---
title: HR 1173. Early Childhood Education Day at the state capitol; February 18, 2026; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr1173
cite_as: HR 1173, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1173
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1173.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1173/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72660
date: 2026-01-29
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1172.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1174.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1173.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 1173
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-01-29
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Jan Jones
  - Chris Erwin
  - Carmen Rice
  - Bethany Ballard
  - Scott Hilton
  - Matt Dubnik
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR1173/2025
upstream_id: 2102300
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - early childhood education
  - child care
  - state capitol recognition
  - Georgia families
---

# HR 1173. Early Childhood Education Day at the state capitol; February 18, 2026; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 1173
By: Representatives Jones of the 47th, Erwin of the 32nd, Rice of the 139th, Ballard of the
147th, Hilton of the 48th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 18, 2026, as Early Childhood Education Day at the state capitol; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS, early childhood educators, child care providers, and program administrators
across Georgia play an essential role in supporting working families and nurturing the
healthy development, learning, and well-being of young children; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Child Care Association, in partnership with families and
community organizations statewide, seeks to highlight and honor the dedication,
professionalism, and impact of those who deliver early learning and care services throughout
the state; and
WHEREAS, research consistently demonstrates that high-quality early childhood education
strengthens school readiness, improves literacy outcomes, increases long-term educational
attainment, and contributes to a stronger workforce and economy; and
WHEREAS, Georgia's network of licensed early childhood education programs serves
hundreds of thousands of children and provides critical support for children's
social-emotional development, mental health, and overall family stability; and
WHEREAS, the experiences children have from birth through early childhood lay the
foundation for lifelong learning and success, and sustained public and community investment
in early care and education is vital to the future prosperity of the state of Georgia.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body designate February 18, 2026, as Early Childhood Education Day
at the state capitol and recognize the invaluable contributions of early childhood educators,
administrators, and staff for their commitment to excellence and service to Georgia's
families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body encourage continued
collaboration among policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders to strengthen access
to high-quality early childhood education and to promote the long-term sustainability of these
essential programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution he public
and the press.

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution designates February 18, 2026, as Early Childhood Education Day at the state capitol, honoring early childhood educators and child care providers across the state.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives does not change any law. It formally designates February 18, 2026, as Early Childhood Education Day at the state capitol, recognizing early childhood educators, child care administrators, and staff for their work supporting young children and families.
The resolution cites research on the benefits of high-quality early childhood education, including school readiness and long-term educational attainment, and notes that Georgia's licensed early childhood programs serve hundreds of thousands of children. It also encourages continued collaboration among policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders to strengthen access to early childhood education. The Clerk of the House is directed to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.

### What it does

- Designates February 18, 2026, as Early Childhood Education Day at the Georgia state capitol.
- Formally recognizes early childhood educators, program administrators, and staff for their work with young children and families.
- Encourages continued collaboration among policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders to expand access to early childhood education.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.

### Who it affects

Early childhood educators, child care providers, and program administrators across Georgia, along with the Georgia Child Care Association and families who rely on licensed early childhood programs. The Clerk of the House is also directed to take an administrative action distributing copies of the resolution.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries no legal or funding changes, but it gives formal state recognition to early childhood educators and providers, which can raise public awareness of child care issues and support advocacy efforts around early childhood education funding and access in Georgia.

### Key provisions

- The resolution's whereas clauses describe the role of early childhood educators and the benefits of high-quality early childhood education in Georgia.
- The first resolving clause designates February 18, 2026, as Early Childhood Education Day at the state capitol.
- The second resolving clause encourages collaboration among policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders on early childhood education access and sustainability.
- The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-01-29)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-01-29)
- Sponsors: Jan Jones, Chris Erwin, Carmen Rice, Bethany Ballard, Scott Hilton, Matt Dubnik
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72660

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr1173.md?full=1