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Recap of the 2009 Legislative Session
Year one of the two year session is completed and as usual there was a tremendous amount of
legislative activity the last few days, especially the last day. Any bill that did not pass this
session is still alive to be considered again next January.
School Nurse Funding
Great news, due in part to PTA’s statewide Popsicle stick campaign, funding for school nurses
was saved with only a 3% cut (versus complete elimination). Our school will keep its nurse!
Additional budget news: The budget contained extensive cuts: k-12 funding was cut 3%, Regents
(college) was cut 6% (one reason tuition is going up). Note: QBE stands for Quality Basic Education
and is the formula used to determine funding for education. When we refer to austerity cuts it
means the funds that were taken out of QBE after the amount that education should have earned
(based on the formula) is determined. ARRA are the federal stimulus funds.
• Total austerity cuts to education for 2009: $229 Million (includes $145 ARRA funds)
• Total austerity cuts to education for 2010: $290 Million (includes $413 ARRA funds)
What this means to you: Cobb is facing a $60 M shortfall due primarily to a reduction in funds
from the state. The impact: part-time teachers may not be rehired (so favorite classes aren’t
offered), more students assigned to each class, changes in bus transportation to and from school,
and a reduction in resources available at school. State funding directly affects what is available
at our schools!
A Sample of Legislation that Passed:
HB 120: 2009 sales tax holiday would be from July 30 to August 2.
HB 123: Adds a definition of ‘child molestation’ to include contact with the victim made electronically
including the Internet and telephone.
HB 149: Move on When Ready: Students in 11th and 12th grades may enroll in Georgia public colleges
and take Department of Education approved courses that will meet both high school graduation
requirements and earn them college credit. Hours earned will not count against HOPE.
HB 157: If the lottery end of year balance is less than 92% of the year with the highest year
end balance, it will trigger a reduction of the HOPE recipient book allowance to $150, excluding
Pell Grant recipients. If the year end balance is less than 84%, the book allowance is eliminated,
excluding Pell Grant recipients. If the year end balance is less than 75%, mandatory fees will
not be paid to any recipient, including Pell grant recipients. Currently, if any year end balance
is less that the highest year end balance, by even $1, the book allowance is halved, the second
year it is lost and the third year the mandatory fees are not paid.
HB 160: Increases penalties for speeders and for restoration of driver’s licenses after suspension.
The fine is increased $200 for going 85 mph or more on the interstate or 75 mph or more on a
two-lane road.
HB 193: Permits the required 180 day school year to be defined in hours, thus providing local
school boards with flexibility in setting the school calendar.
HB 229: Student Health and Physical Education Act. Students in grades 1-12 enrolled in physical
education in 2011-12 must have an annual fitness assessment during the PE class time. The aggregate
results shall be reported to the state board yearly. Results of any assessment shall be reported
to parents.
HB 233: Two year freeze on any appreciation on the value of a property, even if it changes hands.
HB 251: Allows intra-district transfers between schools. Districts must make list of available
schools available by July. 1
HB 484: Children of military personnel on active duty stationed in GA can qualify for HOPE.
SB 8: Allows elementary and middle school students to carry and self administer epi-pens.
SB 114: Provides special provisions for children of military personnel who transfer into GA
public schools including waivers to some GA graduation requirements and additional allowable
absences.
SB 207: Juvenile court proceedings, including hearings by a wide range of agencies including
schools, may be open to the public with certain exceptions such as charges of sexual assault
unless the court so orders them closed. Individuals can be excluded if the presiding officer
rules that it is in the best interest of the child. Media may not reveal identifying information
about the child.
Additional details on all the bills being tracked by GA PTA can be found on the Capitol Watch
website: www.ciclt.net/gapta
Karen Hallacy
GA PTA
Legislative Chair
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5, 2009 Legislation Activity
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29, 2009 Legislation Activity
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