HB 1328: University of North Georgia military scholarships; authorize selection committee to select additional scholarship recipients

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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 Higher Education Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 0:45:25 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1328 would expand University of North Georgia military scholarships, seek six to 10 applicant referrals per congressional district annually, and allow up to 210 recipients. The sponsor reported about 149 current recipients and estimated that reaching the cap would require roughly $900,000 more than the approximately $3.7 million budgeted, pending a requested fiscal analysis. The university president said 210 represents 70% of a planned 300-cadet National Guard attachment. Members questioned the minimum referral requirement, uneven access to school ROTC programs, and awareness of legislators' nomination role. The sponsor agreed to consider the minimum and improve outreach. Asked how filling unused district slots would affect future applicants, the sponsor described a four-year cohort approach intended to accommodate changing demand. A university representative said alternate candidates would meet the same qualifications and be selected from an interview-based ranking, first within the district and then statewide. Another member supported expansion because recipients serve in the Georgia Army National Guard after commissioning. A former recipient described continued military and civilian service among recipients. No vote was taken, and the chair anticipated further consideration Wednesday.

2. House Higher Education Committee, February 25, 2026

   From 1:30:00 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair described HB 1328 as increasing the number of University of North Georgia cadet scholarships and said the legislation had not changed since the previous hearing. Members offered no further discussion. The committee approved the bill by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and sent it to the Rules Committee.

3. House Rules Committee, March 2, 2026

   From 0:45:19 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 1328 would establish a process to increase military scholarships at the University of North Georgia to support the Georgia National Guard and military readiness. The sponsor said additional scholarships would remain subject to funding approval. No questions or decision followed.

4. House Rules Committee, March 5, 2026

   From 0:45:26 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2013

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 1328 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 2:01:26 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 2043

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The clerk described HB 1328 as allowing the selection committee for University of North Georgia military scholarships to select additional recipients. The sponsor said the bill modernizes the scholarship program and supports the Georgia National Guard's leadership and preparedness needs. The sponsor also recognized military service by members and requested a moment of silence for personnel serving in conflict. There were no questions. The House passed the bill 172 to 0.

6. Senate Higher Education Committee, March 17, 2026

   From 0:48:29 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenting legislator said HB 1328 would increase University of North Georgia military scholarships and allow unused congressional-district allocations to be transferred. The presenter described full scholarships carrying a four-year Georgia National Guard service obligation and said 42 recipients are currently selected annually. One member asked about legislative nominations and outreach. The presenter said the process had not changed and offered to improve information for legislators, including during orientation. A second member questioned whether language allowing six to ten nominees per district could cause problems when fewer apply. The university president said similar limits already exist and statewide applicants exceed available scholarships, with a waiting list. The president said the university commissions 60% of Georgia National Guard officers and aims to grow its corps to 1,000 cadets. A National Guard detachment commander and former recipient said the scholarship made college possible and led to military and emergency-response service. A corps recruiting officer also supported the program's role in expanding access to college. The committee voted in favor of a do-pass motion. The chair counted four hands before acknowledging additional members, without stating a final tally.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 19, 2026

   From 0:15:06 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The presenter said the bill would increase the number of military scholarships at the University of North Georgia. No substantive questions or scheduling decision followed.

8. Senate Rules Committee, March 23, 2026

   From 0:35:05 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair said HB 1328 concerned University of North Georgia military scholarships. When a committee member requested it for the floor calendar, members described it as involving every senator and training future leaders. No specific scholarship changes were explained. The committee included it in the calendar package approved unanimously.

9. Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37)

   From 6:27:02 · 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 HB 1328 would modernize the University of North Georgia military scholarship program and expand scholarship slots so legislators could nominate more constituents. The clerk described additional nominations and selections, an award limit and selection criteria. Supporting the expansion, the sponsor said the university was a major source of Georgia Army National Guard officers, with graduates accounting for 60 percent of current officers, and described national achievements by its cadets. No questions or opposition followed. The Senate passed the bill 48 to 0.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 18, 2026 (legislative day 20), 0:22:02
• Read aloud: House floor session, February 19, 2026 (legislative day 21), 0:49:02
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 9, 2026 (legislative day 29), 0:27:28
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33), 0:31:51
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 19, 2026 (legislative day 34), 0:48:20
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 23, 2026 (legislative day 36), 0:31:16

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