During the Legislative week of February 24-26, the General Assembly accomplished a lot by Day 29 before adjourning on a four day break. They will return on the 30th Day (“Crossover Day”) which is Monday, March 3, 2014. If a bill do not pass in the House or Senate before day 30 session adjourns, it will not be considered by the other house this session except it can be amended to another bill. There is only 10 days left in the legislative session!
Education bills in committee:
HB 1006, Academic Innovations Subcommittee of House Education; allows seat-time credit for students participating in on-line courses. This bill was favorably reported by substitute.
SB 399, Senate Education & Youth; revised a timeline to reduce local boards to seven members. This bill was favorably reported by committee.
SB 409, Senate Education & Youth; require evaluation of a blind or visually impaired child to determine need for Braille instruction in schools. This bill was favorably reported by committee.
SB 415, Senate Education & Youth; create a program for limited-English-proficient students whose native language is not English. This bill was favorably reported by substitute.
House education bills passed:
HB 810, revise eligibility requirements for HOPE scholarships for entering freshman students who are home study students.
HB 405, require members of governing boards of nonprofit organizations which are charter petitioners, charter schools, and state charter schools to participate in governance training.
HB 897, update to clarify provisions in elementary and secondary education law and repeal obsolete provisions related to funding of charters.
HB 886, requires local boards of education and charter boards to hold a minimum of 2 public hearings on the fiscal proposed budget.
HB 826, change provisions relating to expulsion and disciplinary policy for students bringing weapons to school.
HR 1186, high school graduates must successfully complete skills for Success financial literacy class.
Senate education bills passed:
HB 979, related to school board membership regulation for requirements of law.
SB 372, requires local school systems to calculate grade point averages for students to receive HOPE scholarships.
SR 875, creates a study committee to examine the impact of property tax digests on education funding. One issue to be addressed is how to ensure that property tax digests are accurate.
SB 343, The bill primarily provides that no high school which receives funding under Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20, the “Quality Basic Education Act,” shall participate in or sponsor interscholastic sports events conducted by any athletic association. Also, amended to include provisions related to the composition of the executive committee to include the State School Superintendent (or designee), representatives from associations that represent school boards, local superintendents, high school principals, athletic directors, and athletic coaches. This bill passed/adopted by substitute.
SB 356, declared September “Georgians of Great Character Month”.
Schedule for 30th Legislative Day:
- The House will reconvene at 10:00am, Monday, March 3 for “Crossover Day”.
- The Senate will convene at 10:00am, on Monday, March 3, 2014.
- No Education Committee Meetings.
Schedule for 31st Legislative Day:
- Join us at the Georgia PTA Day at the Capitol, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. The meeting will be located in the Fulton County Government Center at 9:00am and luncheon at the Freight Depot, 12:00pm; open to registered attendees!
- Academic Achievement Subcommittee of Education, Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, room 341 CAP. Agenda: SB 356 and other related bills.
- Welch Subcommittee of the Juvenile Justice, Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 4:00pm, room 506 CLOB. Agenda: HB 1053, relating to registration of organizations providing services to run away and homeless youth that registered organizations are not exempt from the regulation of early care and education programs.
- Juvenile Justice, Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 4:30pm, room 506 CLOB. Agenda: HB 1053