Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB881 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 59 0132
2	2	House Bill 881
3	3	By: Representatives Campbell of the 35
4	4	th
5	5	, Hugley of the 141
6	6	st
7	7	, Jones of the 60
8	8	th
9	9	, Roberts of
10	10	the 52
11	11	nd
12	12	, and Mitchell of the 88
13	13	th
14	14
15	15	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	16	AN ACT
17	17	To amend Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
18	18	1
19	19	holidays and observances, so as to designate the first day of the legislative session each year2
20	20	as "Civility Day" in Georgia; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related3
21	21	matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
22	22	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
23	23	SECTION 1.6
24	24	The General Assembly finds that:7
25	25	(1) George Washington wrote a copy of the 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior8
26	26	in his school book when he was about 14 years old;9
27	27	(2) A legislative member respects the rights of individuals to hold different opinions and10
28	28	to speak truthfully without accusation or distortion and avoids heightened rhetoric when11
29	29	serving the legislature;12
30	30	(3) A legislative member who demonstrates civility chooses words carefully and13
31	31	understands that his or her actions or communications reflect directly upon the legislative14
32	32	institution;15
33	33	H. B. 881
34	34	- 1 - 25 LC 59 0132
35	35	(4) Civility requires an acknowledgment of opposing views and the right of others to
36	36	16
37	37	hold those views. It does not suggest or require acceptance or agreement with those17
38	38	opinions;18
39	39	(5) "Civility is claiming and caring for one's identity, needs, and beliefs without19
40	40	degrading someone else's in the process," said Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath,20
41	41	founders of the Institute for Civility;21
42	42	(6) The Georgia Municipal Association became the first Organization of Civility, with22
43	43	an inaugural group of 77 cities with the "City of Civility" designation, to encourage23
44	44	elected officials to acknowledge their responsibility in modeling open, free, and vigorous24
45	45	debate while maintaining the highest standards of civility, honesty, and mutual respect,25
46	46	not only with each other but with those they serve;26
47	47	(7) Civility includes the following practices:27
48	48	(A) Be considerate of others' opinions. It is okay to agree to disagree;28
49	49	(B) Manage your emotions. Get curious instead of furious;29
50	50	(C) A silent voice is not always a weak voice. Sometimes it is okay not to respond;30
51	51	(D) Be kind. Make your point about the issue, not the person;31
52	52	(E) Actively listen to learn how to engage respectfully;32
53	53	(F) Think about the impact of your actions and not the intent;33
54	54	(G) Ask questions to learn. Answer questions with respect;34
55	55	(H) Remember to quit taking it personally; and35
56	56	(I) Have empathy. Just because you have not experienced it does not mean it does36
57	57	not exist;37
58	58	(8) Civility is key to a successful legislative session; and38
59	59	(9) The legislators of the State of Georgia desire to embrace civility and manifest its39
60	60	aspiration to practice and support civility.40
61	61	H. B. 881
62	62	- 2 - 25 LC 59 0132
63	63	SECTION 2.
64	64	41
65	65	Chapter 4 of Title 1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to holidays and42
66	66	observances, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:43
67	67	"1-4-27.
68	68	44
69	69	The first day of the legislative session each year is designated as 'Civility Day' in Georgia."45
70	70	SECTION 3.46
71	71	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.47
72	72	H. B. 881
73	73	- 3 -