Day 39

To see the complete list of bills that have passed the House and Senate, click on the PASSED tab on the GSSA website. To see education related bills waiting to pass on the 40th day, click on the HOT tab. You can click on any bill and see the most current version of the bill and our staff analysis of each of the bills.

TUESDAY ACTION:

During a long day that went well into the evening, a large number of education related bills passed the House and Senate. Two major bills of this legislative session passed both the House and Senate: HB76, the FY16 budget and   HB170, the Transportation Funding Act of 2015.

Regarding HB76, the FY16 budget, the Senate and House have agreed to most recommendations by the Governor, but there were a few differences that have been resolved in conference committee. 

The following is contained in the FY16 budget conference committee report:

State Health Benefits Plan, Section 90.1 begins on page 64.

Allows for the continuation of part-time, non-certified school employees to receive state insurance. Raises the cost to local school districts to implement the scheduled increase of the employer contribution rate for non-certified school service employees from $596.20 to $746.20 per member per month. This is a state-wide total expenditure for school districts of $102,825,000. There will be a state-wide study committee regarding state health benefits this year.

Department of Education, Section 23 begins on page 88. A partial review of the changes includes:

The amount of $280,000,000 remains in the approved budget to offset austerity reductions and provide flexibility for local education authorities to eliminate teacher furlough days, increase instructional days, and increase teacher salaries.

Also included:

Ag Ed-- Increases in Extended Day/Year Program and Young Farmers Program;

Community in Schools-- Increase in funds to local affiliates;

GNETS-- Increase in funds to hire one program manager and decrease in funds based on actual attendance; 

Equalization Grant-- Increase in funds using the Department of Education formula;

Local Five Mill Share-- Increase in funds;

Newly Certified Math and Science Teachers-- Increase in funds;

School Nurses-- increase in funds;

Move on When Ready-- Decrease in funds based on new formula;

RESA-- Did not get the new positions. Funds have been returned to School Improvement; Increase for PBIS trainers; 10% increase for K-3 literacy and/or math mastery initiatives;

School Improvement-- Increase in funds for 17 positions;

Technology/Career Education-- Increase in Extended Day/Year Programs;

Sparsity Grant-- Includes funds for Union County.

The Office of Student Achievement section begins on page 113.

Increase funds to expand the Reading Mentor Program;

Decrease funds for the Georgia Innovation Grants.

The Bonds section begins on page 229.

There are eight bonds designated for K-12 Education, including the purchase of 259 new school busses.

The FY16 budget will now go on to the Governor for his signature. — COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE REPORT PASSED THE SENATE and the HOUSE on March 31, 2015.