Both chambers settled into the session on Day 3. The Senate remembered one of their own Wednesday as they celebrated the life of former senator and Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson, who died in November after battling pancreatic cancer.

"He was somebody that I liked to call one of those foxhole guys that if he was with you on an issue, you didn't ever have to worry about checking with him twice because he was there," Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) said of his fellow Republican. "And Bruce was somebody who was passionate about his family, he was passionate about his faith, but he was passionate about public service. He loved serving in this chamber, and he loved serving the people of Georgia."

With Thompson's family and many of his coworkers from the Labor Department present, they unveiled a portrait of the former senator in tribute.

"This is going to be here for a couple of weeks with us, and then we're going to gift this to the Department of Labor, and they're going to hang it prominently where they choose to hang it," President Pro Tempore John F Kennedy (R) shared.

On a happier note, a national championship trophy and a shout out went to the Atlanta Football Host Committee for its work in bringing the College Football Playoff championship game back to Atlanta — the first city to repeat the feat.

"I tried to tune out the fact that the national title game is in Atlanta; I'm proud for it to be in Atlanta," Lt. Gov. Jones said. "Obviously, I was planning on going if my beloved Bulldogs were going to be there, but it did not happen. It was not meant to be, but that's OK. We are very excited about hosting the very first expanded playoff national championship game here at Mercedes-Benz Stadium."

Atlanta hosted its first college playoff game in 2018. Big event games like this are a great economic driver for the region. Monday's game will feature Ohio State University and Notre Dame.

"This state is used to winning, this state is used to being No. 1, and this state is used to being in first place, and in being the first to do a lot of things," Dan Corso, President of Atlanta Sports Council said. "This state is the first state to host this great event a second time."

"This event is easily the second most popular sporting event in the United States next to the Super Bowl, which, by the way, we have coming again in 2028, followed by a Men's Final 4 in 2031," he added. "Every city, every state in America would like to host this event and for the CFP to call Atlanta, Georgia, their home for a second time is a tremendous honor."

The House recognized utility workers for their essential role in Hurricane Helene recovery last fall and in last week's winter storm.

"These people are out there doing really hard work outside in the elements, working so hard on these dangerous jobs, while at the same time there are people with those companies and the EMCs working other places within the company very hard, too," Rep. Don Parsons (R-Marietta) said. "But in particular, I think about those linemen and the people out there working on the poles and in the bucket trucks. And Mr. Speaker, I just want to come down and acknowledge, I hope I've adequately acknowledged our thanks to them and appreciation for all that they do for all of us in the state of Georgia."

Members also commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born Jan. 15, 1929.

"We rise today to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been his 96th birthday," Rep. Bryce Berry (D-Atlanta) said. "There is no need to retell the story of Dr. King. We know his story. But what is even more pertinent is to know his message. His dream extended beyond just racial harmony, but also to economic opportunity and empowerment, social mobility and what he called that more beloved community where nonviolence was not only practiced but was the mantra of the land."

Later in the day, Gov. Brian Kemp announced his health care legislative priorities for the session.

"This session, I am confident we will continue that important progress, and I'm proud to say that commitment will start with my budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026," Kemp said. "That includes an additional $3 million to expand the Department of Public Health Perinatal Home Visitation Program. My budget proposal also includes an additional $778,000 to expand cardiovascular services in high-risk care at designated perinatal centers."

Democrats also presented their ideas regarding health care in a separate event this morning.

"The conversation is much bigger than Medicaid expansion — and of course, we've had that conversation for the last several years now, and we have consistently urged for that," House Minority Leader Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D) said. "But it's also important that we support policies that allow doctors to take care of their patients without fear or retribution."

Tomorrow, the House and Senate will unite in a House chamber where they'll hear Kemp's annual State of the State address.

Watch Lawmakers tonight to see the recorded State of the State address and the Democratic response from Sen. Harold Jones II, Mark Niesse of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Dr. Chris Grant of Mercer University, to discuss the latest on the legislative session.

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