and prepare them for success in life. We also recognize our instructors, chief warrant officer for Raleigh Coleman, US Marine Corps, retired and chief petty officer, Timothy Welch, US Navy, retired.

Thank you for building the leaders and setting the standard. As a proud parent of a cadet who is actually here, by the way, and a proud aunt of another cadet who is also here. This recognition is very important. Please join me in applauding the McDonough High School NJROTC cadets and their instructors. If you're here, please stand.

Let's take a look. For your left and right.

Oh, it's a left hand. Yeah. That's a left hand.

Thank you, mister speaker. I yield a well.

Thank you, representative Santos. A great program, ROTC. Thank you all for being involved and engaged at McDonough. We appreciate that. Chairman Petrie.

K. Members, give the attention give your attention to the member in the well. Chairman Petrie is recognized for a morning or

Thank you, mister speaker. Mister speaker, I rise today to recognize some friends. If y'all will stand up in a gallery, and to kinda recognize the Georgia Association of Community Care Providers, an association that is dedicated to serving the frail, the vulnerable, the elderly, intellectually disabled in community settings all across this state. They do great work.

Gentleman will suspend just for a moment. Yes, sir.

Thank you, mister speaker.

Proceed.

These folks do a great job keeping people not only, safe and but allowing them to live in the community, which is not only better for quality of life, but better for taxpayers, folks. Keeping people at home as long as possible. Thank you all for being here today. Y'all are having a lunch for all of our members here. Anybody who's interested between eleven and one and 01:25 here in the capital.

Thank you very much. Thank you, mister speaker.

We very much appreciate what y'all do. Services you provide for for your clients are not and people are so important to us. Thank you so much. Chairman Carson's and friends, this is our last morning order, sports fans. Last morning order, friends, join chairman Carson.

Gentlemen, recognized. Thank you, mister speaker.

Today is, Kennesaw State Day at the Capitol. I don't know if you've seen, but Scrappy has been here, our, mascot, Al, as well as doctor Kat Schwagg, president of the university, as well as, head football coach, Jerry Mack, and they are the Conference USA two thousand twenty five football champions. How about that? I encourage you to take a look at the, flyer that's on your desk. 51,000 kids at Kennesaw State.

Now, many people don't realize how big Kennesaw State is, but actually, when you look at, in person students, they are larger than Georgia Tech, only behind Georgia State. Fantastic university. I received my master's there in 1998. I encourage you to take a look at Kennesaw State and, go Owls. Thank you very much, mister speaker.

Thank you, chairman. A great program at Kennesaw. A great nursing program, but a great Thank you.

Program across the board. Great nursing, great business, great education school, sir.

How did

you get out of school? Did you get a degree? MBA. I gotcha. That concludes our we're proud of Kennesaw State.

So thanks, mister chairman, for bringing that up, and, we appreciate them. That concludes our morning orders. We'll move on to the rules calendar. Move on to the rules calendar. Mister Clerk, will you read the caption to house bill three five zero?

House bill three five zero by representative Cameron of the first and others to be entitled in act to amend title 19. The official code of Georgia Ananteti relating domestic relations so as to provide provisions relative to safe place for newborns. This bill I have referred to Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

Representing Mike Cameron, you're ready to go? Do Do you have the gentleman to well your attention, please? Representative Cameron.

Good morning, mister speaker, and thank you for the time. I bring today h b three five zero. This bill will allow the installation of, infant safety devices in the State of Georgia. An infant safety device is something where, like a fire hall or a police station, an ambulance service, or even a medical facility can place a device where a child can be surrendered and, safely surrendered where, someone will pick that up and and take them, to medical facilities somewhere else. This is not a new concept.

In Europe for hundreds of years, they've had devices called hatch hatches. And in Poland, they have something called the window of life, which is a box that has a window in the front of it. And when someone sees a baby, they tell the priest or they tell the nun or someone at a church, they go get the buy the baby out. Now how this process works is a newborn can be surrendered at a safe fire hall. When they open the the front door of this device, they place the baby inside.

It's like almost like an incubator. They close the box. An alarm goes off silently inside the fire hall. Then someone comes like, out the backside of the, device. They take the the newborn out.

Then the process is to take the newborn to a medical facility to be checked out, usually with EMS. When the child gets to the hospital, they notify human services. They check the baby out. And once the the baby is deemed to be safe and okay, then within six hours, the department of human services picks the baby up and places them in care. That way we get them in a safe place where they'll be there.

One question that's come up is what happens if, say, a fire department in a rural community will write on a call and the alarm goes off, the bill, states that that that alarm has to go off to someone else like a EMS or nine one one center. So someone knows that child is in there. So then someone can come and and take the baby out. There's also another alarm that monitors the inside of the box all day long to to see if there's any activity. Plus, the act also requires twice a day that, firemen or the police department, whoever, goes in, monitors, and checks to see if everything's okay.

Once a month, both alarms have to be checked and verified to make sure they work. So it's a safe way. If someone makes a decision to surrender a child, they can do it this way and know that there are people there that are gonna take care of their child and move the child through a process of safety to get them somewhere where maybe they can have a better life. So that's the whole idea where we're not dropping babies indiscriminately places, you know, those kind of things that's happened before. So, mister speaker, that's the bill in general.

I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Gentleman, yield for a question.

Yes, sir.

Representative Scofield is recognized for a question. Representative Scofield to your right. Thank you,

mister speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

I yield.

I just wanna say that this is this not a good bill?

I believe it's a great bill. It's an opportunity to offer something to someone when they surrender a child. And I as a man, I can't imagine the pain that when you come to that decision of surrendering your child for whatever reason. But you know that if it goes in here, there's a process and the the child will be safe and it'll be taken care of.

This gentleman further yield?

Yes, sir.

I look forward to voting yes on this bill. Can you expand that so that I can put legislator in the box like this one right over here and leave her somewhere? Thank you, mister speaker.

We'd like to change the age requirement.

Okay. Gentlemen, further yield.

Yes, sir.

Representative Holly, to your left, or Jabak is recognized for a question.

Good morning.

Good morning. And thank you, mister speaker. Thank you for bringing this bills. I was wondering, this I was believing when you reading through this, it brought to mind, that case of Justin, Ross Harris who intentionally, unfortunately, left this child, in the car. And then but I think, you know, certainly, this bill looks at the fact that fathers too might be able to be spared should their child be over, under the age of 30.

Is that true even though the statute doesn't necessarily, does not have specify in terms of the sex of

the parent? Specify, but I believe so. Yep.

Okay. Thank you, sir. I believe this is an excellent bill. Thank you.

Thank you.

Representative Rice to your left, is recognized for a question.

Thank you, mister speaker. Do you yield?

Yes, ma'am.

Is it not true that in addition to given the the option of life to, a mother that's potentially in crisis pregnancy. There's also what this affords is when a mother or father has a child that might be in danger due to substance abuse or abuse in

the home, it gives a safe alternative for that

child to grow up safe and happy. A safe alternative for that child to grow up safe in the happy life that that that parent desires.

You're exactly right. And I was thinking to mind last year, we had two members who, families had babies. Those babies are gonna be loved and and taken care of. But for children that aren't, this gives an opportunity to get those children in a position where they can find, hopefully, a forever family. And I think representative hutch former representative Hutchison, they used to show children on the screen that they needed to be adopted.

We'd find a place for a child like that, where they'll be safe and they'll be nurtured. So yes. Thank you.

Representative Glaze is recognized for a question. You are left again.

Thank you, mister chair. Is it not true that the saving lives of babies is the probably the most heavenly thing that we can do in this session?

Oh, I think so. And, you know, one of these children may grow up and then end up in this legislature. So you never know. We're giving we're giving children a chance to grow up and become everything they can be.

So Is it not also not true that as a mother and a grandmother, I stand firmly with this bill and can't wait to vote it up?

I know you do. Thank you for your help.

Representative Hitchens, chairman Hitchens, recognized for a question to your left again.

Gentlemen, yield. Yes, sir. One of the concepts of this whole program was to begin with was anonymity. All those facilities that you named off typically have, video camera security. Is there any guarantee that they won't be videoed and then, at a later time identified in some fashion?

Well, the statute says they can do it anonymously. If they wish to get their name, they can, but they don't have to. And, what happened I live most people know I live on the border of Tennessee. Like, if I could hit a 60 degree wedge, right, it would be probably sixty, seventy feet. But, Chattanooga has one in a fire hall.

And last March, after we discussed this bill with speaker, that night, a child was surrendered and successfully taken to the medical facility. Now that child's in a in a family. So it's a good process.

Gentleman has no further questions. Did we pass this bill last year? Is that what you said?

We passed it as part of another bill, which I wanna thank representative Clark for doing that.

But we perfected it. We have no further questions.

Okay. Thank you. And thank you to represent or chairman Crow for your help on this. Thank you, mister speaker. I yield the well.

Gentlemen's yielded the well. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? 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 bill? Hearing none of the report of the committee has agreed to.

Shout this bill now pass. All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And, mister Clerk, will you unlock the machine? All members voted.

All members voted. If so, mister Clerk, will you lock the machine on the passage of house bill three fifty? The yays are one sixty eight and nays are zero. The bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore

passed. Congratulations.

Members, former representative Angela Kausch. Where are you? There she is in the back. Let's make her welcome. Welcome back to the people's house.

Representative Kausch. Representative Baker, come back if you don't mind. Members, we have a couple other bills we'll take up. We wanna we'd like to recognize someone first. So members, our doctor of the day today belongs to one of our house members, senator excuse me.

Representative Sylvia Wafer Baker. I've demoted you to senator there for a second. And, you won't take that. You're gonna stay with us. This is doctor Stiglitz.

We're we are so grateful for you being here. Thank you for your service. She's a doctor with the Wellstar organization. We appreciate her service. Thank you for being here at the service.

Thank you very much. Let's give her a hand. I didn't say it then. She is her daughter. Y'all thought she was her sister.

I know that. Her daughter. I apologize. Thank you so much. Mister Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill nine four six?

House bill nine four six by representative Clifton of the hundred and thirty first and others entitled that to amend title 27 of the official code of Georgia Annonator relating to game and fish service authorized hunting and trapping of feral hogs under certain circumstances. This bill haven't been assigned to the committee on game, fish, and parks. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

Representative Clifton is recognized to present the bill. We appreciate your work on this. It's an important issue. Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll give the member and the well your attention, please.

Thank you, mister speaker. I have here before you today house bill nine four six, which will provide hunters and landowners with more tools to remove invasive, destructive feral hogs from Georgia's landscape. We already have several state programs and initiatives working to tackle this problem, but we are, as elected officials, have the opportunity to remove statutory burdens currently in I have worked with our team at DNR and have their support on these efforts. House bill nine four six would remove the following burden barriers, therefore helping to remove even more of these invasive animals. Section one of the bill would allow residents and nonresidents to trap and kill feral hogs without a hunting or trapping license.

As you can see up here, that's a picture of a feral hog, and one of these invasive, species we're trying to help diminish a little. Section two removes the wildlife control permit related to taking of any feral hogs. And finally, section three does two things. First, it would legalize the hunting of hogs on private property from a motor vehicle without the need of someone to acquire a wildlife control permit from DNR. Currently, the law prohibits the feral the hunting of feral hogs from motor vehicles unless a wildlife control permit has been issued.

Second, it will allow the use of unmanned aircraft systems or drones to locate feral hogs. We're not killing them with drones. We're just using them to locate and find them. And based on the existing statute, it is currently unlawful to use an aircraft to hunt feral hogs. The language, is included on line 47 to 49 and would explicitly allow unmanned aircrafts used to locate feral hogs, on private property.

If you could go to the next picture, that is a typical, area that hogs have gotten in and, destroyed, agriculture, which is another reason this bill is very important. With that, mister speaker, I will entertain any questions.

You have a couple of questions. To your right, representative Chaz Cannon is recognized for a question.

Thank you, mister speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

Yes, sir.

Is it not true that damage occurring on farms throughout Georgia from hogs is about a $150,000,000 annually?

Yes, sir. That is correct.

Does the gentleman further yield?

Yes, sir.

Is it not true that this is being done in on some places already, but this just further codifies it in the law?

Yes, sir. That's correct.

Thank you, mister speaker.

Gentleman has a couple of other questions. Rep representative Thomas to your right is recognized for a question.

Thank you. Do you yield?

Yes, sir.

I'm just curious. Is this any way gonna affect the wild hog

supper? We might have a little bit more, barbecue if we can get this thing through.

Well, thank you. In that case, I'll support the bill.

Thank you, sir.

Chairman Petrie to your left is recognized for a question.

Thank you, mister speaker. This is gentleman yield.

Yes, sir.

Is it not true, representative, that not only is this species invasive to the North American continent and destructive of agriculture, but also of native wildlife and native species such as quail nest, turkey nest, etcetera.

Absolutely. And just to add, feral hogs, can, reproduce, I believe, two, sometimes three times a year and have, a litter of piglets up to about 18. So once hogs are in your area, it is almost impossible to get rid of them. So, again, this measure is to help keep the population down so they do not destroy, property and to your point, wildlife.

Representative Reese, to your left in the back is recognized for a question.

Thank you, mister speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

Yes, sir.

Isn't it true that these hogs are actually causing millions of dollars in damage to our farming industry here in Georgia and can damage acres just within a nighttime span.

Yes, sir. As of 2020, UGA, extension, estimated about a $150,000,000 in damages.

And and isn't it further true that many of our farmers in the rural parts of our state just don't have the capacity to fence off their entire properties, but these hogs are causing a huge issue as well as the deer too that I'm hearing from some farmers. I know we're just dealing with hogs today, but the deer are also causing a major issue for our farmers and and the products that they yield.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Chairman Dickey, he should know a little bit about this subject matter. Let's see what he knows. He has a question. Chairman Dickey.

Does gentleman yield?

Yes, sir.

Not only agricultural crops, but I think it's known that they will, damage and, our sea turtle nest if they're on the coast in those, situations. So, a very destructive animal.

Absolutely.

Representative O'Stein and then one more. Representative O'Stein is recognized for our question.

Thank you, mister speaker. Does the gentleman yield?

Yes, ma'am.

Is it not true that my family farms many, many, many acres and they destroy our family farm every single year?

Yes, ma'am.

Is it not true that it is costing us a fortune every year to get people to come and kill these things for us?

Yes, ma'am.

I look forward to supporting the bill. Thank you so much.

Thank you. To your left, representative Donahue is recognized for a question.

You, mister speaker. Is this not true? Does the gentleman yield?

Yes, sir.

Is it not true that this will not affect Wilbur, our friend in Charlotte's web?

This is for feral hogs only, not hogs that are pets or farm raised.

Yes. Thank you for bringing the bill. It was a great bill.

Thank you.

Gentleman has no further questions.

Thank you, mister speaker. I yield the well and ask for your favorable consideration.

Just to follow-up on chairman Dickey's question and that answer, all of our friends from the coast realize how destructive these, predators are on our sea turtle nest. Ausubau Island is one of our most prolific, sea islands that produces as provides a spot for sea turtles to nest, and there is a they are a real problem, y'all. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? 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 bill?

Hearing none, the report of the committee has agreed to. Shall this bill now pass? All in favor of the passage of the bill will vote yes. All those opposed, we'll vote no. And, mister Clerk, will you unlock the machine?

Have all members voted? All members voted. If so, mister clerk, will you lock the machine? On the passage of house bill nine forty six, the yays are one sixty sixty three, the nays are one, the bill having received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. Mister Clerk, will you read the caption of house bill nine nine nine?

House bill nine nine nine by representative Levert to the hundred and twenty third and others to be entitled in act two amend article five of chapter 10 of title 15 of the official code of Georgia annotated relating the fees and costs of magistrate courts so as to revise provisions related to magistrate courts collecting sums and fees authorized by law. This bill I'm referred to the committee on judiciary. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

Chairman Levitt, who comes from where all that granite is, is recognized to present the bill. Chairman Levitt.

Thank you, mister speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the house, house bill nine ninety nine is one of these exciting high voltage bills for which I have become known to present to you. It does two things. It it impacts our magistrate courts. First of all, it allows magistrate courts to assess fees in addition to what they can collect by statute if they're authorized by local law, by local act of the general assembly.

A number of courts already do that, but in the opinion of legislative counsel, as one of my clients once said to me, you had a big rat rod.

It ain't exactly the leak.

So that is their opinion. I know a lot of us have it, but this bill would would fix it, basically. It would render that if as long as there's a local act, it would render technology fees and that sort of thing legal. It would also allow courts in the future to do it. It it this arose for me personally because one of my, magistrate judges wanted to assess such a fee.

So it would do

that and I would, keep in mind, I know many of us don't like additional fees, but this is a fee that the court can assess and and basically collect the revenue to fund their technology needs through the people who are before the the court rather than, put that burden on county taxpayers. Second, the bill fixes a repealer, from house bill four twenty six, represent a news bill last year, which passed this house that would make probate judges and magistrate judges nonpartisan positions. The issue is in that bill, probate judges are constitutional officers. So making them nonpartisan had to be approved or ratified at a at a constitutional referendum. There's a resolution, I think, currently, pending that that hopefully will reach the floor at some point that would authorize that referendum.

Problem is in the bill, it it normally it when we when we have a constitutional referendum, we put in the bill enacting something that's subject to a referendum repeal or language. So if the if the referendum does not pass, then whatever we did in that bill is repealed. The problem was with house bill four twenty six, there was a little typo in there and it repealed the whole thing. The part on magistrate judges as well as the part on probate judges if the referendum that just applied to probate judges didn't pass. So we fix that with this bill.

We're we're revising that act so that the repeal applies only to the parts about probate judges if the referendum does not pass. So I hope you all were able to contain yourselves in that exciting presentation. Mister speaker, I'm happy to stand for any questions.

Yes. If you'll yield representative Jason Ridley and I have a question. I'm gonna recognize Jason Ridley for the question.

Thank you, mister Baker. Jim and yield.

Absolutely.

This, charges on here. I know there was, a new program that was trying to implement at some, courthouses, and then they was trying to do

it all over the state.

And I know some judges came up here and talked to me about that that they'd wanna implement. This don't have anything to do with that.

To my knowledge, it does not. This is simply about a technology fee within the magistrate court system to

keep I don't get nervous a lot, but when a attorney tells me to my knowledge, no.

I kinda have to

question that. Well, I'll handle it. The representative would. Absolutely

not. Oh, thank you, sir.

I'm absolutely positive.

My sentiments exactly, representative Ridley. The gentleman has no further questions.

Thank you, mister speaker. Ladies and gentlemen, the house, I'll leave you with this final thought. If I had a nickel for every math exam I'd failed, I'd have $11.23 now.

Thank you.

I can't top that one. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? 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 bill? Hearing none, the report of the committee has agreed to.

Shall this bill now pass? All those in favor of the passage of the bill, we all vote yes. All those opposed, we all vote no. And mister Clerk, will you unlock the machine? Have all members voted?

All members voted. If so, mister clerk, will you lock the machine? On the passage of house bill 999, the yays are one sixty, the nays are four, the bill had received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. That completes our rules calendar. We have some afternoon orders.

You'll have up to two minutes for your afternoon order. Up to two minutes. Representative Prince, representative Richardson, and the entire Augusta delegation, Chairman Prince, Augusta delegation, make your way down if gentlemen will suspend just for a moment.

We got somebody up there? No. I don't see anybody. Who's up here?

Nobody's up there. Nice. We just recognize. You have one more on the waist. Gentlemen, hold up just from

Yeah. The

Thank you.

Recognized. Thank you, mister speaker, and thank

you to everyone here. I hope you are gonna enjoy, wearing your your master's hat. These have to be purchased a year in advance because the course doesn't open, other than master's week to those of us. But Augusta is a lot more than, than just, the Medical College of Georgia and the master's. But I will say those get us off to a good start and taking care of a lot of the state.

I wanna thank you all for be for welcoming whoever you see from Augusta day as you see them throughout the day. Really, the Greater Augusta area includes Waynesboro, Augusta and Downtown Augusta there, Martinez, Evans, a lot of Columbia County, even McDuffie County. So we're excited to to be here today. We're excited to welcome them to the people's house and, hope you enjoy the the little momentum that we've left. Thank you all.

We'll try to be out by the time the masters begins. What do you think? Bet we will be. Thank you, and we are proud to recognize and welcome all of the Augusta folks to the capital. And thanks for all you do for our state from health care to entertainment, sports.

It's, a lot of things good good things going on in that area. Representative Scofield, recognized for an afternoon order. How about let's rep recognize representative Williams. I don't see representative Scofield right now. Representative Al Williams is recognized for an afternoon order.

Thank you, mister speaker. I got closer because it's so cold in here right now. My old bones wasn't working. Hint. Hint.

I rise to mention a a a committee that I served on this past year, the in Select Insurance Committee headed by representative Matt Reeves. It was a great committee. I thought it did great work, and hats off to the chairman. I thought it was very fair throughout the process. My writing is very personal.

We were told by one of the major insurance companies, the largest in this country, about decreasing rates. We had no major catastrophes last year in Georgia. And for some reason, to my surprise, after being promised a rate increase, not personally, but overall, I got my bill a few days ago, and my bill went up $727 a year. That's the exact reverse of what I thought. But in addition, from a nonpersonal standpoint, there are too many small businesses in Georgia, particularly body shops, that are just mistreated by reimbursement rates by our insurance companies.

When you get ready to fix a car now and you might have just knocked the taillight out, But it's so integral until if you affect any electronics, it becomes a major job. And many times, these insurance companies will only reimburse the body shop 50% of the cause. Now I feel real sorry for these little broke companies that only pay their bosses about $50,000,000 a year. I my heart bleeds for them. But time out.

We did something about how they were treating independent pharmacists in Georgia a few years ago. It's time to look into how they're treating independent business people on in on reimbursement rates. And ain't nothing wrong with getting old, so don't tell me you raised my rate without telling me it's because I might limp a little bit. Thank you, mister speaker. With that, I yield the well.

Thank you, representative. Thanks to that committee, and thanks for your service on that committee on that serious note. On a not so serious note, representative Williams, you've heard of you've heard of global warming. We're trying to make sure we can take care of it. It gets hot in here, so we turned the air conditioner down this morning to take care of that.

It's a test. I think it's working well. Representative Scofield. Okay. Representative Ali.

Good afternoon. Members of this house, mister speaker, thank you for the opportunity to continue the the tradition from my predecessor. Please give your attention to the screen where thirteen year old Riley is. Riley is available for adoption, but she is more than just that fact. She is kind, she's a cheerleader, an athlete, a grade a student, and a true friend to those around her.

And as you all know by now, it's my turn now.ghs.georgia.gov is where you can make a difference in not just Riley's life, but so many other children up available for adoption. Thank you so much.

Thank you, sir. Thanks for carrying on the tradition. Representative Ford and representative Howard recognized for an afternoon order.

Thank you, mister speaker. On behalf of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, representative Ford and myself would like to invite everyone to join us this afternoon at the freight depot in the Blue Room for a reception starting at 05:00 and in the morning at 07:30 back at the freight depot for our annual legislative breakfast. Again, for the Georgia Agribusiness Council, and you should have this on your desk. Thank you, mister speaker.

Appreciate what Agribusiness Council does. Join those folks. Folks from all over Georgia. Rep representative Okoye, representative Gabe Okoye. He knows a little bit about a little bit about engineering.

So, give the gentleman your attention, please. Representative.

Thank you, mister speaker. You introduce how do you say stand up? Stand up. Okay. Hold on.

On top of this?

Alright.

Thank you, mister speaker. You actually introduced me correctly. It says I know a little bit about engineering. A lot. But I am here to thank mister speaker because the other day, I went to the, restroom.

I was shocked. Ladies, I didn't go to yours, but I think the speaker cannot be discriminating. I'm sure he did the same thing that he did in the men's room to your rooms, but he looked great. It looked if you believe it look great, stop nodding your head and give me round of applause. So we recognize people every day here, but we fail to recognize when one of us does something that is commendable.

Mister speaker, you are recognized and commended. Thank you very much.

Thank you, representative. But give all the credit to Georgia Building Authority. Gerald and his crew did a great job on this building. That concludes our afternoon orders. Appreciate all of the attention y'all have given today.

Mister Clerk, would you read the caption to a group of privileged resolution?

Honoring the life, service, and accomplishment of Zade Kenimer. Honoring the 1966 Perry High School basketball team on the sixtieth anniversary of winning the class a state championship. Honoring the work of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry and recognizing 02/03/2026 as Georgia Aerospace and Defense Day at the state capitol, recognizing commending reignite the flame, recognizing on and honoring Sydney Connolly, Recognizing and commending councilwoman Alicia Washington on her outstanding public service. Recognizing and commending councilwoman Tara Graves on her outstanding public service. Recognizing and commending councilwoman Karmesha Washington Smith on her outstanding public service.

Recognizing WXIA Atlanta for outstanding public service, honor of Georgia severe weather preparation. Recognizing the WSB TV meteorology team for outstanding public service, honor of the Georgia severe weather preparation week. Recognizing the youth civic advisory board. Recognizing CBS Atlanta WPA TV for outstanding public service in honor of Georgia's severe weather preparation week, recognizing Atlanta News First, WANF, for outstanding public service in honor of Georgia's severe weather preparation week, recognizing FOX five for outstanding public service in honor of Georgia's severe weather preparation week, commending Otis j Brock for a life of love, service, and extraordinary accomplishments, commending the Kaweta Cattlemen's Association of Kaweta County, commending and congratulating the Newman Kiwanis Club upon its one hundredth anniversary and recognizing the Newman Junior Service League upon its one hundredth anniversary, recognizing National School Council Week at the state capitol, and recognizing March 2026 as chronic kidney disease awareness month in Georgia. And for other purposes, that completes the reading of the privilege

Is there any objection to adopting the privileged resolutions? Hearing none of the resolutions are adopted. We have one more kind of announcement, kind of an give, a great shout out to someone. Representative Karen Lupton is recognized before we go to announcements.

Thank you, speaker. I just wanna let you all know we don't know each other's spouses all that much, but I just got word that, my husband works for Salesforce. He's done some terrific deals this year, and his boss nominated him for SE of the year in his project, and he just found out that he won.

So yay, honey.

Thank you. Colleagues, thank you. Thank you, mister speaker.

Congratulations congratulations to mister Lupton. Hope he gets a raise too. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

That's that part. Good stuff. Alright. Remember, we're moving on to announcements right now. Chairman Hatchett.

Appropriations chair Hatchett is recognized for an announcement.

Thank you, mister speaker. Members of the Appropriations Committee, subcommittees will begin meeting at 7AM in Room 341 on the amended f y twenty six budget, 7AM. Schedule is posted for your subcommittees. Full committee will meet at 08:30. Appropriations will meet at 08:30.

Full committee in Room 341 tomorrow.

Schedule is posted. Okay. Chairman Parish recognized for an announcement.

Thank you, mister speaker. Just to follow-up on that, members of the rules committee, we will meet in the morning upon adjournment of the appropriations committee or 09:00, however that falls. So right after appropriation finishes, we'll have a rules meeting in the morning. Please be there. Thank you.

Representative Rhonda Taylor is recognized for an announcement. Representative Park Cannon, you're on deck.

Thank you, mister speaker. We are, leaving this body here going straight over to CLOB 310 for the women's legislative caucus meeting. And I am super excited to announce our guest speaker will be our speaker pro tem, Jan Jones. Meet us over there. We have a great lunch, and we can't wait to hear from her.

Thank you, mister speaker.

Thank you, representative. Representative Park Cannon. Representative Franklin, you're on deck.

Thank you, mister speaker. Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4 is fashion day at The Capitol. From two to 4PM, we will have four different fashion concierge in Room 216. What is a fashion concierge? That's somebody who shops for you while you are busy.

So if you have a big gala coming up or you've been interested in finding some new ties or some new accessories, they'll be here in Room 216. You can come by and possibly get some more style. Thank you.

I think that could be used around here, some more style. Representative Franklin, chairman Bonner, you're on deck. Representative Lehman Franklin is recognized for an announcement. Thank you, colleagues. I wanna join him.

You got some friends? Wait a minute. You have one more.

Yep. Thank you, mister speaker. Everybody, I just wanna remind everybody once again that Habitat for Humanity is outside at Liberty Plaza. Yes. Come on up, man.

How are you?

And, they're serving lunch today at 12:00, and they're gonna start construction again at 01:00. So please go out there and support them. Join them. Go see what they're doing. I know you're gonna probably have constituents in that they are here, that are there you can meet with.

They've done great work throughout Georgia for a very long time, and they continue to do it. So thank you for your support.

Great organization. Chairman Bonner is recognized. Chairman Thomas is on deck.

Thank you, mister speaker. House defensive veteran affairs committee today, 02:00 at, CLOB 506. Thank you.

Chairman Thomas is recognized for an announcement. And, representative Campbell, you're on deck.

Thank you, mister speaker. The governmental affairs subcommittee on state and local government will be meeting at 04:15 at 01:00. Thank you.

Thank you, Representative Gamble. Chairman Williamson, you're up next.

Thank you, speaker. Fellowship will meet tomorrow morning at 7AM in the House Judiciary Room. Hope to join us.

Chairman Williamson is recognized for Internet.

Thank you, mister speaker. There'll be a majority caucus lunch immediately upon adjournment in Room 403. Thank you, mister speaker.

Representative Cummings, secretary Cummings, recognized for an announcement.

Good afternoon. The Cobb legislative delegation will be beaten in cloud five fourteen at 12PM. Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am. Chairman Dickey, recognized for an announcement.

Thank you, mister speaker. The the members of the, agricultural consumer affairs committee will meet today at 01:00, 05:06, and we had to move the meeting from yesterday morning, tomorrow morning, due to conflict. So today at 01:00. Thank you.

Representative Burchett and representative Corbett, recognize for an announcement.

Thank you, mister speaker. As you are aware or if you're not aware, I'm here to announce that the f 35 simulator is down there in the rotunda. They'll be there all afternoon. Go over there and get in get on it if you'd like. You may be aware or may not be aware the f 35 mission was assigned to Moody Air Force Base in our part of the world.

So we're very excited about that, for the longevity of South Georgia's, military base. Thank you very much, mister speaker.

Absolutely. Alright.

Can I listen to the sound of freedom this afternoon?

Awesome. Thank you. Planning on doing it. That completes our announcements. Majority leaders recognize for a motion.

Thank you, mister speaker. I move that this house stand adjourned until Wednesday, 02/04/2026 at 10:00AM.

On the motion of majority leader illustration that this house stand adjourned until 10AM, Wednesday, 02/04/2026, all those in favor will say aye. Opposed, no. No. Our name closed. The ayes have it.

We are adjourned. Thank you.