HB1062: HB1062 Education, Department of; publish relevant and applicable federal guidance documents and related information; require

Right now, when federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Education send guidance documents (things like memos, bulletins, or policy letters that interpret federal rules) to Georgia's education officials, there is no state law requiring that information to be made public. This bill would change that by adding a new section to Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-37). Under the bill, the Department of Education would have 15 days to post any relevant federal guidance document on a dedicated, searchable page on its website, and 45 days to post a written explanation of how it plans to implement that guidance and whether it objected to any part of it. If a guidance document is later withdrawn, the department must note that within 15 days. Each year by August 1, the State School Superintendent must send a written report on all this to several legislative committees and budget offices. The State Board of Education may also adopt rules to carry out these requirements.

• Requires the Department of Education to publish relevant federal guidance documents on a dedicated, searchable webpage within 15 days of receiving them.
• Requires a written response within 45 days explaining which laws the guidance touches, how it will be implemented, and whether the state raised objections.
• Requires the department to flag and log rescinded guidance documents within 15 days of learning they were withdrawn.
• Requires the State School Superintendent to send an annual written report by August 1 to House and Senate education, higher education, and appropriations committees, plus state budget offices.
• Authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules to carry out these new publication and reporting requirements.

The Department of Education and the State School Superintendent, who must publish and report on federal guidance; the State Board of Education, which may adopt implementing rules; and members of the General Assembly's education, higher education, and appropriations committees, who receive annual reports.

Georgians, school districts, and lawmakers would gain a public, searchable record of federal education guidance and how the state responds to it, including any objections raised, making it easier to track how federal policy is being applied within Georgia's education system.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 20-2-37, defining 'federal agency' and 'guidance document' broadly to include memos, bulletins, notices, and digital materials, but excluding formal federal rules with the force of law.
• Subsection (b)(1) requires publication of relevant guidance documents within 15 days of receipt.
• Subsection (b)(2) requires a written response within 45 days covering affected statutes, implementation plans, and any objections communicated to the federal agency.
• Subsection (b)(3) requires marking and logging rescinded guidance documents within 15 days of rescission.
• Subsection (c) requires all documents to appear on a dedicated, searchable webpage linked from the Department of Education's home page.
• Subsection (d) requires an annual written report by August 1 to specified legislative committees, the Office of Legislative Counsel, and budget offices.
• Subsection (e) authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt implementing rules.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-02House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-01-29House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)Primary sponsor
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• Mike Cheokas (R, HD-151)
• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)
• Brent Cox (R, HD-028)

• education policy
• state government transparency
• Department of Education
• federal guidance
• legislative oversight