HB 1328: University of North Georgia military scholarships; authorize selection committee to select additional scholarship recipients

House Bill 1328 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Wade of the 9th, Bonner of the 73rd, Hawkins of the 27th, Dubnik of the 29th, Gaines of the 120th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Subpart 5A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to University of North Georgia military scholarships, so as to authorize the selection committee to select additional scholarship recipients; to authorize additional nominations for candidates to receive a scholarship; to provide a limit on the number of scholarships that can be awarded; to provide criteria for selecting scholarship recipients; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Subpart 5A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to University of North Georgia military scholarships, is amended by revising Code Section 20-3-422, relating to nomination of candidates for scholarships, as follows:

"20-3-422.

The authority shall establish and promulgate, consistent with this subpart, criteria for the eligibility and award of such scholarships. The authority shall, on or before February 1 of each year, select and nominate not less than six and not more than ten persons from each congressional district in Georgia from a list of persons recommended to the authority by members of the General Assembly. From the persons so nominated, at least three persons from each congressional district shall be selected as scholarship recipients as provided in Code Section 20-3-423."

SECTION 2.

Said subpart is further amended in Code Section 20-3-423, relating to creation and composition of selection committee and duties of selection committee, by revising subsection (b) as follows:

"(b) It shall be the duty of the selection committee to select, from the six nominees from each congressional district submitted to the committee pursuant to Code Section 20-3-422, three persons from each congressional district to receive a scholarship under this subpart. In the event a congressional district does not have three qualified candidates, the committee may select a candidate or candidates at large from alternate nominees among the original candidates without regard to the congressional district of residence. Subject to available funding, the committee shall be authorized to select additional candidates to receive a scholarship under this part; provided, however, that in no event shall the total number of persons receiving scholarship assistance under this part exceed 70 percent of the Georgia Army National Guard cadets enrolled in the University of North Georgia or 210 persons, whichever is less. When selecting such additional candidates to receive a scholarship, the committee shall make selections in such a manner as to award scholarships equally between congressional districts and cadet cohorts, to the extent practicable. Upon selecting the recipients of scholarships, the committee shall:

(1) Notify each recipient of the scholarship;

(2) Notify each member of the legislative delegation from each congressional district of the names of the recipients of the scholarships from that congressional district; and

(3) Notify the authority of the names and addresses of the recipients of the scholarships."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.