SR952: SR952 Senate Rosenwald Schools Study Committee; create

This resolution creates the Senate Rosenwald Schools Study Committee to research the history of Rosenwald schools in Georgia. These schools were built in the early 1900s through a partnership between Julius Rosenwald, a Sears, Roebuck and Co. executive, and educator Booker T. Washington, funding more than 240 schools in 103 of Georgia's 159 counties for Black children in rural areas. The committee will have five members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, who also names the chairperson. The committee can hold meetings as needed, and its legislative members can receive standard travel and expense allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days unless more are approved. Funding comes from the Senate's existing budget. If the committee approves findings or recommendations, including possible legislation, the chairperson must file a report with the Secretary of the Senate. The committee is abolished on December 1, 2026.

• Creates the Senate Rosenwald Schools Study Committee to research the history and impact of Rosenwald schools in Georgia.
• Sets the committee membership at five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who also designates the chairperson.
• Authorizes the chairperson to call and organize meetings at any place or time needed to carry out the study.
• Allows legislative members to receive standard state allowances for up to five days of committee work unless additional days are approved.
• Requires the chairperson to file any approved findings, recommendations, or proposed legislation with the Secretary of the Senate.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2026, ending its authority to meet or act.

The resolution directly affects the five state senators appointed to serve on the study committee and the Senate's administrative and budget offices, which fund and receive the committee's work. It also concerns Georgians interested in the history of Rosenwald schools and African American education in the state.

The committee's work could lead to formal legislative recommendations about preserving or recognizing Rosenwald school history in Georgia. Because it is a study committee, it does not change any law itself, but its report could shape future legislation on education history or historic preservation.

• Paragraph (1) creates the Senate Rosenwald Schools Study Committee.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at five senators appointed by the President of the Senate, who names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) directs the committee to study the history and impact of Rosenwald schools and recommend action or legislation.
• Paragraph (4) gives the chairperson authority to call meetings at any time or place needed.
• Paragraph (5) ties member allowances to O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 and caps them at five days unless more are authorized, funded from the Senate's budget.
• Paragraph (6) requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Secretary of the Senate before the committee is abolished.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
3. 2026-03-27Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
4. 2026-03-27Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
5. 2026-03-16Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
6. 2026-03-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)Primary sponsor
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

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

   Consent Calendar For Senate Study Committees: Senate Vote #875

• Rosenwald schools
• African American history
• education history
• Georgia Senate study committee
• historic preservation