TODD STACEY: WE’VE REACHED THE HALFWAY MARK FOR THE 2026 REGULAR SESSION. LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE ARE STILL KEEPING UP A STEADY PACE HANDLING BUSINESS, AND AT TIMES THEY’VE HAD SOME LONG DISCUSSIONS DEALING WITH THEM. THAT MAY CHANGE OVER THE NEXT WEEKS OF THIS SESSION WITH PERSONNEL CHANGES. CAPITOL JOURNAL’S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.
RANDY SCOTT: TWO CLOSELY WATCHED BILLS HIT THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR DEBATE. THE FIRST, HOUSEBILL 360, SETS UP A NEW SECOND AMENDMENT SALES TAX HOLIDAY.
SELLS: “Hunting supplies…and lasts 3 days.”
INGRAM: “This has more to do…buys a gun.”
DANIELS: “What’s the Fiscal note for this? $360,000. Which budget will it impact? The Education budget. We have so many issues in this state and so many services people need. I think we’ve done a lot of that.”
DATCHER/SELLS: ” What prompted this? I just thought we needed a sales tax Holiday for firearms . What other sales tax holidays are there? We have severe weather and back to school. You think the need for weapons is urgent? That’s correct.”
ALSO IN THE HOUSE, HOUSEBILL 363 A MEASURE IT’S SPONSOR SAYS THE ADDS MORE SAFEGUARDS FROM DISTRACTIONS FOR CHURCHES.
BARNES: “This is a religious protection bill.”
REPRESENTATIVE GREG BARNES CARRIES HB363 AND SAYS THE AIM IS TO KEEP CHURCHES SAFE FROM DISTRACTIONS AND POSSIBLE VIOLENCE.
BARNES/GIVAN: “It’s very simple…you have to go to church, with the intent. For this law..to become effective. Who defines intent? You can’t know… before I cross the threshold of the church. Unless the act is committed!”
HALL: “An individual who violates this would be guilty of a Class C felony. Why charge them with that instead of a misdemeanor? Because we want to send a clear message, this won’t be tolerated in this state.”
INGRAM: ” This is a great bill, a proactive approach. Who will it be up to to press charges? The Pastor? That’s correct.”
ALONG WITH DEALING WITH BILLS, OTHER ACTIONS TOOK PLACE IN THE HOUSE…DEALING WITH LEADERSHIP. CHANGES WITH THE OFFICE OF MAJORITY LEADER FOR THE MAJORITY PARTY AND THOSE CHANGES WERE SEEN QUICKLY.
LEE: “I have a motion in writing..move the previous question.”
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL LEE NOW SERVES AS HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER, REPLACING REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT STADTHAGEN IN THIS ROLE. ONE DUTY IS TO KEEP ACTION FROM A STANDSTILL IN THE HOUSE BY CALLING FOR CLOTURE, A CUTTING OFF OF DEBATE. IT HAPPENED FOR HB360…I move the previous question.”
AND HOUSEBILL 363. MEMBERS OF THE MINORITY PARTY TOOK ISSUE WITH THE CLOTURE MOVES.
MCCAMPBELL: “I understand the legislative process, the ability to cloture. It will cut off debate on a bill but denies the body from hearing our concerns.”
FOR REPRESENTATIVE LEE TO BECOME THE MAJORITY LEADER, HE HAD TO STEP DOWN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY.
LEE: “Will be my last day as chairman. And will be my last day in this committee. I’ve learned a lot from every member on this committee.”
HIS REPLACEMENT WILL BE REPRESENTATIVE JEFF SORRELLS.
SORRELLS: “Having the opportunity to deal with a lot of people. I’ve prided myself working in the banking industry and talking to people in a dignified manner, and they still feel okay. To a point that everybody’s happy.”
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