The calendars were long in both chambers as legislators made the final push to get bills out of one chamber and across to the other by the end of the day.  There were several education-related bills, but each chamber had one of major focus for GSBA.

 

HB 512, amending numerous gun laws, was up in the House.  A time limit was set for debating the bill to avoid spending the day on this one.  The bill includes the provisions of HB 35, allowing local boards to designate personnel in schools to carry weapons.  It was described by some as a safety and security bill, not a gun bill.  Others clearly saw it as a gun bill and said we can do better than this to protect the public.  There was little mention of the K-12 portion of the bill.

 

Two speakers quoted Ronald Reagan saying if you can get 75%-80% of what you want, take it -- then come back and get the rest.  One of them referred to this bill as the 75%; the other as the 30%. Hopefully whatever else they want is not related to the K-12 section.  The bill passed 117-56 and now goes to the Senate.

 

SB 243, amending the provisions for student scholarship organizations, took a turn for the worse today.  Sen. Charlie Bethel, a Governor's floor leader, presented the bill as a "continuation of Georgia's leadership in school choice, transparency, and accountability."  He made it clear that the bill -- including an amendment discussed below -- had the Governor's blessing.  The amendment pretty much gutted the new provisions requiring attendance for at least six weeks to be eligible. Students entering preK, kindergarten, and first grade could enter without attending public school.  That doesn't seem like much to ask in exchange for the state giving up over $50 million in income taxes to fund the program.  But apparently it is since today there was an amendment waiving the attendance requirement for some students:

As Sen. Fran Millar noted, you could drive a truck through that third one.  His amendment to delete the religious exception was defeated 11-30.  Language that requires student scholarship organizations to consider the income level of the applicants was also challenged.  Some Senators considered it a means test and wanted the language out.  They have to consider it, but are not required to use it so there is no means test.  That amendment also went down in flames.  The bill passed 54-0 and now goes to the House.

 

Here are the other education-related bills that passed today:

SB 189, allowing proprietary postsecondary institutions to participate in career academies

SB 241, the Georgia Leadership and Service Admissions Act

HB 537, repealing the prohibition of someone serving on both a county board and a school board in areas of a specific population level

HB 539, repealing a definition of campus based on a population size

HB 382, relating to joint-use agreements between schools and other entities

HB 197, amending the forestland conservation provisions

HB 211, exempting school districts from paying excise taxes on motor fule they purchase directly or pay for

 

 

Monday, February 11th