Tristan Smith is an award-winning television news producer with over thirty years of experience, covering everything from war zones to human interest stories.
The House and Senate heard more of Kemp's legislative priorities in his annual State of the State address. Senators and the state Supreme Court justices joined the House members in anticipation of the governor's State of the State, but when one senator was barred from entering, a scuffle outside of the house took a turn.
Both chambers settled into the session on Day 3. Gov. Brian Kemp explained his health care legislative priorities for this session, beginning with his 2026 fiscal year budget proposal.
Four new senators, three Democrats and one Republican, joined the chamber as the whole Senate was sworn in. Members of the House reelected John Burns as the Speaker of the House in a 153 to 21 vote and Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones in a 158 to 19 vote.
Ahead of Sine Die, many lawmakers in the state House of Representatives and Senate are trying to get their bills passed. Sometimes they do this with add-ons that aren't related to the original intent of the bill.
