GEORGIA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – 2018
Day Thirty-three, March 12, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018 was the thirty-third day of the legislative session.
The SENATE and HOUSE convened at 10:00 a.m.
SENATE RULES CALENDAR
There were no education related bills that GSSA is tracking on the Senate Rules Calendar for Monday.
Dr. Steve Baker of Coweta County was honored as the School Superintendent of the Year.
HOUSE RULES CALENDAR
There were no education related bills that GSSA is tracking on the House Rules Calendar for Monday.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
House Insurance Committee
SB 118 Autism; age limit for coverage for autism disorders for an individual covered under a policy. Age moved to twelve year olds from six year olds.
DO PASS
Senate Public Safety Committee
HB 978 Motor Vehicles; automated traffic enforcement safety devices in school zones. HEARING ONLY Similar to SB 435 last year. The bill is optional for counties to use these systems. Money to go to law enforcement only.
Senate Finance – Ad Valorem Subcommittee
HB 871 Sales and use tax; would create an exemption of fifty percent of the sales price of manufactured homes.
NO VOTE
House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee
SB 355 Would provide changes for taxation of nuclear generating to recover the cost of financing construction. Would only affect school districts that pay charges now — primarily Georgia Power and a few electrical cooperatives.
DO PASS
Senate Education and Youth Committee
THIS COMMITTEE MAY MEET ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14TH, MONDAY, MARCH 19th AND WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018.
HB 494 Early Care and Learning. Revise certain provisions for safety of children in early care and education program. (Substitute)
DO PASS as amended
HB 655 Quality Education Act. Require every public school to post sign containing telephone number to receive reports of child abuse.
Amended with HB 762 (Substitute)
HB 762 Quality Basic Education Act; sexual abuse and assault awareness education in kindergarten through grade nine.
DO PASS as amended
HB 740 Relating to improved student learning environment and discipline in elementary and secondary education, so as to require local school systems to conduct certain screenings, assessments, and reviews prior to expelling or assigning a student in kindergarten through third grade to out-of-school suspension for five or more consecutive or cumulative days during a school year. (Substitute)
DO PASS as amended
HB 743 Relating to miscellaneous provisions under the “Quality Basic Education Act,” so as to provide for guidelines and other relevant materials to inform students participating in interscholastic athletic activities about the nature and warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest.
DO PASS
HB 852 Relating to organization of schools and school systems under the “Quality Basic Education Act,” so as to provide for a student’s continued enrollment in a public school in same district under certain circumstances.
DO PASS
HEARING ONLY
HB 759 Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program; revise prior school year requirement
NO VOTE may be back in committee. The bill is being held for study.
HB 787 Education; Revise certain provisions relative to charter schools
NO VOTE may be back in committee next week.
Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 791 State government; limited waiver of the state’s sovereign immunity for declaratory or injunctive relief.
NO VOTE
Tuesday, March 13th will be a committee workday.
8:00 a.m. Senate Finance Subcommittee CAP 450
HB 327 Alternative ad valorem tax; motor vehicles; change manner for determining fair market value.
9:00 a.m. House Special Rules Committee 506 CLOB
HR 1414 Establish a House Study Committee on School Safety
10:30 a.m. House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Public Finance and Policy
133 CAP
HB 402 Achieving Connectivity Everywhere (ACE)
1:00 p.m. Senate Health and Human Services 450 CAP
HB 701 State employment; Drug testing; allow testing for all forms of opioids
1:00 p.m. Senate Economic Development and Tourism 125 CAP
HB 489 Local Government; use of Georgia Procurement Registry in addition to official legal organ to advertise
HB 642 Local government; provide definitions. Would allow for taxation districts to be formed that could levy up to a 3 mill tax for trail development and other community improvements.
HB 899 Contracts; change the limitation on disqualification of bidders
HB 995 Local Government; certain disclosures from consultants who enter into contracts to prepare requirements for bids.
SR 953 Create a Joint Study Committee to Evaluate the School Year Calendar of Georgia Public Schools.
2:00 p.m. Senate Natural Resources and Environment 310 CLOB
HB 792 Waste Management; extend the sunset date for certain solid waste surcharges and hazardous waste fees.
3:00 p.m. Senate Higher Education 307 CLOB
HB 392 Move on When Ready Act; students taking dual credit courses at certain eligible postsecondary institutions.
HB 713 Postsecondary education; HOPE and Zell Miller eligibility requirements relative to students who graduate.
Wednesday, March 14th will be legislative day thirty-four.
HOUSE RULES CALENDAR
There are no education related bills that GSSA is tracking on the first House Rules Calendar for Wednesday.
SENATE RULES CALENDAR
There are no education related bills that GSSA is tracking on the Senate Rules Calendar for Wednesday.
If I can be of assistance to you with any of the activities of the 2018 legislative session, please contact me.
Michael Surma
Legislative Liaison
Georgia School Superintendents Association
404-909-1639
No Comment
You can post first response comment.