| Day 38 The Senate
and House passed the following education related bills, as of March 27, 2015. Please remember that bills do not
become law until signed by the Governor. Please share any concerns you may
have regarding HB170 and the proposed use of SPLOST and/or eLOST funds with
your legislators and the conference committee members. HB170, the Transportation Funding Act
of 2015. The Senate and House versions
of this bill are very different. There were
considerable negotiations this week regarding HB170. The Senate version of the bill does not
require counties or school systems to spend part of their SPLOST and/or eLOST
funds on transportation. This bill has
been assigned to conference committees for final negotiations and agreement
before the end of the 40th day. The House
made a motion to disagree on Tuesday. The House insisted on its position on Wednesday. Conference Committee appointed on
Wednesday. House Members: Jay Roberts, 155th; Mark Hamilton 24th;
Calvin Smyre 135th Senate Members: Steve Gooch, 51st; Tommie Williams, 19th;
David Shafer, 48th The Governor has warned
legislators that he may require a special session if an adequate version of the
Transportation Bill does not pass. Negotiations are continuing over the weekend. HB76, the FY16 budget. The Senate and House have agreed to most
recommendations by the Governor, but there are some differences that resulted
in the bill going to a conference committee this week. CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE MET ON TUESDAY. Members of the
conference committee are: Senators Jack
Hill, David Shafer, Bill Cowsert, House Representatives Terry England, Jan
Jones, Jay Powell. Discussions are
ongoing with no indication that a final version has been reached. HB131, substitute, "The End to
Cyberbullying Act". The bill was
amended on the floor of the senate to refine the definition of communication
and not to limit the definition by the federal law. — PASSED THE SENATE AS AMENDED, March 27, 2015. HB313, substitute, limited paid leave
for public employees for the purpose of promoting education. Local Board of Education employees are not
considered public employees in this bill. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 27, 2015. HB362, to authorize licensed health
practitioners to prescribe albuterol sulfate inhalers, for schools. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 27, 2015. HB551, to authorize political subdivisions to provide for
voluntary contributions by employees through payroll deductions to certain not
for profit organizations. — PASSED
THE SENATE, March 27, 2015. HB492, carrying
in unauthorized location - Crimes and Offenses; amended with SB141, to provide
that minor violations of weapons in school safety zones are not considered
Class B designated felonies. — PASSED
THE SENATE, March 27, 2015. HB177, school
personnel required to report child abuse shall be notified by child protective
agency upon receipt of report and completion of investigation. — PASSED THE
SENATE, March 26, 2015. HR640, create a House
Study Committee on Health, Education, and School-Based Health Centers. — PASSED THE HOUSE, March 26, 2015. SR287, Opportunity School District
Constitutional Amendment. — PASSED THE
HOUSE (121-47), March 25, 2015. House immediately transmitted to
Senate. SB133, substitute, Opportunity School
District establishment. — PASSED THE
HOUSE (108-53), March 25, 2015. House immediately transmitted to
Senate. Senate agreed with the House
substitute and voted on final passage of the bill. — PASSED THE SENATE,
March 27, 2015. Goes to Governor for
signature. HB91, elimination of the High School
Graduation Test and awarding of a high school diploma to individuals who need
to pass any section of the test to graduate. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 25,
2015. Governor to Sign. HB1, the use of medical marijuana in
a very limited access. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 24, 2015. The House agreed to the Senate substitution
to HB1, March 25, 2015. SB2, the "Move on When Ready"
bill will allow students who complete certain
requirements relating to postsecondary coursework to be awarded a high school
diploma. This bill has been amended in
the House Rules Committee to remove the age 16 requirement. — PASSED THE HOUSE,
March 24, 2015. Senate Agreed. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 25, 2015. HB62, waive
certain qualifications for a student whose parent is an active duty military
service member stationed in Georgia within the previous year to receive the
Special Needs Scholarship. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 24, 2015. HB198, the Jason Flatt Act-Georgia Suicide Prevention Training Act. —
PASSED THE SENATE, March24, 2015. HB164, as passed by the House, this
bill will extend the suspension of the professional learning requirements until
the new regulations are in place. — PASSED THE SENATE, March 23, 2015. HB75, the Midterm FY15 Budget. This bill has been signed by the Governor, and
schools have already received their midterm adjustment sheets. — SIGNED by the
Governor FRIDAY ACTION: Senate Rules Committee — cancelled Senate Rules Committee — will
meet at 11:00 a.m. on Monday House Rules Committee — may meet
on Tuesday for a supplemental calendar HOUSE CALENDAR for Day 39 contains four education
related bills. HR71, House Study Committee on the
HOPE Scholarship Program Award Amount for Critical Fields of Study. SB89, substitute, “Digital Classroom
Act “ This bill now includes the
language of HB 414 which is a student data privacy
act. SB132, substitute, "Move on When
Ready Act" allows for a program for high school age students to attend
post-secondary institutions. SB160, substitute, a non-education
related bill; amended to allow for the sale of beer and wine in a grocery store
over 7,500 sq ft. with property adjoining school property. Please remember,
it is the practice of the House to have additional Rules Committee meetings
during the day to add additional legislation to the calendar for full House consideration. We do believe that this will happen on
Tuesday afternoon. Day 40, the last day of the session,
is scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd. If you have
any questions regarding this legislative session, please give me a call at
404-909-1639 or send me an e-mail. Michael
Surma mwsurma@bellsouth.net Legislative
Liaison Georgia
School Superintendents Association |