Perhaps it was legislative hangover from Thursday’s frantic Crossover Day, but Monday took on a far more mellow mood in both chambers.
In the Senate, the day started with a royal visit as Queen Olori Atuwatse III stopped in to promote her cause, “Elevate Africa.”
The queen consort of the Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, had a sense of humor when it came to knowing who she actually was.
“I know that African royalty often raises eyebrows in America thanks to certain infamous emails,” she said. “So, I can imagine the Google searches to verify that this Nigerian queen was legitimate. Well, well, here I am, and I bring you greetings from His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III and the good people of the Warri Kingdom in Delta State, Nigeria.”
The Elevate Africa nonprofit’s role is to “empower and spotlight new African leaders in indigenous solutions.”
“Last month, we inaugurated our 2025 Elevate Africa Fellows, 17 remarkable fellows from 13 different African countries,” she said. “All of them embody the brilliance our continent offers to the world. Their work spans from revolutionizing agricultural systems to pioneering AI driven health care solutions, innovations that can contribute meaningful answers to our global pressing problems.”
The Senate then took on the only bill on its rules docket — one that originated from the House.
House Bill 15 is a bill that adds clean up language in banking and financial laws.
“This bill this year particularly contains revisions to laws impacting banks, bank holding companies, credit unions, merchant acquirer, limited purpose banks as a particular term of art, foreign bank offices, installment lenders, money service businesses, money transmitters, sellers of payment instruments and check cashers,” said President Pro Tempore Sen. John F. Kennedy. “And it also — there are a few areas that touch on mortgage lenders and broker laws.”
The bill was passed 46 to 1.
The House quickly gaveled in and gaveled out after passing the local calendar, but members made time to commemorate the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.
Thanks to its reputation for excellence in governance, operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility “MEAG’s continued success is a testament to the leadership of its management, employees and participant communities who have made public power a real asset in Georgia,” Rep. Bill Yearta (R-Sylvester) said.
The House also discussed President Donald Trump’s administration and its effects on Georgia.
One lawmaker condemned more proposed government agency cuts from President Trump’s administration.
“They proposed 87,000 federal job cuts within the VA — predominantly affected military veterans, which comprise one-third of agency employees,” Rep. Derrick Jackson (D-Tyrone) said. “This threatens to undermine the very foundation of honor, respect and gratitude that we owe our veterans. The Veteran’s Administration is not just another government agency. It is the lifeline for millions of men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms.”
Rep. Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville) congratulated former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins’ appointment as VA Secretary.
“Colleagues, I just wanted to take a moment to just speak a moment about how proud we are to have one of our former colleagues, one of our former congressmen, Doug Collins, as our new secretary of the Veterans Administration,” Bonner said. “I’ve been in communication with Secretary Collins, and I’m happy to report that he’s doing an incredible job for us. While it is true that we will be finding some efficiencies within the Veterans Administration, the sole purpose of finding these efficiencies is to do one thing and that is to serve our veterans better.”
And finally, lawmakers are prepared to go trout fishing on Tuesday.
“Tomorrow is trout fishing day: This is our Georgia Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus event tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the West Palisades Park,” Rep. Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie) said. “That’s at 932 Acres Ridge Drive S.E., the closest place to the capitol, and you can catch trout fish in. So, everything will be provided. The gear, the waders, everything is provided. Just need you to come if you can.”
Committee meetings will take on new importance this week as they start to look through the 440 bills passed over from each chamber on Crossover Day with only a calendar month left in this legislative session.
Also Tuesday, the House is expected to vote on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. It’s the one piece of legislation lawmakers are mandated to pass each year.
GPB reporter Tristan Smith contributed to this article.
This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News
