GeorgiaSB 822025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

"Local Charter School Authorization and Support Act of 2025"; enact

Sponsored By: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Chuck Payne (Republican), Shawn Still (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

School Systems Face Charter Renewal Limits

School systems face limits on renewing charter-system status or strategic waivers after repeated local charter denials followed by state approvals. For systems with 10,000–60,000 students, the trigger is at least two petitions during the same contract term. For systems above 60,000 students, it is at least three. Only single-school attendance-zone petitions count, and enrollment uses the system’s full-time-equivalent program count. The restriction lasts up to three years after the contract ends, unless the State Board finds the required commitment demonstrated. Contracts in place on January 1, 2025, that expire by July 1, 2025, are exempt until a new or renewed contract begins. These renewal limits end July 1, 2035.

Public Charter Decisions and School Board Support

Local boards must explain charter petition denials in writing within 20 business days. They must send the explanation to the petitioner, State Board of Education, and Office of Charter School Compliance. It must cover reasons, legal deficiencies, school-choice access, and nearby schools’ academic performance. The Office must post it online within three days of receipt. The Office also publishes review guidance and a standard scoring guide on the Department of Education website. Guidance covers review standards, best practices, public hearings, and community input. The Office must help local systems approve and oversee charter schools and regularly work with them to improve practices. After a local denial followed by state approval, state offices may review both decisions and offer guidance or recommend training. The denial-disclosure and authorizer-support rules end July 1, 2035.

Simpler Conversion Process for System Charter Schools

Georgia system charter schools seeking conversion charter status are exempt from the usual conversion-petition procedures. This includes the conversion-consent rules for staff and parents. The exemption changes the school’s approval process, not household payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Scott Hilton
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 195 • No: 81

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 44 • No: 10 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/31/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 107 • No: 62 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 44 • No: 9 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

Senate Date Signed by Governor
4/28/2025Senate
Act 15
4/28/2025
Effective Date
4/28/2025
Senate Sent to Governor
4/10/2025Senate
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
4/4/2025Senate
House Third Readers
3/31/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/31/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/21/2025House
House Second Readers
3/11/2025House
House First Readers
3/10/2025House
Senate Third Read
3/6/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/6/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/4/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/3/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/4/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 82/AP* (v9)
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation