[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6688004,"mediaKeyId","2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef","parentId",2346963,"title","Representative introduces bill to cap loan forgiveness for biomedical technicians in rural counties","audioSeconds",129,"startMs",5261000,"endMs",5390000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef&start=5261&end=5390","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef/thumbnail_5261000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6688004/Georgia/Representative-introduces-bill-to-cap-loan-forgiveness-for-biomedical-technicians-in-rural-counties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688004-627c62fe0035c60924e80f4bc506054a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774953303&Signature=iq9mFAESzBkT2gwQHFOUFPoQtVi1z4sWH9zYnVRI-lI7hJeTpn~qwQhcANLokn3cAkrbhzwbK0aQO5r-eAzgLJBbKtEwnp0l7nJfufOsfzRiEVO7MPDro5su0SJ5tVi7S6WcEg03sE9NAkq7JY2i8YwKxCqyh8Hz7uWeqUW5IytkobxmgjJxNMS-GljCHB41vTi7TjVe1xUHg27Gb5kQUQI7klfU1VkIkLoB17WRx109Q12lQqV7YAgKFvVpaYMtYelO1LJFzDLQNZ~UyA2Q8Sk~AUjL6ns-qPG9DVzvjAa4QQoZ--uDoWV~ADm-Pq1aLXA-h6XWOv3BBMQoKzxDCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-19T20:11:24.2Z","article","Representative (author of HB 88) introduced House Bill 88 to the House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 19, proposing student loan forgiveness for biomedical technicians who work in underserved rural counties (populations under 50,000).

The presenter said HB 88 largely mirrors HB 72 (discussed earlier in committee) but focuses on biomedical researchers and technicians. Under the bill, recipients must be Georgia residents and work in an approved rural county; the program would be capped at five recipients per year with a maximum award of $30,000 per recipient. The sponsor gave a maximum fiscal note of $150,000 per year (5 × $30,000), and referenced modest administrative costs (author recalled roughly $9,000).

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the role of biomedical technicians and whether the work would include research related to zoonotic diseases and variant tracking; the sponsor, who identified professional experience in biomedical research, said that such work (for example, avian flu and zoonotic transmission study) is within the scope of biomedical research supported by the bill.

Why it matters: The measure aims to incentivize placement of trained biomedical technicians in underserved rural research facilities, an area the sponsor described as having workforce shortages. The bill includes residency and service requirements intended to direct benefits to Georgia communities.

Ending: The sponsor was advised to work with the Appropriations Committee to secure a budget placeholder; committee members gave the bill an initial hearing but did not vote to advance it at the Feb. 19 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Higher Education 02.19.25","oneSentenceSummary","Representative introduced House Bill 88 proposing a loan-forgiveness program (up to $30,000 per recipient, five recipients annually) for biomedical technicians in underserved rural counties; committee discussed scope, residency and fiscal placeholder needs.","taxTitle","Education, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",16944,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6688007,"Committee adopts $50,000 threshold amendment and advances substitute for HB 150 to Rules",85,3638000,3723000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef&start=3638&end=3723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef/thumbnail_3638000.jpg","/articles/6688007/Georgia/Committee-adopts-50000-threshold-amendment-and-advances-substitute-for-HB-150-to-Rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688007-8105c08a4f5acb0d12c9caf8872fc60b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774953303&Signature=k8i-eeMpsT5Y4PHT4cxePjvWhfk8qTPLBz70upkQ5OOjV7Tnq1-6XOwD87EfjICIBJOrDUsucC4RaLydIUBZBVexAUDXlGfEhy~e-Ip7b3ij8uWgJVmbLjIfTQUHRCcYR0c6kPlgG8kPD59VBI0jBr17neRMyZGPE89DXFBC4mgrTAT56sIaEJ44Eyb44icQugrYDin7h1C82YnriZfoj9gCAIR2FkWFpEmnD9TFBuSmedVDzWCBM8pgF5XuhVCFNp6Zdob5ymeKDGyv2kNR9nTqji6KVbieIAB93K3qaXoxoeIxpF7HDfrzGRHQZIG1v06eQytU60gfzPj57uMRjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Higher Education Committee considered a substitute to House Bill 150 (LC 61 01 20 s) on Feb. 19, adopted a friendly amendment establishing a $50,000 minimum threshold for reporting certain funding exchanges, and voted to advance the measure to the Rules Committee.

Representative Fleming presented the substitute that the committee had previously considered. During discussion Representative Clark proposed a friendly amendment to set a $50,000 minimum threshold for funding reporting so routine small payments would not trigger reporting requirements. Fleming and legislative staff discussed insertion language for line 27 to require disclosure for exchanges “in an amount greater than $50,000.” The amendment was moved, seconded and adopted by voice vote.

The committee then voted to recommend the substitute for a due-pass to Rules. Chair Martin recorded the voice vote: “All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed, no? Representative Clark. Thank you.”

Why it matters: The amendment narrows the measure’s reporting scope by excluding small-value exchanges from the bill’s reporting requirements, reducing administrative burdens on institutions and registrants. The bill, as amended, will now proceed to Rules for scheduling and further consideration.

Ending: Committee members asked the author to coordinate with Legislative Counsel on precise drafting for Line 27 language. The committee recorded voice votes; individual roll-call votes were not included in the transcript.","Representative Fleming presented a substitute to House Bill 150; members adopted a friendly amendment setting a $50,000 minimum reporting threshold and voted to send the measure to Rules with a due-pass recommendation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6688012,"House Higher Education Committee withdraws substitute and sends HB 172 to rules",159,3460000,3619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef&start=3460&end=3619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef/thumbnail_3460000.jpg","/articles/6688012/Georgia/House-Higher-Education-Committee-withdraws-substitute-and-sends-HB-172-to-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688012-ac5e1744f1b5d515c42bf30f36b138e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774953303&Signature=RITvL9i-AWaSInS3Mra4EE6lQGogkvWk6oRomA8U73eHkySMWJoeNshM2oS2ewpI15i0c~ymGWtZ58-3RPv6nyAlSagi3lCD4XoVezLbIlrSyyPN4vAnkiynW5JIKmBfyljdirZc~lP-twGlGW5mYPyGpZpI8PjP8eX9m6JEwZd8Smg5xQxENXm3xGx9wfaq3S79H-mTfRkvz8JvZVP1fpJLF-yqOUiITE8ebA2tGBohfGAkIxSt9MzJLaIwrKWFZlY~CAmANYqx4I5rBVUC9k~vadjqVltr6onmaTr9rUOGg~HLJ169d3v5wHa8D3-nz~Iic3cXD3Jy0BTrLwlALA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 19 withdrew a previously adopted substitute to House Bill 172 and adopted the original version of the bill before voting to advance it to the Rules Committee.

Chairman Martin asked the committee to withdraw the substitute that had spread a $90,000 allocation over four years; he said rules required leaving the original $90,000 over three years. “Withdrawing that,” he asked; “I see no objection. That is withdrawn,” the chair said.

The committee then moved to adopt the original bill for potential action (House Bill 172, LC 46 10 37) and later voted to recommend the bill do pass and advance to Rules. The chair announced, “It moves on to rules.”

Why it matters: The committee’s votes restore the original funding timing that members had earlier altered in a substitute and send the original bill forward in the legislative process. No further changes or floor amendments were recorded during the committee action.

Ending: Representative Helliston, the bill’s author, was thanked by the chair after the item was sent to Rules. The transcript records voice votes (ayes/ noes) but does not record individual roll-call votes in the committee minutes.","Committee withdrew a previously adopted substitute to House Bill 172 and voted to move the original HB 172 (LC 46 10 37) to the Rules Committee with a due-pass recommendation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6688016,"Georgia Student Finance Commission reports growth in dual enrollment; outlines application and eligibility process",630,3915000,4545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef&start=3915&end=4545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef/thumbnail_3915000.jpg","/articles/6688016/Georgia/Georgia-Student-Finance-Commission-reports-growth-in-dual-enrollment-outlines-application-and-eligibility-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688016-2addee2ae221f5a7f43c356b128a5cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1774953303&Signature=KLfxNPKAQ17IWVihnGBAdjVqeEGXdjQ46XQi~Wm7LKH-N4rYfi6W24HWEiGtQRnsOaeKCbeUKD0176tfLDxc7l~rsYOn1MyvbsxvyO2JLtYEpuk9SsVRzxTSc6oc2bFkQRBK~bsCKR14U0tmt9bObitYzTTkG3fhwhoM9EM8FIX4zyN7uT2c6uuihLIVKwnroinMDnPKGw-kSP~Bqia322g5m4d7FrpZ-b1BsMwVgGz1HJ5uVRQ3D7j1PVwGL9B86RWEw4SXQPPM7eAyh5SI36WkbzL7XuMva8UBV1Csa3eOXJMAdMLNv965pTnVbklghI~Ra0~SAWICCgApQv4ANw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pamela Riley (President, Georgia Student Finance Commission) briefed the House Higher Education Committee Feb. 19 on the commission’s annual dual enrollment report and explained how students apply and become eligible for the program.

Riley said expenditures have grown 84% since fiscal year 2016 and that the program is “looking at exceeding the a hundred million dollar mark in this current fiscal year.” She reported a 20% increase in student participation from 2023 to 2024, with 57% of courses taken at Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) institutions, 37% at University System of Georgia (USG) institutions and 6% at private institutions.

Nut graf: The commission emphasized both program growth and process controls: dual enrollment applicants must attend a participating Georgia high school, obtain high-school approval through the counselor’s office, apply and enter a participation agreement, and be accepted by the chosen postsecondary institution. High schools can approve, edit or reject course selections and must sign the parent participation agreement.

Riley described outcomes: 92% of dual enrollment courses in fiscal 2024 received a passing grade; 70% of dual enrollment students enroll in a HOPE-eligible postsecondary institution within one year of high school; and 86% persist into a second year. She added that 60% or more maintain a HOPE GPA after their first postsecondary year, and that Zell Miller recipients retain eligibility at higher rates.

Riley also described GSFC’s online Georgia Futures application and dashboards used by students, high schools and institutions to track application status and approvals. She said the commission prepares an annual report covering 2016–2024 and now includes a new reporting section required by Senate Bill 86 on CTAE courses.

Committee members asked operational questions including whether non-Georgia residents who attend Georgia high schools can participate (Riley said yes, if they meet program requirements and attend a participating Georgia high school), and sought clarification that dual enrollment can create multiple funding impacts: QBE/FTE payments to the high school, tuition payments to the postsecondary institution and formula funding covered by the state.

Ending: Riley offered to provide more refined data on specific population questions and to meet individually with members. The commission did not propose statutory changes at the hearing; the presentation served as background for upcoming bills addressing dual participation and funding.
","GSFC President outlined expansion of Georgia’s dual enrollment program, growth in expenditures and enrollment, and described the multi-step online application and approval process that involves students, parents, high schools and institutions.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6688023,"Emory researcher urges state colleges to adopt AI literacy, workforce integration",1748,1261000,3009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef&start=1261&end=3009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346963-0cde66685f15b46eb222755b87d348ef/thumbnail_1261000.jpg","/articles/6688023/Georgia/Emory-researcher-urges-state-colleges-to-adopt-AI-literacy-workforce-integration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6688023-77da94c1ba42775da2fa85f57f5efb29/orig.mp4?Expires=1774953303&Signature=NawVcKT2Kd3ASrjsB1HSOqHFQojGeQhs-cLmm6lfMu7jsk6oNpYleWJj-nWYaoYeMseTeS1j7ITna5XBwm9n78AWraWnyqI~bAJiQRHV5Dxyrk9~VKr-zYIXY~vNwMtOmjumQoBH9GqU0izRNVPMY0wSkhPA67EPDYlZ0ULSR8z6NzfCa4EhD0KGlKw2SEGezGyoX1S5ovkVnUdVYz3sZyMXQzaYkaf0IsN5xMUV2sVUwPd11-W4tu4w8uiSG34tmH24CcaTZgviQeIjgiRAW4zzh2Lm8Hjca1-Kc5yCYia9Gqw8wqbk0Ja0Pv7XtYtSaFjnTDYlN-WCxmq3psbvew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Joseph Sutherland, founder of the Center for AI Learning at Emory University, told the Georgia House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 19 that artificial intelligence is “changing everything that we do, right before our eyes” and urged state leaders to build clear strategies and wider access to AI tools across higher education.

Sutherland said Emory has hired 46 tenure-track faculty focused on AI applied to domain areas such as health care and law, and described the center’s outreach across the state. “I think we’re at the beginning of this technological revolution,” he said, and argued that integrating AI into vocational and academic programs will raise productivity and worker pay.

Why it matters: Sutherland framed AI as both an opportunity and a risk for higher education. He told committee members that many faculty and local business leaders lack confidence using AI and recommended statewide coordination so institutions do not each “whip out [their] own personal credit cards” to adopt tools. He said lack of broadband access also risks leaving regions behind.

Sutherland explained how modern chatbots work and how large language models (LLMs) are effectively advanced autocomplete: “A large language model is not intelligent in any sort of way. It is not reasoning. It is not thinking,” he said, adding that the models predict subsequent words based on training text. He also cautioned against overreliance on software that claims to detect use of LLMs, saying reliable detection requires a watermark that most student work will not include.

He described classroom and workforce experiments. In a randomized study comparing traditional instruction, tutoring and an LLM trained on course material, groups using the chatbot saw a 63% increase in final scores, he said, attributing gains to higher engagement. In a separate call-center pilot, new hires using LLM assistance reached the performance level of the best employees within months.

Sutherland also noted medical applications, saying AI systems that pre-read scans could help areas with radiologist shortages; he gave a nationwide estimate of about 120 million scans per year. He described Emory’s work on diagnostic tools and on training programs for local employers, funded in part by a Rowan Foundation grant and partnerships with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and said his team conducted workshops for roughly 2,500 Georgians across 22 communities.

Questions from committee members focused on classroom integrity, student learning and socialization. One lawmaker described a child finishing a homework assignment in minutes and asked whether students are in fact learning; Sutherland recommended new pedagogies that require students to critique multiple AI-produced drafts rather than simply submitting a single essay. Another lawmaker asked how freshmen curricula might incorporate AI; Sutherland answered that the first step is “having a clear and well articulated strategy” so faculty know what curricula and tools to develop.

The presentation closed with Sutherland’s call for statewide literacy programs, vocational partnerships and efforts to expand broadband to avoid a two-tier access gap. He asked lawmakers to consider workforce development programs that pair AI with Georgia’s existing domain strengths.

Ending: Committee members thanked Sutherland and said they might invite him back; no committee action was taken on policy during the presentation.","Dr. Joseph Sutherland of Emory described how artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models are reshaping education and workforce development, urged statewide strategy and expanded access, and described Emory initiatives including faculty hires and workforce outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Representative introduces bill to cap loan forgiveness for biomedical technicians in rural counties

Committee adopts $50,000 threshold amendment and advances substitute for HB 150 to Rules

House Higher Education Committee withdraws substitute and sends HB 172 to rules

Georgia Student Finance Commission reports growth in dual enrollment; outlines application and eligibility process

Emory researcher urges state colleges to adopt AI literacy, workforce integration