[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6661752,"mediaKeyId","2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f","parentId",2405958,"title","Committee hears Seed Capital Fund proposal to give technical-college graduates access to start-up grants","audioSeconds",763,"startMs",2130000,"endMs",2893000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f&start=2130&end=2893","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f/thumbnail_2130000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661752/Georgia/Committee-hears-Seed-Capital-Fund-proposal-to-give-technical-college-graduates-access-to-start-up-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661752-9e23d9d10bd602f9c2b5a6bcb6ea2173/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749051&Signature=cv61WoYeMb76P4KY2JvU6w~mQAfwWSoQiVKUCNiYWwGbQJfN9jQ6HiTCd4HObPAhqwAIENuTRqUGE3aMiwdLnow2VC2QGPiMuhbxKE0543f4IV9A6JRjp4JTT6HWz4M6Bjttds8H~KeyczBHgK4oBqBDDHist0rTcYiuSMLFW7D5F1VHEyFXDtxRTevz1U6tMsOyIVsI9WxtLdRljwTCAnATzSX49JoGuiU1KgbIccZnjw2~SbwPCszkqCfQyI33zBhp63DUVPGg9o00DJqvjTwPh1XviZhmCakhwFbGBGQBBdP8fLqn6hdIANf3ANc62eIcJhirhdpmpZcouDOOjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-26T20:11:34.593Z","article","Representative Neil presented House Bill 286, a proposal to create a Seed Capital Fund sub-fund under the existing Invest Georgia Fund to provide start-up capital to small businesses that complete a short, specialized program at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).

Neil said the program is intended to pair a short, hands-on business curriculum (described as equivalent to “a mini MBA”) with direct access to grant capital for program graduates. The bill would allow public and private dollars to be placed into the sub-fund; TCSG would administer program criteria, evaluate applicants and provide technical assistance, the sponsor said.

Committee members asked whether funded businesses would be required to remain in Georgia, whether the state could match private funds, and how much money would be initially appropriated. Neil and other speakers said the bill as written allows public and private investment in the sub-fund and that community banks and credit unions had already expressed interest in contributing once the program was established. Neil said a prior legislative action had allocated $1.1 million to the initiative but implementation hurdles (including potential gratuities/constitutional issues) prevented moving the funds last year.

Some members expressed support for adding language to require funded businesses to remain in Georgia; the sponsor called that an “easy friendly amendment.” Committee members also discussed constitutional constraints and whether the sub-fund structure would avoid the need for a new constitutional amendment. The hearing concluded with members indicating they would work with the sponsor on amendments and future hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Higher Education 02.26.25","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 286 would create a Seed Capital Fund sub-fund under the Invest Georgia Fund to provide grant capital to small businesses that complete a short, specialized program at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG); the committee heard the bill and discussed program structure, potential private matching and prior appropriations.","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},6661758,"Committee hears bill to expand tuition-equalization grants to specific nursing programs",135,1800000,1935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f&start=1800&end=1935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f/thumbnail_1800000.jpg","/articles/6661758/Georgia/Committee-hears-bill-to-expand-tuition-equalization-grants-to-specific-nursing-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661758-9f2bf73ee44fb5af9b5e9dc7d067d4d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749051&Signature=FKymzaUQDYOO5Qsuc8ZhvNbDGRRZso9Eujhxuw3AoHICycR0uuFlMgACDp8W1eWLK8zL88~CjQw7uT5tcxFxwqGx2R3HwAd06r6dK1UVmk9Hip91iLqONBQYe7VtIPZ2Rva6M4gDduSI0AnGSPSeAhEJnGVUy7vcPVdQvEq5JxEKSpxnhv0~tugd1vmRauuE2eYQ1J8eZ6M1XdiJ3GQKUXsVW6ReHZCWqlUh2tvgP0grUW6dh4JNtVM8gaLVPYaIzJ1Iqq8mynTu9Lb7czMLGo9aSal0wp66Jks-2C2I9KUgPU16a9iPK7OTjwwUQlMXzJcSpkal4VzT7q~TcCk5Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dempsey presented a substitute to allow tuition-equalization grant money to be used for narrowly specified nursing programs operating in Georgia. She described the measure as a targeted change intended to support second- and third-career nursing programs and increase nursing workforce capacity.

Dempsey said the measure is “very specific,” requiring that eligible programs be bricks-and-mortar in Georgia for at least 10 years and not be housed out of another state. She said institutions funded under the change would not be eligible for HOPE, Zell Miller, or dual enrollment for the same students; the grant money in question would allow tuition-equalization funds to support programs that help students enter the nursing workforce.

Dempsey cited recent exam-seat counts as evidence of program output: “Chamberlain University sat the most nursing students in Georgia for the nursing exam. They sat 426 nurses that would then be propelled into our nursing workforce. The second was Emory who had 334.” She also estimated an approximate maximum budget impact of “approximately $750,000” to support the change.

The measure was presented for a first hearing; committee members asked clarifying questions and the presenter said the committee would look to have the sponsor return for a later hearing. Robert Aycock of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and other stakeholders were in attendance and thanked lawmakers for the substitute language during the meeting.","Representatives discussed a bill to allow tuition-equalization grant funds for certain Georgia nursing programs (including Chamberlain University locations that meet eligibility criteria); the hearing included operating criteria, program limits and an estimated maximum cost of about $750,000.",{"_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},6661761,"Committee advances substitute creating memorial fund for teachers, shortens definition of \"active violence\"",139,1631000,1770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f&start=1631&end=1770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f/thumbnail_1631000.jpg","/articles/6661761/Georgia/Committee-advances-substitute-creating-memorial-fund-for-teachers-shortens-definition-of-active-violence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661761-86cde2f5756417ae7bcacd221cffe4b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749051&Signature=XLSmxW4b6c8FCHKtjAs-3WB2VuUA3F8Q1Ab3SmERDpUPyvQ9BC4RPt4svh8GM1asJrWdK8xMGiKY6sTdB0mbvLb7FgwK7QV89927mv~In6t2fJdFlGbVcUYkC7suRrWntFSClhuZ7IjJJniy1qqEbV3kFG3wIs6AUZoBWK-7HZ3GbKle82R5HwuQLWTv3aKlBd4TDDhsuyI~JueVrAk70EsvjcYV7AZvSP2eMiqmNIjYQHDCLZvQan5DuOvXxKs3guuVFT5wGvmweBwefOs5u36vCr4WTWw9DO0GQ3I8tCxupdyJtpOwxfdo944Z3ubE7Zzl14CMKX1A4jYm9A4IYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House substitute to create a memorial fund for public school teachers and employees killed or disabled in the line of duty advanced out of the House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday.

A committee member presenting for Chairman Petrie explained the substitute includes a memorial fund for public school teachers and public school employees killed or disabled in the line of duty. The substitute shortens the bill’s definition of “active violence” to read “a willful act of violence.” The presenter said the prior draft had included a qualifier excluding acts committed by school teachers or school employees and that the committee had removed that qualifier because “if this a tragic event happens and this is applicable, it doesn't really matter where the violence came from.”

The substitute also includes language to create a voluntary checkoff on state tax returns and a Department of Driver Services (DDS) option to allow Georgians to contribute directly to the memorial fund, the presenter said.

Robert Aycock of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators addressed the committee in support of the substitute, thanking lawmakers for the language. The presenter said the committee moved the substitute forward with a due-pass recommendation to the rules committee by voice vote.

The transcript records the substitute as LC 610178S and the committee’s motion to forward the measure with a due-pass recommendation; committee members indicated approval by saying “aye” during the voice vote recorded in the hearing.","The committee approved a substitute to create a memorial fund for public school teachers and employees killed or disabled in the line of duty and shortened the bill's definition of \"active violence\"; the committee gave the measure a due-pass recommendation to rules.",{"_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},6661765,"Committee approves amendment to let unused HOPE credits apply to graduate or professional degrees",311,1298000,1609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f&start=1298&end=1609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2405958-5e6d43133a5e2a50bcb2cf3ddc68a42f/thumbnail_1298000.jpg","/articles/6661765/Georgia/Committee-approves-amendment-to-let-unused-HOPE-credits-apply-to-graduate-or-professional-degrees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661765-d29cab7ba9c120ff44f87efe01b021c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749051&Signature=Z-EQ4CcHfjKVhG0UYCAshruVLV8MXxty3si6Rw6ntDVKNT~FdlGv5wSJu0uhuH9~wG5JTNHjW5DkHkj6IS2wuCG0poNLnb8Ond1Dd3Q4OBEt8WEn4DYbbeQ4eZPBs0yJnVkac9MMc7H3MkpLBnQSHgym~6dFpCd3UPicqtks6kJNxOA7Y2Cux1QZV4ygA6-eJgV7-SMHSVzg86CTli8JDpc5qkIt8iEz4tDYSJX5tHxqzMO3NjM6gKXHo~znJsawF1~NpafeW46JBFole~MUAdr1BwmGf3k5byFpRSEGBa8RXSjKHdAsYUJ5BRBM1-0y9YdvLOXu-3drL8cZluGQTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Higher Education Committee on Wednesday advanced House Bill 385, which would allow students with unused HOPE scholarship credits to apply those credits toward certain professional or master’s degree programs if the bill becomes law.

Representative Hawkins, who presented the measure, said the bill “provides for those that have unused, HOPE credits that they can apply them towards either a professional or master's degree.” He said the change targets students who have excess HOPE hours after completing an initial bachelor’s degree and would increase “the pipeline of talent for our state.”

The bill would maintain that students are responsible for paying the difference between the undergraduate HOPE rate and the higher professional or graduate per-hour rate. Hawkins told the committee the measure passed last year without opposition but that a Senate amendment led to a veto by the governor; this year he said he intended to keep the bill “clean” to improve its chances.

Committee members discussed implementation timing and whether Student Finance would have adequate lead time to prepare for the program change. Hawkins proposed an amendment setting the bill's operative date to July 1, 2026, to allow the administrative ramp-up. The committee adopted that amendment without objection; the committee then voted to advance the bill to the rules committee by voice vote.

No fiscal estimate or additional statutory cross-references were included in the committee discussion recorded in the transcript. The committee directed Legislative Counsel to prepare a substitute reflecting the July 1, 2026, operative date.

The committee recorded no roll-call tally on the voice votes in the transcript; members signified approval by saying “aye.”","The House Higher Education Committee advanced House Bill 385 with an amendment setting an operative date of July 1, 2026, to allow students with unused HOPE scholarship credits to apply them toward specified graduate or professional degree costs, with students paying any per-hour difference.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears Seed Capital Fund proposal to give technical-college graduates access to start-up grants

Committee hears bill to expand tuition-equalization grants to specific nursing programs

Committee advances substitute creating memorial fund for teachers, shortens definition of "active violence"

Committee approves amendment to let unused HOPE credits apply to graduate or professional degrees