Senate approves house substitute to SB 179, adds amendment on civic organizations’ access to schools

The Georgia Senate voted to agree to the House substitute to SB 179, including an amendment that would require local school systems to allow specified civic organizations to speak with students during school hours with notice and superintendent approval.

Senator from the 40th, who moved the motion to agree as amended, said the bill updates school-safety and student-transfer provisions and adds a statewide computer-science graduation requirement beginning in the 2031–2032 school year. He described the amendment as allowing organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, Future Farmers of America, American Legion and Red Cross to seek access to schools to "teach civics, to promote their organization," while providing at least 30 days’ notice and allowing schools to schedule reasonable alternate times if needed. "This would allow them access to schools to teach civics, to promote their organization," the sponsor said.

During floor questioning, another senator asked about section 3 of the underlying bill and whether it would change the definition of "private school," and what consequences—if any—for funding, notice, or oversight would follow. The sponsor said detailed intent would need to be confirmed with the bill’s House author but noted the substitute also raises the allowable per-student charge for Georgia virtual school courses from $250 to $350.

The chair called the roll on the motion to agree to the house substitute as amended. "On the motion agree, the house substitute as amended: The yeas are 48 and the nays are 3," the chair announced, and the motion carried.

Why it matters: The bill packages multiple changes affecting K–12 administration and graduation requirements. The amendment on access by civic organizations would create a uniform notice-and-approval pathway for outside groups to visit schools; critics and supporters may weigh issues such as local control, content oversight, and parental notice as the bill moves forward.

Next steps: With the Senate’s action, the House substitute as amended will move forward under the Legislature’s procedures. The sponsor gave no date for final enrollment on the bill during the recorded floor action.