Committee Reports
House Education Committee
The House Education Committee, chaired by Representative Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville), met this morning to consider two bills and hear a presentation from State School Superintendent Richard Woods.
HB 32, authored by Representative Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), amends O.C.G.A. 20-2-251 to require the State Board of Education to create a teacher recruitment and retention program by providing a refundable tax credit of $3,000 per qualifying teacher per year, for up to five school years. The department must pick no more than 100 schools from the list of qualifying schools to become a part of the program. The Office of Student Achievement is required to create program objectives and annually measure and evaluate the program. The program is limited to 1,000 teachers statewide. No new applications to the program can be accepted after December 31, 2031. Representative Belton presented the bill to the committee and fielded questions.
Proposed bill jeopardizes in-state tuition for immigrants
A bill proposal made by two Texas state representatives could end in-state tuition for undocumented students. | File photo
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proposed bill by a pair of Texas state representatives could jeopardize the ability for immigrant college students to receive in-state tuition.
Since 2001, immigrant students in Texas have been eligible to receive in-state residency status. Though the ruling has been threatened by Republican lawmakers numerous times, Democrats have been able to kill the bill before it received momentum.
It is important to remember Texas was the first state to allow immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition in 2001, said Geoffrey A. Hoffman, the director of the UH Law Center’s immigration clinic.
Committee Reports
Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee
The Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), met this morning to consider two measures.
HB 76, authored by Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), amends O.C.G.A. § 46-4-164 to increase the percentage limitation of EMC investments in a gas affiliate. Current law allows investments up to 15%. This bill increases that amount to 60%. The subcommittee took no testimony on the bill and moved the bill DO PASS.
HB 150, authored by Representative Bruce Williamson (R-Monroe), amends O.C.G.A. § 46-1-6 to prohibit local governmental entities from adopting policies that prohibit the connection or reconnection of any utility service based on the source of energy or fuel. Members of the committee including Reps. David Dryer (D-Atlanta) and Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) expressed concern
The House Higher Education Committee heard a bill on Mon. Feb. 8, that would remove the tuition cap for colleges and universities for the next five years.
Committee Reports
House Insurance Committee
The House Insurance Committee, chaired by Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) met this morning to consider a single measure.
HB 205, authored by Representative Noel Williams (R-Cordele) relates to new standards for travel insurance. The bill is a NAIC model act for travel insurance endorsed by the Georgia department of Insurance. It clarifies standards for permitting consumers to opt out of coverage offered by travel agents or carriers. The bill passed unanimously.
House Agricultural and Consumer Affairs
Newly named Chairman of the House Agricultural and Consumer Affairs, Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), held his first Committee meeting stating from the outset that he had large shoes to fill with recently retired Chairman Tom McCall (R-Elberton). Other members of leadership of this Committee are Representative Susan Holmes (R-Monticello) and Representative Steven Meeks (R-Screven). This large, 28-member committee overs