HB 1293: Education; updated eligibility requirements for the Dual Achievement Program; provide

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Discussed in meetings (14)

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 Higher Education Committee, February 18, 2026

   From 0:18:05 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1293 would make the Dual Achievement pilot permanent, expand access statewide for ages 18 to 22, and establish formula funding for counseling and other support. The sponsor said new enrollment of 16- and 17-year-olds would end in 2028 as public completion schools become available. Younger participants would remain enrolled at their home schools for accountability, and the chair clarified that existing participants could finish. The sponsor argued that completion schools better serve younger students while technical colleges focus on adults. Members questioned whether the change would reduce choices or leave gaps in access. The sponsor acknowledged fewer options for some students and promised location information; the chair suggested considering an exception where adequate alternatives were unavailable. Asked about language and disability support, a Technical College System of Georgia representative said colleges provide accommodations, although individual education plans do not transfer directly. The representative described support as educational guidance rather than housing or nutrition assistance, reported roughly 900 participants, and said most finish within about 18 months. The representative said students combine high school coursework with technical credentials. The sponsor confirmed ordinary dual enrollment would not change. The chair held the bill for another hearing without a vote.

2. House Higher Education Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 1:15:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a revised substitute for HB 1293 addressing concerns about access to high school completion programs. Citing Department of Education information, the sponsor reported 57 completion-school sites, with more planned, compared with five technical-college locations serving students ages 16 and 17 as well as ages 18 through 22. The sponsor said the revision would preserve technical-college access for younger students where a completion-school consortium is unavailable. The sponsor specifically said Atlanta Technical College and Chattahoochee Technical College locations would continue those services indefinitely unless a consortium becomes available. The sponsor said the broader proposal would let technical colleges expand statewide opportunities for students ages 18 through 22 to finish high school while pursuing certifications or other training, with counseling and time-management support. One member said the revision addressed earlier concerns. Another asked whether additional school funding for poverty-related needs could support these students. The sponsor said the proposal would return to the state's school funding formula and add a funding weight for counseling and related services, to be determined by the department over the next year. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote and sent it to Rules with a do-pass recommendation. No numerical tally was stated.

3. House Rules Committee, February 25, 2026

   From 1:29:28 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said HB 1293 would make the Technical College System of Georgia's five-year Dual Achievement pilot program permanent and create a funding formula. The presenter said the program lets young adults earn a high school diploma while working toward occupational certificates. The presenter said provisions would take effect in 2028, allowing time to develop funding for advising and tutoring for participants ages 18 to 22. No questions or scheduling decision followed.

4. House Rules Committee, March 5, 2026

   From 0:44:48 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2013

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 1293 on the floor calendar without opposition. There was no presentation or substantive discussion.

5. House floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, AM)

   From 1:43:38 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2031

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1293 would make the Dual Achievement pilot permanent and expand it statewide from five technical college locations. The sponsor described a program primarily serving people ages 18 to 22 who left high school, combining a high school diploma with progress toward technical credentials, a diploma or an associate degree. The sponsor said a funding formula change would support counseling, tutoring and time-management services. Asked why the program focuses on older students, the sponsor said technical colleges specialize in adult learners, while completion schools better serve younger students. The sponsor said participation for 16- and 17-year-olds would generally phase out, with students enrolling by 2028 allowed to finish around 2030, but would continue indefinitely in Atlanta and Marietta because alternatives were unavailable. Another member praised the program's educational opportunities. The House adopted the committee substitute without objection and passed the bill 166 to 0.

6. Senate Education and Youth Committee, March 12, 2026

   From 1:02:54 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor described a Technical College System of Georgia dropout-recovery program combining a high school diploma with two job certifications, a technical diploma or an associate degree. The sponsor said the bill would remove the five-location pilot’s expiration and allow gradual statewide expansion, primarily serving ages 18 to 22. According to the sponsor, enrolled 16- and 17-year-olds could finish, and two metro Atlanta sites could continue serving those ages because the area lacks plans for a completion-school network. The sponsor said the bill would also correct an earlier drafting error and direct development of a funding formula for counseling, advising and other support. One member supported giving students additional opportunities after leaving school. Another asked about $4.7 million omitted from the budget. The sponsor attributed the omission to a funding-stream change and said support services would end without restored funding. Asked about fiscal year 2028, the sponsor explained the goal of making support part of the regular funding formula rather than seeking separate appropriations annually. The committee advanced the bill by a show of hands, without an announced tally. A committee member agreed to carry it in the Senate.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 18, 2026

   From 0:06:10 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1293 would make an existing technical college program permanent and allow it to expand statewide from five locations. The sponsor described the program as helping primarily 18- to 22-year-olds complete high school and earn two certifications or a technical college diploma. Asked whether it was dual enrollment, the sponsor said it was similar but aimed more at young adults who had dropped out than at current high school students. The committee later unanimously included the bill in its ten-measure floor calendar.

8. Senate floor session, March 19, 2026 (legislative day 34)

   From 2:18:14 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the bill's status history (Senate Third Read)

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would make the Dual Achievement Program permanent and expand it from a pilot to statewide operation. The sponsor described tutoring and counseling for students ages 18-22 seeking a high school diploma and either two technical certificates or a technical associate degree. According to the sponsor, students ages 16-17 could participate if no completion school serves their attendance zone. The sponsor said a funding formula for counseling and tutoring would be developed for fiscal year 2028 and reported to the General Assembly. No questions or opposition were offered. The Senate passed the bill 53-0.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 17, 2026 (legislative day 19), 0:47:56
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 18, 2026 (legislative day 20), 0:32:26
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 24, 2026 (legislative day 23), 0:51:20
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 9, 2026 (legislative day 29), 0:27:23
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 16, 2026 (legislative day 32), 0:27:50
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33), 0:35:18

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