Committee Workday: House Ed Passes Four School-Related Bills and House Retirement Approves One

Mar 5
3 min read

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 meeting, though committee Chair Chris Erwin (R-Homer) referenced the possibility that the committee could meet again before Crossover Day concludes.

At today's meeting, the committee passed the following four bills, which now move to House Rules, which may or may not schedule the legislation for a floor vote tomorrow:

HB 1056 by Rep. Rick Townsend (R-Brunswick) replaces terminology regarding auto-injectable epinephrine in schools. The language will be expanded to include epinephrine inhalers, allowing students to carry inhaled epinephrine in addition to the injectable form, which is used to treat severe allergic reactions. School staff will remain exempt from liability if they choose to help administer inhaled epinephrine.
HB 1257 by Rep. Carmen Rice (R-Columbus) provides for charter school incentive grants for local boards of education to approve charter school petitions. The total amount of incentive grants provided under this subsection shall not exceed $2.25 million in any fiscal year. The bill also directs the State Charter Schools Commission not to act on a charter petition unless the local board of education that authorizes the charter school has voted to terminate or non-renew the charter contract, or otherwise fails to renew it. Rice framed the grant program as a targeted investment to encourage more local charter consideration throughout Georgia. The Georgia Charter School Association spoke in support of the bill, as the legislation did not move through subcommittee, and today was HB 1257's first hearing.
HB 669 by Rep. Steven Meeks (R-Screven) allows for the award of low-wealth capital outlay grants specifically for roof improvements.
HB 1232 by Rep. Mike Cheokas (R-Americus) was presented today by Rep. Rice, who mentioned Cheokas was needed in another committee. The legislation allows students who are members of the Girl Scouts to receive an excused absence for Girl Scouts-sponsored visits to the State Capitol. The bill was amended the first time it moved through the Education Committee to also include Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. Rice reported that HB 1232 was recommitted to the Education Committee from the House Rules Committee, as Cheokas objected to the Scouting America amendment. Mariam Paris (D-Macon), who made that amendment, attempted to add it a second time, but the amendment was not allowed. Rice explained the bill is named for Cheokas’ granddaughter. Paris expressed concern that the legislation seems overly targeted, adding that referencing Scouting America would be more inclusive.

https://vimeo.com/8988912

House Ed Meeting Recording

House Retirement Passes SHBP Election for Educators Who Serve on Local School Boards

The House Retirement Committee passed HB 969 by Rep. Townsend, which had been previously recommitted. The bill aims to allow retired educators who run for local boards of education to choose to retain a State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) retired plan or elect to receive the same SHBP plans as full-time educators. During the bill’s first hearing, a retired Glynn County teacher who successfully ran for the school board testified that she was forced to leave the SHBP retired plan and that she incurred increased healthcare costs after switching to a different plan. The version of the bill passed out of committee today allows new local board members to immediately declare themselves as either full-time or part-time, allowing for more flexibility in health insurance selection and avoiding conflicts with Medicare.

The bill now awaits consideration by the House Rules Committee.

https://vimeo.com/8988927

House Retirement Meeting Recording

Upcoming Schedule