The General Assembly has adjourned for 27th legislative day. This week at our state capitol, lawmakers are diligently working to pass their education or child-related bills out of committee or the chamber. If their bills do not pass committee this week, there is little time to receive a full vote before Crossover Day next Friday, March 13th. The General Assembly is scheduled, SR 167, to convene next week on March 9, 11, and 13. If these bills do not receive a full vote in the current chamber before Crossover Day, they will not move to the opposite chamber, therefore, no opportunity to pass this legislative session.
Also This Week
Georgia PTA Day at the Capitol was held on Tuesday. The theme was "Educate, Advocate, and Empower". Georgia PTA received overwhelming support of more than 270 PTA members and advocates wearing red from across the state. I received many wonderful comments from our state legislators about our PTA members. I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to everyone who was able to come to the capitol and speak to our legislators on behalf of our children.
Gov. Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal were joined Monday by Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) Commissioner Amy Jacobs to kick off Read Across Georgia Month, a campaign that supports increased childhood literacy in the state. Read More
Gov. Nathan Deal today praised the Senate for passing legislation that would allow for an Opportunity School District (OSD) to aid chronically failing schools throughout the state. The constitutional amendment resolution and the implementing legislation will now move to the House for consideration. Read More
House Committee Favorably Reported
These bills will move to rules for consideration for vote by House chambers:
HB 3, prohibit persons from entering into or soliciting a transaction with a student-athlete that would result in sanctions to the student-athlete.
HB 16, add a new code under QBE Act for students enrolled in a magnet school in the school system who tryout for or participate on an athletic team at their resident public high school shall be subject to the same standards and comply with the same requirements as apply to students enrolled in such public high school to tryout for or participate on an athletic team.
HB 131, Expands the oversight of schools for cyber bullying to cover events off school property as long as the electronic bullying is directed at students or school personnel and is done with the intention and has a "high likelihood" of threatening their safety or disrupting school.
HB 268, when mandatory reporters receive reliable information regarding child abuse involving another mandatory reporter, such mandatory reporter receiving information shall the person in charge of such hospital, school, agency, or facility, or the designated delegate thereof, and the person so notified shall report or cause a report to be made.
HB 296, waives the one-year residency requirement for special needs students who are lawful refugees or as defined by Title IV of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.
HB 366, requires the issuance of employment certificate for m inors who are at least 12 years of age 17 but less than 16 years of age.
HB 353, exempt the commission from the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.
Passed House This Week
Now move to the Senate: HB 170, Transportation Funding Act of 2015; enact (Substitute) (Trans-Roberts-155th) (Rules Committee Substitute LC 34 4595S) AM# 34 0676; maintain use of school funds for educational purposes and defines education transportation purposes as defined for purposes to constitute a proper expenditure of school funds derived from proceeds from the levy of a sales tax.
There is much concern that this bill would replace the fuel sales tax with an exercise tax. The state would keep all the revenue from the excise tax. Some of the education local option sales tax funds come from fuel sales.
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
These bills will move to rules for consideration for vote by Senate chambers:
SB 132, known as the 'Move on When Ready Act', revise provisions relating to the program for high school students to attend postsecondary institutions and provide a program for eligible students to take dual credit courses.
SB 156, authorize the State Charter Schools Commission to establish a nonprofit foundation.
SB 164, provide for positive behavioral interventions and supports and response to intervention initiatives.
Passed Senate This Week
These bills will move to the House:
SB 89, "Digital Classroom Act"; require instructional materials and content to be in digital or electronic format after a certain date (As Introduced) (Substitute) (S&T-56th)
SR 287, Opportunity School District; allow the General Assembly to authorize the establishment; provide for state intervention for failing schools (As Introduced) (Substitute) (ED&Y-49th)
SB 133, Opportunity School District; establishment; provide for definitions; supervision of public elementary and secondary schools that are failing (As Introduced) (Substitute) (ED&Y-49th)
HB 305, pprovide for the membership and the appointment of members of the authority and their terms of office, qualifications, duties, and powers; to provide for vacancies, organization, meetings, and expenses; to provide for definitions; to provide for the transfer of property
HB 448, revise a provision relating to the time to appoint a member to a vacancy on the board
Committee Meetings
The members of the education subcommittee will meet Friday, March 6, 2015 at 8:30 AM in room 310 CLOB. The agenda includes a review of the FY16 General budget for Department of Early Care and Learning, Department of Education, Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and Professional Standards Commission.
General Calendar
- Senate will convene March 9, 2015 at 10:00 AM
- House will convene March 9, 2015 at 10:00 AM
- Live broadcasts of both chambers. Watch Live
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