HR1789: HR1789 United States Department of Education; dissolve and restore educational authority to the states; express support

This resolution does not change Georgia law by itself; it is a statement of position from the Georgia House of Representatives. It lays out a series of findings, including that education is not a power given to the federal government under the U.S. Constitution, that federal spending and regulation have not improved student outcomes, and that the federal government is already moving some Department of Education programs to other agencies, such as shifting certain grant programs to the U.S. Department of Labor and special education oversight to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The resolution then formally states that the Georgia House supports dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, wants any reorganized federal education programs to keep the same funding levels, and wants to see core federal education duties shifted to agencies better suited to handle them. It also directs the Clerk of the House to send copies to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, and relevant committee chairs for consideration in the 2026 session.

• Formally states the Georgia House's support for dissolving the U.S. Department of Education and returning education authority to the states.
• Encourages reorganizing federal education programs into other federal agencies without cutting their funding.
• Expresses the House's intent to seek ways to regain state control over Georgia's kindergarten through 12th grade schools.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and relevant House and Senate committee chairs.

The resolution primarily addresses Georgia's own state government, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and legislative committees, and speaks to how federal education programs affecting Georgia's K-12 schools, special education services, and federal student aid programs might be reorganized.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not itself change any funding, program, or agency. Its practical effect is to put Georgia lawmakers' views on record and encourage state and federal officials to pursue shifting education authority and programs like IDEA special education funding and school meal programs away from the U.S. Department of Education.

• The whereas clauses describe federal restructuring already underway, including moving certain grant programs to the U.S. Department of Labor and special education and student welfare programs to Health and Human Services.
• Notes that about $15 billion in annual federal IDEA funding for special education would continue, even if oversight moves to another agency.
• Clarifies that school nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program are run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and would not be eliminated by dismantling the Department of Education.
• The first resolving clause affirms the House's support for dismantling the Department of Education and returning authority to the states, with no funding cuts to reorganized programs.
• A second resolving clause expresses the House's resolve to seek ways to regain state control over Georgia's K-12 schools.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to top state officials and legislative committee chairs.

1. 2026-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
2. 2026-03-23House Second Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-20House First Readers (House)
4. 2026-03-19House Hopper (House)

• Will Wade (R, HD-009)Primary sponsor
• Trey Kelley (R, HD-016)
• Martin Momtahan (R, HD-017)
• Rob Clifton (R, HD-131)
• Reynaldo Martinez (R, HD-111)

• U.S. Department of Education
• education policy
• federalism
• special education funding
• K-12 schools