SB181: SB181 Education; public schools and public postsecondary institutions shall not accept funding from or enter into contracts with foreign adversaries; provide

Currently, Georgia law does not specifically restrict public schools or colleges from taking money from or contracting with foreign governments or foreign-linked entities. This bill adds a new section to Georgia's education code (O.C.G.A. § 20-1-12) that prohibits public schools, local school districts, and public postsecondary institutions like University System of Georgia schools and Technical College System of Georgia schools from directly or indirectly accepting funding from, or entering contracts with, a 'foreign adversary.' The bill defines 'foreign adversary' by pointing to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce's list under federal regulations as of February 4, 2025. It also broadly defines 'funding' to include gifts, grants, donations, payments for services, investments, salaries, and other monetary exchanges. The ban also covers individuals or entities working on behalf of a foreign adversary. Any conflicting Georgia laws would be repealed.

• Bars public schools, local school districts, and public postsecondary institutions from directly or indirectly accepting funding from a designated foreign adversary.
• Bars the same institutions from entering into contracts with a foreign adversary or with individuals or entities working on its behalf.
• Defines 'foreign adversary' by reference to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce's designation under federal regulation (15 C.F.R. Section 791.4) as it existed on February 4, 2025.
• Defines 'funding' broadly to include gifts, grants, donations, payments for services, capital investments, salaries, wages, and other monetary exchanges.
• Applies the ban to K-12 public schools, local education agencies, University System of Georgia institutions, and Technical College System of Georgia schools.

Public K-12 schools and local school boards, the state Department of Education and State Board of Education, University System of Georgia institutions, Technical College System of Georgia schools, and any foreign governments or foreign-linked entities or individuals seeking funding arrangements or contracts with these Georgia institutions.

If enacted, Georgia public education institutions would have to screen funding sources and contracts against a federal list of foreign adversaries, potentially cutting off certain grants, donations, or partnership deals. This could affect research funding, sponsorships, or vendor relationships tied to entities on that federal list.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 20-1-12 to Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, creating the funding and contract prohibition.
• Subsection (a) defines key terms: 'foreign adversary,' 'funding,' 'local education agency,' 'public postsecondary institution,' and 'public school.'
• Subsection (b) states the core prohibition: no covered institution may accept funding from or contract with a foreign adversary or its agents, directly or indirectly.
• Section 2 repeals all conflicting Georgia laws.

1. 2026-01-12Senate Recommitted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-03Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2025-02-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2025-02-24Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted (Senate)
5. 2025-02-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2025-02-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)Primary sponsor
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)

• education policy
• foreign adversaries
• public schools
• higher education funding
• state contracting rules