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GeorgiaSB 1932025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish the adult workforce high school diploma program; authorize

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Ed Harbison (Democrat), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican), Brian Strickland (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Free diploma training for Georgia adults

The law authorizes Georgia's technical college board to offer an adult diploma program, subject to state funding. Eligible Georgia residents must be ages 21–40 at enrollment, lack a diploma, and have previously attended a Georgia public school or adult education program. They must also avoid the disqualifications in state law, O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519.1(b). Approved providers must offer free skill assessments, transcript reviews, personal completion plans, remedial reading and math, and required diploma courses. They must also offer paths to industry-recognized credentials that build on each other and certification in workplace skills. Students earn a Georgia high school diploma after completing the program; the program's legal authority ends July 1, 2031.

State payments support adult diploma providers

Payments go to approved providers, not students, and depend on money appropriated specifically for the program. Payment caps are $275 per required half-credit or workplace-skills certification, plus $1,100 per diploma earned. Job-credential payment caps are $275 for up to 50 training hours, $550 for over 50 through 100 hours, and $825 for over 100 hours. Providers report the previous month's milestones by the tenth of each month; the board pays reports in the order received. Money pays only for instruction, materials, and student support, including coaching and mentoring—not facility construction or expansion. The board gives providers monthly updates on payments and remaining funds; program authority ends July 1, 2031.

Quality rules and limits for diploma providers

Providers must have accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Georgia Accrediting Commission, Cognia, or a successor. The board makes applications available by August 15 and reviews them by September 15 each year. Providers must graduate at least 50% of funded students and keep average public cost per graduate at $7,500 or less. These measures use two years of results for each student group entering between July 1 and June 30. Average cost equals funds paid for that group divided by its graduates; graduation rate equals graduates divided by funded students. Missing either standard brings probation for the rest of the program year; continued failure through the next program year ends approval. Starting August 15, 2027, providers report annually on participation, credits, certifications, credentials, and diplomas. Starting December 1, 2027, the board reports annually to state leaders on those results, payments, graduation rates, and costs per graduate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Brandon Beach

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Brass

    Republican • Senate

  • Ed Harbison

    Democrat • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Houston Gaines

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 257 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 50 • No: 1 • Other: 4

House vote • 3/25/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 159 • No: 2 • Other: 12

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    4/28/2025Senate

  3. Act 20

    4/28/2025

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    3/25/2025House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/25/2025House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/18/2025House

  9. House Second Readers

    3/10/2025House

  10. House First Readers

    3/6/2025House

  11. Senate Third Read

    3/4/2025Senate

  12. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/4/2025Senate

  13. Senate Read Second Time

    2/27/2025Senate

  14. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/26/2025Senate

  15. Senate Read and Referred

    2/19/2025Senate

  16. Senate Hopper

    2/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 193/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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