Day 14

The House passed two education related bills today, HB 65 and HB 91. HB 65 requires local boards to hold at least two public meetings on the proposed annual operating budget. This bill also includes certain charter schools. HB 91 would eliminate the High School Graduation Test as a requirement for graduation. Any person who is no longer enrolled in a Georgia public school and who previously failed to receive a diploma in the state, due to not passing any section of the Georgia High School Graduation Test or Writing Test, could receive a diploma if all other requirements are met. For a complete staff analysis of these bills, click on the linked bill number. These two bills will move to the Senate for hearings.

The Senate has sent back the midterm FY15 budget to the House. The two chambers do not agree on the calculation amount of the equalization grant. The two sides will work out the difference before final approval of the budget.

The House Transportation Committee met for a hearing on HB170. No vote was taken and the committee will work to refine the bill before their next meeting. School funding is one of the problems that the committee is addressing. Attorneys and staff are working on the problem of using fuel excise tax in future e-SPLOST and SPLOST. The current proposed bill has no effect on your current e-SPLOST or SPLOST. GSSA will keep you informed on the changes in this bill as they occur. This bill still has a long way to go before it gets to the Governor’s desk.

The legislators are in recess until Tuesday, February 17^th. Legislators will be home for a long weekend. Take a moment and reach out to them. Share a great education story with them.

Tuesday will be a very active committee day under the Gold Dome.

The House Education Academic Support Sub Committee will hear HB7 Child Safety and Emergency Preparedness for a hearing only, HB131 End to Cyberbullying, possible vote, and HB135 Too Young to Suspend, hearing only.

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Sub Committee will hear HB186, Weapons in School Safety Zone, may go immediately to full committee.

The House Appropriations Health Sub Committee will meet at 2 p.m. for Public Comment on the FY16 budget.