[{"_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",6650509,"mediaKeyId","2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675","parentId",2506137,"title","Committee advances narrow tuition-equalization change to expand aid for one institution’s students","audioSeconds",84,"startMs",3671000,"endMs",3755000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675&start=3671&end=3755","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675/thumbnail_3671000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650509/Georgia/Committee-advances-narrow-tuition-equalization-change-to-expand-aid-for-one-institutions-students","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650509-0e8f754d27b77bbb1a1413c173118a8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155848&Signature=l0I1Lc6nZ1JR~E~5GJ317VV1i8T-rWlYS3DPAXHZ~-3s67frv3ilPxlpIWsBrId5Pw-cl0fd4PA7DfYWscN-fLwKFo05MYvGSPCxhgMEANoKGM~QkeL8FAK3v5TrbhaG6tzlBkvetYbaMat-FTuSGgUiZf8w02T51xnmpsBeaDMaCorEviBLg~DStj-IQ2EXlE3QRaaK1fC-ZMXA66yCtkZah3KYv-H42VqI6TtNz68GgNjgwecYlZ76~QdtMS7wOphGQoMDi-d6VTqyz045KPxOOwrVvKrNRC6uZui~uCZU5se9ZCQpKVZbcsV4K9i4iJfHZsORMd5T3BpsvvPzJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-03-05T19:11:37.067Z","article","A House committee approved a narrowly written change to House Bill 541 that would permit a specified institution and its qualifying students to receive the state Tuition Equalization Grant (TAG), with sponsors emphasizing the change is limited and does not alter eligibility for HOPE scholarships, Zell Miller or dual-enrollment programs.

Chair Lee Dempsey said the measure has been pursued for several years and that the current substitute reflects work with the governor’s office and institution leadership. She described the change as “belt-and-suspenders” language that clarifies the intent: it would allow only the tuition equalization grant for a particular group of students (often second- and third-career students training for nursing), not other state aid categories. Dempsey told the committee the current TAG award amount is small — she cited roughly $367 per quarter or about $550 per semester — and called the grant “just a little bit of help” for students who may be working and supporting families.

Representative Gleis asked for clarification about the grant amount and purpose; the sponsor reiterated the limited scope and the workforce rationale (helping students become nurses). The committee gave the substitute a due-pass recommendation to rules on a voice vote.

What the substitute provides

- Clarifies that a single named institution’s qualifying students may receive the Tuition Equalization Grant only.
- Does not extend HOPE, Zell Miller, or dual-enrollment benefits to that institution’s students.
- TAG award described in committee as roughly $367 per quarter (approx. $550 per semester).

Next steps

- HB 541 (LC610211S) moves to the rules committee with a due-pass recommendation. Sponsor said the language responds to concerns raised in prior sessions and to a veto last year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Higher Education 03.05.25","oneSentenceSummary","A substitute to House Bill 541 was approved to make a specified institution eligible for Tuition Equalization Grants for certain students; the change was described as tightly drawn and not to expand other aid programs.","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},6650513,"Committee approves technical correction to naloxone access bill, emphasizing quick access to antidote",132,1269000,1401000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675&start=1269&end=1401","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6650513/Georgia/Committee-approves-technical-correction-to-naloxone-access-bill-emphasizing-quick-access-to-antidote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650513-012a44e7012a7db7a57363059aaefa58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155848&Signature=S4nT2rYSYudKvBcpuaIvt9xKke5Lxs-npN1SHq8IWRlNmhGgYRavcMc7~6DKzEfFUYZ9J9PvHhr0vfU4GOwKKrjQ6toQZsekTbvaZkJp61RgN1sQVh4jj7GL5dVMo59IfyMnkWyX9xgWtYMFuXF8ShosYt76ySoursr~lIBLYbfHWDmD7RH-z1ysFXnkRZNlBx9OtRp1T3SxFHCTqlGMMmErL77h4dcr~9Ehvazmcd6PR~wXS53V8mKfnRsreKqbX7zh8iAycAm9qokx-kSzmT2nNaFZeK8cfyovGgIbZ7uniuvqudCWVGm25u-XAD63X9nD5O8b-2IFzxLSpH1-JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A technical amendment to a previously passed naloxone-access measure was approved by the House committee.

Representative Hawkins, the bill sponsor, told the committee the bill retains its prior substance and that the change corrects an entity definition that had inadvertently removed university buildings rather than the university system. Hawkins emphasized the measure’s public-health rationale, noting the lifesaving role of naloxone and saying, “we saved 12,000 here in the state of Georgia in the last few years.”

Hawkins thanked staff counsel for drafting the correction and said the change appears in parts of the bill that adjust definitions in lines '6 and '7 of the substitute. Representative Gamble praised the revision and called it “a great measure” supported by the working group on addiction recovery.

The committee voted to pass the corrected language and sent the bill to rules with a due-pass recommendation.","A technical correction to a naloxone-access bill (HB 419) was approved; sponsors said the change clarifies an entity definition related to university/system buildings and maintains the bill’s intent to improve naloxone access.",{"_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},6650519,"Committee approves loan-forgiveness program for veterinary technicians, caps awards at $30,000 per student",143,984000,1127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675&start=984&end=1127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675/thumbnail_984000.jpg","/articles/6650519/Georgia/Committee-approves-loan-forgiveness-program-for-veterinary-technicians-caps-awards-at-30000-per-student","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650519-64d16f65dda82c7fb5018f3962a3fe69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155848&Signature=arNp-QmwcnYMs8XowFqAY8YwAOB6XMXYoqKjA1~~MEb2XeAa7~30Dz5JrhLtbkajw93mqI4hx6BYj6w0oE89Pu2wSde6khbEJIjaVTyGF1itiPWdqNArhZA8~jXTvG8xwght~5sChdd-1PoKWtsKTcFWJfiwwOvCpph~sUaVlcxcCo8kZodyf41IWYyREEX2zYc6cqxSN1KyIQPmuruqYRuAqwTMTpNG3xcPWazZ7tGxrLItRa5GKYnVlpTVpsnE3Eq3d6EQuSlk8zt6JR970I3JZG8BkMOWL3rWfV8Sc52d3ACVgzIqXdZD1riZ3CUagR9Kohi5CpGUgjE6Q3aNwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A committee approved House Bill 88, a substitute bill that establishes a small loan-forgiveness program for veterinary technicians to address workforce shortages, particularly in rural counties.

Representative Barnes, the bill’s author, said the measure narrows eligibility to licensed veterinary technicians and would provide loan forgiveness of up to $30,000 per student for as many as five students (a program cap of $150,000 total). Barnes said the Georgia Veterinary Tech Association (GBTA) would administer the program and that the association provided a letter of support.

Barnes said the bill was revised after committee feedback and is modeled to closely follow prior workforce loan-forgiveness efforts. After brief questions, Representative Clark moved to pass the substitute. The committee voted in favor on a voice vote and gave the bill a due-pass recommendation to rules.

What the bill provides

- Forgiveness amount: $30,000 per student.
- Program cap: up to five students, $150,000 total.
- Administrator: Georgia Veterinary Tech Association (as described by the author).

The committee recorded no roll-call tally in the transcript for this item; members voiced approval and the bill moves to rules.","The committee approved House Bill 88, a substitute that creates a loan-forgiveness program for veterinary technicians: up to five participants, $30,000 each (up to $150,000 total), administered by the Georgia Veterinary Tech Association.",{"_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},6650523,"Committee narrows student-conduct bill; HOPE suspension reduced to next semester and limited to criminal convictions",1224,2408000,3632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675&start=2408&end=3632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675/thumbnail_2408000.jpg","/articles/6650523/Georgia/Committee-narrows-student-conduct-bill-HOPE-suspension-reduced-to-next-semester-and-limited-to-criminal-convictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650523-7db9fcdc840556453465f2442677fd26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155848&Signature=GM1DwzTDOo89pIZ42JsdWd2JIR50-B-ZIVpH4ll5WEOgpPCHGPQqdAREQ9GE8bGLKjOufhzuDtm4WxrL2LfqgJghdEXUU-hJd538oh7vLPpNECIa3vMMyvfXJcHXOLyIU4Q4JdYgEe9w-mIaOoSBuO51HMBIqzmRZGKUVsRQG8heiJeWUXSIFVeAieUgiwAh~4HKX0uNt0dAWrQki1QJqC27vA6HC9yaHCE2UWi7UkRbsc26DykNhx2JNfti8gjjOTJUc0t7lMVh7x6IM1aswJJe1~Sy6LDMAdEGf2VEaRDdZ-iowp43DYgFdESggfQYg2FhopqqNPnhTVw4aO5j1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House committee advanced a rewritten House Bill 602 that would make students convicted of certain criminal offenses on campus temporarily ineligible for state scholarship assistance, but the committee narrowed the bill and reduced the proposed penalty.

Under the substitute (LC610214S) presented to the committee, loss of scholarship eligibility would apply only when a student is convicted of a criminal offense that also is a \"materially and substantially disruptive\" act as defined in the bill. The substitute removed language that would have allowed campus conduct-review determinations or time/place/manner campus rules to trigger the sanction and shortened the penalty: instead of losing HOPE eligibility for up to two years, a convicted student would lose eligibility only for the subsequent semester, quarter or similar academic term.

The bill’s presenter said the changes were made in response to committee concerns. Representative Clark and other members urged additional tightening to ensure the measure targets violent criminal behavior rather than peaceful protests. Clark recommended focusing the statute on “threats of violence or threatening violence” and preserving sit-ins as a peaceful form of protest.

Representative Jenkins, who asked to speak late in the session, said he remained concerned about vesting additional disciplinary power with school administrations and urged caution given First Amendment considerations. Jenkins noted existing criminal statutes and campus administrative processes that already address disruptive or unlawful conduct.

Supporters told the committee that the substitute raises the bar for sanctioning students and that the sponsor remains open to further refinements. After debate the committee adopted the substitute and gave it a due-pass recommendation; the motion passed on a recorded count of 11 in favor and 8 opposed.

What the substitute changes

- Removes campus code-of-conduct or administrative review boards as standalone triggers for scholarship loss.
- Requires a criminal conviction for a materially and substantially disruptive conduct before scholarship eligibility is suspended.
- Replaces a prior two-year loss of eligibility with suspension for the subsequent academic term (semester, quarter or similar).

Committee members asked about appeals. The substitute preserves eligibility during pending appeals only in limited ways; members requested clearer language so long-running appeals would not unduly bar access to education while cases proceed.

Votes and next steps

- HB 602 (substitute LC610214S) — moved forward with a due-pass recommendation on a roll-call vote, 11–8. The author said staff will continue to work with members on final language.
","A substitute to House Bill 602 was amended to raise the bar for when a student loses state scholarship eligibility: the bill now applies only after a criminal conviction for materially and substantially disruptive conduct and limits the loss of assistance to the subsequent semester or quarter.",{"_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},6650528,"Committee advances online sports-betting amendment; casino expansion rejected, tax hike adopted in enabling bill",906,1427000,2333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675&start=1427&end=2333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2506137-53bfd17afbb6621d9c67a95a91559675/thumbnail_1427000.jpg","/articles/6650528/Georgia/Committee-advances-online-sports-betting-amendment-casino-expansion-rejected-tax-hike-adopted-in-enabling-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650528-44e609ae9a51025767628c596c590504/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155848&Signature=cbZCn8YiAGsuDyD1AazrfgkR9Bd-Rk3GZAdxW6nj2kbmd6xlMrmhzzKE9VNjxlj5Cm1pcz78vt~kKh3I8nbt5~TqAobzswVNTEjEFDACGuT9zAeRP~6A6KIKzNsgo10JVNqQqJL6zUYrXT0DGobcwbPNLb6k5QBuLhwerL5jgnsrrK5Bt~wgrBiRjcXIAxsl9xHnPTx-78cgMLeqGyZsnhRRUmW502oc2~5N7YuNezgnyXp7exdcN0W5R2Phpy2zKkNMX9uDVBNqnZ-CAvkHzCdivSInLejwOzaRAQkLNL-vyBMebbLlAAVjuqF0pFojaVH4-VHqMB3~8h~DsbbwGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House committee voted to put a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot asking Georgia voters whether the state should allow online sports betting and moved related enabling legislation forward while rejecting a separate proposal to add online casino games.

The committee approved House Resolution 450, which would ask voters to permit online sports wagering only (no brick-and-mortar casinos or kiosks), with the measure directing most revenue to the state lottery fund and a remainder to responsible gambling programs.

The resolution’s author, Representative Weidower, told the committee the question would “direct the bulk of the money directly into the lottery fund, remainder going to responsible gambling.” Representative Kelly and others asked how initial allocations would be handled; Weidower said the allocation language would be finalized in the enabling legislation.

During debate, Representative Tripp offered amendment AM5585 to add online casino gambling (casino-style games playable on phones) to the ballot question so proceeds could fund universal pre-K. Tripp said the amendment’s “primary purpose would be to increase the amount of funds otherwise eligible that could go into universal pre k.” The amendment was seconded but failed on a voice vote.

The committee then took up the Georgia Sports Betting Act (House Bill 686), the enabling statute that would follow voter approval. Representative Weidower described the bill as granting a master license to the lottery, authorizing up to 16 operator licenses (some reserved for in-state teams), banning credit-card wagering, requiring two-factor authentication and prohibiting promotional activity, and setting a base privilege tax at 20 percent.

Whip Park offered an amendment (AM550087) to increase the privilege tax from 20 percent to 24 percent. Park said the change would “increase the amount of revenue going toward universal pre k under this bill by, approximately $40,000,000.” The committee adopted Park’s amendment without recorded roll-call totals and then gave the bill a due-pass recommendation to rules.

Committee members asked for revenue projections and noted the distinction between asking the public for permission (the constitutional amendment) and writing specific tax and regulatory language (the enabling bill). Representative Park said he would provide written projections; one committee member noted sports-betting-only projections of about $200 million and suggested adding casino-style games could push potential revenue “closer to about $500,000,000.”

What happened next

- AM5585 (add online casino gambling to the ballot question) — failed on a committee voice vote.
- HR 450 (constitutional amendment to authorize online sports betting) — passed the committee with a due-pass recommendation to rules.
- HB 686 (Georgia Sports Betting Act) — the committee adopted an amendment raising the privilege tax to 24% and recommended the bill with a due-pass.

Both the ballot question and the enabling bill would require further steps: the constitutional question must be placed on the statewide ballot and, if approved by voters, the enabling legislation would govern licensing, taxation and distribution of proceeds.","A House committee voted to put a constitutional question on the ballot to allow online sports betting and moved the enabling bill forward after adopting an amendment to raise the tax rate. An amendment to add online casino gambling failed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances narrow tuition-equalization change to expand aid for one institution’s students

Committee approves technical correction to naloxone access bill, emphasizing quick access to antidote

Committee approves loan-forgiveness program for veterinary technicians, caps awards at $30,000 per student

Committee narrows student-conduct bill; HOPE suspension reduced to next semester and limited to criminal convictions

Committee advances online sports-betting amendment; casino expansion rejected, tax hike adopted in enabling bill