All Roll Calls
Yes: 189 • No: 23
GeorgiaSB 442025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Equalization Grants, Annual Calculations, and Allocation; the definition of the term "qualified local school system" by reducing the minimum required millage rate; revise
Sponsored By: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Chuck Hufstetler (Republican), Steven McNeel (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican)
Became Law
EducationRulesGeneral Bill
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New school millage rules and 25% penalty
Georgia updates who qualifies for state equalization grants. A district must have low property wealth per student and levy enough school property tax. It also must set an effective millage above the local five mill share. Beginning July 1, 2025, the minimum millage (or equivalent) is 10 mills; earlier years had higher minimums up to 14 mills. If a district later drops its maintenance and operations millage below the minimum after the grant is calculated, the state cuts the grant to 75% of the original amount. This can reduce money for local schools.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jason Anavitarte
Republican • Senate
Russ Goodman
Republican • Senate
Chuck Hufstetler
Republican • Senate
Steven McNeel
Republican • Senate
Carden Summers
Republican • Senate
Sam Watson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Chas Cannon
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/28/2025
PASSAGE
Yes: 138 • No: 23
Senate vote • 2/13/2025
PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
Yes: 51 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective Date
7/1/2025Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/14/2025SenateAct 280
5/14/2025Senate Sent to Governor
4/7/2025SenateHouse Third Readers
3/28/2025HouseHouse Passed/Adopted
3/28/2025HouseHouse Committee Favorably Reported
3/18/2025HouseHouse Second Readers
2/19/2025HouseHouse First Readers
2/18/2025HouseSenate Third Read
2/13/2025SenateSenate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/13/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/11/2025SenateSenate Recommitted
2/10/2025SenateSenate Read Second Time
2/6/2025SenateSenate Committee Favorably Reported
2/5/2025SenateSenate Read and Referred
1/29/2025SenateSenate Hopper
1/28/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB 44/AP* (v7)
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