Thirty-fourth legislative day - Thursday, March 19, 2026

Six days remain in the session. Adjournment will be April 2.

House Education Committee advances bill

The House Education Committee heard and passed one bill this afternoon.

SB 369, the "Charter Schools Act of 1998," concerns "dropout recovery charter schools" and the reporting of academic progress by school. "Dropout recovery charter school" means a charter school that enrolls students in any of grades six through 12 in remedial, special education programs, and dropout prevention and academic intervention programs.

SB 513 addresses chronic student absenteeism allowing for the suspension of students from extracurricular activities who are absent without excuse for more than five days in the first 50 days of the school year or, after 50 days, for more than 10% of school days. The bill was debated but no vote was taken. The committee chairman suggested the bill could be brought back on Monday.

SB 431, initially on the Committee's agenda, was not heard. The bill proposes to require the enrollment of foster care students within two school days of request or enrollment by such student's parent or legal custodian.

Senate adopts two education bills

The Georgia state Senate passed two public education bills today.

HB 1293 passed by a vote of 53-0. The legislation updates eligibility requirements for students who participate in the Dual Achievement Program and provides for the creation of a new funding formula.

The Dual Achievement Program is another path toward high school graduation that allows students to earn a high school diploma at a Technical College System of Georgia High School Academy. Students will complete both high school (if needed) and college course work at a TCSG High School Academy. Students will graduate high school with a high school diploma and college credentials. The program is currently operating as a pilot program but this bill will make it permanent.

HB 1123 also got the green light from the Senate. The measure would require public schools that offer after-school programs and have Georgia Pre-K programs offer those Pre-K students spaces in after-school programs.

Senate Education considers four bills

The Senate Education Committee discussed and passed four bills this afternoon, including:

HB 451 - the "Student Character Development Act" - as introduced, would have authorized instruction in hunting safety in public school grades six through 12. The bill now allows a student to leave campus for religious instruction for one hour a week or attend such a class on school grounds (added by amendment.)

HB 634 is a bill that would amend the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act concerning expedited completions of a student's first Individualized Education Program (IEP). The bill states: " ... in the case of a student whose first Individual Education Program was expedited ... but was not in effect at the time of the most recent enrollment count, the initial calculation of the maximum scholarship amount shall be based upon services specified in the Individualized Education Program in place at the time such [IEP] takes effect."

HB 1114 would require the State Board of Education shall adopt grade-level appropriate content standards for a minimum course of instruction in financial literacy to be completed by students in eleventh or twelfth grade, including "digital" or internet finance.

HB 1220 would waive the six-week required enrollment in public school for certain students enrolling in the state's private school voucher program. Those include students of an active-duty military family, students with IEPs or 504 plans or have been diagnosed with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, speech-language delay and disorder, hearing loss, or another intellectual and developmental disability. These students are currently already eligible for the Special Needs Voucher. The bill passed on a slim 5-4 vote.

By a vote of 53-0, Senate passes gax tax suspension

EARLY VOTING IN APRIL 7 SPECIAL
ELECTION RUNOFFS BEGINS MARCH 30

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Special election runoffs are scheduled for April 7 including the following districts:

SENATE DISTRICT 53 (Chattooga, Dade, Walker, and portions of Catoosa and Floyd counties). Republican Lanny Thomas and Democrat Jack Zibluk are the candidates. Mr. Thomas had emergency surgery this week, and Mr. Zibluk has temporarily suspended his campaign. Zibluk stated: "I will suspend phone banks, canvassing, the launch of new videos, and other activities until we have a clearer picture of the best way to move forward." Zibluk is a college professor.

HOUSE DISTRICT 94 (DeKalb and Gwinnett counties). GAE has endorsed Venola Mason, a former educator.

HOUSE DISTRICT 130 (Richmond County). Democrat former State Rep. Sheila Nelson and Republican Thomas McAdams are the two candidates in the runoff special election runoff.

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 14: (Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker and Whitfield counties as well as portions of Cobb County). Clay Fuller, a lawyer who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, and former Brigadier General and former public school educator Shawn Harris are the two candidates in the special election runoff. GAE has endorsed Gen. Harris. Volunteer opportunities are abundant.

The next Legislative Alert will be Monday, March 23

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