HB 310: Student Teacher Promotion Act; enact

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Discussed in meetings (9)

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, February 12, 2026

   From 1:32:59 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute creating a pilot for 500 Pell-eligible student teachers, offering up to $5,000 during unpaid student teaching and a $2,500 signing grant for entering Georgia public schools. Citing 5,358 teacher vacancies as of December 2, the sponsor said unpaid placements create financial barriers and the signing grant would encourage graduates to stay in Georgia. One member questioned the signing incentive and proposed targeting high-need areas or subjects. Other members suggested targeting only the bonus or adding a higher tier for high-need placements. The sponsor was open to suggestions but favored a limited pilot and flexibility for administering agencies. The sponsor said signing grants would be limited to stipend recipients who complete at least 30 days of qualifying employment. Asked how many student teachers qualify for Pell, the sponsor did not have an exact count, citing roughly 3,000 student teachers annually and Pell eligibility among 40% of university-system students while cautioning that the percentage could not be directly applied to student teachers. Another member supported the existing approach and warned that additional restrictions could narrow eligibility too far. No targeting amendment was adopted. The committee approved the substitute by voice vote.

2. House Rules Committee, February 17, 2026

   From 0:20:26 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would create a pilot program providing up to $5,000 to 500 Pell-eligible Georgia student teachers during unpaid student teaching, plus a $2,500 signing grant for those who go on to teach in a Georgia public school. The sponsor said the program would help address teacher shortages by supporting graduation and retention. No questions or decision followed.

3. House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 1:31:08 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1119

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 310 on the House calendar for Tuesday, February 24, legislative day 23, without opposition. There was no substantive discussion.

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

   From 4:37:02 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1165

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 310 would create a pilot for 500 Pell-eligible student teachers, providing up to $5,000 during unpaid student teaching and another $2,500 if participants went on to teach in a Georgia public school. The sponsor said Georgia had more than 5,000 teacher vacancies and argued that unpaid placements force some students to take extra jobs or abandon teaching. A member asked whether the pilot could later expand beyond Pell recipients; the sponsor agreed that was a hope. Another member urged a larger hiring grant, and the sponsor said the program could grow after getting started. Other questions mainly offered support or recognized the sponsor's first bill. The House adopted the committee substitute without objection and passed the bill 151 to 6.

5. Senate Education and Youth Committee, March 24, 2026

   From 0:31:34 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute creating a pilot program for 500 Pell-eligible student teachers, offering up to $5,000 during unpaid student teaching and another $2,500 if recipients teach in a Georgia public school. The sponsor said Georgia had more than 5,000 teacher vacancies and that unpaid, full-time student teaching creates a financial barrier to entering the profession. Committee members supported the proposal as a way to recruit teachers, recognize their work and encourage them to stay in Georgia. Asked whether payment could broaden the backgrounds of future teachers, the sponsor said it would make teaching accessible to more students who otherwise could not afford it. A Clark Atlanta University student described balancing living expenses, classroom responsibilities and college assignments. A Georgia Gwinnett College student said even support from two working parents was barely enough for a family with four children. The committee approved the substitute unanimously by a show of hands.

6. Senate Rules Committee, March 30, 2026

   From 0:38:17 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 310 would address teacher shortages through a pilot program providing grants during unpaid student teaching and an additional incentive to teach in Georgia public schools. No substantive questions followed. It was selected on behalf of an absent member, and the committee unanimously approved the calendar containing it.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 12, 2026 (legislative day 18), 0:58:26
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24), 0:31:38
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37), 0:32:46

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