Plain English Breakdown
While the official summary states the bill passed both chambers in a previous status label, the specific 'Last action' listed is 'House Withdrawn, Recommitted,' creating uncertainty about whether it has successfully completed all legislative steps to become law.
HB12: Changing Rules for School Funding Grants
This bill changes the definition of a qualified local school system by lowering the required minimum property tax rate from 14 mills to 10 mills and reduces state grants if schools do not meet this requirement.
What This Bill Does
- Changes the definition of 'qualified local school system' in Code Section 20-2-165 by reducing the minimum required millage rate or effective millage rate from 14 mills to 10 mills.
- Provides for a 25 percent reduction of equalization grant awards for local school systems whose millage rate does not meet the new minimum requirement.
- Requires annual reporting by the Department of Education regarding these calculations and allocations.
- Repeals an existing definition in state law.
Who It Names or Affects
- Local public school systems
- The Georgia Department of Education
Terms To Know
- Millage rate
- A tax amount based on property value used to determine if a school system qualifies for state grants.
- Equalization grant
- State funding provided to local school systems, which may be reduced under this bill if specific tax requirements are not met.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text does not state a specific effective date for these changes.
- The most recent legislative action listed is 'House Withdrawn, Recommitted,' meaning the bill has been sent back to committee and may not become law without further steps.