Session Day 10: 2.2.26

Of the hundred and forty seventh, Glazer of the sixty seventh and others, a bill relating to the state school superintendent. House bills ten sixty three by representative Thomas of the twenty first, Burns of the hundred and fifty ninth, Cannon of the hundred and seventy second, Donatucci of the hundred and fifth, Hilton of the forty eighth, and others. A bill relating to generation and distribution of electricity. Okay. House bill ten sixty four by Ramsey Bryce of the hundred and thirty ninth, Gamble of the fifteenth, Martin of the forty ninth, Barrett of the twenty fourth, Townsend of the hundred and seventy ninth, and others.

A bill relating to education. House bill ten sixty five by Representative Smith of the hundred and thirty eighth, Bryce of the hundred and thirty ninth, Buckner of the hundred and thirty seventh, Huddleston of the seventy second, and Jenkins of the hundred and thirty sixth. A bill to provide a homestead exemption from City Of West Point, Ed Loram, Texas. House bill ten sixty six by representative Wade of the ninth, Powell of the thirty third, Matthew Act of the eighty second, Smith of the eighteenth, Bonner of the seventy third, and others. A bill relating to general provisions regarding nuisances.

House bill ten sixty seven by representative Smith of the hundred and thirty eighth, Huddleston of the seventy second, Jenkins of the hundred and thirty sixth, Buckner of the hundred and thirty seventh, Bryce of the hundred and thirty ninth, the bill to provide a homestead exemption from City Of West Point, Avalon, Texas. House bill ten sixty eight by representative Davis of the eighty seventh, Scofield of the sixty third and Scott of the seventy sixth. A bill relating to general provisions regarding the general assembly and legislative services. House bill ten sixty nine by representative Donahue of the thirty first, Carpenter of the fourth, Smith of the eighteenth, Horner of the third, Scoggins of the fourteenth, and others. A bill relating to vital records.

House bill ten seventy by representative Hagen of the 156, Jaspers of the eleventh, Tarvin of the second, Green of the hundred and fifty fourth, Cox of the twenty eighth. A bill relating to income tax, imposition rate, and computation exemptions and credits. House bill ten seventy one by Raffston Scofield with sixty third, will claim to the 100 and ninth, Davis with the eighty seventh, Scott with the seventy sixth, Holly with the hundred and sixteenth, and others. A bill relating to the Department of Labor, House bill ten seventy two by representative Townsend with a hundred and seventy ninth, Stevens with a hundred and sixty fourth, Smith with the seventieth, Buckner with a hundred and thirty seventh, Franklin with a hundred and sixtieth and others, a bill relating to the Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Advisory Council, duties of council and its members. House bill ten seventy three by Rep.

Carter the ninety third. Hughley the 140, McLean with one hundred and ninth, Doug Douglas of the seventy eighth, Powell of the thirty third, and others. A bill relating to license plates promoting or supporting certain agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations. House bill ten seventy four by representative Reeves of the 99th, Park of the hundred and seventh, Hong of the hundred and third, Clark of the one hundredth, Estacion of the hundred and fourth, and others, a bill to provide a homestead exemption from city of Suwannee, Advilor, and Texas. House bill ten seventy five by representative Chastain of the seventh, Gunther of the eighth, Smith the eighteenth, Hagen of the hundred and fifty sixth, Camp of the hundred and thirty fifth and others, a bill relating to sexual offenses.

House bill ten seventy six by representative Earhart of the thirty sixth, Richard of the hundred and seventy sixth with Crow of the hundred and eighteenth, Saints of the eight hundred and eightieth. Smith of the eighteenth, the bill relating to obstruction of public administration and related defenses. House bill ten seventy seven by representative Williams of the hundred and forty eighth, corporate of the hundred and seventy fourth, canon of the 170, Smith of the eighteenth, bucking of the hundred and thirty seventh, and others, A bill relating to exemptions from sales and used taxes. House bill ten seventy eight by representative Hilton of the forty eighth, Tarvin of the second, Horner of the third, Barrett of the twenty fourth, Powell of the thirty third, and others. A bill relating to general provisions relative to the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.

House bill ten seventy nine by representative Jones of the hundred and forty third, Hilton of the forty eighth, Stevens of the one hundred and sixty fourth, Washburn the hundred and forty fourth, Herring of the hundred and forty fifth, and others. A bill relating to tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures. House bill ten eighty by representative Neil of the seventy ninth, Crow of the hundred and eighteenth, mentions of the hundred and sixty first, Chocus of the hundred and fifty first. A bill relating to the criminal justice coordinating council. House bill ten eighty one by representative Neil of the seventy ninth, Jones of the twenty fifth, Oliver of the eighty fourth, Dempsey of the thirteenth.

A bill relating to protection of disabled adults and elder persons. House bill ten eighty two by representative Martinez of the hundred and eleventh, Kehayana of the eighty first, Chestena of the seventh, Donna Street chief of the hundred and fifth, Clark of the one hundredth, and others. A bill relating to holidays and observances. House resolution 11 o three by representative Holly of the hundred and sixteenth, Moore of the ninety first, Mitchell of the eighty eighth, Jones of the hundred and forty third, Cummins of the thirty ninth and others, a resolution encouraging state and local governments to assist with reducing Wall Street lord land ownership of residential properties to help the state flourish. House resolution 11 o four by representative Washburn of the hundred and forty fourth to keep the hundred and thirty fourth roads of the hundred and twenty fourth quarter, the hundred and seventy fourth, Friday,

the hundred and twenty second,

and others. Resolution proposed the amendment to the constitution says to provide that the governing authority of any county or consolidated government shall be authorized to impose a sales and use tax in such county or consolidated government. House resolution 11 o five by Roger Jackson of the 68th, Scofield the sixty third, Scott of the seventy sixth, Davis of the eighty seventh, Mitchell of the eighty eighth. The resolution proposing amendments to the constitution, the state of Georgia so as to provide the creation of the Georgia Independent Redistricting Commission. House resolution 11 o six by Webster Scott of the sixty third, Davis of the eighty seventh, Scott of the seventy sixth, Mitchell the eighty eighth, Clark of the one hundred and eighth.

Resolution urging statewide support for passage of the audiology practice modernization act. House resolution 11 o seven by representative Mitchell the eighty eighth. The resolution recognizing and supporting the family restoration and reentry program as a comprehensive framework for restoring families and communities. House resolution 11 o eight by representative Scott at 76, Davis of the eighty seventh. Scofield the sixty third, the resolution recognizing the urgent need to equip Georgia students with the skills and critical media consumption.

House resolution 11 o nine by representative Scott at 76, Scofield of sixty third, Davis of the eighty seventh. The resolution recognizing the urgent need for sentencing alternatives and treatment programs for Georgians with serious mental illnesses. House resolution eleven ten by representative Scott of the 76, Davis of the eighty seventh. Scofield of sixty third. Resolution urging the Georgia General Assembly to support and enact the legislation to establish and maintain a comprehensive electronic inpatient psychiatry bed registry in Georgia.

House resolution eleven eleven by reference Scott of the seventy sixth. Davis of the eighth, seventh, Scofield the sixty third. Resolution encouraging bipartisan support for promotion of critical media consumption and literacy education in Georgia's public high schools. House resolution eleven twelve by representative Scott at the 76. Davis at the eighth seventh.

Scofield the sixty third. Resolution urging statewide support for the Georgia Municipal Equity Act of 2026. House resolution eleven thirteen by representative of the twenty fourth, Abstraction of the hundred and fourth, Gaines of the hundred and twentieth, Tarvin of

the second, Canada of January,

and others. Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to recognize chronic federal spending as a root cause of inflation and long term economic instability. House resolution eleven fourteen by representative Blackman of the 146 Burns of the hundred and fifty ninth, estration of the one hundred and fourth, Hatchard of the one hundred and fifty fifth, Canada,

the one hundred and seventy second,

and others. A resolution that provides the amendment to the constitution so as to remove the cap on benefits granted pursuant to the homeowners incentive adjustment clause through second raters.

Thank you, mister clerk. Reports of standing committees. Mister Clerk, will you read?

Representative Williams of the Hundred 48 District, chairman of the committee on banks and banking submitted the following report. Mister speaker, committee on banks and banking has had under its consideration, filing bills of the house, instructed me to report the same back to the house with following recommendation. House bill nine forty five do pass by committee substitute, respectfully submitted. Representative Williams to the Hundred And 48th District Chairman. Representative Ron Stevenson of 64th District Chairman of the committee on economic development and tourism submitted the following report.

Mister speaker, your committee on economic development and tourism has had under its consideration, following bill of the house, it's instructed me to report the same back to the house following recommendation. House bill nine eighty do pass, respectfully submitted to representative Ron Stevenson, owner of the 64th District Chairman. Representative McDonald of 20 of committee on intergovernmental coordination local submitted the following report. Mister speaker, your committee on intergovernmental coordination local has had under its consideration following bill of the house has instructed me to report the same back to the house following recommendation. House bill ten twenty nine do pass, respectfully submitted, representative McDonald, the 100 of the twenty sixth district chairman.

That completes the reading of the report's standing committees.

Thank you, mister Clerk. Alright, members. You may wanna get closer to your seats. We do have a local calendar this morning. Heard reading a passage of uncontested local bills.

Since there's only one bill on the local calendar, we will we will vote on that calendar as a whole. Mister Clerk, will you read the local calendar?

House bill ten twenty nine by rep Thomas the twenty first, City Of Holly Springs.

Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered on the local calendar? Hearing none of the previous questions 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 the committee is agreed to. Shall this bill now pass.

All those in favor of the passage of the bill on the local calendar will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no. And, mister Clerk, will you unlock the machines? Have all members voted? No.

All members voted. All members voted. If so, mister clerk, will you lock the machines? On the passage of the bill the bill on the local calendar, the yays are one sixty one, the nays are zero. This bill had received the requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

Majority leader, Estrachian, is recognized to present a resolution.

Thank you, mister speaker. I move that the house adopt senate resolution six forty five.

Mister Clark, will you read the resolution?

The senate resolute six forty five by senator Walker and others calling a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate for the purposes of hearing a message from the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Majority of the illustration is recognized to speak to the resolution.

Thank you, mister speaker. I bring to you today senate resolution six forty five. Every lawyer legislator's favorite day is the state of the judiciary, which would be this Wednesday beginning at 11:00AM. That's 02/04/2026, and I'd ask for your favorable consideration of this joint resolution with the senate. Thank you, mister speaker.

Yield the well.

Is there any objection to the adoption of the resolution? Hearing none of the resolutions adopted. Majority leader, you want to be recognized for another motion? Majority leader is recognized.

My mic, thank you, mister speaker. I move that the house immediately transmits senate resolution six forty five to the senate.

Majority leader has moved that we immediately transmit senate resolution six forty five to the senate. Is the objection? Hearing none, it is so ordered. Thank you. Members, we have some guests in the gallery this morning.

We're gonna recognize some members to recognize their guests in the gallery. You'll have a minute and a half up to two minutes to recognize your guest. Hopefully hopefully, that's adequate. We'll begin with representative hearing representative hearing representative Tangie, he waves. Representative Barnes, Representative Amati Barnes, take your time.

We're good. Representative Beckles, you're on deck.

Thank you, mister speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning. Happy Monday.

Spend just for a minute. Members, give the lady in the wheel your attention, please. Seat.

Thank you, mister speaker. Happy Monday, colleagues. Look at your desk. What do y'all see? Stacks of paper.

Right? Has anyone ever thought how this paper makes it to the desk? Who makes the paper? Probably not. Well, people do make the paper.

And, machines make the paper and engineers create those machines that make that paper that goes on our desk. And we have someone special up in the gallery, mister Lou Bowes. He's a public servant, a creator of pipelines for people to make that paper that goes on our desk. He's a leader in the pulp and paper industry whose active involvement creates industry standards, education, and innovation. He creates pipelines at KSU Kennesaw State University for engineers to continue making this paper that goes on our desk.

We don't think about the machinery that's needed to do that. So today, I would like to honor mister Lubos who's up in our gallery, engineer who is huge in our paper industry and creating pipelines for our students as KSU. Thank you, mister speaker. I yield the well.

Thank you thank you, representative. Alright. Thanks for what you do. We, we kinda light paper in Georgia, don't we? This forest industry.

Thanks for your service and your innovations in that paper industry. Thank you so much. Good to have you here. Representative Beckles and friends. At least one.

Thank you, miss speaker. I rise today to honor the remarkable dedication of those public servants who have devoted more than three decades of their lives to the city of Norcross, the city I call home. Thirty years of service represents more than just a career. It represents a commitment to community, countless acts of service beyond call, and the kind of institutional knowledge that simply cannot be replaced. Two such gentlemen are here today, John Davis and Marvin Rutledge.

They have been through storms and sunshine, always getting the job done with excellence and integrity. And I have known each of them since I became involved with the city of Norcross in 2008. They are not merely employees. They are neighbors, community leaders, and trusted advisers who have earned the aberration and affection for all who know them. To those of you who have given thirty years or more, your dedication has not gone unnoticed.

Your service

has strengthened Norcross, made it more resilient, and better prepared for its future. We are grateful, proud, and honored to recognize your exceptional contributions. Please stand and be recognized. Thank you. Thank you, mister speaker.

I yield it well.

They look mighty young. They have served thirty years there, mister Beckles. Congratulations. Thank y'all for your service. Representative Cummings, lady is recognized.

The lady in the well your attention, please. And friend. Oh, yeah. You got friends, plural. Ladies recognized.

I'll just suspend let give them a chance to get here.

Good morning, everyone. I'd like to welcome the city council and citizens from the city of Mableton. We're here today for our second annual Mableton day at the Capitol. I'd like members of the city council to please stand. And if there's anybody here from, the city of Mableton, please stand.

And I also have my colleague right here who wants to say hi to someone special.

Ladies and gentlemen, mister speaker, one of the young individuals that we are honoring from Mableton today got his start here in the clerk's Office many years ago. And Joshua John Frank is one of those, individuals that has made good, and he got his start right here in the capital. No. They they went downstairs.

Okay. Well, say hi to him when you see him. And we will be having lunch in Cap 216 at, 12PM. Thank you.

Thank you, representative. Thanks for mentioning someone who got a good start right here with us. So awesome. Thanks so much. Chairman Hatchett.

Thank you, mister speaker.

Gentlemen, suspend this gentleman. Y'all might may pay attention to him. I certainly do.

Thank you, mister speaker. So we've heard about service community service this morning, and we've heard the number 30. Well, I'm gonna give you the number 61. Today, we have a group in the gallery that is keeping a tradition alive in Dublin and Lawrence County. This is the organizing committee for our annual Saint Patrick's Day Festival.

This festival last a month, and it's been going on for sixty one years by volunteers. Several of these, I know, have been volunteering thirty, maybe even forty years. So will y'all stand and let us recognize you for the service you do for our community?

Thanks for keeping that tradition alive. Great city Dublin, Georgia. We appreciate y'all, and good luck with this year's celebration, and thanks for the longevity of that celebration as well. We appreciate y'all being here. Representative Bell, recognized for a morning order.

Thank you, mister speaker. Greetings, colleagues. Today, I would like to give recognition and a welcome from one of our very own outstanding Georgia citizens, Dericki Gayuka. Briefly, Dericki is a senior associate at the Atlanta office of Townsend and Lockhart. He also is a cofounder of a multi city business a multi city firm that has over that done over 21,000,000,000 in transactions and closings.

Earlier on his career, Greerke also was a federal and local courts where he worked at the appellate court in 2019. Later on, he's done so much more. But today, we're here to talk about his service. As a previous emerging as a previous president of Emerging one hundred, lead Atlanta 2023, 2025 Atlanta Business Chronicle, the 40 under 40 for the Atlanta Business Chronicle, 2024 Big Brothers and Sisters of Georgia and Game Changers, the twenty twenty four Young Atlanta leaders in Young Atlanta leaders inaugural class participation. The Ricky has done so much more.

This year, he has helped raise over a $123,000. This year, he has helped raise over a $123,000 for scholarships from young Georgians as well as a combine of of 1,000,000 and $200,000 combined in nonprofit service. Without further ado, can we give our round of applause for our outstanding citizen, Duriki Gayuka? As you can see, he's a young man, so this is also a charge on your life. Go forward and continue to do great things, and I'm proud to stand here with you in service.

Thank you. Thank you, mister speaker.

Congratulations. Thanks for being here, and thanks for your work. Keep effort. Right? Representative Willis.

Representative Engel Willis is recognized for a morning order. The lady is recognized.

Thank you, mister speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning. It is my honor and privilege to acknowledge links day at the Capitol. The links incorporated is a fantastic organization, that I'm honored to be a member of.

Comprised of over 17,000 women around the world dedicated to community service and uplift. There are 299 chapters. Someone gave a number for community service earlier. I'll present another one and it is 1,000,000 because The Links Incorporated submit 1,000,000 documented service hours each and every year. My sisters are not sitting in the gallery this morning because they're in the Sloppy Floyd Building in panels and presenting their legislative agenda and checking in on things that impact our community.

So it is my honor and my privilege as a member of this organization to ask you to acknowledge link stay at the Capitol and when you see the gorgeous women in green and white walking through please speak with them. They are your doctors and physicians in your communities. They are your principals. They are your HBCU presidents. They are women of high self esteem and character and at a time such as this very very necessary.

So happy Links Day my sisters and if you would colleagues just acknowledge Links Day at the capitol. Thank you.

There she is. Representative Doreen Carter is recognized for two minutes to speak to us about Black History Month.

Good morning, and thank you.

Give the lady in the well your attention, please.

Well, I am excited to stand before you this morning because we are celebrating the centennial of recognizing black history in The US. So today, my moment in black history, I rise to honor Lucy Craft Laney, one of Georgia's most influential, influential educators and a true architect of opportunity. Born in Macon in 1854, nearly a decade before the end of slavery, Lucy Craft Laney learned to read at a time when educating black children was illegal. Her parents understood that education was the pathway to freedom, and Lucy carried that belief for the rest of her life. She became part of the first graduating class of Atlanta University and went on to dedicate herself to teaching across Georgia.

In 1883, she founded the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute in Augusta, beginning with just six students in a church basement. Under her leadership, the school grew to educate hundreds of black students and prepare them for college across the nation. Lucy Lance Lucy Craft Laney believed education should develop both the mind and character. She established the first kindergarten for African American children in Augusta and helped create early nursing training programs for black women opening doors that held had long been closed. Her legacy reminds us that education is not just instruction.

It is empowerment, dignity, and hope. It is fitting that her portrait hangs just outside this door in the capitol. A permanent reminder that Georgia's history is shaped by those who dare to teach, lead, and lift others. I am honored to honor and recognize Lucy Kraff Laney today for a moment in black history. Thank you, and I yield the will.

Thank you, representative Carter. Members, I hope you'll join with me in recognizing a former member of this house and a good friend to many of us in here who now serves Cobb County on the GEDOT board, and we appreciate your service there. Our former member, Doug Stoner. Let's make Doug welcome. That completes our morning orders.

We'll move on to the rules calendar. We have three bills on the rules calendar this morning. Mister Clerk, will you read the caption to house bill five five seven?

House bill five five seven by representative Hawkins the twenty seventh and others to be titled back to amend code section fifteen six two of the official code of Georgia annotated relating to the number of judges of superior courts so as to provide for a sixth judge of the superior courts of the northeastern judicial circuit. This bill I'm referring to the committee on judiciary. That committee recommends that this bill do pass by committee substitute.

Chairman Lee Hawkins is recognized to present house bill five five seven.

Thank you, mister speaker. As you will notice with the LC number, this is a substitute. And the reason for that is I dropped this bill last year. Our judges decided to wait until this year to let another circuit go through. So the substitute is a date change from '26 to '27 on lines twenty five and one zero nine.

This bill simply adds a sixth judge to the Northeastern Circuit. I'll, stand for any questions.

Gentleman has no questions.

Thank you, sir. I am your support.

Gentleman's yield to the will and ask for your support. Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none, the previous question is ordered. Is there any objection to adopting the committee substitute? Hearing none, the committee's substitute is adopted.

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, we'll 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 five fifty seven, the yays are one sixty nine, the nays are zero. The bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed.

Mister Clerk, will you read the caption to house bill nine six zero?

House bill nine six zero by representative Clark and the hundred and eighth and others to be entitled in Act two men code section fifteen six two. The official code of Georgia and Tedda relating the number of judges in superior courts supposed to provide for a twelfth judge of the superior courts of the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit. This bill I'm referred to the committee on judiciary. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

Representative Jasmine Clark is recognized to present house bill nine six zero. The lady is recognized.

Thank you, mister speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Today I rise to ask for your favorable consideration for house bill nine sixty, which is l c four seven three four eight zero. This is a simple bill that would add a twelfth judge to the superior court in the Gwinnett judicial circuit. Currently, the Gwinnett judicial circuit has almost 100,000 residents per superior court judge, which is almost twice the state average of 50,000 residents per judge.

These judges are seeing just under 1,900 cases per judge, which is also well over the state average of just under 14 1,500. Based on this reality, judicial counsel has stated a demonstrated need of 14.6 superior court judges for the Gwinnett judicial circuit. This bill seeks to add one more judge to get us closer to meeting that need. This judgeship is the third on the list from judicial counsel for work road workload value. And additionally, while bills for additional judgeships to the superior court are general bills, this bill has bipartisan support of an overwhelming majority of the Gwinnett delegation meeting the Gwinnett threshold of support for local legislation.

We also have the support of the Gwinnett County Commission chair. And with that, again, I ask for your favorable consideration for house bill nine sixty. Thank you, mister speaker, and I'll yield for questions.

Lady has a couple of questions. Representative Dreener to your left is recognized for a question. Representative Dreener.

Thank you. Thank you, mister speaker. Does the gentle lady yield?

Yes. I yield. Isn't it true

The lady will suspend on her question just for a moment. Proceed, please.

Thank you, mister speaker. Isn't it true that you are a member of the PhD caucus?

Yes. That is true.

Isn't it further true that this is your first bill and that we are all so happy for you? Congratulations. Thank

you. Yes. That is true.

And she has a consensus as well too. That's pretty cool. Minority leader of this house, representative Higley, is recognized. Leader Higley is recognized for a question.

Thank you, mister speaker. Does the gentle lady yield?

Yes. I yield.

So do y'all have all all these bad people in Gwinnett that

you need more judges? Is that what you're saying to us?

So the superior court handles a lot of different types of cases, not just criminal cases. And so, what I would say is that a Gwinnett is a great place to live and, that the concern is just that we wanna make sure that our judges are able to handle their workload.

Lady has a other question or two. Will she yield?

Yes, mister

And I would assure you if I'd known that question, you wouldn't have had to answer that question. Subject matter. Thank you, minority leader. Representative Reeves to your right.

Thank you, mister speaker. Would the chair lady yield?

Yes. To my friend.

Is it not true that this bill is supported by the statistics from the Judicial Council for this county of over a million people? It is bipartisan. And the day this went through the judiciary committee, there were about 500 Gwyneth, Gwyneth residence on jury duty about to try jury trials that day.

Absolutely. Yes. The need is very great, and judicial council has recognized that as such. Yes. This is, very important bill for Gwinnett County.

Lady has one more to your left in the back. Representative Stetson is recognized for a question.

Thank you, mister speaker. Does the gentle lady yield?

Yes.

Madam representative, can you tell me how house bill nine sixty actually will impact the funeral home industry? The funeral home industry? How will this bill impacts the funeral home industry?

Well, I think anytime we're dealing with cases that involve death, then they will eventually make their way to the funeral homes. And so therefore, this is a very important, bill for the funeral home caucus.

So would this bill help judges be able to sign off on death certificates in a timely manner so so the funeral home can take care of affairs on behalf of the families across the state of Georgia?

Absolutely. Especially in the Gwinnett judicial circuit.

Alrighty. Well, thank you.

Lady has no further questions. I promise you I'll do a better job of screening your questions next time. Lady has no further questions.

Thank you, mister speaker. I yield the well.

Good job. The lady has 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 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 will vote no. And mister Clerk, will you unlock the machine? Mister clerk, will you just kidding.

All members voted. All members voted. All members have voted. Mister Clerk, will you lock the machine? On the passage of house bill nine sixty, the yeas are 169, the nays are one.

The bill having received a requisite majority is therefore passed. Congratulations. Representative Clark, would you mind coming up and let me have a photo with you as well? Thank you. Yes.

Congratulations. Members, we'll move on. We have another bill on the rules calendar. Mister Clerk, will you will you read the caption of house bill six five nine?

House bill six five nine by representative Greene. And the hundred and fifty fourth and others will be titled in act to amend chapter 34, title 31, where the official go to Georgia Annotated relating to medical professionals for rural assistance. So as to expand medical education funding and the service cancelable loan program. This bill I have referred to the committee on rural development. That committee recommends that this bill do pass.

Chairman Green is recognized to present the house bill six fifty nine. Chairman Green, dean of this house.

Thank you, mister speaker. Ladies and gentlemen of the house, house bill six, 59 addresses critical workforce and x and access to care needs related to optometry in our state. The bill expands eligibility for loan repayment and financial assistant programs to include optometrists, placing them alongside other health care professionals who serve Georgia communities and often carry significant educational debt. This bill originated out of the rural, development

committee.

This bill originated out of the rural development committee, and we found that not only the problems that we were having with other health official officials that it it was a large number of optometrists not serving rural areas. Right now in the state of Georgia, we train our people not in Georgia, but in Birmingham, Alabama and in Memphis, Tennessee. We hope and trust that this is the beginning of a process for an optometry school in the state of Georgia. Georgia is one of the most populous states in the nation without an in state optometry school forcing students to leave the state for their education. I hope and trust that you will vote with me on house bill sixty fifty nine on six fifty nine, which increase access to vision and eye care services statewide and will strengthen the health care workforce, especially in rural Georgia.

Mister speaker, if there's no questions, I yield the well.

Gentleman has no questions. Good job. Mister chairman, I think if you can't see, you can't learn to read, can you? Let's work on that school of optometry. Thank you for the thank you for the bill.

Is there any objection to the previous question being ordered? Hearing none of the previous questions 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 bill will vote yes. All those opposed will vote no.

And mister Clerk, will you unlock the machine? Yeah. All members voted. All members voted. If so, mister Clark, were you locked machine?

On the passage of house bill six fifty nine, the yeas are 168, nays are two. This bill having received a requisite constitutional majority is therefore passed. We're gonna move on to afternoon orders today. I'm gonna ask members Wanna recognize two members that's gonna express some condolences to begin our afternoon orders. Members, I'm gonna ask you to hold it to one minute.

If there any way possible, one minute, and, we'll recognize chairman Dickey for an afternoon order. And I'll ask you members to stand and remain standing for the next afternoon order as well. Chairman Dickey.

Thank you, mister speaker, and I'd ask the, members of the Macon Bibb delegation to come down. We had a former member, who served in this body.

Chairman, suspend just for a moment.

Okay.

It can be a delegation if you'll come down.

I'd like to, mister speaker, if I could, recognize John f Stewart, a former member of this body. John served in this body an awful long time ago. He would've turned 100, next month. And he came in in 1965. '64 and '65, there was a special, reapportionment to give you a little history.

The county unit system was declared unconstitutional in, 1962. And in 1963 and '4, they had a special reapportionment election with a lot of new, members, came in. 11 African Americans came in in that special election. Carl Sanders was governor. George t Smith was speaker of this house.

And other members you might recognize that served with John was, Tommy Irvin, Joe Frank Harris, Julian Bond, Tom Murphy, George Busby, Marcus Collins, and others in this body, as well as Jimmy Carter, Bobby Rowan, and Culver Kidd across the way over in the senate. But John was a, did not serve at one term. He got reapportioned out. It was a, multidistrict district in Macon. And, but he loved this house.

And he always asked me questions. He was very critical. He was not very, sometimes encouraging to me. He was he was, one of nine Republicans at the time in this house. And, but he loved this house, kept a close eye on it, and he survived.

He lost his wife just three years ago, but, survived by a great friend of mine, Steve Stewart, and his younger son, my brother-in-law, Cliff Stewart. So, just a moment of silence for John f Stewart. Thank you, mister speaker.

Thank you.

Thank you, mister chairman. Long life, former member, life well lived. Remain standing, representative Tran. Representative Long Tran is recognized for a remembrance. Give the gentleman your attention, please.

Thank you, mister speaker. House District 80 has two officers who have fallen within the past six months. In Chamblee, Georgia, officer Locke Tran who served in Chamblee, Georgia, No relation to me, for fifteen years. He had some health complications and passed away. And then in my city of Dunwoody, I can't believe I forgot his name.

Give me one second. Oh, detective Jordan Laverty of Dunwoody, Georgia. He served in DeKalb County for three years and eight years with the Dunwoody Police Department. So we'll take a moment of silence. Thank you, mister speaker.

Thank you, representative. Thanks for their service. Members, but you may be seated. Represent Bernal, recognized for an afternoon order. Give the lady in the well your attention.

If they're members of Clayton County delegation, they can come up at this time.

Clayton County delegation, please join represent Bernal in the well.

We are here to recognize Clayton County Public Schools superintendent, doctor Anthony Smith. His retirement after forty years of service. Tonight, doctor Smith will conduct his last meeting. Doctor Smith, thank you for your service to our community and to the school district. You will be missed.

And at this time, I'm gonna let, representative Bell doctor Smith was representative Bell's principal.

I would like to say on behalf of the graduating class of Middle East Middle High School 2009 and all the other classes that doctor Smith had a hand to touch, that we are honored to be your student, that we are honored to stand on the backs of giants, and honored to go down the path that you have paved for us. So thank you, doctor Smith. I know in the future, your life has so much more ahead of you, and I hope we're making you proud. Mister speaker, we yield well.

Thank you, representatives. Congratulations, doctor Smith. Great career. Reps representative Bell, we'll recognize you again while you're up here to speak to us again. Gentleman's recognized.

Thank

Thank you, mister speaker.

Today, I'll rise because today, we're reclaiming a moment to remember the past, to claim the beauty and the brilliance placed within us by our creator. For me, braiding my hair is not just a style, but it's about history. It's about legacy. Braids trace back thousands of years across Africa where every pattern spoke about an identity of a community or belonging. In times of bondage, our ancestors braided seeds into their hair so they can have so amongst the travel that they can sow seeds of life.

The braided the braids were messages and maps to freedoms. Even in oppression, they found a way to plant hope. So when I'm breaking my hair today, I'm not just here to I'm not it's not just about grooming. It's to honor the sacred paths that we inherit. It's about wearing the prayers.

It's about the strength and the survival of my people. And yet too many and yet too many children amongst us don't have the same pleasure and dignity and self sovereignty. With that, I would like to bring awareness to the Crown Act, and thank you, mister speaker. I yield the will.

Thank you, representative. Representative Buckner recognized for an afternoon order.

Thank you, mister speaker. I've been asked to, share with you this new national newsletter that Tom Rollins wrote, and so I'm just gonna read it as verbatim. First up is the situation in my home state of Georgia where the child welfare agency is on track for a $48,000,000 shortfall and has this October stopped funding private agencies who do the necessary work of providing behavioral aids, family assessments, and transportation. The agency has treated this situation as a nothing burger, blaming juvenile court judges who order an unnecessary services and providers who aren't doing their jobs. I said in the letter that was delivered to the governor last week, a child fair agency that cuts off its private providers and drives some of them to close their doors is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

While the legislature appears poised to reinstate and increase the funding, thankfully, the agency's attitude towards the providers is quite frankly horrendous. In a Republican led state that's always invited public and private partnerships, this commissioner suggests that they should be handling these services in house. If you found a childcare system that can accomplish this missed mission purely relying on government services, please let me know. Thank you, mister speaker.

Chair lady Smith. Representative Lynn Smith recognized for an afternoon order.

So still good morning. Good morning, everyone. I want to thank you for your unanimous vote last week on the state regional water plans. But also to inform you that if any of you have any questions about it, I have some contact information at my desk. There were a few errors of aligning the representative up with the district, so we wanna make sure that those questions get answered.

Thank you, mister speaker. Yield the well.

Thank you, representative Smith. Representative Ali, give the gentleman the well your opinion, please.

Yep.

Mister speaker, thank you for the opportunity. And members of this house, I direct your attention to the screen to see David. David is 15 years old, a future personal trainer, determined, hardworking, and immensely creative. Oftentimes, it's harder for teenagers to get adopted and get out of the system. And I ask that we create a world where that is not the normal, where we break that where we break that mold and we advocate for change at its my turn now dot d h s dot gov.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, representative. Looking young man. Not you, representative Ali David. That's what I was talking about. Representative Haig representatives Haig and Kemp.

There is representative Hagan. Representative Kemp. Representative Kemp, you wanna join us down front? Chairlady Kemp. I'm gonna talk about NCSL.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, colleagues. And thank you, mister speaker, for allowing us to talk for a moment. NCSL is gonna be here this week. Every single member in this room is a member of n NCSL. You are all members.

They are a great resource for data, for research. They will research things for you. The meetings are wonderful to go to because you get a chance to hear what other states are doing and learn from other colleagues and make connections. And I'm gonna turn this now over to chair Hagan to follow-up.

Thank you chair camp.

I

just wanna let all of you know if you haven't seen in your house email account, there is an email from NCSL inviting you to click on a link where you can sign up to meet with them this week while they are here visiting. So please take advantage of that if you'd like to meet with them. Thank you, mister speaker.

Thank you, ladies. I know many of you are involved with NCSL. It's a good opportunity to, to, visit with them and learn what the opportunities are. We are members of NCSL, and it's a commitment that we make. So that opportunity and that information and those resources are available to us all.

So I encourage all of you to take advantage of them this week, but certainly in the future as you engage with folks from around the country. Represented Ballard, Blackmun, Dickey, and Crowe.

Got him here. Thank

you, mister speaker. Colleagues, I stand before you today to recognize the courageous service of Warner Robins police officer Matthew Whitel. Last Saturday off or last Thursday, officer Whitel was shot several times while responding to a domestic disturbance, putting himself in harm's way to protect our community. We are profoundly grateful that he survived his injuries and is now recovering in the hospital. Our law enforcement officers, including officer Whitel, routinely run toward danger safeguarding our citizens during their most difficult moments.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to him and to all who serve in law enforcement. Thank you.

Thank you. In prayers and great thoughts for his recovery, our representative representative Griffin, gentleman is recognized for an afternoon order. The gentleman from Milledgeville, Georgia, representative Griffin.

Thank you, mister speaker. Mister speaker and members of this house, I rise today to recognize Black History Month, a time not only to reflect on the past, but to draw the lessons that continue to guide our work. Black History Month is often described as a story, a struggle, but it is also a start, story of service, strength, and stellar leadership. Throughout history, black men and women served their communities and this nation. Often, we'll fight recognition because service was necessary.

They served in churches, schools, neighborhoods, and in uniform, carrying the responsibility greater than their authority. My years in uniform taught me that leadership is measured not by rank, but by responsibility to the people you serve. Black history also teach us about strength, quiet strength rooted in faith, disciplines, and character. Strength that endured hardship and helped communities together during uncertain times. And perhaps most importantly, black history teach us the value of steady leadership because it did not come overnight.

It came because people showed up consistently, did the work, and stayed focused on moving forward. History remind us that leadership is not defined by talent but by responsibility. It is also solved by problems and others remain remain steady when challenged. Thank you, mister speaker. I got a couple extra minutes.

Right? Thank you.

You did. But you put them to good use, representative. I appreciate you. That concludes our afternoon orders. Mister clerk, will you read the caption to a group of privileged resolutions?

Honoring the life and memory of mother Essie Lee Harden High. Recognizing and commending the Georgia Association of Community Care Providers, recognizing and commending the Georgia State Society, National Society Children of the American Revolution celebration, the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, recognizing the community associations institute in Georgia chapter, recognizing February 2026 as congenital heart defect awareness week, Congratulating the Harvest Tabernacle Church upon its twenty fifth anniversary. Commending the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce and recognizing 02/05/2026 as Clayton Chamber Day at the state capital. Commending the Jamaica Caribbean for their extraordinary humanitarian response and valiant efforts to provide disaster relief to residents of Jamaica. Recognizing 01/26/2026 is day of democracy.

Recognizing commending Andrew Jones upon his induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Recognizing commending community supervision officer Tracy Whitaker, department of community supervision 2025 officer of the year, recognizing 02/04/2026 as physician's day at the State capitol. Commending the Links Incorporated and recognized in 02/02/2026 as the Georgia Links Day at the State Capitol, recognizing the hundred and seventeenth Founders Day of the NAACP, Recognizing and commending Richard Storer. Recognizing 02/05/2026 is Youth Build Day at the Capitol. Recognizing and commending reflections of Trinity.

Commending Laura s Martin, MA, Miles per hour, for her exceptional service and leadership in advancing global health. Commending Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For its a hundred and thirteen years of service and recognizing 02/23/2026 as Delta Day at the State Capitol. Recognizing and commending Don Koehler on his outstanding public service as executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission. Recognizing Gas South upon its twentieth anniversary.

And for other purposes, that completes the reading of the privilege resolutions.

Thank you, mister clerk. Is there any objection to the adopt to adopting the privilege resolutions? Hearing none, the resolutions are adopted. We're ready for announcements. Now representative Lehman Franklin, are you ready for an announcement?

And let's see. Either illustration, you'll be on deck for this your announcement. And representative Tran, you'll be in the cleanup circle there. Representative Franklin is recognized and friends. At least one friend.

Thank you, mister speaker. Colleagues, you may, have seen or recognized that there's been some, wood, materials and building materials being delivered right now at at Liberty Plaza, and that's because Habitat for Humanity is gonna have their construction day tomorrow. It's gonna start early in the morning, a little bit before nine, but if you can get there at nine and go visit and talk to them and just see what they're doing, there's a bunch of volunteers all throughout Georgia gonna be there. More than likely, there'll be somebody there from your district. They're also gonna have lunch tomorrow.

So, please, after session, just drop by there and say hello and see all the good work they're doing.

Thank you. Habitat, good good organization. Leader restoration, recognize for an announcement.

Thank you, mister speaker. There will be a committee chairman's lunch upon adjournment, noon twelve noon in Room 403 Of The Capital. Committee chairman's lunch, 403 Of The Capital. Thank you.

Representative Tran.

Thank you, mister speaker. DeKalb delegation, we have a meeting with the board of DeKalb County commissioners today upon adjournment. Lunch is provided. Again, DeKalb delegation meeting in Room 514. Thank you, mister speaker.

Chairman Corbett, recognized for announcement.

Thank you, mister speaker. The motor vehicles committee will meet at 08:00 in the morning, Room 606 in LOB. Everybody get your engines revved up and be ready to go. Thank you.

Representative Hilton and representative Ballard, I hope y'all got this worked out since y'all seatmates.

Thank you, mister speaker. Members, there is an education subcommittee, meeting this afternoon, policy and innovation that is in CLOB 506. CLOB 506.

At 01:00.

At 01:00.

The curriculum and academic achievement subcommittee will meet in the same room at 02:00. Thank you.

Chairman Powell will recognize for an announcement. Members of regulated industries don't get you've got your first committee meeting of the session today at 02:00. Need to be there. We have a new member that's been pinned, and she's excited to be there. Representative Vance Smith is recognized for announce

Thank you, mister speaker. We have two subcommittee meetings today for natural resources. The first one will start at 2PM in Room 415 of the CLOB, and the second one will start at just as soon as the first one completes. We'll start the second one. Thank you.

Objectives. Alright. Objectives.

Chairman Chokas, can I ask for an announcement?

Thank you, mister speaker. We have tomorrow morning at 8AM a small business development meeting in Room 506, and we will be having the, Georgia Self Storage Mini Storage Association presenting to us. It should be interesting. See you tomorrow morning at 8AM. Thank you.

Thank you, mister speaker.

Chairman Hitchens, and the timer's on, so chairman's recognized.

Thank you very much, mister speaker.

We'll suspend. Hey. I'm gonna hear this one. This is an invite.

Today is, Effingham Day at the Capitol, but, our people are elsewhere right now, and we're they're gonna be here in the morning. But what we'd like to do is invite you to a reception tonight, the speaker and I, at the, Whitley Hotel right across from Lenox Bowl in the Gallery Room. Everybody's invited.

That concludes our announcements. If you, have a page, you'll come down front as soon as we adjourn, join those pages, and myself will take some photos, making memories. For what purpose does represent Chaz Cannon rise?

Mister speaker, make a motion.

Take your motion.

Make a motion, move that house bill ten sixty three be moved from the committee on energy, utilities, and technology to the committee on special committee on resource management, both chairman and agreement. Mister speaker.

Clerk, will you read the caption?

House bill ten sixty three by representative Thomas. The twenty first and others followed an act to amend article one of chapter three, title 46 of the official code of Georgia annotated re relating to generation and distribution of electricity generally.

On the general's motion that house bill ten sixty three be withdrawn from the committee on energy utilities and and telecommunications and recommitted to this special committee on resource management. Is the objection?

Here it

There is objection.

There is objection. Does the gentleman move? Gentleman

moves.

Alright. Members, you need to get close to your desk. We're gonna vote on the subjection on moving this bill. All those in favor of moving house bill ten sixty three from energy excuse me, utilities and technology to the, commit special committee on resource management. If you're in favor of that motion, you'll vote yes.

If you're a yes, you'll vote no. Mister Clerk, will you unlock the machine? All members voted. All members now voted. If so, mister clerk, will you lock machine?

On the gentleman's motion, the yeas are one twenty three, the nays are 10, and this bill has been withdrawn and moved to the committee on special committee on resource management. That concludes our business for the day. The majority leader of the of this house is recognized for our motion.

Thank you, mister speaker. I move that this house stand adjourned until Tuesday, 02/03/2026 at 10:00AM.

On the motion of the majority leader of this house, stand adjourned until 10AM tomorrow, Tuesday, 02/03/2026. All those in favor will say aye. Post, no. Alright. I clearly have it.

This house stand adjourns.