Georgia House opens 2026 session with prayer, recognitions and bill readings

The Georgia House of Representatives convened Jan. 13, 2026, with the speaker calling members to the floor, conducting a morning roll call and beginning the day's proceedings with scripture and prayer. Representative Carmen Rice introduced Dr. Penny Elkins, the incoming president of Mercer University, and Doctor Jimmy Elder delivered the opening prayer and remarks, urging members near the start of the session to "be kind to one another."

The clerk read dozens of bills on first reading across committee referrals including Ways and Means, Judiciary Juvenile, and Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, and announced several privileged resolutions. The House adopted the order of business and subsequently adopted a group of privileged resolutions honoring individuals and organizations and recognizing occasions such as Founders Day for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. The chamber also observed morning and afternoon orders recognizing Life University, Korean American Day, and a remembrance for former Stockbridge councilman Alfonso Thomas.

Chairman Hilton reported the previous legislative day's journal had been reviewed and found correct; the House dispensed with its formal reading and confirmed it without objection. Near the close of the day's business, the majority leader moved that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.; the motion carried by voice vote and the House adjourned.

No floor debate or recorded roll-call votes on substantive measures were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. Several bills were placed at first reading; at least one measure, House Bill 932, was listed at second readers (see separate article). The clerk's readings included bill titles and committee referrals but did not include enacted amendments or votes on the measures in the excerpted proceedings.