HB 1009: Education; enact policies and procedures for use of personal electronic devices at school and school sponsored events by students in grades nine through twelve; require local school systems

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From the bill

Discussed in meetings (15)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House Education Committee, January 29, 2026

   From 1:29:48 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair announced that the Curriculum and Academic Achievement Subcommittee would take up HB 1009 at Monday’s meeting. The committee did not discuss the bill’s contents or vote on it.

2. House Education Committee, February 5, 2026

   From 0:54:59 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1009 would extend school-day restrictions on personal electronic devices to high school students, with policies due in January 2027 and implementation in July 2027. The sponsor described a bell-to-bell policy, excluding e-readers and allowing phone access during off-campus dual enrollment, work-based learning and apprenticeships. Citing surveys and studies, the sponsor said 87% of teachers viewed devices as a major classroom distraction and 95% said device use harmed learning. The sponsor also reported higher teacher satisfaction with bell-to-bell restrictions than instruction-only restrictions and said restrictions could improve achievement, behavior and social interaction. Asked about bullying, the sponsor described a parent's account of a student's suicide following cyberbullying. A member asked about uniform discipline, but the sponsor discussed school culture and longer-term discipline trends without identifying a required penalty schedule. Members also questioned storage costs and funding. The sponsor gave an initial pouch estimate of $18 to $30, then acknowledged a $15 figure from the audience. The sponsor clarified that pouches were not required, schools could use no-cost approaches, and school safety grants could cover storage systems. A question about pouch lifespan remained unanswered. The committee approved the bill by voice vote.

3. House Rules Committee, February 9, 2026

   From 0:41:09 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1009 would extend the previous year's classroom cellphone restrictions for kindergarten through eighth grade to high schools. Asked how many other states prohibit cellphones in high schools, the sponsor said 33 states had cellphone-free policies. The committee took no calendar action.

4. House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 1:31:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1119

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 1009 on the next day's House calendar without opposition. There was no substantive discussion.

5. House floor session, February 24, 2026 (legislative day 23)

   From 3:46:45 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1160

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1009 would extend bell-to-bell restrictions on personal electronic devices to high schools beginning in 2027-28, with exceptions for dual enrollment, work-based learning and apprenticeships. The sponsor cited a survey of 3,000 teachers across 155 counties in which 96% reported phones interfering with learning, and said 85% of educators supported bell-to-bell restrictions. One member questioned including watches and headphones and schools' responsibility for devices. The sponsor said the rule covered personal two-way communication devices, excluded e-readers and left storage methods to schools. Another member opposed imposing a statewide requirement before optional high-school policies had more time to work. The sponsor argued uniform rules would let teachers focus on teaching. Supportive members emphasized fewer disruptions and better reading conditions. Asked about American-made storage pouches, the sponsor said schools could choose their approach. Asked about equal access to classroom technology, the sponsor cited education funding but gave no specific initiative. A member raised emergency-safety concerns during voting; the chair acknowledged them. The House passed the bill 145 to 20.

6. Senate Children and Families Committee, March 17, 2026

   From 0:28:15 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1009 would require high schools to restrict personal electronic devices throughout the school day beginning in 2027-28, while letting schools choose enforcement methods. The sponsor described exceptions for dual enrollment, work-based learning, apprenticeships, disability or medical needs, and e-readers, and said school laptops would remain available. Responding to members, the sponsor clarified that districts could not opt out and students could not use phones between classes or during free periods. The sponsor argued that restrictions would improve learning and emergency response. Members cited research linking phone access with distraction, lower test scores and loneliness. A high school student and county youth commissioner supported the bill, describing better classroom participation and lunchtime conversations under local restrictions. A Professional Association of Georgia Educators witness reported that a survey of about 3,500 members found more than 90% support for existing restrictions and 90% support for extending them to high schools. Witnesses for Frontline Policy Council and GeorgiaCAN also supported the bill, with the latter citing Florida research showing improved test scores. The state school superintendent said teachers reported regaining instructional time and described plans to examine Georgia survey and testing data. No opposing testimony was heard. The committee unanimously recommended passage.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 19, 2026

   From 0:36:55 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would extend the previous year's kindergarten-through-eighth-grade cellphone restrictions to high school students. The sponsor said it had passed both committees unanimously and described the existing policy as successful. The chair said parents and teachers were pleased while high school students were unhappy. No scheduling decision was recorded.

8. Senate Rules Committee, March 20, 2026

   From 0:26:01 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described the bill as making classrooms cellphone-free for grades nine through twelve. No substantive questions followed the brief presentation. The chair later selected it for the floor calendar, which the committee approved unanimously.

9. Senate floor session, March 23, 2026 (legislative day 36)

   From 1:36:24 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented HB 1009 as extending bell-to-bell restrictions on personal electronic devices to grades nine through twelve. The sponsor said study committee testimony showed strong support from parents, teachers and administrators, and argued phones distract from learning, social interaction and emergency instructions. An amendment’s sponsor proposed allowing districts to permit phone access during brief transitions between classes, while retaining the option of an all-day ban. The amendment’s sponsor said older students have jobs, children and other responsibilities, and that Fulton County’s existing approach should remain available. In response to questions about loopholes, the amendment’s sponsor said students would still have to follow district policy. One supporting senator clarified that the amendment would not allow lunchtime use. Several opposing senators said between-class access would prolong disruptions and make teachers repeatedly enforce phone rules. The study committee’s other co-chair cited a survey of more than 3,000 teachers, saying 85% of high school teachers supported an all-day ban. Another senator cited positive experiences in Marietta City Schools. The Senate rejected the amendment 13-38 and passed the bill 52-0.

• Read aloud: House floor session, January 27, 2026 (legislative day 7), 0:34:49
• Read aloud: House floor session, January 28, 2026 (legislative day 8), 0:45:42
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 6, 2026 (legislative day 14), 0:53:57
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24), 0:31:58
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33), 0:29:38
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 19, 2026 (legislative day 34), 0:45:14

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