SR 978: Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Funding; create

Georgia currently funds its public university and technical college systems through lump-sum appropriations that the Board of Regents and the State Board of the Technical College System divide among institutions using funding formulas that are decades old and rely heavily on student enrollment numbers rather than outcomes like graduation rates. This resolution creates a temporary Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Funding, made up of six senators appointed by the President of the Senate, with one designated as chairperson. The committee is directed to study whether current funding formulas still work given changes like education technology and virtual instruction, and to explore alternative formulas and how the state might transition to a new one. It can hold meetings, call in experts, and issue a report with legislative recommendations. The committee's members receive standard legislative allowances, paid from Senate funds, for up to five days unless more are authorized. The committee is set to dissolve on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Funding, composed of six senators appointed by the President of the Senate.
• Directs the committee to study whether current university and technical college funding formulas adequately reflect student outcomes and changes in higher education.
• Authorizes the committee to hold meetings and call on experts in education funding to help with its review.
• Allows the committee to recommend legislation or file a report, including a possible minority report, before it dissolves.
• Sets legislative allowances for committee members under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless extended, funded through Senate appropriations.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026.

Georgia state senators appointed to serve on the committee, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, and by extension students and administrators at Georgia's public colleges, universities, and technical colleges whose funding formulas may eventually be revised.

If the committee's work leads to a new funding formula, it could change how state money is divided among Georgia's public colleges and technical schools, potentially shifting funding toward outcomes like graduation rates rather than enrollment counts, which could affect institutions facing declining enrollment.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Study Committee on Higher Education Funding.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at six senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying funding formula issues and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (4) lets the chairperson call meetings and lets the committee consult outside experts on education funding.
• Paragraph (5) sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limited to five paid days unless extended, funded by the Senate.
• Paragraph (6) outlines report-filing rules, including options for a majority report, minority report, or meeting minutes if no report is approved.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
5. 2026-03-19Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2026-03-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Max Burns (R, SD-023)Primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   48 yea, 0 nay (3 not voting, 3 absent)

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #875

• higher education funding
• University System of Georgia
• Technical College System of Georgia
• legislative study committees
• college enrollment