SB 124 Georgia Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education; State School Superintendent and the Department of Education to take all steps reasonably necessary to implement guidance documents from a federal agency; require

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 require the State School Superintendent and the Department of Education to take all steps reasonably necessary to implement guidance documents from a federal agency, including, but not limited to, directives related to expanding educational freedom and opportunities for families; to authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules; to provide for definitions; to make promise scholarship accounts available to all students whose parent is an active duty military service member stationed in Georgia, regardless of the school attendance zone in which such students reside; to provide for continued eligibility; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Last action Mar 10, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As introduced LC 49 2222 As Passed Senate · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to add requirements for the Department of Education to publish and respond to federal guidance documents, while also modifying eligibility criteria for military family scholarship accounts. The changes expand transparency around federal directives and adjust how military-connected students qualify for scholarship programs.
Scope change
The bill now includes additional requirements for publishing and responding to federal guidance documents, and modifies eligibility rules for military family scholarship accounts to include a 'subject to limitation' clause with prioritization provisions.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Department of Education to publish federal guidance documents within 15 days and provide written responses within 45 days, including descriptions of implementation or objections.

Added requirements to track and list rescinded guidance documents on the Department's website with clear identification and dates.

Added annual reporting requirement for the State School Superintendent to report guidance document activities to the General Assembly.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified scholarship eligibility for military family students to include 'subject to limitation' language and added provisions for prioritization of such students.

Removed specific eligibility age thresholds (age 20 or 21) and the provision allowing continued eligibility until students return to public school or graduate.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

3715
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 55
Mar 4, 2025
D Democratic22
5 Yea 15 Nay 2
68% Nay
R Republican33
32 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Introduced
Senate Hopper
upper
9 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors