Yesterday, the Senate passed SB 319 which allows hardware and technical equipment to be included in the definition of textbooks. The legislation will allow textbook funds to be spent on such materials. SB 319 now moves to the House for consideration.    

HB 651 passed the House yesterday and now moves to the Senate for consideration. The legislation allows the State Department of Education to make the Georgia sex offender registry available to schools instead of requiring the department to send the registry to schools.

The House Retirement Committee met this afternoon and considered several bills.  HB 542 resets the ceiling for the PSERS retirement fund to 16%. HB 969 is a TRS compliance cleanup bill that ensures that Georgia mirrors the federal government in regard to retirement law. Both bills passed and will now move to House Rules for placement on the House Calendar.

Mark your calendars now to attend 2010 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill on February 23. Please join us at the capitol to speak with your legislators about the state budget and other important education issues. RSVP to this free event to Tamme Bell as tbell@pageinc.org or at (770) 216-8555.

Professional Association of Georgia Educators

Providing professional learning to enhance competence and confidence, build leadership, and increase student achievement