PRIA Logo™
GeorgiaHB 2172025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Education; make Dual Achievement Program a permanent state-wide program

Sponsored By: Bethany Ballard (Republican), Chris Erwin (Republican), Soo Hong (Republican), Charles Martin (Republican), Will Wade (Republican)

Became Law

Higher EducationGeneral Bill

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Students can earn diplomas at technical colleges

Starting July 1, 2026, public high school students under 21 can join the Dual Achievement program if they meet set academic rules. Students must sign that they cannot take part in resident-school sports or clubs while in the program and that the diploma comes only after finishing it. The Technical College System awards a high school diploma after counseling and assessments, rigorous coursework, and one of: an associate degree, a college diploma, or two certificates in one career path. The resident school keeps the student on the rolls only for admin and testing.

Easier re-enrollment and course protections

By March 1, 2026, the State Board must set rules so withdrawn students can re-enroll after July 1, 2026 without showing up in person. The technical college system can help with re-enrollment. A student already in the program on June 30, 2026 stays eligible under the original rules. By April 1, 2026, and every April 1 after, the state posts the list of approved college courses that count for the diploma and as one-sixth of a day. Any list change applies only going forward and cannot hurt students already enrolled and in good standing.

Dual Achievement pilot extended to 2031

The Dual Achievement pilot may include up to five technical college units and runs for ten years. The education boards can waive state rules, including some funding rules, when needed to meet pilot goals; each waiver ends after ten years. The law keeps the program article in force through July 1, 2031.

School funds follow Dual Achievement students

Beginning July 1, 2026, school funds follow Dual Achievement students to the technical college. The State Board of Education pays the Technical College System at least a proportional share of each student's QBE, grant, and federal funds. The share equals the student's funds times the number of one-sixth school day segments taken at the college, divided by six.

Small districts can seek board waivers

In school systems with 2,800 or fewer full-time students in the 2009 fall count, the State Board can waive a board-candidate rule. The local board must give 30 days' notice and hold a public hearing advertised at least seven days ahead, and it pays those costs. The State Board must decide within 45 days. The approved waiver must reach the local election office before the person files to run.

Stronger privacy and income checks for scholarships

The Education Savings Authority can ask the state revenue office to check an applicant's income for scholarship accounts. A signed agreement is required, and the Authority pays the Department of Revenue's costs. Revenue only tells whether income is over the set limit; no tax return details or federal tax data are shared. The Authority must keep student records private, including names, most contact details, Social Security numbers, and bank or card info. Certain financial and medical details also stay confidential under state law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bethany Ballard

    Republican • House

  • Chris Erwin

    Republican • House

  • Soo Hong

    Republican • House

  • Charles Martin

    Republican • House

  • Will Wade

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 356 • No: 26

House vote • 4/4/2025

Agree to Senate Amendment

Yes: 143 • No: 22

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 44 • No: 2

House vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 169 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    4/28/2025House

  3. Act 18

    4/28/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/28/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/25/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/21/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/10/2025Senate

  11. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  12. House Third Readers

    3/6/2025House

  13. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  14. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    2/26/2025House

  15. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/21/2025House

  16. House Second Readers

    2/5/2025House

  17. House First Readers

    2/4/2025House

  18. House Hopper

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 217/AP* (v10)

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation