HB1424: HB1424 Sumter County; board of education; revise compensation

This bill amends the 2014 local law that governs the Sumter County board of education and school superintendent. It rewrites Section 9 of that law, which sets how much board members are paid and reimbursed. Under the revised section, each board member would receive $500.00 per month in compensation. Members could also be reimbursed up to $3,000.00 per year for actual expenses tied to travel outside the county for official board business, such as training sessions or statewide meetings, but only if a majority of the board approves the travel in advance and the expenses are verified before repayment. Board members would also remain eligible to join any school district group insurance plan as allowed under state law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-55). The change would take effect on the first day of the month after the Governor signs it or it otherwise becomes law.

• Sets monthly pay for each Sumter County board of education member at $500.00, replacing the prior compensation terms in Section 9 of the 2014 local Act.
• Caps annual travel expense reimbursement for board members at $3,000.00 for official out-of-county travel like training or statewide meetings.
• Requires board approval by majority vote before a member's travel is authorized, and requires expenses to be verified before reimbursement is paid.
• Confirms board members can take part in a school district group insurance plan as allowed under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-55.
• Sets the effective date as the first day of the month following the bill's approval by the Governor or its becoming law without approval.
• Repeals any existing laws that conflict with the new compensation terms.

This bill directly affects the members of the Sumter County Board of Education, who would receive the new monthly pay and travel reimbursement terms, and indirectly affects Sumter County taxpayers and school administrators who manage the board's budget.

The bill changes how much local elected school board members in Sumter County are paid and how their travel expenses are handled, which affects the county school system's budget and how board members are compensated for their public service.

• Section 1 rewrites Section 9 of the 2014 Sumter County board of education Act to set compensation at $500.00 per month per board member.
• Section 1 also caps travel expense reimbursement at $3,000.00 per year, requiring prior board authorization and verified expenses before payment.
• Section 1 preserves board members' eligibility for the school district group insurance plan under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-55.
• Section 2 sets the effective date as the first day of the month after the Governor's approval or the Act otherwise becoming law.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-06-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 562
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-16Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-16Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
7. 2026-03-06Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
8. 2026-03-04House Passed/Adopted (House)

• Mike Cheokas (R, HD-151)Primary sponsor
• Patty Stinson (D, HD-150)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2026

   166 yea, 1 nay (9 not voting, 1 absent)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #600

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 16, 2026

   48 yea, 1 nay (3 not voting, 2 absent)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #719

• Sumter County
• school board compensation
• local government pay
• education policy