Comité Education de la Cámara de Representantes, 19 de febrero de 2026

Transcripción

312 turnos. Seleccione un tiempo para reproducir ese momento del video.

1. 0:16:59

   Okay, good afternoon, everyone. Thank y'all for coming today. Uh, thank you members for being here. I know you've already had a, uh, an eventful morning this morning, um, in session. Visitors, uh, welcome to us. I see what I think are some, uh, e- either, uh, school-age kids or college-age kids. If you ... Uh, our students raise your hand in the room. Look at that. Let us welcome you. Thank y'all for coming here.

2. 0:17:31

   Thank you for your work every day inside schools, and coming down here and learning with us. Um, we have educators in the room. I see some of them that have been teachers, are teachers, uh, principals, those type of things. Y'all raise your hand for a minute. Let me see you, too. Let's recognize you.

3. 0:17:51

   Students and visitors, as, uh, you hear from me every meeting, the teachers are heroes, and they're daily heroes. They're running to the needs of children. Um, and I'm so proud of that and what our state does for the young people of this state, and the future of this state. So, thank you, teachers, for being heroes. Um, members, I think we're ready to roll. I will, uh ... Chairman Jones, could I ask you to do a, uh, opening prayer for us, number 28?

4. 0:18:25

   Bow your heads. Lord, thank you for the opportunity to hopefully give us wisdom and, and I'll say precise knowledge as we listen to each one of the presenters. And let us have discernment to be able to ask the right questions and be able to do right by our teachers, by our students, and by the families within the state of Georgia. In your name we praise, amen.

5. 0:18:45

   Thank you, Chairman. That might have been the first time in a prayer I used the word precise. Uh, I kinda like that, uh, for my committee here, so good job. We, we will be precise. Members, please. Um, quite a bit, members, on the agenda before you. I think most of you have been sitting in the subcommittee, and, uh, and I know all of you have read over these, looked at it. We're, we're gonna try to set a, uh, a, a, a year mark here in number of bills that we have vetted and then brought before you in the full committee.

6. 0:19:23

   If I count correctly on here, you got eight to try to get through. Um, we, we attempted all eight and got it done in about 2 hours and 15 minutes, uh, with, with quite a few questions. Uh, don't wanna limit the questions but would like to use the word precise questions- ... if that will work for you, um, when we get our presenters up in front of us as, uh, we go through these bills and trying to, uh, develop good policy.

7. 0:19:54

   Uh, Chairman Dubnik, we're gonna ask you to come to the middle here. We will ask you to read your LC number to us, and then I will turn the microphone over to you.

8. 0:20:06

   Thank you, Mr. Chairman. House Bill 1259, LC 640067 by substitute.

9. 0:20:13

   Correct. That is the number. The, uh, mic is yours.

10. 0:20:16

    Yes, Mr. Chairman. I'll be brief, and Chairman Jones can be precise in his motion. Ladies and gentlemen of the committee, this is a bill that I bring for you, before you today that passed unanimously out of subcommittee. The goal of this legislation is to preserve the integrity of school choice by preventing pass- possible bad actors from taking money meant for student instruction and showing little to no results on student achievement. Uh, I wanna give you just a brief historical reference some of you have already heard. In 2013, Montgomery County School Board established Montgomery County, uh, sorry, Montgomery Academy, a virtual school facilitated by the county school system and operated via a management company.

11. 0:20:58

    The school had statewide enrollment but was not a charter school. Two years later, later, Vidalia City Schools opened a similar school. A review by the Department of Audits and Accounts found that existing virtual charter schools authorized by the commission were using local school system virtual schools to skirt state law and enrollment caps. At the same time, state law required an agreement between transferring school systems. Because these two were accepting students from other school systems without such an agreement, they were further in violation of the law.

12. 0:21:33

    The audit also found school systems benefited from increased revenue rather than spending all QBE funds earned on instruction. The audit further found that Montgomery Academy had CCRPI scores lower than the state average and that of other virtual schools. So in 2016, legislation was passed to require a local s- school system with more than 5% of out-of-district students to ensure 90% of funds were expended for cost related to virtual instruction, and to include virtual students, uh, that were out of the system in student CCRPI data.

13. 0:22:11

    Sadly, this provision sunsetted in 2019, and so a couple of years ago, Jenkins County Virtual Preparatory Academy took advantage of this sunset provision by creating a locally approved virtual school with a statewide attendance zone. Uh, this school is, is run by a management company from Ohio, um, who applied to the State Charter School Commission to be a virtual charter school, however, was denied not once, but four times by the State Charter School Commission.

14. 0:22:42

    As- The Pro Tem of this House referenced the other day, the school is operating on less than 100% of QBE funds directed towards student, uh, achievement. And unfortunately, uh, I'm afraid to report that the CCRPI scores for the Jenkins County Virtual Academy are very much below that of Jenkins County as well as our statewide average. And unfortunately, those scores at the elementary school level for the Virtual Academy come in at a 27, the middle school at 26, at the high school a 19.

15. 0:23:16

    Members of the committee, if you'll turn to lines 34 through 37, this bill is aiming to do two things. First, in order for a virtual school to enroll students from other counties, the district or that virtual school's CCRPI must maintain an average of 70 above over the previous two years. And then if you'll look with me in lines 38 through 41, an out-of-system student enrolled in a virtual school will not be included in the total enrollment amount for calculating that district's equalization.

16. 0:23:48

    Members of the committee, in, in closing, uh, this bill is simply about accountability and outcomes. I know this committee and this House as a whole care about quality education, especially when coupled with accountability to deliver a quality education. This bill strikes that balance, and I would add, members of the committee, that I've heard from the s- the school choice community, the school choice advocates, and those supporting school choice who support this bill. Um, Mr. Chairman, that, that is a broad summary of the bill and those two changes that, uh, to law.

17. 0:24:20

    I'd be happy to stand for any questions.

18. 0:24:23

    Okay. Thank you, uh, for digging into the situation, Chairman, um, on this, and for the data that you've been able to dig into for us to review. Uh, members? I do not see any questions on this bill. We do have one. Number 28.

19. 0:24:45

    At the appropriate time, sir.

20. 0:24:47

    Okay. Uh, well, I think it's appropriate time.

21. 0:24:51

    Motion do pass House Bill 1259.

22. 0:24:54

    Do we have a second? We do have a second. Seeing no other discussion on, let me read the LC. It's House Bill 1259 LC640067S. All in favor say aye.

23. 0:25:15

    Aye.

24. 0:25:15

    All opposed like sign. Bill passes. Thank you.

25. 0:25:19

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

26. 0:25:20

    Get it-

27. 0:25:20

    Second committee

28. 0:25:20

    ... get it signed. Thank you.

29. 0:25:30

    All right. Vice Chair Rice, we're gonna ask you to come for our second bill. Um, up today House Bill 1107. If you would, Vice Chair, read your LC number to us, then I'll turn the microphone over to you.

30. 0:25:56

    Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That LC number is LC492669S.

31. 0:26:05

    Correct. The microphone's yours.

32. 0:26:07

    Okay. Thank you. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, House Bill 1107, the Excellent Teacher Preparation Act, represents another meaningful step in strengthening education, educator preparation in Georgia and ensuring our teacher pipeline remains strong, effective, and responsive to the needs of our students. This legislature has had an ongoing and serious conversation about teacher preparedness. We have taken significant steps to improve literacy instruction, strengthen math achievement, and ensure that educator training reflects what works in the classroom.

33. 0:26:45

    House Bill 1107 continues that work in a systematic, data-driven manner. At its core, this bill strengthens accountability and transparency for education preparation providers across Georgia. It modernizes how we evaluate teacher prepare, preparation programs and ensures alignment with district workforce needs, student performance outcomes, and statewide academic priorities. So let me tell you why this bill matters. So first, it strengthens teacher quality.

34. 0:27:16

    House Bill 1107 requires the Georgia Professional Standards Commission to establish uniform standards performance measures for all educator preparation providers beginning in January 2027. These measures create consistent and comparable evaluations across programs. The performance indicators include enrollment requirements, completion rates, first and best attempt pass rates on the GACE job placement rates retention, and the retention rates that we are looking at is when teachers are placed at after one year of completion of the program, three and five years.

35. 0:27:56

    The satisfaction rates are included, teacher evaluation data, and student performance outcomes. This framework ensures that new teachers entering Georgia classrooms are well-prepared and aligned with Georgia academic standards and student needs. Strong preparation is the foundation of strong teaching, and strong teaching is the foundation of student achievement. Second is it improves workforce alignment. Updated reporting and satisfaction data allow the state to identify gaps in preparation programs and better align teacher training with district hiring needs.

36. 0:28:32

    This ensures educator preparation is responsive to real workforce demands and not disconnected from classroom realities. Graduate and employer surveys are incorporated into the accountability system. While the Georgia Professional Standards Commission already administers s- these surveys in part, House Bill 1107 codifies their use and requires review to ensure that the design and scoring a- accurately reflect program and performance. This ensures we are measuring preparedness from both teachers' and the employers' perspectives.

37. 0:29:06

    And third, it advances transparency and public trust. The bill makes aggregate performance data publicly available while protecting individual confidentiality. Transparency builds confidence among families. educators and school leaders and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Accountability drives excellent and consistent statewide standards ensure all programs meet high expectations. This legislation is also the product of meaningful collaboration.

38. 0:29:37

    The University System of Georgia, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and the Professional Standards Commissions have worked together to align performance data and with the priorities established in the Literacy Act, the math literacy initiatives, and the work of our Statewide Literacy Council. The data framework under, under House Bill 1107 is not isolated. It connects directly to the instructional reforms this legislature has already enacted. By aligning education preparation data with literacy and math performance measures, we are ensuring that teachers are trained in evidence-based instruction practices that reflect Georgia's academic priorities.

39. 0:30:18

    This strengthens classroom readiness and supports long-term teacher retention. When teachers are well-prepared and confident in their training, they are more effective and more likely to remain in the profession. Additionally, House Bill 1107 requires the Board of Regents to annually review performance data and determine whether interventions or support are necessary for School of Education. This connects accountability to action and ensures continuous program involvement. And Georgia's already made meaningful progress with House Bill 538 in strengthening the science of reading instruction in schools of, of education.

40. 0:30:56

    House Bill 1107 builds upon that foundation by ensuring we measure outcomes, monitor program effectiveness, and sustain excellence over time. This legislation is, is, is personally s- significant to our work in supporting and improving education in Georgia. Preparing teachers is not a theoretical policy. It directly affects student success from the first day a teacher enters the classroom. Georgia students deserve teachers who are fully prepared, confident, and equipped to meet their needs.

41. 0:31:27

    House Bill 1107 strengthens teacher quality, improves workforce alignment, increases transparency, aligns with our literacy and math reforms, and supports long-term teacher retention through excel- excellence and preparation. I wanna thank the University System of Georgia, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and Dr. Jody Barrow with the Professional Standards Commission for their partnership and collaboration in refining this legislation and building on the work already underway. Members, this is a data-driven, collaborative, and forward-looking step to ensure educator sh- educator excellence in Georgia, and I respectfully ask for your cons- your consideration to House Bill 1107.

42. 0:32:08

    And I'll take questions.

43. 0:32:10

    Great. Thank you, Vice Chair. Uh, I will ask you to briefly, and you thanked those that you collaborated with, but briefly cover your, um, your process of working with the PSC to develop this bill.

44. 0:32:25

    Okay. Um, yes, I'm happy to answer that. So this, this work, um, began this past, um, summer, fall, and there are several states that have done it in different, have, have a, an education preparation provider accountability bill in a different way. But what I did is go wi- to these, to the chancellor's office. I went to PSC, and I was like, "How does this work in Georgia?" Because we have a very unique system here, and working together is the way that we're gonna ensure that we do this correctly.

45. 0:32:56

    And, um, so rather than it be an accountability, I wanna be very clear this isn't, you know, analyzing and putting more pressure on teachers. This is just assuring that they can be confident when they're finished a program that they're prepared for the classroom. And, um, and it's just a tool that both hiring, um, districts can use to look at the programs and also, um, the, the USG office also can do it as they look at the pro- programs and how they're performing. So it is a tool, and I think it's gonna be a very effective way.

46. 0:33:29

    And, um, yes, we have, have worked very closely with PSC, um, spoken with Literacy Council on this, and gotten recommendations as we shape it to what would best fit Georgia.

47. 0:33:40

    Great. Uh, uh, my experience is PSC works well with you and-

48. 0:33:45

    Absolutely

49. 0:33:45

    ... and can, can, uh, can definitely recommend and, and help your bill. So thank you for that effort. Number 27, I believe you were up next, uh, Representative Townsend.

50. 0:33:56

    Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Representative, I just wanna say thank you for this bill, and it's, it's a good bill. It's gonna teach, it's gonna improve teacher quality by far. Also, one of the things I'm really most happy about or really pleased to see is that it really requires p- uh, communication between different state agencies, and sometimes that doesn't happen. And so we're gonna require, um, good communication, good transparency, and, uh, at the appropriate time.

51. 0:34:24

    Thank you very much for that. And I just, I am gonna say the collaboration level is going to benefit our educators, the programs, and I'm just very excited what's going on in Georgia in that way. And, and we're doing a lot here at this, um, this session on that, so.

52. 0:34:39

    Great. One last question, I believe, up, number 18.

53. 0:34:44

    Thank you.

54. 0:34:45

    Representative Carter.

55. 0:34:46

    Thank you, Chairman. Um, Representative, could you, um, briefly explain to me how are the, the evaluations happening now, and what's the significant difference that this, uh, legislation will make?

56. 0:35:00

    So, um, that's a good question. So thank you for the question. They do have some of the data that they are taking. Um, there are, uh, teacher performance data. They already have the data on how students, the outcomes of students. Um, in correlating that with these specific programs, what this does is we- we're expanding it, like, um, including in the model that one, three, and five-year retention rate and, uh, and, and just, uh- Expanding on that and allowing public view on the transparency side of how those, those programs are performing.

57. 0:35:34

    And so, um, I think we're gonna see a lot of, um, improvement and, and a work together and, and that's gonna help our classrooms. Mm-hmm.

58. 0:35:43

    Great. We'll, we'll go one more here. Number three, Representative Olaleye.

59. 0:35:49

    Thank you, Chairman. Thank you for the bill, uh, Rep. I just wanna call to question, motion to pass.

60. 0:35:57

    Okay. All right. Well, I, I like y'all doing this pretty quick and- ... surprise attack on each other here. Uh, uh, I'm gonna entertain the first one, and we'll stay in order, but we'll allow a second on the second one. All right, here you go, number 27.

61. 0:36:14

    Motion do pass.

62. 0:36:17

    Okay. Members, we have a motion and a, and a second on a very good bill. And, uh, any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

63. 0:36:28

    Aye.

64. 0:36:29

    All opposed like sign. Good. Your bill move on, get it signed.

65. 0:36:33

    Thank you.

66. 0:36:33

    Let's see what we can do.

67. 0:36:34

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

68. 0:36:35

    Thank you for this effort.

69. 0:36:39

    As you ... As we're moving on to the third bill here, uh, we'll go to you, Rep. or Floor Leader Wade. As you get up there, I, I think it's important to, to mention to the members here, um, thank you for your efforts and what you're doing, and the reading and the literacy rate that you have. Um, we have passed eight bills. That means we have worked on eight pieces of policy, and we're about to, we, we've just done two more.

70. 0:37:12

    We're, we're working for eight more today if we can get there. Uh, but you are vetting very well. I will ask you in your literacy rates, we need to really work it hard. We got 48 bills. That's new bills, 48. There's one resolution that we passed, and I've just mentioned to you we passed eight and then two today. Um, got a lot of reading to do. Be sure, um, when we leave this meeting today that y- you go home and take the time to start going through these bills so that we're sure to send very good policy, uh, onto the rules, and then hopefully on the floor and to the State of Georgia.

71. 0:38:01

    So just to let you know where, where we're sitting and what we got in front of us before crossover. Um, all right, Floor Leader, I'm gonna do the same with you. I won't turn your microphone on till you read me, uh, your LC number correctly here, and, uh, then it'll be yours. So it is on now. Read that LC number please.

72. 0:38:22

    LC492695S.

73. 0:38:27

    That a big, thick bill here. A lot of literacy g- for us to be used here.

74. 0:38:32

    Lots to read here.

75. 0:38:33

    Thank you, Floor Leader. Uh, the mic is yours.

76. 0:38:36

    Thank you, sir. My objective today is to present to you a slight change. Uh, this is a committee sub. We had two tweaks based on some good conversation, good feedback. Uh, so to go over that, highlight what we're, uh, gonna be doing to bring School Financial Accountability and Transparency Act. I think the theme today is having multiple agencies communicate with each other in a timely manner with facts and accuracy. And my second goal is to not earn a seat in timeout, Chairman.

77. 0:39:03

    You have been nicknamed Mr. Timeout.

78. 0:39:05

    I know.

79. 0:39:06

    So-

80. 0:39:06

    My kids have enjoyed that- ... thoroughly, sir. So, um, I, I'm not gonna go into the exact presentation I gave the subcommittee members, but I'm happy to answer questions. I'm gonna highlight this quickly because of the calendar that we have. Um, what this bill does, it is gonna strengthen financial oversight in our local schools, creates a statewide fiscal monitoring intervention system, requires annual audit readiness certifications, expands transparency and public reporting. Why does this matter in today's time?

81. 0:39:38

    This ensures responsible use of education dollars, prevents budget deficits and financial mismanagement, protects classroom funding and teacher resources, enhances public trust in school systems, and it also enhances understanding of school and school system waiver use as authorized by district performance contracts. The key takeaways are we are gonna create within the State Board of Education ... Now, I wanna say this too. This actually used to be within our State Board of Education, and for some reason, not, n- no, um, judgment, it just, they changed how they operated and the, the, the audit committee did not meet frankly.

82. 0:40:15

    We are now setting them up so that we can ensure that that, that is a component of what our state board does. They are in full support of this effort, and that is to meet a minimum certain times a year for, uh, to s- have a standing audit committee to re- review financial risks that DOA reports to them depending on where those schools are in this new risk matrix. Uh, many of you may know this, some do not. I'm a community banker for 28 years. I have been through probably over, just because of the nature of what we do, um, uh, hundreds of audits in my career, and so this has kind of been informed through that framework and it worked well with DOA and our design of this.

83. 0:40:58

    This is not something that has been rushed. There's been a lot of folks that have been a part of this, and everybody that's a stakeholder has been at the table. And I also wanna remind folks, this is not a punishment to our school systems, our s- our superintendents, and our financial directors across this state. By and large, the vast majority of schools are doing a good job. This is not about punishment. This is about ensuring that we identify problems and issues quickly and that we set them up for success to address them and resolve them as quickly as possible.

84. 0:41:31

    That is what this framework will do, and there will no longer be what I would say an unintentional siloing of information in a timely manner. This will create a reason for information to move more swiftly when there is an issue so that it won't be caught up in, "I thought this agency knew what this agency didn't," and vice versa. This will make sure everyone knows, and GOSA will be the point person to continue to manage that communication and ensure that data is collected in a timely man- manner and reported between inter-agencies.

85. 0:42:04

    So that is outlined in the bill. I'm sure we can go into that if that's needed. Um, the, the four risk, uh, areas are gonna b- or four designations are gonna be fiscally sound, moderate risk, high risk, and then, uh, critical risk. Uh, and actually, we deem it a critical fiscal emergency because in, and recently there's been a couple of schools that have hit that, uh, level of concern. Um, I think DOA could testify that there are 41 schools across, systems across the state that have some issues.

86. 0:42:35

    Um, and this will give them the opportunity to have one set of standards that they can measure all systems by, and this will give them the opportunity to determine, is this something that can be, uh, corrected within a two, three-month period of time, or is this something that may take one to two years over a thoughtful plan? And all, um, all the folks are, are on board with that type of, uh, process. So transparent improvement, transparency improvements that the bill calls for is public posting of audits and financial data, publication of financial condition statements, expanded Office of Student Achievement fiscal reporting and audit authority over district flexibility use.

87. 0:43:14

    This is to remind folks we're not trying to punish students in the classroom, but there may be a reason that systems need to lose some of their waiver options if they're not getting one of the most crucial jobs done, and that is managing the state dollars that are intended to be in the classroom to improve literacy, to improve mathematics. Our kids deserve our best efforts at accountability to the dollars that this state sends. And then also, there is in certain extreme situations some limits on superintendent contract extensions in dire- in distressed systems.

88. 0:43:48

    This would go into effect July 1st, and there would be some implementation phases that are contemplated through 2028, '29. The only two changes to the, uh, bill are, uh, we added an opportunity for there to be a person from DOA to be on, uh, the audit committee of the s- state board. They would be a non-voting member, but they would be present. We thought that would help streamline communication, make sure that everybody's on the same page. Additionally, because we are including state charter schools, a member of the State Charter Commission or their designee would be able to serve on that audit committee as well as a non-voting member to be at the table.

89. 0:44:26

    I wanna let folks know the state charter schools are not being swooped in because we have major concerns. They have been getting third-party audits. The fallacy, in my opinion, from a policy standpoint is there's not been a mandate that that has been submitted to DOA for further review. We trust that they are doing things in an appropriate manner. We have no way to verify that right now. So to quote one of our favorite presidents, this is a trust but verify. I've worked with DOA, I've worked with, um, the Charter School Commission folks, and they, they think that is a good, important step.

90. 0:44:57

    They are supportive. They have no issues with accountability as well. They have... They, and I think many schools, I would challenge if you get through this first phase of an audit and you are found to be fiscally sound, share that with the community that you serve. Sharing the good news of what you're doing in your schools is something schools need to do a better job of, in my opinion. This gives them an opportunity to do so. That's the, the presentation of the bill. I'm happy to answer any questions or if you have any specific lines you need to go through, Mr. Chairman, I'm at your beck and call.

91. 0:45:29

    Thank you, sir.

92. 0:45:30

    Thank you. And Floor Leader, thank you and the governor's team, uh, for, for developing this and digging into this for us, um, here. And I'm gonna go... We got quite a few questions, so I'm gonna just-

93. 0:45:45

    Sure

94. 0:45:45

    ... present those to you in the order by which I see them. Number 17.

95. 0:45:50

    Oh, that's me.

96. 0:45:50

    Is that you, Representative Lupton?

97. 0:45:52

    That is. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Hello.

98. 0:45:54

    Hello.

99. 0:45:54

    Thank you for the bill. Um, my main concern here and question is lines 569 to 575, kind of right at the end. Um, and yes, I represent DeKalb County, and we all know that DeKalb County has had some issues. However, as I like to say-

100. 0:46:13

     Okay

101. 0:46:14

     ... um, 571 in particular.

102. 0:46:17

     Okay.

103. 0:46:18

     We've got facts, records, circumstances, or information that indicate mismanagement or misconduct. Now, that's a broad... Circumstances? Information? I mean, is this like... I mean, you should've heard the trash that people were talking about on Facebook about our superintendent. "He did this," you know, bup, bup, bup, bup. And our board said, "We've already done the work. We've looked at his P card. It's clean. We're fine." To... This to me seems like where it could get punitive.

104. 0:46:50

     We've heard that there might be something rotten in Denmark, so the state is swooping in and checking all your books. That's my concern, especially with that part of the bill, is how do you see this living out in real life?

105. 0:47:04

     So I, I, I'm not gonna speak for DOA. I'm not sure, Mr. Chairman, if there's anybody here from DOA, but I'm gonna give you an informed opinion based on my many discussions since this fall when this became, uh, brought to us. Um- This language is here in order to follow what those terms that are defined in code section 50-606, okay? But in practicality, because the s- the DOA has the opportunity to give a waiver to a local superintendent and board to hire a third-party audit firm-

106. 0:47:36

     Mm-hmm

107. 0:47:36

     ... right, that means... And, and the difference in this bill is now that audit firm's report has to be submitted to DOA within a certain timeframe.

108. 0:47:44

     Mm-hmm.

109. 0:47:45

     Right? But if they... Let's just practically, superintendents were here, maybe you have a third party for two years in a row, that second audit comes in and w- they review it and they say, "You know, they forgot to do this, this, and this. They just missed it. The auditor did not do what they were supposed to do." There may be news reports that DOA hears from, or a state agency, or GOSA, or even a state representative hears that's not been necessarily d- determined to be factual-

110. 0:48:10

     Mm-hmm

111. 0:48:10

     ... but there's a concern.

112. 0:48:11

     Yeah.

113. 0:48:12

     There is an audit process that has a confidential component in which they will investigate, but they're being audited annually.

114. 0:48:19

     Mm-hmm.

115. 0:48:19

     So eventually this is gonna be borne out to be whether it's true or false. So I would say is if the board has gone through their due diligence, right, and they have determined that the p-card, in your example-

116. 0:48:29

     Mm-hmm

117. 0:48:30

     ... had not been misused, then that would be facts and evidence provided to DOA to confirm that the issue that was a rumor is no longer considered a fact.

118. 0:48:39

     Okay.

119. 0:48:39

     This just gives DOA the opportunity to say, "Hey, we, we've trusted y'all. We've reviewed your reports. There's some concerns. We're just gonna come and be a second look." You know, my dad was a teacher, but he was also a carpenter, and you know the measure twice, cut once-

120. 0:48:52

     Cut once

121. 0:48:52

     ... m- mentality.

122. 0:48:54

     Yeah.

123. 0:48:54

     I think this is a matter of they're not gonna cut first-

124. 0:48:57

     Mm-hmm

125. 0:48:57

     ... and then go measure what they heard is a rumor. They will follow a very detailed and organized process. I don't think superintendents and school boards need to be concerned if they're doing things the right way.

126. 0:49:08

     Okay. Let me jump in. Uh, good answer. A little long.

127. 0:49:12

     I'm sorry.

128. 0:49:14

     Oh, that time-out seat. Ooh, thank you.

129. 0:49:19

     Aye.

130. 0:49:19

     I, I'm gonna go in order-

131. 0:49:21

     Thank you, sir. Thank you

132. 0:49:21

     ... by which I see them, if you get my gist here. Number 10.

133. 0:49:26

     Thank you so much for bringing the bill, and thank you, Chairman. I do have a question around, um, House Bill 268. Just-

134. 0:49:35

     Time

135. 0:49:36

     ... yeah, j- that was a huge bill with a lot of money that went to all the school systems, and there are still a lot of concerns w- with safety. Would a audit also show how our school system will be use, are using those funds so that we can double-check to make sure that the money we think is there is being used for safety?

136. 0:50:01

     Yes, ma'am. That will be a part of the audit function.

137. 0:50:03

     Thank you.

138. 0:50:04

     Great answer.

139. 0:50:07

     I'll only say this, Mr. Chairman, I gave that long answer out of my respect for superintendents, and I wanted to alleviate their fear.

140. 0:50:13

     Oh, I'm, I'm, I'm enjoying picking on you-

141. 0:50:16

     I know you are

142. 0:50:16

     ... Mr. Timeout. Number 21.

143. 0:50:19

     My kids are on winter break. They're watching this right now, so thank you.

144. 0:50:24

     Thank you for this bill. I think I mentioned in our subcommittee I really appreciate this. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

145. 0:50:32

     Amen.

146. 0:50:32

     And that's what you're doing here, and I really appreciate that work. Um, just very briefly for people that might be watching online, not have this in front of them-

147. 0:50:39

     Sure

148. 0:50:39

     ... what is the, what is the meeting requirements, reporting requirement? Is this, like, an annual, and that's it, or are there quarterly? How does, how does this bill lay that out for the people watching online?

149. 0:50:51

     Certainly. So every school system will be required to have an annual audit. There will be an option for it to be provided by a third party with the DOA's blessing or approval. Um, the state board will have a minimum of six meetings a year, but that does not mean that they can't have 12 meetings a year or back-to-back meetings. They will have the flexibility to do that. But this means that audit is going to be one of the top priorities of the state board, and this committee will be tasked to do it as frequently as reasonably possible.

150. 0:51:22

     Thank you.

151. 0:51:23

     Good. Number 18. Ms. Carter.

152. 0:51:27

     Thank you, Chairman. I have two quick questions.

153. 0:51:29

     Okay.

154. 0:51:29

     One, just a little clarity, 'cause I didn't know this existed. On line 225, where it talks about a local superintendent may concurrently serve as a principal, teacher, or, in another staff position,

155. 0:51:47

     is that new? In which it just... I thought it was weird that was, that that happened.

156. 0:51:51

     No, so we took the opportunity to also clean up some code, so this was just changing board of education. In some of our extremely small districts, that may still be the case. Um, I could tell you when I was in Dawson, that was the case when I was very young, because we were a very small s- school system.

157. 0:52:06

     Gotcha. Thank you.

158. 0:52:07

     Yep.

159. 0:52:07

     But my, my other question goes back to the audit, and I was trying to make sure that I didn't miss something. But on line 462, and it may, it may relate to something else, so you could direct me there, but it says, "No local school system or state charter school shall engage in a certified public accountant or any other person, organization," da, da, da, da, "without written authorization from the state auditor." So is there a, uh, designated group of audit firms that are, that are only authorized, or am I... What is this meaning here?

160. 0:52:36

     So the, the... What this means is that first if the school system wants to request that, "Hey, we've got a contract for three years with this audit firm. You've not had a problem in the past. We'll now submit you a copy. May we continue to use them until you've had a chance to review it?" So that's the r- the ask of the school system to DOA, Department of Accounts and Audits, okay? There will be, in, earlier in the bill, there is standards that are going to be laid out to ensure that all audit firms are following those certain standards which match what a DOA audit would look like.

161. 0:53:07

     Okay.

162. 0:53:07

     So there, there may be firms that are aware of 90% of that. This will give DOA the opportunity to communicate with the CPA world to make sure that they're aware of what those standards are. There's not, like, a blessed list or an anti-list. It's a if you meet these standards and they review that audit, then you have no issues.

163. 0:53:26

     Good. Thank you. Number 29.

164. 0:53:30

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm in the choke seat today. Like to make a motion at the appropriate time.

165. 0:53:34

     It, it's the appropriate time. I see no other questions.

166. 0:53:37

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that House Bill 1164 LC492695 by substitute do pass.

167. 0:53:43

     Second.

168. 0:53:44

     We got a motion and a second. Members, see... Do we have a question, a discussion?

169. 0:53:51

     He, he didn't answer my question. Just wanted to be clear and if, if-

170. 0:53:55

     I apologize. I thought I did.

171. 0:53:59

     Go ahead.

172. 0:54:00

     You know, the 8.1.1.2 kind of kicks in. Are we saying that the school, the audit firm has to be approved by the DOE for them to be used?

173. 0:54:12

     DOA will use and review audit firms as long as they follow the standards that they set forth by this statute. That will be communicated. Yes.

174. 0:54:22

     After the fact.

175. 0:54:23

     That's right. N- so if they have used somebody and there's an audit issue, they may not be able to be used in the future, but that firm would have the opportunity to correct their self. I'm happy to take this on- offline if needed.

176. 0:54:34

     Yeah, I'm gonna let one more go and then we're gonna vote.

177. 0:54:37

     Just real, risk being the time-out so you, real quick. Uh, so did I, uh, hear you correctly? This bill requires school systems now to perform an annual financial audit?

178. 0:54:46

     Yes. Yes. They are supposed to perform one every year, and now also submit, if it's a third-party audit, to DOA. DOA has been doing probably 75 to 80%-

179. 0:54:54

     So they supposed to already be doing an audit, or it, it'll now be under this?

180. 0:54:57

     They were doing audits. They weren't necessarily always submitting them to DOA for review.

181. 0:55:02

     So every school system in Georgia's been doing a financial audit?

182. 0:55:05

     They have been, but they may not have submitted them and they may be behind.

183. 0:55:10

     Mm-hmm.

184. 0:55:10

     Which this will alleviate and this will identify that problem.

185. 0:55:13

     Got it. Thank you.

186. 0:55:14

     Thank you.

187. 0:55:14

     All right. We've exhausted the questions. Uh, we've called the question. Got a motion and a second. Um, let me make sure I get, even though I believe you read it, Chairman, down at the end. Um,

188. 0:55:32

     let me make sure I got the correct one with you. It's, uh, HB 1164 LC492695S. All in favor say, "A."

189. 0:55:45

     A.

190. 0:55:45

     All opposed, light sign.

191. 0:55:47

     Thank you.

192. 0:55:47

     Bill passes. Good job, floor leader.

193. 0:55:49

     And am I in timeout?

194. 0:55:51

     No, you are not. You're, you're, you... It was slim, but-

195. 0:55:56

     I know

196. 0:55:56

     ... you were very close to-

197. 0:55:58

     I can't wait to trade with Chairman, uh, Hilton. He deserves it, so.

198. 0:56:01

     Oh, God.

199. 0:56:02

     Uh, all right. I saw Madam Pro Tem come in the room. We will put you up, Madam Pro Tem, if you're prepared. Um, members, look at that bill there, which is the first one on the list there, 1123. Madam Pro Tem, if you would, please read your, um, LC number and then I'll turn the microphone over to you.

200. 0:56:32

     I'm looking at LC492546.

201. 0:56:37

     Good. Microphone's yours.

202. 0:56:38

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. I'd like to present for your consideration House Bill 1123. This bill is a result of work we, along with this committee, did, and, and certainly budget appropriations two years ago on pre-K when I led a study committee, um, with the help of some of you in this room. And th- this is one of the s- uh, narrower, um, issues that I, I learned about as a result looking at our public, uh, school, or we have public, we have public pre-K provided by private care providers and also public schools.

203. 0:57:21

     All of our private care providers offer after pre-K care. That is not true for all of our public school providers, and although I will say the vast majority of them do. Um, but it, it creates a hardship on families if when they, uh, try to exercise their what's the best option for their family if, for example, they had a first grader and a pre-K student at, uh, Summit Hill Elementary, and, uh, they can't keep the two children together, um, at the school that would best fit their family's needs.

204. 0:57:59

     And so the bill, um, would require that if a public school offers public pre-K, and if it makes available after school care to its, uh, families, uh, in that elementary school, that it would offer it on the same, uh, basis to the pre-K students. Uh, it does have a relatively narrow effect because there are 115 school systems that offer, uh, public pre-K and after school services.

205. 0:58:34

     This would affect 22 of the systems, um, that would offer that. It doesn't mean all the parents would take advantage of it. Many of the parents are very happy with the private care provider for s- for example, their younger siblings, and so they would probably choose to have the child transported back to where mom or dad could just pick up, uh, the children at one place. But to me, this, this is, uh, another way for us to support our families who are, um, already having to dash all over the place and might like that option.

206. 0:59:09

     I'm happy to answer any questions.

207. 0:59:12

     Thank you, Madam Pro Tem, for this bill, and thank you for a two-page bill.

208. 0:59:18

     Yeah.

209. 0:59:18

     This is the first one where we're using our reading ability here very well. Um, thank you for that. We do have a question, number three Representative L'Allier.

210. 0:59:28

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. Madam Pro Tem, thank you for the bill. Uh, expanding access for those pre-K students as well as the working parents is a win-win. Uh, so Mr. Chair, at the appropriate time.

211. 0:59:41

     Oh, there you go. Good job. And by the way, it is appropriate time 'cause I see no other questions. Yes.

212. 0:59:46

     Motion do pass.

213. 0:59:48

     Boy, look at this. Training works, doesn't it?

214. 0:59:53

     Yes.

215. 0:59:55

     All right. We have a, a motion and a second. Let me read through the number correctly here.

216. 1:00:06

     Motion and a second, LC492546. All in favor say aye.

217. 1:00:15

     Aye.

218. 1:00:16

     All opposed, like sign. Great job. Thank you, Madam Pro Tem.

219. 1:00:20

     Thank you.

220. 1:00:25

     Thank you.

221. 1:00:25

     Okay, I wanna pause just briefly. I believe we have a few state school superintendents in the room, do we not? Hold your hand up if you're a school superintendent in the room. I can't see anybody behind, but there we go. There we go. We, and it's, uh, from Southwest Georgia, is that right? Middle Georgia? Southeast. Southeast? You're, okay, to- more towards the coast. And what county?

222. 1:00:55

     Atkinson. Atkinson. Clinch. Clinch. Fantastic. Any others? Let's welcome y'all. Thank you for being a part of this here today. Superintendents, thank you for your service. And, uh, what I like to say, a lot of times your grit to help stomp out ignorance within your systems.

223. 1:01:25

     Okay. Um, we're just gonna keep working down the list. Doing very well here. Um, now let, let, let's go to, uh, math. I think it's time we do that. Uh, Representative Donatucci, it's 10:30, I believe. If you would come down there and read your LC number, I will turn the microphone over to you.

224. 1:02:10

     It's like I'm rearranging furniture here. I've got LC492645S.

225. 1:02:17

     Great. Microphone's yours.

226. 1:02:19

     Thank you so much. Mr. Chairman, members, I am very excited to introduce this bill today to the full committee. Um, I have two engineers in my family, two boys. I have a father that was an engineer, and I have a brother that is an engineer, so I know that math opens up worlds. This bill is a bipartisan step forward for Georgia students. Our state has made great progress in literacy, and now it's time to take a step towards math reform. This bill is the first step towards improving math education in Georgia, and it includes three key parts: guaranteed access to advanced math for students who are ready, better training for future teachers in our colleges of education, and at least 60 minutes of daily core math instruction for fourth and fifth grade.

227. 1:03:12

     Many math, or math policy is gaining momentum across the country, and our neighbors are taking action. Alabama passed a math bill in 2022. On the most recent NAEP scores, Alabama was the only state where fourth grade math scores are back to pre-pre, pre-pandemic levels. That's an incredible achievement, but Georgia can do the same. I'd like to quickly break down the three parts of the bill. First, guaranteed access to advanced math. This part of the bill makes sure that the middle school and high school students who are academically ready can move on to the next level of math.

228. 1:03:50

     For example, if a seventh grader scores Distinguished Learner on the Georgia Milestones, they are guaranteed access to enhanced math, which is advanced. Most students take algebra in ninth grade. This ensures that every prepared student has the opportunity to advance. It's a common sense reform that will make a positive difference for our students. 86% of voters nationwide support this policy. Next, improve training for our future teachers. Just like we did with reading, we need to make sure our colleges of education and teacher preparation programs are getting future teachers ready to teach math.

229. 1:04:28

     Every teacher should graduate prepared to help students build strong math skills and succeed in the classroom. These changes will ensure that teachers can connect math to real life so students see its value, understand and explain how math works, not just the steps, perform math accurately and efficiently, and show students that math is sensible, useful, and worth learning. Lastly, 60 minutes of daily core math instruction in grades four and five.

230. 1:05:00

     This approach is already used in Alabama. Alabama was the first state in the nation to make this change, and they saw statistically significant gains in the fourth grade NAEP math assessment. This policy keeps math a priority in the classroom. Recent polls show that 90% of registered voters nationwide support requiring all elementary students to have at least 60 minutes of fun- foundational math each day. We've also heard from Georgia's largest school system, Gwinnett, and they support this.

231. 1:05:31

     I want to thank the number of partners who have helped make this even better. Representative McQueen, Dr. Eric Mackey, Student Superintendent of Schools in Alabama, Georgia CAN, GACCS, GAEL, GSSA, Georgia DOE, Georgia PSC, and Gwinnett County Schools. And in closing, now is the time to act. Georgia has made great strides in literacy, and we can do the same in math, but we need to get started. These policy changes will give students the skills they need to succeed in schools, careers, and in life.

232. 1:06:07

     Let's not wait and fall behind the other states. Let's put Georgia in the lead. Together, we can make math a priority and set our students up for success. Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.

233. 1:06:19

     Great, Representative. G- uh, great bill, and, uh, I can tell you have, uh, gone to the school of acronyms for education. You got them all right.

234. 1:06:30

     I got them all.

235. 1:06:32

     I, I won't ask you what they all stand for.

236. 1:06:34

     Please don't.

237. 1:06:35

     But, uh, um, thank you for that. And, and I, I do want to point out, and I asked you in subcommittee, the EPPs are very important.

238. 1:06:44

     Yes.

239. 1:06:44

     And I appreciate your work with that. We, we need to make sure that with the better practices for our new teachers coming out are being taught to them and used by them as they're coming out and teaching with our children. So thank you there. Um, members? We just have one blinking.

240. 1:07:06

     Mr. Chairman. At the appropriate time.

241. 1:07:10

     It is.

242. 1:07:10

     Second.

243. 1:07:12

     I'll skip the formalities.

244. 1:07:13

     Y'all are doing good. And, and, and let me make a statement as we got a, a motion and a second here. Um, we've got to go down this road in, in a very quick manner for our children. I want you to envision a day where all of our kids are on grade level in reading and math in this state, and what type of futures that we're setting for these children. So, um, ke- keep in mind that this is something that we should be talking about and we will be talking about in the near future.

245. 1:07:51

     One last comment, number nine.

246. 1:07:53

     I'm gonna get put in timeout. I just want to share, my, my daughter, um, was right on the cusp of being normal math and, and the upper level math. And a teacher took a chance on her, and now she's been in the higher level math for two to three years and exceeding. And, and I'm just... My daughter had that opportunity. With this legislation, thousands of kids across our state-

247. 1:08:13

     Yes

248. 1:08:13

     ... are gonna have that opportunity. We're gonna produce future entrepreneurs, astronauts. I, I love it, so thank you for this great bill.

249. 1:08:21

     Thank you. Okay, we've got a motion and a second. Seeing no more discussion, all in favor say aye.

250. 1:08:29

     Aye.

251. 1:08:29

     Let me back up. Thank you for saying that. I'm gonna read the LC number. LC492645S, and let's vote again. All in favor of that say aye.

252. 1:08:42

     Aye.

253. 1:08:42

     All opposed like sign. Great bill. Thank you for this work. I know you worked all summer on this and with quite a few groups. So, Representative, thank you very much. All right, we're gonna keep working to my right here. Uh,

254. 1:08:59

     uh, Representative Ballard, I think it's 1220.

255. 1:09:10

     If you would read your LC number to us, we will check that to be sure we have the proper one before us, and then we'll turn the microphone over to you.

256. 1:09:29

     Okay. Thank, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I've got LC492693S.

257. 1:09:36

     Perfect. Microphone's yours.

258. 1:09:38

     Okay. Thank you. Uh, members of the committee, I've got House Bill, uh, 1220, which seeks to make improvements in, uh, to Georgia's Student Scholarship Organization statute by granting schools some additional flexibility to better serve students with disabilities, uh, while still preserving the structure of the existing program. Firstly, this bill seeks to remove barriers for students with documented disabilities. Uh, under the current law, students must attend a public school for six weeks before they qualify for an SSO scholarship.

259. 1:10:14

     Uh, there are already existing exceptions to, to that rule in our law, and this bill narrowly builds on those exceptions. Um, specifically, the proposed language would allow a waiver for students with an IEP, students with a 504 plan, or students diagnosed with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, uh, speech language delays, hearing loss, or other intellectual and developmental, uh, disabilities. The second thing the bill does is address the cost of special needs education without expanding the SSO program.

260. 1:10:48

     Uh, House Bill 1220 would exclude, uh, students, uh, with designated disabilities from the scholarship cap. Now, this would ch- this change would not require schools or SSRIs to increase the scholarship amount. It would just give them the option to use the existing scholarship dollars differently. It would just provide that extra measure of flexibility. Uh, lastly, it would seek to align the SSA program with other Georgia scholarship programs.

261. 1:11:19

     Um, it would bring the SSO statute into alignment by expanding, uh, the public school attendance waiver for special needs students and children of active duty military families stationed in Georgia. And both these changes mirror language the legislature has adopted in other scholarship programs. Uh, this is a sub I did add, um, at Representative Wilkerson's request. Um, if you'll look, uh, 90, lines 93 and 94. Um, we have added that a current list of participating schools, um, they have what, tell what medical and behavior conditions each, uh, participating school can accommodate or is able to accommodate.

262. 1:12:00

     So that will give parents, you know, a much more, um, just give them more information to make a really good decision for their child. Um, I'd love to take your questions, and I ask for your favorable consideration.

263. 1:12:14

     Great. Thank you, Representative, and thank you for digging into this, uh, this need here for the state. You do have some questions.

264. 1:12:24

     Okay.

265. 1:12:24

     So let me turn it over. I believe number 27, you were up first. Representative Townsend.

266. 1:12:29

     Thank, thanks, Mr. Chair. I just wanna say thank you for this bill. Appreciate how you're watching out, continue to watch out for the military and its people. And, uh, this... Uh, you would think something like this would've been in earlier.

267. 1:12:42

     Well-

268. 1:12:42

     It's one of the... I mean, we think about it, but we haven't, so thank you.

269. 1:12:45

     Yeah, it, you know, when, w- we are always thankful for people who, you know, serve our country, and often, uh, we don't think, uh, about the children who have to pack up and move every two years of their lives. Um, it's, it is difficult. It is a difficult thing, and I think making their lives a little bit easier is something that we can do.

270. 1:13:08

     Okay, thank you. Number 23.

271. 1:13:11

     Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, sir. Uh, thank you, Chair Lady, for bringing this bill. I, I really like it, and what I really, what really stands out to me with you is how you always include those diagnosed with dyslexia and the autism spectrum disorder. Really appreciate that because many times I think as a state, we've overlooked that particular component of the population and, um, it's just important that they get the, they get the care and the attention that they need.

272. 1:13:43

     And thank you so much for this bill.

273. 1:13:45

     Thank you.

274. 1:13:46

     All right. Number nine.

275. 1:13:48

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To the author, you know I'm a champion for individuals with special needs and, and my community and family has never understood why you would have to be here for a certain period of time and then all of a sudden... So I mean, removing this red tape is fantastic. And Mr. Chairman, at the appropriate time, I'd like to make a motion.

276. 1:14:05

     Seeing no other questions, it is appropriate time.

277. 1:14:08

     I'd like to move that we pass, uh, House Bill 1220, LC492693S. Second.

278. 1:14:17

     We got a motion and a second for LC492693S. All in favor say aye.

279. 1:14:24

     Aye.

280. 1:14:24

     All opposed, like sign. Great bill. Thank you.

281. 1:14:28

     Thank you very much.

282. 1:14:28

     Let's get that moving, too.

283. 1:14:33

     Mm-hmm.

284. 1:14:38

     Uh, let's see. Um, Representative, uh, Flournoy, if I say it correctly. Flournoy, come on up here. 1218, and if you would, read your LC number to 1218, and then I'll turn the microphone over to you.

285. 1:14:58

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. LC number 610349.

286. 1:15:03

     Correct. Microphone's yours.

287. 1:15:05

     Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and Committee, for hearing this bill. Um, I have before you House Bill 1218, the Georgia Virtual Public School Student Athletic Participation Act. And basically what this legislation provides for is, um, it expands athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular programs for students enrolled in public virtual schools that do not offer those programs themselves. Um, in 2021, this body passed the Dexter Moseley Act.

288. 1:15:36

     The Dexter Moseley Acts, uh, pr- provided for homeschool students to be able to be, uh, allowed to, um, participate in interscholastic and extracurricular activities, but it did not include our public virtual schools. Um, what this provision does is simply, um, aligns that so now everything becomes uniform. Um, not only homeschool students, but also our public virtual school students will also be allowed to do that as well. Um, I want to thank a couple of partners that have, um, been a part of this.

289. 1:16:08

     Um, s- Georgia Cyber Academy, Georgia Connections, um, have also been impactful with this. I've also spoken, um, had a co- question, couple questions for the subcommittee. I've spoken to Georgia High School Association. Uh, they are in agreement with this bill. Um, there's no issues with the Georgia, um, High School Association. And, um, I also want to, um, thank a couple of, uh, young people that we had, uh, that came and spoke to the bill, um, on yesterday, one which, um, is in my district, uh, John Funny, who's a junior, 4.2 GPA, um, who attends Jonesboro High School.

290. 1:16:43

     Um, he attended, he got his foundation, uh, from the Georgia Cyber Academy, is a great tennis player. Um, but, um, he had to move to Jonesboro High School, um, because he was not able to participate in athletics, and so that's what this bill does. Um, I know that, um, I had a question about, um, contacting, um, schools. And on lines

291. 1:17:10

     97, part of the provision, um, mandates that at least 30 calendar days before the school, uh, first school day of the semester in which a virtual school student intends to participate in one or more extracurricular activities, uh, is on the parent or the guardian to, or the virtual school student to provide the principal or the resident school, um, notice that they intend on, uh, participating in, um, those activities. I've also spoken with, um, um, one of our virtual schools who has over 10,000 students who said they would actually be willing, uh, to let s- um, parents know about this opportunity, and so that's how we go about making sure that individuals were contacted.

292. 1:17:54

     Um, at this time, Mr. Chair, I'd be willing to answer questions.

293. 1:17:58

     Great. Thank you, Representative Goodbill. Uh, good thinking and good job of working with different groups that needed to be involved in your decision-making in this process. Well, you do have a couple of questions. I'm gonna start with the first one I saw, number 27. Representative Townsend? Uh, thanks, Mr. Chair. I said the other day I liked Bill. I thought he did a good job of, uh, including all students, and really extra homework, too, with contacting GSSA and others to really get your partnership in this bill and get it the, the best you can.

294. 1:18:32

     So I applaud you and, uh, at the, at due time. Thank you. Just a moment. We've got another question, number 10, right in front of you. Representative Glaize? Well, actually, it's not a question. He answered it just now. Uh, the question was in the subcommittee in when does 30 days start and making sure that the schools were notifying the parents. So I thank you for doing that homework overnight. And at the proper time, I will second it. There you go. Number 27. We're gonna turn it back over to you seeing no more questions.

295. 1:19:05

     Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like to, uh, make a motion to do pass. We've got a motion. Second. We got a second. Let me read through the LC number for HB 1218. It's LC 610349. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, like sign. Great, Bill. Thank you, sir. Let's get it moving. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank the committee. Thank you. Okay. Members, fantastic job here.

296. 1:19:35

     Let's go on to HB 634. Representative, uh, Carter Barrett, come on up here.

297. 1:19:49

     If you would, uh, on 634, read your LC number and then we'll turn the microphone over to you. LC number 492285. Good. Very good. The microphone's yours. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen, um, we've, we've been together a lot, uh, together on this bill. At, at the, our esteemed chairman's urging several years ago, we, we put a real, uh, f- collaborative effort together with both sides of the ai- both parties.

298. 1:20:22

     We reached out to, uh, Gail and many others, many, many others, uh, to, and for input into this bill. Uh, there are so many exciting even- initiatives going on in education in Georgia. It's palpable for, in K through 12 and in higher education. Uh, the, all very exciting initiatives. This is going back to a tried and true, rock solid program that's been around since 2007 and has provided great value for, uh, many Georgians, uh, families with special needs. Uh, House Bill 634 is a, uh, two years ago, we passed House Bill 579.

299. 1:20:57

     February 22nd of '24, we passed that with a vote of 169 to zero. It moved over to the Senate. It was approved in committee, and the Senate moved onto Rules, was, uh, approved in Rules, but it didn't get picked in Rules. And so it, it, it never got, uh, con- concluded. Uh, this, uh, uh, my fervent wish is that, that we'll be successful this year and we'll get this over the finish line. This w- uh, was sort of put on the shelf last year, but the Department of Education came back and said, "We'd really like to move this forward, and because there are some needed changes to the program that we'd like to get implemented." HB 634 makes a few changes to the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship program.

300. 1:21:36

     Uh, I'd like to make perfectly clear this is not an expansion of the program in any way. It currently serves about 6,300 children a year. Um, it helps, uh, uh, this bill helps improve the program for parents, school administrators, and the Department of Education. Uh, furthermore, with changes made in this committee, uh, two years ago, it also increases the level of transparency in the program. It will provide scholarship estimates, uh, and actual amounts in a more timely manner, which will g- let families plan a little bit better, give them a little more time to do those things.

301. 1:22:10

     It allows for how the funds are remitted to schools. Presently, checks are mailed to the school, and parents have to go to the school to endorse them. It's a cumbersome process. This will allow the Department of Education to transmit the funds to schools electronically. We're just sort of bringing this thing into the 21st century. Uh, being a banker, that's, I'd like... I can't believe we don't do it that way already. Um, it also has clarifying language about the appeals process around scholarship amounts. Uh, it's all very straightforward. Uh, and finally, it provides even more information into the program about the students who participate in it and on the types of conditions participate, participating schools are able to provide and to serve.

302. 1:22:48

     And with that, uh, sir, I yield for any questions. Great. You do have a question or two, and thank you for looking into this and bringing us into the 21st century. So number 29. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Representative, for bringing the bill. Uh, to your point about, uh, just kind of going back to Leader Wade's bill a few minutes ago and talking about the idea of, of accounting and, and auditing, we're gonna deposit these funds electronically to, to the school.

303. 1:23:20

     Is, is there a, no pun intended, is there a paper trail? Is there an audit trail? Is there a responsibility to, to prove that those funds were received for X student and therefore expended accordingly for that student should there be a question that arises? Uh, that, the onus will be on the Department of Education, and they, I, I feel like, uh, after speaking with Matt Cardoza, they have this well in hand, and they are, they are seeking this out. So yes, there certainly will be an audit trail or a paper trail. Not a paper trail, an audit trail of the electronic funds transfers.

304. 1:23:51

     Thank you for that. Mr. Chairman, I just, uh, you know, 70 minutes ago, you began a very precise meeting, and we've, we've plowed through eight bills here, and wouldn't want to extend too much past that 70-minute mark. So at the appropriate time. It, it is the appropriate time, not seeing any others. And you're doing a good job of patting yourself on the back there, so. Well, uh, Mr. Chairman- Go ahead ... I move that House Bill 634 HC492285 do pass. Second. We do have a second. Motion and a second. And it's, uh, it's H- HB 634, LC 492285.

305. 1:24:27

     And we're getting close to time out, but I'm gonna let number nine ask a question.

306. 1:24:32

     Mr. Chairman, isn't it not true that we're going so quick today because of your subcommittee chairlady and chairman who do such great work vetting these bills in subcommittee, making your job so easy in full committee? I'm just trying to get time out now.

307. 1:24:51

     Don't, don't break your arm patting yourself on the back, please. Um, all right. We- we're going back to HB 634, LC 492285. Good bill. All in favor say aye.

308. 1:25:07

     Aye.

309. 1:25:08

     All opposed like fine. Good job. Thank you very much. You, you need to sit here for this comment before we adjourn. Um, you're gonna get me in trouble with rules, uh, members, when, when you're all stacked up on the wall, but let's get those rules form signed and, and see you on the wall as soon as pro- possible in rules so that we can keep these bills moving. So think about that. I am aware we do not have a rules meeting in the morning, but we have one on Monday on committee day, so there'll be an opportunity.

310. 1:25:46

     But get your form, get it to me, get it to rules. Thank you for a great meeting. Thank you for your attention to these bills. Thank the visitors for being here. Everybody, safe travels.

311. 1:26:00

     By the way, if you don't have a rules form, Ms. Brainiac here, she's got you one.

312. 1:26:08

     Good job, sir. Well done.