ATLANTA – Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, and State Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth), Chairman of the House Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Innovation, celebrate the final passage of Senate Bill 233, the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R–Cumming). This measure now awaits signature by Governor Brian P. Kemp.
SB 233, the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” will provide participating students $6,500.00 in scholarship funds each school year. Following consideration by the Georgia House of Representatives, this bill will now also create the Georgia Education Savings Authority and give the Georgia Education Savings Authority to administer the Promise Scholarship Program. Additionally, the House substitute adds the revision of the definition of ‘qualified education expense’ by distinguishing between eligible core courses and eligible CTAE Courses. Furthermore, it adds two additional eligibility requirements for participation in the program and clarifies the Georgia residency requirement.
Lt. Governor Burt Jones applauded the passage of the measure, stating, “On Wednesday, the Senate voted to give parents greater control over their children’s educational needs. I made passing school choice a priority and am proud of the Senate for leading the way in the most substantive initiative to pass the Georgia General Assembly in decades. This is a crucial first step, but the fight does not stop to give parents a choice and resources for their child’s diverse and unique educational needs.”
“It is deeply meaningful to me that, five years after presenting this measure to the Senate, we have come together to support this tailored bill. SB 233 is designed to prioritize families in the decision-making process for their children’s education, offering choice and alternatives for those enrolled in schools that may not adequately serve their needs,” stated Sen. Dolezal.
He further expressed gratitude, stating, “I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Rep. Todd Jones (R–South Forsyth) and Speaker John Burns (R–Newington), whose support was indispensable in the passage of this measure. I am also grateful to my colleagues in the Senate Majority, whose contributions were instrumental in bringing this measure to fruition. Moreover, I am indebted to Gov. Kemp for prioritizing this bill, as well as to the numerous professional and parental advocates whose dedication ensured the prioritization and passage of this critical issue. This marks a historic day for educative progress in the state of Georgia.”
“The General Assembly has taken a critical step to changing the trajectory of K-12 education in Georgia with the passage of Senate Bill 233,” said. Rep. Jones. “A sea change moment has occurred with SB 233 as we put the child at the center of every education decision in our great state.”
Read the full text of SB 233 here.
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Sen. Greg Dolezal serves as Chairman for the Senate Committee on Transportation. He represents the 27th Senate District, which includes a large part of Forsyth County. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0040 or via email at greg.dolezal@senate.ga.gov
Representative Todd Jones represents the citizens of District 25, which includes portions of Forsyth and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Technology & Infrastructure Innovation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Economic Development & Tourism, Education, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health, Industry & Labor and Judiciary committees.