HB 203: Board of Regents; include members who are graduates of a historically black college or university that is a unit of the University System of Georgia; provide

The Board of Regents oversees Georgia's public colleges and universities. This bill adds a new section to Georgia law requiring that some of the board's at-large members have graduated from a historically black college or university (HBCU) that is part of the University System of Georgia. The bill defines an HBCU using federal eligibility standards (34 C.F.R. Section 608.2) as they existed on January 1, 2025, combined with the requirement that the school be a University System of Georgia unit. Starting January 1, 2028, at least one at-large board member must be a graduate of such an institution. Starting January 1, 2031, that number rises to at least two at-large members. The bill repeals any conflicting laws but does not change any other part of the Board of Regents' structure or duties.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-21.1) requiring representation on the Board of Regents from graduates of historically black colleges or universities in the University System of Georgia.
• Defines 'historically black college or university' using federal eligibility standards in effect as of January 1, 2025, limited to schools that are units of the University System of Georgia.
• Requires at least one at-large board member to be an HBCU graduate starting January 1, 2028.
• Increases that requirement to at least two at-large board members starting January 1, 2031.
• Repeals any existing state laws that conflict with these new requirements.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, future appointees to at-large board seats, and graduates of Georgia's historically black colleges and universities such as Albany State, Fort Valley State, and Savannah State, whose alumni would gain a guaranteed path onto the board.

If enacted, the makeup of the board that sets policy for Georgia's public universities and colleges would change, guaranteeing HBCU graduates a voice in decisions on tuition, campus policy, and system leadership starting in 2028, with representation increasing further in 2031.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 20-3-21.1 defining 'historically black college or university' by reference to federal regulation 34 C.F.R. Section 608.2 as of January 1, 2025, and requiring the school be part of the University System of Georgia.
• Section 1 requires at least one at-large Board of Regents member to be an HBCU graduate beginning January 1, 2028.
• Section 1 raises that requirement to at least two at-large members beginning January 1, 2031.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting state laws.

1. 2025-02-04House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-02-03House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-01-30House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)Patrocinador principal
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• L.C. Myles (D, HD-126)
• Mack Jackson (D, HD-128)
• Al Williams (D, HD-168)
• Regina Lewis-Ward (D, HD-115)

• higher education
• Board of Regents
• historically black colleges and universities
• University System of Georgia