HB 206 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990; repeal Article 2 of Chapter 1

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to repeal Article 2 of Chapter 1, the "Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990"; to remove provisions making students convicted of certain drug offenses ineligible for loans, scholarships, and grants; to provide that students shall not be deemed ineligible for HOPE scholarships or grants based solely on certain convictions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 30, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2026

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What changed between versions

LC 61 0012/a → LC 49 2759S/hs · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a new version of HB 206 that updates how marijuana convictions affect student eligibility for Georgia state education funding. The original version repealed the entire Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act, while the substitute version keeps most of that law but adds specific exemptions for simple marijuana possession. This change matters because it allows students convicted of personal-use marijuana possession to still receive HOPE scholarships, grants, and student loans.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from completely repealing drug-related education restrictions to selectively modifying them to exclude simple marijuana possession convictions from disqualifying students.

ELIGIBILITY

Students convicted of felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs remain ineligible for state education funds, but this ineligibility no longer applies to convictions based solely on possession of marijuana for personal use.

The bill now applies the new personal-use marijuana exemption across multiple funding programs including direct loans, graduate on-time student loans, education for public service loans, and HOPE scholarships and grants.

The original version completely repealed the Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990; the substitute version retains the act while carving out exceptions for personal-use marijuana possession.

DEFINITION

A new definition clarifies that 'possession of marijuana for personal use' means possession without intent to distribute, manufacture, sell, or traffic, and without quantities exceeding Georgia's misdemeanor possession threshold.

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors