House Resolution 396
By: Representatives Campbell of the 35th, Hugley of the 141st, Miller of the 62nd, Glaize of
the 67th, Howard of the 129th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to
provide by law for the creation of the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund; to provide for the
appropriation of moneys into such fund, including a one-time appropriation from the
Revenue Shortfall Reserve; to provide that moneys appropriated into such fund shall not
lapse and shall be used to provide scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance
for child care services; to provide for the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the
moneys appropriated into such fund; to provide that returns on such investments shall be
used for financial assistance for child care services; to provide for related matters; to provide
for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI of the Constitution is amended by adding a new
subparagraph to read as follows:
<ins>"(s) The General Assembly is authorized to provide by law for the creation of the
Georgia's Children First Trust Fund for the purpose of providing, in accordance with the
provisions of this subparagraph, financial assistance for child care services in this state.
Upon the creation of the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund, the General Assembly shall
</ins>
<ins>make a one-time appropriation in the amount of $3 billion into such fund, which shall be
appropriated from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve. The General Assembly shall be
authorized, but not required, to appropriate additional amounts into such fund. All moneys
appropriated into the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund shall not be subject to the
provisions of Article III, Section IX, Paragraph IV(c), relating to the lapsing of funds, and
shall be used to provide scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance for child
care services in this state; provided, however, that a portion of the moneys appropriated to
the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund shall be invested and reinvested in a manner as
provided by law. Moneys received from returns on such investments and reinvestments
shall be deposited into the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund and shall be used to provide
scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance for child care services in this
state. The General Assembly shall be authorized to provide by law for any matters relating
to the purpose or provisions of this subparagraph."
</ins> SECTION 2.
The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as
provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the
above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:
"( ) YES Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General
Assembly to use a portion of the state's historic, multiyear revenue surplus
( ) NO to create a self-sustaining Georgia's Children First Trust Fund for the
purpose of providing access to child care services in this state?"
All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes."
All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If
such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall
become a part of the Constitution of this state.