top of page
Search

Day 8: Educator Leave Bill Moves to Governor's Desk

  • Writer: Legislative Team
    Legislative Team
  • 24 hours ago
  • 3 min read

One of the more interesting aspects of the 2026 Legislative Session is that, since it is the second year of the legislative biennium, bills left over from 2025 remain eligible for passage. Moreover, these leftover bills do not need to restart the legislative process and, in some cases, can achieve final passage with a simple motion.


This situation was illustrated today when the Senate took action on several bills, including one on educator leave allowances.


House Floor Action


Senate Floor Action


Senate Gives Final Approval to Bill


Near the end of the day's floor session, the Senate voted 50-0 to agree to the House version of SB 148 by Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia). This bill authorizes the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) to establish an outdoor learning spaces pilot program in select K-12 schools. The legislation also includes language from HB 127 by Rep. Cox, which increases the number of sick days an educator may use for personal leave from three to five days and language from HB 629 by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), which removes a requirement of having licensed physicians in automated external defibrillator programs at schools.


This approval constitutes final passage for SB 148. The legislation now awaits action by Gov. Brian Kemp.


GOSA and GaDOE Present AFY 2026 Education Budgets


The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education heard presentations from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) about Gov. Kemp’s proposals to adjust the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2026 budget for both agencies.

 

Rusk Roam, chief financial officer for GaDOE, highlighted the $2,000 one-time salary supplement Kemp proposes for educators and state employees. He flagged the addition of $44 million for enrollment growth, driven primarily by increases in students in high-cost categories such as gifted. Other items Roam noted were:

 

  • $1 million for a planning grant to expand Southern Rivers Completion High School to six sites

  • $14.5 million for the Special Needs Scholarship for enrollment growth

  • $1.4 million for school social worker grants

  • $750,000 for a pilot program to test an electronic health records claim system for mental health services to determine if districts can generate revenue to help cover these services

 

According to Roam, updated data indicate that an additional $1 million is likely needed to cover enrollment growth in the Special Needs Scholarship. He also explained that about $1.4 million is needed to cover state-funded Advanced Placement (AP) exams: one for all economically disadvantaged students and one for any student in a STEM AP class.

 

Fran Dundore, executive director of GOSA, described significant changes proposed for GOSA’s AFY 2026 budget, including $9 million to support Kemp’s Top State for Talent Initiatives. Limited information is available about these initiatives now, but Rep. Will Wade (R-Dawsonville), a member of the committee, explained that more information will be released the week of Feb. 2. Dundore also reported $314,719 is being cut from the Governor’s School Leadership Academy to cover three unfilled positions.

 

More detailed information about Kemp’s AFY 2026 budget proposal is available from PAGE here.

 

Committee members will continue gathering information and propose revisions to the AFY 2026 budget, which will then move to the full Appropriations Committee for a vote.


Committee Meeting Recording

PAGE Webinar to Review Budget Proposals


Join PAGE legislative staff Thursday, Jan. 29, for a review of education items included in the proposed AFY 2026 and FY 2027 budgets. PAGE will review the proposed one-time $2,000 pay supplement for state employees and teachers, continued funding for school safety, additional funding for school social workers, and more. We'll also share information about how to contact legislators and advocate for appropriations or other state policies.



Review the PAGE report on education items in Kemp’s proposed budgets HERE.

Register for PAGE Day on Capitol Hill Feb. 17


Please make your plans to join us for 2026 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill, in partnership with the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) and the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (GACTE).


This free event will include breakfast, lunch, information sessions with key education-focused policymakers, advocacy opportunities under the Gold Dome, and a state school superintendent candidate forum.


Register and watch a brief informational video HERE.

Upcoming Schedule


Thursday, Jan. 29 - Legislative Day 9

  • House Education , 12:30 p.m., 506 CLOB










bottom of page