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Subcommittee approves bill requiring periodic notice on Social Security withholding for school employees
Summary
HB 37 would require school systems to inform employees at hiring, every five years and at separation whether Social Security taxes are withheld for that position; supporters and education groups said the change improves transparency for employees in some districts that do not withhold Social Security.
Representative Leverett presented House Bill 37 (LC491994), a measure requiring school systems to notify employees at hiring and at five-year intervals whether Social Security (FICA) is withheld for that position and, on separation, whether taxes were withheld during employment. The sponsor said the bill responds to cases where employees assumed Social Security had been withheld and later learned otherwise.
Committee members asked whether recent federal changes (the Social Security Fairness Act referenced by witnesses) would affect the bill; witnesses and the sponsor said the notice requirement remains appropriate because it provides employee-level information needed for retirement planning even if federal rules change.
Lisa Morgan, a kindergarten teacher and president of the Georgia Association of Educators, testified that about 80,000 Georgians are affected by federal rules that had reduced or altered Social Security benefits for some school employees and that the Social Security Fairness Act is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024. Morgan said the bill simply ensures employees know whether their positions contribute to Social Security so they can plan for retirement.
The subcommittee voted to give HB 37 a due-pass recommendation to full committee by voice vote.
