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Committee expands memorial fund language to cover teachers, adds tax checkoff option in updated HB 56
Summary
Sponsors presented changes to House Bill 56 that would create a memorial fund for public school teachers and employees killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, add tax return and Department of Driver Services checkoffs, and codify existing uses of the Public Safety Memorial Fund.
Chairman Petrie and other sponsors described revisions to House Bill 56, which would update the Public Safety Memorial Fund, add a new parallel memorial fund for public school teachers and employees killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty through an act of violence, and add voluntary tax and driver‑services checkoffs as a funding mechanism.
Chairman Petrie outlined three parts of the revised bill: (1) updated checkoff options on Georgia tax returns and Department of Driver Services forms to include spouses and the new teacher fund, (2) cleanup and codification of uses in the existing public safety fund, and (3) creation of a new fund for teachers and school employees with grant provisions for spouses and children. Petrie said the teacher fund would use “the same terminology that’s used” in the existing indemnification code.
Committee counsel and Student Finance staff worked with sponsors to align statutory language. Anna Forster, committee counsel, and President Lynn Riley of Student Finance were acknowledged for drafting and updating provisions that add the tax return checkoff and update payout amounts. Petrie said the drafting updates were “in keeping with the original intent” and that the adjustments ‘‘bring that into current day numbers.’’
Members asked about scope and definitions. Representative Stetson asked whether “permanent disability” could include mental‑health conditions such as post‑traumatic stress disorder; counsel noted the bill mirrors the current indemnification code’s definition and that eligibility would depend on whether a claim fits the existing statutory standard. Petrie said the new fund mirrors existing indemnification criteria: if a teacher qualifies for indemnification under current law, they would qualify for the bill’s benefits.
Members also raised questions about expansion to other categories of state employees; one member asked the committee to consider how broadly to expand memorial coverage over time. Several members supported the changes and requested more time to socialize the revised language with the Speaker’s office, the minority leader, and other interested leaders.
The committee did not take a final vote; sponsors asked members to review the revised draft and indicated the bill will return to the committee after additional outreach and edits.
