--- title: SR 564. Georgia Independent College Association; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr564 cite_as: SR 564, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr564 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr564.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr564/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72194 date: 2026-01-14 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/sr563.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr565.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr564.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 564 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-14 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Max Burns - Billy Hickman - Bo Hatchett - Carden Summers - John Albers - Shawn Still - Jason Anavitarte - Randy Robertson - Greg Dolezal - Larry Walker - Blake Tillery - Clint Dixon - Kay Kirkpatrick - Marty Harbin - Mike Hodges - Jason T. Dickerson - Chuck Payne - Drew Echols - Timothy Bearden - Brian Strickland - Frank Ginn - Ricky Williams - Chuck Hufstetler text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR564/2025 upstream_id: 2073954 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - higher education - private colleges - Georgia Senate resolution - scholarships - workforce development --- # SR 564. Georgia Independent College Association; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 564 By: Senators Burns of the 23rd, Hickman of the 4th, Hatchett of the 50th, Summers of the 13th, Albers of the 56th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the Georgia Independent College Association for its leadership in private higher education and its enduring commitment to making Georgia the top state for talent and economic development; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) serves as the unified and trusted voice of Georgia's private, not-for-profit colleges and universities, advancing the cause of independent higher education with purpose and integrity since its founding; and WHEREAS, GICA's 24 colleges enroll more than 75,000 students annually and provide a variety of choices in academic excellence, including nationally recognized colleges and universities, historically Black institutions, faith-based campuses, and regionally anchored colleges serving rural and underserved communities; and WHEREAS, the association works collaboratively with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia to strengthen Georgia's workforce, supporting the state's goal of becoming the top state for talent by producing graduates prepared for high- demand careers and lifelong civic leadership; and WHEREAS, the Georgia Independent College Association serves as a trusted partner to the State of Georgia, providing research, analysis, and institutional insight to the General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, as well as key state agencies and commissions involved in education and workforce development; and WHEREAS, GICA has championed affordability and access through its direct scholarship programs, awarding over $630,000 in scholarships last year, as well as through steadfast advocacy for critical state-funded programs, including the HOPE Private Scholarship and the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant; and WHEREAS, the association fosters innovation and shared efficiency through collaborative services such as a Multiple Employer Retirement Plan, compliance training, and formal articulation agreements with the Technical College System of Georgia that expand student mobility and reduce administrative barriers; and WHEREAS, the colleges and universities of GICA are not only academic institutions but also economic engines producing graduates in healthcare, education, business, and STEM fields, contributing significantly to Georgia's economic vitality, and achieving graduation rates that consistently exceed national and regional benchmarks; and WHEREAS, it is both fitting and proper to recognize the Georgia Independent College Association for its leadership, vision, and steadfast commitment to advancing opportunity, excellence, and making Georgia the top state for talent. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend the Georgia Independent College Association for its outstanding contributions to higher education and extend deep appreciation for its continued service to the students, families, and communities of Georgia. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Independent College Association. ## 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 Senate resolution formally recognizes and commends the Georgia Independent College Association for its role in private higher education and workforce development across the state. ### Plain-language summary This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate honoring the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), a group representing the state's private, not-for-profit colleges and universities. It does not change any Georgia law. The text describes GICA's 24 member colleges, which enroll more than 75,000 students, and highlights the association's work with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia on workforce development, its scholarship programs, and its support for state-funded aid like the HOPE Private Scholarship and the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy for distribution to GICA as a formal token of recognition. It carries no funding, penalties, or regulatory changes and has no effective date requirements beyond its adoption. ### What it does - Formally states the Senate's recognition and commendation of the Georgia Independent College Association for its work in private higher education. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the association. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic statement rather than a binding policy change. ### Who it affects The Georgia Independent College Association and its 24 member private colleges and universities are the direct subject of this honor. It also touches students and families connected to those schools, as well as the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia mentioned as partners. ### Why it matters Because this is a commendatory resolution, it does not alter any policy, funding stream, or legal requirement for colleges or students. Its main effect is a formal, public acknowledgment by the Senate of the association's role in higher education and workforce development in Georgia. ### Key provisions - The resolution's whereas clauses describe GICA's membership, scholarship awards exceeding $630,000 last year, and its advocacy for the HOPE Private Scholarship and Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant. - The resolved clause states the Senate's recognition and appreciation of GICA's contributions to higher education in Georgia. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to GICA. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-14) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-01-14) - Sponsors: Max Burns, Billy Hickman, Bo Hatchett, Carden Summers, John Albers, Shawn Still, Jason Anavitarte, Randy Robertson, Greg Dolezal, Larry Walker, Blake Tillery, Clint Dixon, Kay Kirkpatrick, Marty Harbin, Mike Hodges, Jason T. Dickerson, Chuck Payne, Drew Echols, Timothy Bearden, Brian Strickland, Frank Ginn, Ricky Williams, Chuck Hufstetler - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72194 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr564.md?full=1