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GeorgiaSB 2122025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Quality Basic Education Act"; disclosure of public student directory information to political candidates or persons or groups acting on their behalf; prohibit

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Max Burns (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationEthicsGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Voter privacy backed by felony penalties

The law protects voter information that Georgia law makes confidential or exempts from public inspection. Sharing it with an unauthorized person is a felony carrying one to ten years in prison, up to $100,000 in fines, or both. These penalties also continue to cover registration without legal qualifications, registration under another name, and knowingly providing false registration information. The separate ban on registering under an alias is removed, but registration under a name other than one's own remains illegal.

Student information stays off campaign lists

Georgia public schools, school systems, and people acting for them cannot share student directory information with political groups. This covers candidates, campaign committees, political action committees, political organizations, and anyone acting for them. Covered voter or Selective Service registration helpers on school property must sign a written promise not to share that information. School staff doing official duties and people attending or participating in events open to the public are exempt from signing.

Students get school voter registration opportunities

Georgia public schools must inform eligible students about their rights to register and vote, and their Selective Service registration obligation. Schools must offer an opportunity to register to vote at school during April each year. Eligible students receive an excused absence for registering or voting, limited to one school day.

Limits on recruiting minors for campaigns

Candidates, campaign committees, and political action committees cannot ask anyone under 18 to fraudulently organize certain school-property events. The ban applies only when law or school policy already prohibits the event. Covered events seek to influence nominations, elections, recalls, constitutional amendments, statewide referendums, or county or municipal ballot questions.

Military recruiters get equal school access

Georgia school systems and secondary public schools must give official state and U.S. military recruiters at least equal access. This applies when schools give career or education groups access to school property or student directory information. Military recruiters must receive access to both on at least the same basis.

Schools offer daily Pledge of Allegiance

Each student must have an opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the school day; participation is not required. Local school boards must adopt a written policy explaining when and how recitation happens and give it to teachers. The State Superintendent must develop instruction on proper use and display of the U.S. flag, including federally specified content. The State Board of Education must issue rules to carry out the school requirements. The act takes effect immediately upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without that approval.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Max Burns

    Republican • Senate

  • Billy Hickman

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Hodges

    Republican • Senate

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Todd Jones

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 105

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/31/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 98 • No: 66 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

MOTION TO ENGROSS

Yes: 32 • No: 20 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 33 • No: 19 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025Senate

  2. Act 313

    5/14/2025

  3. Effective Date

    5/14/2025

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. House Third Readers

    3/31/2025House

  7. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/31/2025House

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/25/2025House

  9. House Second Readers

    3/11/2025House

  10. House First Readers

    3/10/2025House

  11. Senate Engrossed

    3/6/2025Senate

  12. Senate Tabled

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Senate Taken from Table

    3/6/2025Senate

  14. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2025Senate

  15. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/6/2025Senate

  16. Senate Read Second Time

    2/27/2025Senate

  17. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/26/2025Senate

  18. Senate Read and Referred

    2/20/2025Senate

  19. Senate Hopper

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 212/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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