HB203: HB203 Board of Regents; include members who are graduates of a historically black college or university that is a unit of the University System of Georgia; provide

The Board of Regents governs Georgia's public university system, including its historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) such as Savannah State University, Albany State University, and Fort Valley State University. This bill adds a new section to Georgia law requiring that a certain number of the board's at-large members be graduates of one of these HBCUs. Starting January 1, 2028, at least one at-large member of the Board of Regents must be a graduate of a historically black college or university that is part of the University System of Georgia. Starting January 1, 2031, that number rises to at least two at-large members. The bill defines a historically black college or university using federal eligibility criteria (34 C.F.R. Section 608.2) as they existed on January 1, 2025, combined with the requirement that the school be part of the University System of Georgia.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-21.1) requiring certain Board of Regents members to be HBCU graduates.
• Requires at least one at-large board member to be a graduate of a University System of Georgia HBCU starting January 1, 2028.
• Increases that requirement to at least two at-large members starting January 1, 2031.
• Defines 'historically black college or university' by reference to federal eligibility standards (34 C.F.R. Section 608.2) as of January 1, 2025, limited to schools within the University System of Georgia.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with this new requirement.

The Board of Regents, which governs Georgia's public university system, and the process for appointing at-large board members. It also touches graduates of the University System of Georgia's historically black colleges and universities, who would become eligible for these designated board seats.

The composition of the Board of Regents shapes decisions affecting all University System of Georgia institutions, including budgets, tuition, and policy. This bill would guarantee HBCU graduates a voice on the board, changing who can fill certain at-large seats starting in 2028 and 2031.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 20-3-21.1 to Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, which governs the Board of Regents.
• Subsection (a) defines 'historically black college or university' using the federal definition in 34 C.F.R. Section 608.2 as of January 1, 2025, applied only to University System of Georgia units.
• Subsection (b)(1) requires at least one at-large Board of Regents member to be an HBCU graduate beginning January 1, 2028.
• Subsection (b)(2) raises that requirement to at least two at-large members beginning January 1, 2031.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-30House Hopper (House)

• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)Primary sponsor
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• L.C. Myles (D, HD-126)
• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Regina Lewis-Ward (D, HD-115)

• Board of Regents
• higher education
• historically black colleges and universities
• University System of Georgia