SR553: SR553 Senate Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements; create

Locally approved charter schools in Georgia currently have less access to funding sources that traditional public schools use for buildings and facility upgrades, such as state and local capital outlay funds, bond financing, and the Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST). This resolution responds to that gap by creating a temporary Senate study committee to look into the problem. The committee would have five senators, three appointed by the President of the Senate and two by the Minority Leader, with a chairperson named by the President. It would review current funding mechanisms, compare charter and traditional school funding, gather testimony from charter leaders and financial experts, and explore possible legislative fixes. The chairperson can call up to four meetings. Members get standard legislative per diem and expense allowances for up to five days unless more are approved, paid from Senate funds. The committee must file any findings or recommendations before it is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements, made up of five senators.
• Directs the committee to review funding disparities between charter schools and traditional public schools for capital improvements like facilities and buildings.
• Authorizes the committee to gather testimony from charter school leaders, education stakeholders, and financial experts.
• Limits the chairperson to calling no more than four committee meetings.
• Provides standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) to members for up to five days of committee work, funded through the Senate's budget.
• Sets December 1, 2026 as the date the committee is automatically abolished, after which it may file a final report.

The five senators appointed to the committee, locally approved charter schools and their leaders, traditional public school districts used as a funding comparison, and education and financial experts who may testify. Charter school students and families could see effects if the study leads to future legislation.

Georgia charter schools currently lack the same access to construction and facility funding tools, like E-SPLOST and bond financing, that traditional public schools use, often forcing them to rely on operating budgets or private money. This committee's findings could shape future legislation on how charter school facilities get paid for, though the resolution itself creates no new funding.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements.
• Paragraph (2) sets the committee at five senators, three chosen by the President of the Senate and two by the Minority Leader, with a chairperson designated by the President.
• Paragraph (3) lists the committee's duties, including reviewing funding mechanisms, examining disparities, analyzing access to E-SPLOST and bond financing, and gathering testimony.
• Paragraph (4) limits the chairperson to calling no more than four meetings.
• Paragraph (5) provides standard per diem allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless more are authorized, funded from Senate appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings, recommendations, or proposed legislation to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before abolishment.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
2. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-27Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2025-04-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #875

• charter schools
• school funding
• education policy
• school facilities
• E-SPLOST