Share this:
|
Thursday, April 3, 2025 - Day 39
Continued from yesterday's report
Archive of past GAE Legislative Alerts this year
Adjournment is Friday, April 4. Thursday is designated as a "committee work day," although no committees have scheduled meetings on public-education related legislation.
Last night, the Senate adjourned for the day about 12:15 p.m. Yesterday's Legislative Update covered everything for the day that occured before 9:00 p.m. This is an update on activity after 9 p.m.
As of 9 p.m. last tonight, at least four education bills scheduled for Senate votes have not been brought forward:
HB 127 was called to the floor after 9 p.m. The bill, which was formerly a bill to increase the number of personal or professional leave days for education, but which was stripped of all language pertaining to, and now states: "No local education agency or post-secondary institution shall promote, support, or maintain any programs or activities that advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)." The Senate passed the bill 33-22 about midnight in an emotionally charged debate.
Three other bills, scheduled for debate on the Senate floor, were not brought up and were tabled, including:
HB 225, which would ban all speed detection and red light cameras in school safety zones,
HB 651, which would continue to allow the use of speed detection and red light cameras in school safety zones but which would require signage or flashing lights to notify drivers of their usage, and
HB 200 would establish a three-year pilot immersive writing program for eligible public elementary schools. The bill also includes language regarding school playground standards.
| |
Senate Retirement to send bill to
allow ESPs to Join TRS for actuarial study
The Senate Retirement Committee is scheduled to meet today to determine whether or not to send a bill, SB 209, for an actuarial study.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Russ Goodman, a Republican who represents far south Georgia, including Blackshear and Valdosta, states: "Any person who, on or after September 2, 2026, becomes a permanent status employee employed not less than half time ... may make a one-time irrevocable election to become member of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia."
| |
GAE bill to create a study
committee on school district
waivers passed yesterday!
SR 476, by Sen. Sonya Halpern, D-Atlanta, to create a study on school district waivers, passed the Senate yesterday on a 55-0 vote. This is GAE-initiated legislation and a long time priority of the association.
Such waivers allow local districts to avoid compliance with state class size minimums, state salary schedule minimums for teachers, and requirements that teachers be certified to teach among many others. Virtually every law passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor pertaining to public education (Title 20) can be waived.
| |
|
| Next Legislative Update: Monday, 7, April 3 (full session wrap-up)
| |
|
|
|
|
|
100 Crescent Center Pkwy, Suite 500 | Tucker, GA 30084 US
This email was sent to joe.fleming@gae.org.
To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list.
manage your preferences |
opt out using TrueRemove®.
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
|
|
