ATLANTA (April 24, 2026) — Today, Sen. Chuck Payne (R–Dalton) celebrated the final passage of key legislation aimed at strengthening childhood literacy across Georgia. House Bill 1193, also known as the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, would direct Quality Basic Education funding for school-based literacy coaches to every K-3 public school statewide.
Both the House and the Senate approved the final budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year, which includes $70 million to implement HB 1193’s literacy initiative.
“Right now, only about 35% of third graders are reading on grade level, and that is simply unacceptable,” said Sen. Payne. “These literacy coaches will work directly with teachers to strengthen reading instruction, identify struggling students earlier and provide targeted support. This is the most comprehensive education legislation since the HOPE Scholarship, and it has the potential to make a generational difference for Georgia students.”
HB 1193 would also require children to attend kindergarten before enrolling in first grade and encourage families to enroll children in school or a home study program by age five. In addition, the bill would require first-grade readiness assessments to help ensure students are prepared for long-term academic success.
“Our neighboring states, including Mississippi and Alabama, have adopted similar reforms and seen real results,” said Sen. Payne. “If we want Georgia to remain the number one state for business, we must continue investing in our children early on.”
Before receiving final passage in the Senate, the legislation was considered by the Senate Committee on Education and Youth, where Sen. Payne serves as Vice Chairman. The committee oversees matters related to elementary and secondary education, school personnel, scholarship programs, student health and professional standards.
“Serving on the Education and Youth Committee is both an honor and a tremendous responsibility,” said Sen. Payne. “The next generation is in our hands, and we must ensure every child has the tools to succeed, beginning with the ability to read. During the 2026 Legislative Session, we worked to advance policies that support literacy in every corner of our state. I am grateful to community leaders and the Georgia Literacy Council for their advocacy and valuable input throughout this process.”
The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 and the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget now await Gov. Brian Kemp’s final signature.
You can read more about HB 1193 here and the budget here.
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Sen. Chuck Payne serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties, as well as a portion of Gordon County. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-5080 or by email at Chuck.Payne@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.