A Crossover Poem
'Twas the day before Crossover; in the Senate and House
Some members were happy, while others did grouse
...That bills they had sponsored and filed with care
Would soon run into parliamentary snares
Because if bills stalled tomorrow before all went to bed,
For the rest of the year, would be effectively dead.
Both chambers remained in recess today as several committees held their final meetings before tomorrow's Crossover Day deadline. Legislation must pass one chamber before Crossover Day (Legislative Day 28) ends to be considered by the other chamber. Due to procedural rules, if House committees do not approve House bills before the end of the day today, House bills are not eligible for a vote tomorrow and are likely dead for the remainder of the year. The Senate has already set its Crossover Day voting calendar, so no Senate bills approved by committees today are eligible to pass this year.
House Ed Passes Appointed School Superintendent Resolution and NIL Bill
The House Education Committee passed several bills today:
HR 174 by Rep. Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) proposes a constitutional amendment that would modify how State School Board of Education (SBOE) members and the State School Superintendent are selected. SBOE members would still be assigned to districts corresponding to Georgia congressional districts but would be chosen by a vote of the state representatives and state senators within each of these districts. The SBOE board members would appoint the state school superintendent, and no SBOE member could serve as superintendent during their term on the SBOE.
The resolution initially set SBOE member terms at two years but was amended in committee to make these terms four years long.
HR 174 must pass the House and Senate by a supermajority before being placed on a statewide ballot for voter approval. If passed by voters, these changes would take effect in 2031. State school superintendent elections will take place in 2026, but if the person elected in that year dies or leaves office before 2031, their successor will be selected by the SBOE members.
HB 383, by Rep. Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville), would codify current Georgia High School Association (GHSA) regulations regarding student Name Image and Likeness (NIL). The bill would also make high school NIL contracts expire when the student leaves high school.
HB 442, by Rep. Tremaine Teddy Reese (D-Columbus), would allow students to perform in certain media productions, such as films, for up to 25 days without being considered absent from school. The bill provides requirements aimed at ensuring that performing students receive instruction that aligns with school curriculum and standards.
HB 133, by Rep. David Clarke (R-Buford), would allow school districts to adopt policies allowing students to be excused from school to attend release-time courses on religious moral instruction for at least one hour a week. The bill was modified from previous versions to make this policy optional instead of mandatory. The new version of the bill mandates background checks for real-time course providers and makes schools and school employees not liable for student injuries that occur during transit two and from release-time courses.
All bills now await consideration by the House Rules Committee and remain eligible for a floor vote tomorrow.
Bill to Establish School Psychologist Interstate Compact Passes Senate Ed
HB 81, by Rep. Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins), continued its rapid movement through the legislative process. The bill seeks to enter Georgia into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists.
PAGE Director of Legislative Services Margaret Ciccarelli spoke in support of the bill and shared a letter of support from the president of the Georgia Association of School Psychologists. Jody Barrow, executive secretary of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, also spoke in support of the bill.
HB 81 passed committee and awaits consideration by Senate Rules.
SB 54, by Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), would task the SBOE with establishing a statewide database to report and identify school safety threats by July 1, 2027. No student could be added to this threat database until the proposed threat has been verified by local law enforcement and a school social worker has evaluated the student. The bill directs SBOE to develop standards for inclusion in the database and a procedure for removal.
The committee took no action on SB 54, but members indicated they might seek to attach its language to another bill later in the legislative session.
House Higher Ed Extends and Changes Dual Achievement Program
The House Higher Education Committee approved a substitute version of HB 217 by Rep. Soo Hong (R-Lawrenceville), which originally focused on extending the sunset for the Dual Achievement Program to 2031. The substitute adds requirements for unemancipated minors between the ages of 16 and 18 to participate in the program. These students will count toward their local high school’s graduation rate. The bill moves on to the House Rules Committee and remains eligible for a floor vote tomorrow.
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, March 6 - Legislative Day 28/Crossover
Monday, March 10 - Legislative Day 29
Tuesday, March 11 - Legislative Day 30
Wednesday, March 12 - Committee Work Day
Thursday, March 13 - Legislative Day 31