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GeorgiaSB 442025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

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), John F. Kennedy (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Sam Watson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationRulesGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Lower grant threshold for Georgia schools

Beginning July 1, 2025, Georgia school systems can meet the equalization grant tax-rate requirement with 10 mills, down from 14. An equivalent tax rate also counts. Systems must still have assessed property value per weighted student count below the law's guaranteed value. Their effective tax rate must also exceed the rate used to calculate their local five-mill funding share. These grants fund school systems, not direct payments to households.

Grant cuts for schools lowering tax rates

Georgia school systems face a grant cut when they lower their operating tax rate after next year's grant is calculated. If their actual or equivalent rate falls below the required minimum, they receive 75% of the initial grant. Beginning July 1, 2025, that minimum is 10 mills. By September 1 each year, the Department of Education must report on systems receiving grants in the prior fiscal year. Reports must list initial grants, midterm adjustments, and total grants received over the previous 10 years. They must also identify recipients with rates below 10 mills during the period used to calculate their grants. Reports go to the House and Senate appropriations committees, House Education Committee, Senate Education and Youth Committee, and directors of the Office of Planning and Budget, Senate Budget and Evaluation Office, and House Budget and Research Office.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jason Anavitarte

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Chuck Hufstetler

    Republican • Senate

  • John F. Kennedy

    Republican • Senate

  • Carden Summers

    Republican • Senate

  • Sam Watson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chas Cannon

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 23

House vote • 3/28/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 138 • No: 23 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/13/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025Senate

  3. Act 280

    5/14/2025

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/7/2025Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/28/2025House

  6. House Passed/Adopted

    3/28/2025House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/18/2025House

  8. House Second Readers

    2/19/2025House

  9. House First Readers

    2/18/2025House

  10. Senate Third Read

    2/13/2025Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/13/2025Senate

  12. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/11/2025Senate

  13. Senate Recommitted

    2/10/2025Senate

  14. Senate Read Second Time

    2/6/2025Senate

  15. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    2/5/2025Senate

  16. Senate Read and Referred

    1/29/2025Senate

  17. Senate Hopper

    1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 44/AP* (v7)

    PDF

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