PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA EDUCATORS

The House and Senate were in session late into the afternoon for Legislative Day 37, with each chamber considering education bills. The Senate resurrected a bill regarding school zone speed cameras, while the House passed additional financial accountability for school districts. Before today's floor sessions convenend, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a new version of the Literacy Act along with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 state budget. Senate Floor Action House Fl

Members of the House and Senate worked hard in committees Tuesday and considered multiple important education initiatives. Senate Reviews Literacy Bill Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer) and Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) presented HB 1193 , the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, to a special subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming). The bill aims to build on the literacy reforms initiated by HB 538 , the Georgia Early Literacy Act o

The penultimate week of the legislative session got off to a busy start with the chambers taking committee and floor action on several education bills. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Senate Approves 9-12 Student Cell Phone Ban and Math Reform Bill The Senate unanimously passed two education bills and approved a third with only two dissenting votes. HB 1009  by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) banning student use of cell phones and other electronic devices from

Though the House did not consider any K-12-related legislation on the floor today, the Senate voted on one House education bill. Mid-morning, in an attempt to soften the financial strain of rapidly rising gas prices, the Governor signed legislation suspending Georgia's gas tax for 60 days. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Completion Special Schools Bill Moves to Kemp's Desk With a unanimous vote, the Senate passed HB 907 , by outgoing House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R

Several education bills moved through the legislative process on Day 34, both in committee and on the Senate floor. The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 was recommitted from the Senate Education and Youth Committee to the Senate Appropriations Committee, perhaps signaling that the proposed cost of its implementation will be closely scrutinized by budget writers. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Dual Achievement Program and Pre-K Bills Achieve Final Passage With a vot

Compared to the hectic pace of yesterday's committee workday, Legislative Day 33 saw comparatively few education bills advance. Multiple major education issues are expected to be considered in the coming days. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action House Passes Anti-Discrimination Bill With a vote of 165-0, the House passed SB 523  by Sen. Goodman (R-Cogdell), which originally required public schools and institutions of higher education to treat antisemitism as they would tre

Though the House and Senate did not hold floor sessions today, plenty of action on education legislation occurred in multiple committee meetings. Senate Committee Approves 9-12 Cell Phone Ban and Additional Maternal Birth Leave   The Senate Children & Families Committee unanimously approved HB 1009 by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) banning student use of cell phones and other electronic devices from bell to bell in grades 9-12, beginning in the 2027-2028 school yea

The House and Senate convened on a stormy day to continue the 2026 legislative session. Neither chamber considered education bills on the floor. The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce visited the Gold Dome to show off the official FIFA World Cup and Atlanta World Cup soccer balls. PAGE Director of Legislative Services Margaret Ciccarelli is pictured here with the Atlanta ball. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action House Judiciary Committee Approves Student Political Activity

The State Board of Education (SBOE) met Feb. 18 and 19. The board approved multiple rule changes and received updates on school districts' financial audit. Matt Smith with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) presented the "Top 10 Issues to Watch in 2026" report . Finally, the board honored former member and chair, Stan DeJarnett.  A meeting agenda is available through the button below.  PAGE Hosts Feb. Forum for State School Superintendent Candidates

The House and Senate convened today for Legislative Day 31, though only the House considered education legislation during its floor session. The House unanimously approved HR 145  by Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer), which urges the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and Department of Public Health (DPH) to collaboratively develop strategies and methods to expand vision and hearing screening for students in Pre-K, K, first, third, fifth, and eighth grades, as well as for trans

The first legislative committee workday following Crossover Day saw House Education subcommittees begin consideration of Senate legislation including establishment of an advanced mathematics pathway, strengthening financial accountability for school districts. House Ed Subcommittees Approve Math and District Financial Accountability Safeguards Sen. Max Burns presents SB 171 The House Education Curriculum and Academic Achievement Subcommittee passed SB 171  by Sen. Jason Anavi

Though the House and Senate did not vote on specific school-related legislation during their floor sessions, the House considered a bill of significant importance to education, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 state budget , which passed with only four dissenting votes. It was immediately transmitted to the Senate, which will continue its appropriations review. Read PAGE’s report on the House’s FY 2027 budget HERE .    After the House adjourned, Gov. Brian Kemp, House Speaker Jon B

With the conclusion of Crossover Day on Friday, the focus of the General Assembly will return to committee work for the next few days. The House is scheduled to vote on its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget tomorrow, March 9. The House was scheduled to vote on HR 145 by Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer), which urges the Georgia Department of Education and Department of Public Health to collaboratively develop strategies and methods to expand vision and hearing screening

The House and Senate worked late into the night to meet the Crossover Day deadline by which all bills must pass the chamber in which they are introduced to remain eligible to continue moving. Multiple education bills were approved by the House and Senate. House Floor Action Senate Floor Action PAGE-Supported Teacher Tax Credit Approved by Senate The Senate passed the following bills, which now move to the House for consideration: SB 515  by Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro),

In anticipation of tomorrow's Legislative Day 28/Crossover Day, several committees conducted final meetings to move bills. School-related committees wrapped by midafternoon, allowing for a brief respite before a probable marathon legislative day tomorrow, which is expected to last until midnight. House Ed Passes Epinephrine, Charter School, School Roofing, and Girl Scout Capitol Visit Legislation The House Education Committee convened for what may be its last pre-Crossover me

The 27th day of the 2026 Legislative Session was dominated by lengthy floor sessions in both chambers. The House worked late, while the Senate abruptly adjourned shortly before 5 p.m., leaving several bills on the calendar. Friday, March 6, is Crossover Day, the deadline by which a bill must pass its chamber of origin to remain eligible to progress during the remainder of the legislative session. House Floor Action Senate Floor Action Senate Passes Antisemitism, Cursive Wr

Both chambers held lengthy floor sessions today and voted on a variety of issues, including property tax reform. Few education bills saw floor votes, and several bills still await consideration as the Crossover Day deadline approaches Friday. Another notable event was Gov. Brian Kemp signing the AFY 2026 Budget. House Floor Action Senate Floor Action Georgia Reads Day at Capitol - Congrats to READBowl Champs! Students, educators, and policymakers from throughout Georgia gathe

Though the House and Senate were not in session today, committee work continued on school-related legislation. The House Education Committee approved seven bills, including HB 1244 by Rep. Akbar Ali (D-Lawrenceville), which protects teacher planning time and duty-free lunch from being waived. When the bill was heard in subcomittee, at which public testimony is allowed, PAGE testified in support of the bill. An additional PAGE-supported measure was approved by Senate Finance,

Rep. Carmen Rice, Sponsor of the Excellent Teacher Preparation Act The House and Senate continued their focus on education bills, with the House approving two education bills: HB 1107 , the Excellent Teacher Preparation Act, by Rep. Carmen Rice (R-Columbus), which would require the GaPSC to develop and annually report comprehensive performance measures for all educator preparation providers (EPPs) in the state, among other changes. Click HERE for more on HB 1107. The bill wa

After significant negotiation, the House and Senate reached final agreement on a version of the AFY 2026 Budget which includes the full $2,000 one-time salary supplement payment. Many thanks to the educators who reached out to legislators, in conjunction with PAGE efforts, in support of restoring the proposed supplement, which at one point in the budget process was reduced to $1,250. If you contacted a legislator about this issue, please follow up and thank him or her for ens