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March 2022 Volume 1 Issue 1
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Join the NFC PTA Legislative Call
Sunday, March 13 @7:30PM
The North Fulton Council has invited us to join its Legislative Call, being hosted by Diane Jacobi, Legislative Chair, on Sunday, March 13 at 7:30 PM for a casual conversation about what's happening at the Georgia Capitol. Please register below to receive the link!
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TAKE ACTION!
In a swift and surprise move last Thursday, the House took up HB517 - which raises the cap on the income tax credit for donations to student scholarship organizations. This bill had made it almost all the way through the legislative process in 2021 and was in the House for an agreement to the Senate substitute when it was tabled in 2021. The House brought it off the table, amended it to allow the cap to increase by $20 million per year for the next five years. This would allow a total of $200 million in tax credits per year. The House agreed to the Senate Substitute as Amended and immediately sent the bill back to the Senate. The Senate did not reconsider the bill last week, but can take it up at anytime without notice.
CONTACT YOUR SENATOR
and tell them to vote NO to HB517
Important aspects of HB517:
- It will divert $200 million away from the state - including education.
- There is little to no accountability to ensure these funds are benefiting students; there is no reporting on student academic achievement, graduation rates, and/or post secondary enrollment.
- Participating private school do not have to meet any academic standards.
This is a private school voucher by another name. PTA OPPOSES vouchers in any form. Find more information about PTA's position and resources https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy/ptas-positions/Private-School-Vouchers-and-School-Choice.
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Crossover Day - Legislative Day 28 - is the day by which bills must be passed out of their originating chamber in order to be considered in the other chamber. This year, Crossover Day is on March 15.
Unfortunately, the passage of one key piece of legislation, the amended FY22 budget (HB910), was overshadowed by other legislation. The Senate passed an amended version (that still includes bonuses for educators) and immediately sent it back to the House for agreement.
In the race to get bills through crossover, we're seeing committee meetings with full agendas, limited comment time, and quick votes; the same is happening in the chambers.
In addition to the sudden reappearance of HB517, the House this week passed
- HB1084 - a "divisive concepts" bill
- HB1178 - Parents' Bill of Rights (Governor's Bill) - this bill essentially reiterates existing federal and state laws
- HB1355 - Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act PTA SUPPORTS
These bills are now in the Senate.
In addition to the AFY22 Budget, the Senate passed
- SB345 - which would prohibit COVID-19 passports. This legislation expires on June 30, 2023.
- SB514 - Unmask Georgia Students Act, the act would allow parents to opt students out of local public school mask mandates. The bill was amended to move the sunset from 2023 to 2027.
These bills have now moved to the House.
Please see below for the bills which were introduced and/or heard in committee this week. BE AWARE that 3 new voucher bills were introduced in the Senate - SB587, SB589, and SB601. We expect these bills to receive hearings in the committee soon, but are hopeful that they will not crossover.
The legislature will be in session on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; Monday and Thursday are committee workdays. Senate Education and Youth will meet Monday, 3/7 at 8AM in 307 CLOB, on Tuesday, March 8 at 9AM, and Wednesday, March 9 at 2PM. The full House Education Committee does not currently have a meeting scheduled. All legislative meetings are live streamed. Find a list of all scheduled committee meetings and recorded video links here.
Reported by: Diane Jacobi
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Other Legislation
HB1005 - local school systems to conduct annual suicide screenings on all students age eight through eighteen; in testimony, there is concern that this would be only a one day snapshot. Hearing only House Education
HB1013 - Mental Health Parity Act: Would implement the recommendations of the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission and requires compliance with federal law regarding mental health parity. This is Speaker Ralston's mental health bill. House Health and Human Services Received DO PASS on 3/3. PTA SUPPORTS
HB1084 - In addition to restricting curriculum, could rescind flexibility waivers granted to Strategic Waiver and Charter Systems. Also prohibits the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) from requiring programs with "divisive concepts" for certification. Senate Education and Youth
HB1178 - Parents' Bill of Rights (Governor's Bill) - a substitute (matching SB449) passed the House and is now in the Senate Education and Youth
HB1184 - requires administration of a college entrance exam to public school students in grade 11 Hearing Only House Education
HB1283 - requires recess for students in kindergarten and grades one through five Hearing Only House Education
HB1355 - Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act - relating to lead poisoning prevention, so as to update provisions to comport with nationally recognized guidelines Senate Health and Human Services PTA SUPPORTS
HB1387 - suspension of vehicle registration for failure to pay a civil penalty for a violation of overtaking a school bus or speeding in a school zone; DO PASS House Motor Vehicles
HB1435 - needs based financial aid program; include eligibility for students with a financial aid gap. Hearing only House Higher Education
HB1474 - course of study in career readiness education for students in grades six through twelve House Education
SB357 - Military Student Transfers; military students with the discretion to select adjacent school districts for attendance. DO PASS Senate Education and Youth
SB377 - Bill prohibiting certain instruction. Encompasses the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Withholds 10% of QBE from school systems in violation. Would also withhold "state funding or state administered federal funding" for violations - this includes funding for student scholarships, loans, and grants at the postsecondary institution (lines 228-233). Senate Education and Youth 3rd hearing on 2/28
SB452 - would require the administration of a nationally recognized college entrance exam to students in 11th grade who chose to participate, based upon allocations; DO PASS Senate Education and Youth
SB 575 - local boards of education shall review the financial status of the local school system at least quarterly rather than monthly, subject to an exception. Current law is monthly, which is burdensome for districts Senate Education and Youth
SB 587 – voucher for children of active-duty military families stationed in Georgia Senate Education and Youth PTA OPPOSES
SB 589 - private school voucher program Senate Education and Youth PTA OPPOSES
SB 601 - creates a $6000 voucher for private school tuition Senate Education and Youth PTA OPPOSES
SB 603 - creates an outdoor learning spaces pilot program Senate Education and Youth
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PTA Day at the Capitol
National PTA is celebrating 125 years of advocating for children and Georgia PTA invites you to celebrate too!
Wear RED for EDucation!
Designed to help child advocates speak up for the health and well-being of all children, PTA Day at the Georgia State Capitol will provide leaders the resources needed to strengthen our state level advocacy efforts. The event starts at the Fulton County Government Center for a short program featuring Dr. Stephen Owens from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, then on to the Capitol to advocate.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 9 AM
(check-in opens at 8:30 AM)
Fulton County Government Center Assembly Hall
141 Pryor Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
REGISTRATION (includes a boxed lunch from Jason's Deli): $25 for PTA members, $35 for non-PTA members (includes Birney-Butler local unit membership)
SPACE IS LIMITED!
A separate online registration will need to be completed for each attendee.
Payment must be made via credit card or e-check.
Remember registration must be submitted online; no mail in registrations will be processed.
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