Journal of the Senate of the State of Georgia, 2020 special session

JOURNAL
OF THE
SENATE
OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA
SPECIAL SESSION 2020
Commenced at Atlanta, Georgia, Monday, March 16, 2020 and adjourned Monday, March 16, 2020
Printed on Recycled Paper

OFFICERS
OF THE
STATE SENATE
2020 SPECIAL SESSION
GEOFF DUNCAN ............................................................ President (Lieutenant Governor) FORSYTH COUNTY
BUTCH MILLER............................................................................. President Pro Tempore HALL COUNTY
DAVID A. COOK ............................................................................ Secretary of the Senate FULTON COUNTY
JAMES LEE .............................................................................................. Sergeant at Arms HENRY COUNTY
STAFF OF SECRETARY OF THE SENATE
SEAN MARTIN ................................................................. Deputy Secretary of the Senate ROCKDALE COUNTY
JESSIE THOMPSON ............................................................................ Print Shop Manager DEKALB COUNTY
CHEREE HARPER ............................................................................................ Index Clerk FULTON COUNTY
RICH SNELSON....................................................................... Enrolling/Engrossing Clerk FULTON COUNTY
JAMES TRIPP............................................................................................ Bill Status Clerk FULTON COUNTY
AMANDA BUTT..........................................................................................Calendar Clerk FULTON COUNTY
ROB MANN.................................................................................................... Journal Clerk FULTON COUNTY
JEAN SHUPE........................................................................................................ Bill Clerk DEKALB COUNTY

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF GEORGIA FOR THE 2020 SPECIAL SESSION

Senators

District

Address

Albers, John (R).................................................................. 56 ....................Roswell

Anderson, Lee (R) .............................................................. 24 ....................Grovetown

Anderson, Tonya P. (D)...................................................... 43 ....................Lithonia

Beach, Brandon (R) ............................................................ 21 ....................Alpharetta

Black, Ellis (R) ..................................................................... 8 ....................Valdosta

Brass, Matt (R) ................................................................... 28 ....................Newnan

Burke, Dean (R).................................................................. 11 ....................Bainbridge

Butler, Gloria S. (D) ........................................................... 55 ....................Stone Mountain

Cowsert, Bill (R)................................................................. 46 ....................Athens

Davenport, Gail (D) ............................................................ 44 ....................Jonesboro

Dolezal, Greg (R) ............................................................... 27 ....................Cumming

Dugan, Mike (R)................................................................. 30 ....................Carrollton

Ginn, Frank (R)................................................................... 47 ....................Danielsville

Gooch, Steve (R) ................................................................ 51 ....................Dahlonega

Harbin, Marty (R) ............................................................... 16 ....................Tyrone

Harbison, Ed (D)................................................................. 15 ....................Columbus

Harper, Tyler (R) .................................................................. 7 ....................Ocilla

Harrell, Sally (D) ................................................................ 40 ....................Atlanta

Heath, Bill (R) .................................................................... 31 ....................Bremen

Henson, Steve (D)............................................................... 41 ....................Tucker

Hill, Jack (R)......................................................................... 4 ....................Reidsville

Hufstetler, Chuck (R) ......................................................... 52 ....................Rome

Jackson, Lester G. (D) .......................................................... 2 ....................Savannah

James, Donzella (D) ........................................................... 35 ....................Atlanta

Jones, Burt (R) .................................................................... 25 ....................Jackson

Jones, Emanuel (D)............................................................. 10 ....................Decatur

Jones II, Harold V. (D) ....................................................... 22 ....................Augusta

Jordan, Jennifer (D) .............................................................. 6 ....................Atlanta

Karinshak, Zahra (D).......................................................... 48 ....................Lawrenceville

Kennedy, John F. (R).......................................................... 18 ....................Macon

Kirkpatrick, Kay (R)........................................................... 32 ....................Marietta

Ligon, Jr., William (R) ......................................................... 3 ....................Brunswick

Lucas, Sr., David (D).......................................................... 26 ....................Macon

Martin IV, P.K. (R)............................................................... 9 ....................Lawrenceville

Miller, Butch (R) ................................................................ 49 ....................Gainesville

Mullis, Jeff E. (R) ............................................................... 53 ....................Chickamauga

Orrock, Nan (D).................................................................. 36 ....................Atlanta

Parent, Elena (D) ................................................................ 42 ....................Atlanta

Payne, Chuck (R)................................................................ 54 ....................Dalton Rahman, Sheikh (D) ............................................................. 5 ....................Norcross Rhett, Michael A. (D) ......................................................... 33 ....................Marietta Robertson, Randy (R) ......................................................... 29 ....................Cataula Seay, Valencia (D).............................................................. 34 ....................Riverdale Sims, Freddie Powell (D) ................................................... 12 ....................Dawson Stone, Jesse (R)................................................................... 23 ....................Waynesboro Strickland, Brian (R)........................................................... 17 ....................McDonough Summers, Carden (R) ......................................................... 13 ....................Cordele Tate, Horacena (D) ............................................................. 38 ....................Atlanta Thompson, Bruce (R) ......................................................... 14 ....................White Tillery, Blake (R)................................................................ 19 ....................Vidalia Tippins, Lindsey (R)........................................................... 37 ....................Marietta Unterman, Renee (R).......................................................... 45 ....................Buford Walker III, Larry (R) .......................................................... 20 ....................Perry Watson, Ben (R) ................................................................... 1 ....................Savannah Wilkinson, John (R)............................................................ 50 ....................Toccoa Williams, Nikema (D) ........................................................ 39 ....................Atlanta

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

4291

Senate Chamber, Atlanta, Georgia Monday, March 16, 2020 First Legislative Day

Pursuant to a proclamation by His Excellency, Governor Brian Kemp, the Senate met in Special Session in the Senate Chamber at 8:00 a.m. this day and was called to order by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, President of the Senate.

The following Proclamation by His Excellency, Governor Brian Kemp, convening the General Assembly of Georgia in Special Session, was read by the Secretary:

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

A PROCLAMATION
CONVENING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA IN SPECIAL SESSION

WHEREAS:

Article V, Section II, Paragraph VII of the Constitution of the State of Georgia grants to the Governor the power to convene a special session of the General Assembly by proclamation, stating and thereby limiting the purposes of the special session; and

WHEREAS:

Code Section 38-3-51 requires that as a condition precedent to declaring that a state of emergency exists as a result of a public health emergency, the Governor must issue a call for a special session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS:

The Governor has determined that a public health emergency exists in the State of Georgia due to the spread of the novel Coronavirus / COVID-19 and warrants an emergency declaration requiring the General Assembly to concur with or terminate such emergency declaration in a special session; and

THEREFORE:

By virtue of the power and authority conferred upon me by the Constitution of Georgia, I, Brian P. Kemp, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby convene the General Assembly of this State in Special Session on Monday, March 16, 2020, at 8:00 A.M. for the express purpose of concurring with or terminating the Public Health State of Emergency declared by Executive Order 03.14.20.01.

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Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Georgia, at the City of Atlanta, on this 14th day of March 2020.

(SEAL)

/s/ Brian Kemp
GOVERNOR

ATTEST
/s/ Timothy K. Fleming
CHIEF OF STAFF

Senator Kennedy of the 18th asked unanimous consent that Senator Kirkpatrick of the 32nd be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Kirkpatrick was excused.

Senator Harbin of the 16th asked unanimous consent that Senator Thompson of the 14th be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Thompson was excused.

Senator Rahman of the 5th asked unanimous consent that Senator Orrock of the 36th be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Orrock was excused.

Senator Rahman of the 5th asked unanimous consent that Senator Harrell of the 40th be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Harrell was excused.

Senator Karinshak of the 48th asked unanimous consent that Senator Jackson of the 2nd be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Jackson was excused.

Senator Martin of the 9th asked unanimous consent that Senator Black of the 8th be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Black was excused.

The roll was called and the following Senators answered to their names:

Albers Anderson, L. Anderson, T. Beach Brass Burke Butler Cowsert Davenport Dolezal Dugan Ginn

Henson Hill Hufstetler James Jones, B. Jones, E. Jones, H. Jordan Karinshak Kennedy Ligon Lucas

Rahman Rhett Robertson Seay Sims Stone Strickland Summers Tate Tillery Tippins Unterman

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

4293

Gooch Harbin Harbison Harper Heath

Martin Miller Mullis Parent Payne

Walker Watson Wilkinson Williams

Not answering were Senators:

Black (Excused) Kirkpatrick (Excused)

Harrell (Excused) Orrock (Excused)

Jackson (Excused) Thompson (Excused)

The members pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the flag of Georgia.

Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, President of the Senate, gave the following invocation:

So on the way in this morning, I realized that there was not a pastor of the day scheduled. I'm a little nervous, I am not used to serving as a Chaplain, and these are important times, and I am humbled at the opportunity to do this.
Eight years ago, a good friend of mine asked me a very, very, what I thought was an easy question. Thought it was an easy question, but it turned out to be one of the most difficult questions that I have ever had asked of me, but it changed the direction of my life.
He asked me, "What's your faith all about? What is your sector of faith? Describe it to me."
I said, very, very quickly, and very, very proudly, I said, "I am a Christian." I said, "You know that! We were in bible study together. What are you?" He says, "I'm a Jesus follower." And so, it launched me into this journey of studying who Jesus was. What He represented. And I stumbled across a verse John 13:35 that says, "Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." So this word love, is hard for a guy who played baseball in a locker room that was paid to look tough every day; it's tough for somebody who is raising three boys to really embrace the word love. So what does that really mean and what does that look like in our lives? You know look, we're in politics, and sometimes it's a little diffcult to embrace what the true meaning of love really is. And so I wrestled with this whole notion of, so you are telling it's not about how religious I am; it's not about how many rules I follow; it's not about how many Bible verses I memorize; it's not about how much money I give to others; it's not about how many times I go to church; it's how I truly love somebody. That's the true measure. I thought I was pretty good at it, right? Because I went to church and I sang about love, and I prayed about love, and I studied love, but did I really, really do it? Did I love

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JOURNAL OF THE SENATE

my kids even when they were wrong? Did I love my spouse? Did I love my neighbors? Did I love my opponents? Did I love the people that I was with and against in politics? The answer to that was not enough. Was there a single person in the world that would recognize my faith because of the way I love them? And the answer eight years ago was no.
What I realized is it takes time and intentionality to love others. I stumbled across this in a devotional. I want to read this to you; it's brief.
"You cannot live a loving lifestyle as a hermit. You spell love T-I-M-E. It takes time to love other people. If you love your friends, you've got to spend time with them. If you love your kids, you've got to spend time with them. If you love Jesus, you've got to spend time with Him. Love always costs time and energy, but it's always worth it."
In the coming days, and in the coming weeks, we are going to have time that we haven't seen before show up in our days. I encourage every one of us to spend that time loving others.
If you would, please join me in prayer.
God, thank You for the gift of love. Thank You for the incredible example we've seen with Jesus and how to love, when to love. Continue to protect us, give us wisdom that can only be described as Godly. Let us have the wisdom as strong as Solomon to understand the problems that we are going to face, to understand the solutions, and be able to communicate those. Let us love in the easy times; let us love in the difficult times. Draw this state and draw this nation closer together as we face some difficult times ahead. Protect us and fill our hearts with joy and love even in the toughest days. It's in Your name we pray. Amen.
The following resolution was read and put upon its adoption:
SR 2EX. By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th:
A RESOLUTION to notify the House of Representatives that the Senate has convened; and for other purposes.
On the adoption of the resolution, there was no objection, and the resolution was adopted.
The following resolution was read and put upon its adoption:
SR 3EX. By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th:
A RESOLUTION to notify the Governor that the General Assembly has convened; and for other purposes.

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

4295

On the adoption of the resolution, there was no objection, and the resolution was adopted.

The President appointed as a Committee of Notification on the part of the Senate the following Senators: Miller of the 49th, Hill of the 4th, Harbison of the 15th, Dugan of the 30th, Henson of the 41st, Strickland of the 17th and Tillery of the 19th.

The following resolution was read and put upon its adoption:

SR 1EX. By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th:

A RESOLUTION adopting the Rules of the Senate for the 2020 Special Session of the General Assembly of Georgia; and for other purposes.

On the adoption of the resolution, a roll call was taken, and the vote was as follows:

Y Albers Y Anderson, L. Y Anderson, T. Y Beach E Black Y Brass Y Burke Y Butler Y Cowsert Y Davenport Y Dolezal Y Dugan Y Ginn Y Gooch Y Harbin Y Harbison Y Harper E Harrell Y Heath

Y Henson Y Hill Y Hufstetler E Jackson Y James Y Jones, B. Y Jones, E. Y Jones, H. Y Jordan Y Karinshak Y Kennedy E Kirkpatrick Y Ligon Y Lucas Y Martin Y Miller Y Mullis E Orrock Y Parent

Y Payne Y Rahman Y Rhett Y Robertson Y Seay Y Sims Y Stone Y Strickland Y Summers Y Tate E Thompson Y Tillery Y Tippins Y Unterman Y Walker Y Watson Y Wilkinson Y Williams

On the adoption of the resolution, the yeas were 50, nays 0, and the resolution was adopted.

The following resolution was read and put upon its adoption:

SR 5EX. By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th:

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JOURNAL OF THE SENATE

A RESOLUTION concurring with Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order No. 03.14.20.01 declaring a public health state of emergency; and for other purposes.

On the adoption of the resolution, a roll call was taken, and the vote was as follows:

Y Albers Y Anderson, L. Y Anderson, T. Y Beach E Black Y Brass Y Burke Y Butler Y Cowsert Y Davenport Y Dolezal Y Dugan Y Ginn Y Gooch Y Harbin Y Harbison Y Harper E Harrell Y Heath

Y Henson Y Hill Y Hufstetler E Jackson Y James Y Jones, B. Y Jones, E. Y Jones, H. Y Jordan Y Karinshak Y Kennedy E Kirkpatrick Y Ligon Y Lucas Y Martin Y Miller Y Mullis E Orrock Y Parent

Y Payne Y Rahman Y Rhett Y Robertson Y Seay Y Sims Y Stone Y Strickland Y Summers Y Tate E Thompson Y Tillery Y Tippins Y Unterman Y Walker Y Watson Y Wilkinson Y Williams

On the adoption of the resolution, the yeas were 50, nays 0, and the resolution was adopted.

At 8:45 a.m. the President announced that the Senate would stand at ease.

At 3:30 p.m. the President called the Senate to order.

The following message was received from the House through Mr. Reilly, the Clerk thereof:

Mr. President:

The House has adopted, by the requisite constitutional majority, the following Resolution of the House:

HR 1EX. By Representative Burns of the 159th:

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

4297

A RESOLUTION to notify the Senate that the House of Representatives has convened; and for other purposes.
The following message was received from the House through Mr. Reilly, the Clerk thereof:
Mr. President:
The House has adopted, by the requisite constitutional majority, the following Resolutions of the House and Senate:
HR 2EX. By Representative Burns of the 159th:
A RESOLUTION relative to meetings and adjournments of the General Assembly; and for other purposes.
SR 3EX. By Senators Miller of the 49th, Dugan of the 30th, Gooch of the 51st and Kennedy of the 18th:
A RESOLUTION to notify the Governor that the General Assembly has convened; and for other purposes.
The Speaker has appointed as a Committee of Notification on the part of the House the following members:
Representatives Rogers of the 10th, Lott of the 122nd, LaRiccia of the 169th, Reeves of the 34th, Frye of the 118th, Gaines of the 117th, and Wiedower of the 119th.
The following message was received from the House through Mr. Reilly, the Clerk thereof:
Mr. President:
The House has adopted, by the requisite constitutional majority, the following Resolution of the House:
HR 3EX. By Representatives Burns of the 159th, Trammell of the 132nd, Jones of the 47th, Boddie of the 62nd, Kelley of the 16th and others:
A RESOLUTION concurring with Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order No. 03.14.20.01 declaring a public health state of emergency; and for other purposes.

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JOURNAL OF THE SENATE

The following message was received from the House through Mr. Reilly, the Clerk thereof:

Mr. President:

The House has adopted, by the requisite constitutional majority, the following Resolution of the House:

HR 4EX. By Representatives Burns of the 159th, Kelley of the 16th and Hatchett of the 150th:

A RESOLUTION concurring with Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order No. 03.14.20.01 declaring a public health state of emergency; and for other purposes.

Senator Brass of the 28th asked unanimous consent that Senator Dolezal of the 27th be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Dolezal was excused.

Senator Brass of the 28th asked unanimous consent that Senator Unterman of the 45th be excused. The consent was granted, and Senator Unterman was excused.

The following resolution was read and put upon its adoption:

HR 4EX. By Representatives Burns of the 159th, Kelley of the 16th and Hatchett of the 150th:

A RESOLUTION concurring with Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order No. 03.14.20.01 declaring a public health state of emergency; and for other purposes.

On the adoption of the resolution, a roll call was taken, and the vote was as follows:

Y Albers Y Anderson, L. Y Anderson, T. Y Beach E Black Y Brass Y Burke Y Butler Y Cowsert Y Davenport E Dolezal

Y Henson Y Hill Y Hufstetler E Jackson Y James Y Jones, B. Y Jones, E. Y Jones, H. Y Jordan Y Karinshak Y Kennedy

Y Payne Y Rahman Y Rhett Y Robertson Y Seay Y Sims Y Stone Y Strickland Y Summers E Tate E Thompson

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020

4299

Y Dugan Y Ginn Y Gooch Y Harbin Y Harbison Y Harper E Harrell Y Heath

E Kirkpatrick Y Ligon Y Lucas Y Martin Y Miller Y Mullis E Orrock Y Parent

Y Tillery Y Tippins E Unterman Y Walker Y Watson Y Wilkinson Y Williams

On the adoption of the resolution, the yeas were 47, nays 0, and the resolution was adopted.

Senator Dugan of the 30th moved that the Senate adjourn sine die.

The motion prevailed, and the President announced the Senate adjourned at 3:37 p.m.

4300

INDEX

SENATE JOURNAL INDEX 2020
SPECIAL SESSION

INDEX

4301

PART I, NUMERIC INDEX SENATE RESOLUTIONS
SR 1EX-- Senate Rules; adopt.................................................................................... 4295 SR 2EX-- Senate Convened; notify House of Representatives.................................. 4294 SR 3EX-- General Assembly Convened; notify Governor .............................. 4294, 4297 SR 5EX-- Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; declaring a
public health state of emergency; concur .................................................. 4295

PART II, NUMERIC INDEX HOUSE RESOLUTIONS
HR 1EX-- House convened; notify Senate ................................................................. 4296 HR 2EX-- Adjournment; relative to............................................................................ 4297 HR 3EX-- Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public
health state of emergency; concur ............................................................. 4297 HR 4EX-- Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public
health state of emergency; concur ............................................................. 4298

4302

INDEX
PART III ALPHABETIC INDEX

A
ADJOURNMENT Adjournment; relative to....................................................................................... HR 2EX

D
DUNCAN, GEOFF; LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR addressed the Senate............................................................................................ ....Page 4293

G
GENERAL ASSEMBLY Adjournment; relative to....................................................................................... HR 2EX General Assembly convened; notify the Governor ............................................... SR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 4EX House Convened; notify Senate ........................................................................... HR 1EX
GOVERNOR Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 4EX

H
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Adjournment; relative to....................................................................................... HR 2EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 4EX House Convened; notify Senate ........................................................................... HR 1EX

INDEX

4303

K
KEMP, BRIAN; GOVERNOR Communication; Special Session Proclamation .................................................. Page 4291

P
PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 4EX

S
SENATE Adjournment; relative to....................................................................................... HR 2EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; public health state of emergency; concur................................................................................................ HR 4EX House Convened; notify Senate ........................................................................... HR 1EX Morning Roll Call.............................................................................................. Page 4292 Senate convened; notify House ............................................................................. SR 2EX Senate Rules; Special Session; adopt .................................................................... SR 1EX

RESOLUTIONS General Assembly Convened; notify Governor .................................................... SR 3EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; declaring a public health state of emergency; concur .................................................................................... SR 4EX Governor Brian P. Kemp's Executive Order; declaring a public health state of emergency; concur .................................................................................... SR 5EX Senate Convened; notify House of Representatives.............................................. SR 2EX Senate Rules; adopt................................................................................................ SR 1EX