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Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · February 24, 2026
House floor session, February 24, 2026 (legislative day 23)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House focused on education, passing HB 1193 to expand early reading instruction and support, HB 372 to extend a retired-teacher return program, and HB 1123 to expand access to pre-K after-school care. Members also passed HB 1009 to restrict personal electronic devices in high schools and HB 1023 to require school weapons detection systems, after debate about costs, local control and school safety. Other measures passed would expand career academy access, provide grants to student teachers and allow unused HOPE scholarship eligibility toward graduate or professional study. The House heard bill readings and committee reports, adopted recognition resolutions, postponed two resolutions to the next legislative day and reassigned HB 1377 to Transportation. The House adjourned until February 25 at 10 a.m.
Mr. Clerk, will you read the caption to House Bill 1009? 1-0-0-9. House Bill 1009 by Representative Hilton of the 48th and others to be entitled an act to amend Chapter 2, Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated rela- relating to elementary and secondary education so as to require local school systems and public schools to enact policies and...
Nationwide, 40 states now have a statewide cell phone policy, with more than half of those a best practice of bell-to-bell approach. Georgia's the only state out of all 40 that actually stop at K through 8. We do understand high school differs from K through 8, which is why we have exclusions for dual enrollment, work-based learning, and apprenticeships....
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Education Committee · February 5, 2026
House Education Committee, February 5, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved five bills: HB 971 on cross-district access to college and career academies for homeschool and private school students; HB 383 on protections for student athletes' endorsement contracts; HB 1009 on restricting high school students' personal electronic devices during the school day; HB 1023 on weapons detection systems in public schools; and HB 907 on access to completion schools. Members adopted two amendments to HB 383 and approved substitutes for HB 1023 and HB 907. Discussion included school funding, financial protections for young athletes, device-policy enforcement, weapons detection costs and staffing, and instruction at completion schools. Opposition was heard on the voice vote for HB 1023. No numerical vote totals were announced.
And like I said, many high schools around our state, nearly half of them have already done some form of this. Um, thank you to the chairman and, and many others. You'll note on line 54 through 56, we do realize high school students, uh, have different responsibilities. We offer different opportunities for them. Uh, and so we made sure to exclude dual...
Uh, they've studied both schools that have it currently in place, and they also surveyed teachers, "Hey, what do, what do y'all wanna see?" Uh, and, and I thought the results were just amazing. Um, 80%... 87% of teachers, and this is a huge survey put on by Georgia Southern, said personal devices are a major source of distraction in their classrooms, 87% of...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Rules Committee · February 9, 2026
House Rules Committee, February 9, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard bill presentations on education, courts, financial regulation, property, public safety and other topics. The longest discussion concerned HB 934, with questions about the effect of transferring securities regulation on an ongoing investigation, staffing and agency workloads. Members also questioned school weapons-detection costs and possible local court costs from accepting juvenile cases involving military installations. The committee placed six bills on the February 9 floor calendar and four measures on the February 10 calendar, with no opposition voiced. The other measures presented were not placed on either calendar during this meeting.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. I referred to House Bill 1009, which is at the bottom of page two, House Bill 1009. As many of you in this room know, last year we went cell phone-free in our classrooms K through 8. Back by popular demand, we are now expanding that to include high schools. Thank you, Jim. Whip, have a question. Jim, uh,...
Lady Hugley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have, uh, House Resolution 1049, and it's just designating Fentanyl Awareness Day a permanent observance each year for last Wednesday of October. Okay. Any other... Yeah. Leader Efstration has one. Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page three, the second bill, House Bill 1023, continuing with the efforts to...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 16, 2026 · Passed
Education; enact policies and procedures for use of personal electronic devices at school and school sponsored events by students in grades nine through twelve; require local school systems
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Georgia House Bill 1009 would extend the state's ban on student personal electronic device use during the school day to grades nine through twelve, starting no later than July 1, 2027, expanding a rule already applying to kindergarten through eighth grade.
House Bill 1009 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Hilton of the 48th, Jones of the 47th, Donatucci of the 105th, Reeves of the 99th, Silcox of the 53rd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to require local school...
SECTION 1. Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-324.8, relating to use of personal electronic devices during school day by students, as follows: "20-2-324.8. (a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) 'Access' means viewing, holding,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · January 16, 2026
House floor session, January 16, 2026 (legislative day 5)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House read newly introduced bills and referred them to committees, completed second readings, and received a favorable committee report on HR 1008. Members honored a late Georgia Poultry Federation leader through HR 1013 and adopted a group of commemorative resolutions without objection. The House also agreed without objection to move HB 590, concerning trailer manufacturers, from the Regulated Industries Committee to the Motor Vehicles Committee. No vote on the substance of a policy bill appears in the transcript. Members announced upcoming budget hearings, and the House adjourned until January 26, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Thank you. Chairman Jaspers, recognized for an announcement. Thank you, members. After you go to your Appropriations meeting on Tuesday, Tuesday afternoon, the grocers and everyone involved in the food industry will be in the blue room. They'd love to see you, have refreshments, all that good stuff, but that's Kathy Cassava and Kevin Perry, who are friends...
Members, I'm going to remind you again, check your cell phones. Make sure you don't have an extra one by accident. If you do, it's, it's Representative Bazemore's, so please check, members. Second readies, reading of bills and resolutions, the clerk will read.
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 6, 2025 · Passed
Distraction-Free Education Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Georgia House Bill 340 would require public schools to ban student use of personal electronic devices like phones and smartwatches from the first bell to the last bell for kindergarten through eighth grade, starting July 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, is amended in Part 15 of Article 6, relating to miscellaneous provisions under the "Quality Basic Education Act," by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "20-2-324.8. (a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) 'Access'...
(c) By January 1, 2026, each local school system and public school shall adopt policies and procedures that, at a minimum: (1) Prohibit bell-to-bell access to personal electronic devices by students in kindergarten through grade eight, subject to exceptions provided for by law; (2) Establish appropriate methods for storing students' personal electronic...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · March 6, 2026
House floor session, March 6, 2026 (legislative day 28, PM, part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House passed 18 bills covering property taxes, housing, health coverage, utility disconnections, service dogs, criminal law, education aid and court procedures. Extended debate focused on HB 1116, a property-tax and local sales-tax package that passed 98-68, and HB 947, changes to SNAP administration that passed 95-66. Members also approved HB 1413, establishing need-based college scholarships, 165-2. A proposed constitutional amendment to allow voters to decide on sports betting, HR 450, failed 63-98 after debate over addiction, regulation and the use of revenue. The House adopted a group of recognition and memorial resolutions, then adjourned until March 9 at 1 p.m.
Friends, we do not have a revenue problem in Georgia. However, we must ris- we must weigh the social cost. The addiction treatment, family hardship, and regulatory enforcement are left for our communities and our taxpayers to address. As lawmakers, we must weigh not just the promise of revenue, but the long-term impact on families and communities. For these...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Education Committee · March 19, 2026
House Education Committee, March 19, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved a substitute version of SB 369, a charter-school package that included changes concerning completion schools and extracurricular participation. The chair removed SB 431 from the agenda for further work. The committee also heard SB 513, which would address chronic absenteeism through attendance review teams and restrictions on activities and access to new driver's licenses or permits. Members questioned whether those restrictions could discourage attendance or create administrative problems. A Department of Driver Services witness raised concerns about delays and documentation requirements. The chair made that bill hearing-only, with no vote, and asked members to work with the sponsor on revisions for Monday's meeting.
Thank you, ma'am. Let me do this, if I can, and thank you very much- Welcome ... for that information, uh, from DDS. Let me offer this, members, in, in light of your concern. Um, well, let's continue this talk. What I'm gonna do for the senator is we'll make this hearing only today in hopes that we can make the changes that we need to make so this bill can...
Great. I'd be happy to answer any questions that, uh, you or the committee may have. Perfect. Thank you, Senator, and, uh, good work on this bill. Let's start. You do have a few questions. Number 27, Representative Wade, that's you. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Senator, for bringing this bill. Just clarification, um- Former school board member for many years,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House of Representatives · April 2, 2026
House floor session, April 2, 2026 (legislative day 40, PM, part 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The House debated school attendance restrictions, public health changes, tax relief, insurance coverage, school safety, care for children stranded in hospitals, and regulatory changes. Members initially rejected SB 513, then voted to reconsider it and returned it to the Rules Committee. The House passed SB 440 after debate focused on access to ivermectin without a prescription. Members approved amended Senate versions of property and income tax measures, prosthetic coverage legislation, an education package, a Medicaid and child placement measure, and regulatory legislation that also addressed disclosure of harassment settlements. Six local measures passed together, while HB 1534 returned to committee. The House recessed until 7:30.
Um, I also wanna say that in committee when there was testimony to this bill, two things came up that I thought were interesting. One is that several years ago and a whole bunch of you were here when this happened, we, this House took up, uh, justice, criminal justice reform. And you worked to uncouple license, uh, license restriction from other crimes. You...
Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. Hey, real quick, everybody, I don't, I don't come up here with a prepared speech. I wasn't prepared to talk about this, this issue. But I, I would like a show of hands in the audience if you missed over 20 days in a school year for something other than sickness, just by physical choice you chose not to go to school for...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · March 6, 2025 · Introduced
Education; policies prohibiting bullying and cyberbullying; add and revise definitions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 736 would expand Georgia's school anti-bullying law by broadening the definition of bullying, adding new terms like gender identity and progressive discipline, and requiring schools to track and report bullying incidents.
(2) 'Cyberbullying' means bullying that involves the use of electronic communication, including, but not limited to, communication devices and services, including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, cameras, computers, social media platforms, text messages, chat platforms, and internet sites. (3) 'Electronic communication' means, but is not limited...
(10) 'Sexual orientation' means heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality, whether actual or perceived. (7)(11) 'Transmit' means to send or broadcast an electronic communication. (b) No later than July 1, 2026: (1) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy that prohibits to prevent and prohibit bullying, including, without limitation,...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 4, 2025 · Passed
Education; safety, health, and well-being of students and school communities; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 268 requires Georgia public schools to install panic alert systems and mapping data for first responders, rewrites how student records move between schools and agencies, creates new school violence and suicide prevention programs, and adds new criminal offenses for threats against schools.
information regarding students with the students' assigned classroom teachers; to provide for such information to remain confidential; to provide for reports of law enforcement official encounters with school age youth; to prohibit policies which deny or effectively prevent parents and legal custodians from reviewing certain education records; to provide...
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: PART I SECTION 1-1. Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, is amended in Article 11, relating to public school property and facilities, by adding a new part to read as follows: "Part 4 20-2-590. This part shall be known and may be...
Amendment · Georgia House of Representatives · September 25, 2026
Floor Amendment AM 49 0335 to HB 1396
SECTION 5. Said title is further amended in Article 11 of Chapter 2, relating to public school property and facilities, by revising Code Section 20-2-591, relating to mobile panic alert system, as follows: "20-2-591. (a) Not later than July 1, 2026, each public school shall implement a mobile wearable panic alert system capable of: (1) Connecting disparate...
SECTION 2. Said title is further amended in said part by revising Code Section 20-2-149, relating to programs for educating students regarding online internet safety, as follows: "20-2-149. (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt grade level appropriate content standards for instruction in digital literacy to support digital citizenship competencies...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · February 5, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 5, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 74, concerning libraries and access to material considered harmful to minors. Supporters said the proposal would protect children, while opponents raised concerns about access to books and legal risks for librarians. Members discussed an amendment tying liability to failure to follow a governing authority’s decision, but left the language unresolved and planned to meet again February 6 after House adjournment. The committee also approved HB 57, which the sponsor said would add step-grandparent and step-grandchild relationships to Georgia’s incest law.
Thank you very much. Thank you for coming all that way, too. Yes, ma'am. Believe you were next. Me? Yes, ma'am. Hi. My name is Alexa Fink, and, um, I'm just a citizen advocate. I'm not paid to be here. Just here because I'm a mom and I care about children and protecting minors in Georgia. I just wanted to, um, highlight the current obscenity law exempts...
So I wanna make perfectly clear this legis- legislation does not in any way ban books, but responsibly moves the books to the adult section, where if a parent wants a book or wants their child to read a certain book, they can still get it. Please pass SB 74 to protect my children, your children, and your grandchildren from explicit materials. Thank you so...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Education Committee · January 29, 2026
House Education Committee, January 29, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard presentations on education priorities and student financial aid, then announced four bills for Monday’s subcommittee meetings. Representatives of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education discussed literacy coaching, attendance, career pathways, healthcare access and changes to the state’s school funding formula. Members questioned funding priorities, reading proficiency and the use of technology. The Georgia Student Finance Commission’s president reviewed college aid, Georgia Match and the Promise Scholarship, answering questions about eligibility, spending and oversight. The chair emphasized safety, literacy and learning as committee priorities. The chair scheduled HB 383 and HB 907 for the Policy and Innovation Subcommittee, and HB 971 and HB 1009 for the Curriculum and Academic Achievement Subcommittee. No bill votes were taken.
Um, and I think we need to think about how do we use it as a house builder, and to, to use it to, for, we talked about, you know, the best bang for your buck, to help districts really identify their priorities and figure out where they're strong, where they need to put their resources. I think there's a lot of room around our accountability system that we...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Juvenile Committee · March 4, 2026
House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, March 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee reconsidered HB 1445 after the sponsor requested changes to language in a version previously approved. The discussion focused on notifying schools and law enforcement when a young person’s electronic monitoring stops working, improving communication between agencies, and clarifying the role of monitoring companies. The committee approved the new substitute by voice vote, with no opposition heard, and adjourned.
And so, and then I understand what DJJ does. I appreciate what their services do to youth. And so when this came about to me, I was asked, "Hey, are you interested?" I was like, "Yeah, I'm interested," because this is an area we can tighten up, uh, notification. This could be, this could be safety for the kid who actually took off his or her ankle monitor...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Education Committee · March 2, 2026
House Education Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved seven bills covering school technology purchases, financial literacy, digital literacy and online safety, teacher planning time, emergency access to school buildings, and excused absences for Capitol visits. Members amended HB 1244 to remove required hourly compensation for teachers who agree to supervise students during protected time. Members also amended HB 1232 to include Boy Scouts of America, despite the sponsor's objection to expanding the bill beyond Girl Scouts. The committee postponed consideration of HB 1281 when the sponsor was unavailable. The chair said another meeting was planned.
Sure. Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and committee members. Uh, my name is Dr. Arlene Beckles, and I bring before you LC590134. Good. Microphone's yours. This legislation focuses on strengthening online safety, transparency, and accountability in our communities. Technology is now embedded in everything that we do. All students are exposed to, um,...
Great. Thank you, Representative. And, and again, like I have spoken before, safety's priority number one. So uh, out of both of these last two bills, thank you both sponsors for looking at this. And with the change in technology that we're experiencing over the last few years, this type of legislation is, uh, needed for sure. Um, members, let me go through...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 29, 2026 · Engrossed
Quality Basic Education Act; allow for students in ninth and tenth grade to complete the high school graduation financial literacy course requirement
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate substitute for HB 1114 would expand digital literacy and financial literacy requirements in public schools, letting students take the required financial literacy course anytime in grades 9 through 12 instead of only in 11th or 12th grade.
SECTION 1. Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149, relating to programs for educating students regarding online internet safety, as follows: "20-2-149. (a) The State Board of...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 10, 2026 · Introduced
Quality Basic Education Act; content standards for digital literacy instruction; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): HB 1269 would require Georgia public schools to teach digital literacy to every student from kindergarten through 12th grade, starting in the 2027-2028 school year, and expand the state's online safety curriculum requirements.
SECTION 1. Part 2 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to competencies and core curriculum under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149, relating to programs for educating students regarding online internet safety, as follows: "20-2-149. (a) The State Board of...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Rules Committee · March 4, 2026
House Rules Committee, March 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard requests to bring bills to the House floor on education, healthcare, taxes, public safety, local government and other subjects. Members questioned proposals on firearm rules, access to death recordings, district attorney pay, foreign funding disclosures and transit tax votes. The committee approved a substitute for HB 1138 restoring earlier language. It sent HB 947 back to Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and HB 490 back to Economic Development and Tourism. A motion to send HB 1386 back to committee failed. The committee then placed 14 bills on the day's floor calendar, including HB 1138 with the approved substitute. Members also questioned differences in how requests for changes were handled. The chair said the approaching legislative deadline limited time to return every proposed change to committee.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee. I come to you with HB 1206, page five, seven from the bottom. Uh, this bill is effectively a strong framework but not a mandate for school districts when it comes to technology purchases over $100. Uh, we have found not just in our state, but basically across the country with technology taking on a...
Good morning, Chairman. Um, page six, third from the bottom, I'm requesting consideration on House Bill 1269. This is a digital literacy and learning bill. This just simply directs the Department of Education to update the standards, uh, for digital literacy and learning for what children are utilizing today in a world where digital technology is a K...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee · March 11, 2026
House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, March 11, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved SB 524, which the sponsor presented as creating specialty license plates honoring the Girl Scouts and the nation's 250th anniversary. Members also approved SB 454, allowing temporary door-locking devices, after adding school emergency-access provisions from HB 1327. The committee then approved SB 116, concerning DNA collection from people charged with crimes who have immigration detainers. Witnesses raised privacy, constitutional, cost and detention concerns about that proposal. Its sponsor said collection would occur if federal immigration authorities did not take custody within the applicable 48-hour period after scheduled release. Opposition was voiced in the final vote, but no vote count was given.
All right. Next we're gonna go to Senate Bill 454, and, uh, my senator, Chairman Rick Williams. There we go. There we go. Thank you. There we are. Had to, had to, yeah. Huh? It changes it back. There was a little, uh, lapse in time on it. No, I was trying to hook my phone back into the carrier with my gun so I would be all right. He woke Scott up. There's a...
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