Committee advances substitute to HB1379 narrowing foreign‑funding reporting and adding $10,000 threshold

Representative Houston Gaines presented LC610442S, a substitute to HB1379 that narrows the bill’s original scope and adds several implementation changes. Gaines said the substitute limits covered entities to donations from certain categories of countries ("countries of particular concern," a "special watch" list, and those with sovereign wealth funds) instead of applying broadly to all foreign countries. He told the committee the substitute requires reporting only for monies "over $10,000" annually to reduce administrative burden.

Lawmakers pressed for clarity on which countries would be listed and how institutions would be notified. Gaines suggested statute could set criteria and direct the responsible department to compile lists for implementers. A committee member asked whether K–12, the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia had been consulted; Gaines said he had been in some conversation with the university system but had not heard back from all affected groups and welcomed staff outreach.

Committee action: After discussion the committee moved a motion for a "do pass" recommendation on LC610442S (HB1379). The chair announced the motion passed and the measure was moved forward with a due-pass recommendation; the transcript does not capture a complete division tally, only that members approved the motion and a division was requested.

Why it matters: The substitute tightens reporting duties and places a monetary threshold intended to limit minor gifts from creating recurring administrative burdens, but members asked staff to clarify which implementers must report and how the country lists will be determined.

Ending: The substitute to HB1379 was advanced with a do-pass recommendation; staff were directed to gather feedback from USG, TCSG and public-school implementers before the bill proceeds further.