SR474: SR474 Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Affordability; create

This resolution notes that Georgia has the third highest student loan debt per borrower in the country and that most future jobs will require some postsecondary credential, while Georgia's postsecondary completion rate lags. It also notes Georgia lacks a means tested (need based) scholarship program even though the state currently holds $1.6 billion in unrestricted education lottery reserves. To respond, the resolution creates the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Affordability, made up of five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, with one designated as chairperson. The committee is directed to study higher education affordability issues, including a possible need based scholarship program, and to recommend legislation. It can meet as needed, members get standard legislative per diem and travel allowances, and the committee must file any approved report before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Affordability, made up of five senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study higher education affordability issues, including the possible creation of a means tested (need based) scholarship program.
• Allows the committee to hold meetings wherever and whenever the chairperson calls them to carry out its work.
• Sets member pay using the standard legislative allowance rules (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8), capped at five days unless more are approved, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Requires the committee to file any approved findings or recommendations with the Secretary of the Senate before it is abolished.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

The resolution directly affects the five senators who will serve on the new study committee. More broadly, it concerns Georgia college students, borrowers with student loan debt, and anyone who might benefit from a future need based scholarship program funded through lottery reserves.

The resolution does not create any new scholarship or spending itself; it only sets up a committee to study the issue and recommend legislation. Any real change to how Georgia funds higher education, such as a new need based scholarship, would depend on future bills the committee's work might produce.

• Paragraph 1 creates the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Affordability.
• Paragraph 2 sets the committee's membership at five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying higher education affordability and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph 5 ties member pay to O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 allowances, limited to five days absent additional authorization, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph 6 sets the rules for filing a committee report, including that any report needs majority approval from a quorum before the abolishment date.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-02Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-28Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2025-03-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
4. 2025-03-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2025-03-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)Primary sponsor
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)

1. PassedSenate voteApril 2, 2025

   52 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 1 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #380

• higher education affordability
• student loan debt
• need based scholarships
• education lottery funds
• Georgia Senate study committee