GSSA Capitol Report – Wednesday, March 25 – – Legislative Day 37
The Senate Appropriations Committee met and considered:
HB1193 (Erwin – R) Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026: adjusts QBE to have a literacy coach in every K-3 elementary school, streamlines guidelines for grade placement (kindergarten as a requirement and grade retention policies), requires schools to adopt a unified literacy plans, engages higher education institutions and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission that prepare and certify educators, and creates a public awareness campaign. DO PASS BY SUBSTITUTE
The substitute removed the adjustment to QBE and would provide for a categorical grant for the purposes of hiring literacy coaches.
HB974 (Tillery – R) FY27 Budget DO PASS BY SUBSTITUTE
Likely to be considered by full Senate on Friday, Legislative Day 38.
The Senate met and considered the following:
HB328 (Carpenter – R) Increases the aggregate limit for contributions to student scholarship organizations from $140M to $225M. The bill also now includes language from HB1220 which would waive public school attendance requirements for military students and students with disabilities. The bill also now contains the Peach Tax Credit and increases the cap from $15 to $25 Million. PASSED BY SUBSTITUTE 30-20 BACK TO HOUSE FOR AGREEMENT
HB651 (Powell – R) requires a local referendum by to deploy speed cameras in school zones if approved would require renewal in six years. It allows existing contracts to continue until expiration. Camera operation is restricted to one hour before school and one hour after school. Caps on fees and surcharges to be implemented. AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUB AS AMENDED (AGREED 49-1) BACK TO HOUSE FOR AGREEMENT
SB523 (Goodman – R) Creates state-wide Title VI Coordinators for K-12 and higher education to investigate discrimination complaints and enforce compliance. AGREED TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 46-0
The House met and considered the following:
SB472 (Hickman – R) provides for the suspension of School Board Members due to audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct andincludes provisions that require 10% rather than 25% of registered voters to petition to consolidate city and county school districts (PASSED 96-58)
SB475 (Kemp – D) requires local boards of education to treat local charter schools no less favorably than other local school regarding expenditure of the proceeds of a special purpose local option sales tax and provisions that require 10% rather than 25% of registered voters to petition to consolidate independent and county school districts WITHDRAWN AND RECOMMITTED TO HOUSE RULES
SB566 (Hufstetler – R) Allows for the acceptance of tax digests in the event of a publication error made by a newspaper. Revises required information to be contained on a property tax bill and extends certain exemption application periods. PASSED HOUSE 161-0 BACK TO SENATE FOR AGREEMENT
The Senate Finance Committee met and considered the following:
HB1116 (Blackmon – R) “Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026” DO PASS BY SUBSTITUTE
Language from SB566 which was added on Monday was removed due to the passage of the bill by both Chambers. Chairman Hufstetler mentioned the LHOST (for cities/counties), which could start to be introduced next year, referencing potential local legislation paths
There are no significant changes for school districts in the latest version, which still contains language that mandates the floating homestead exemption, allows exemptions into the local digest for schools funding formulas, caps increases at 3% or CPI whichever is greater, and requires a referendum to exceed those caps. The bill still allows for school districts to increase reserve funding from 15 to 25%.
HB52 (Rice – R) Extends homestead property exemptions for disabled veterans to include future homestead property owned by unremarried surviving spouses or minor children.DO PASS
Thursday, March 26, Committee Workday
- House Ways and Means Committee at 9 AM: TBD
- Senate Education and Youth Committee at 1 PM: TBA
- Senate Finance Committee at 3 PM: TBD
Friday, March 27, Legislative Day 38
