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GA SB556

GA SB556
HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide

summary

Introduced
02/24/2026
In Committee
03/27/2026
Crossed Over
03/06/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT To amend Titles 20, 31, 47, 48, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, health, retirement and pensions, revenue and taxation, and state government, respectively, so as to amend various provisions relating to higher education; to establish the DREAMS scholarship; to provide for policies; to provide for eligibility; to create an endowment fund for such scholarship; to provide for reports; to provide for the inclusion of advanced fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages for determining student eligibility for the HOPE scholarships and other scholarships; to provide for an exception; to require the possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within the University System of Georgia and units within the Technical College System of Georgia; to provide for definitions; to provide for possession of opioid antagonists by certain individuals; to require the maintenance of a stock supply of opioid antagonists; to provide for the use and location of opioid antagonist storage compartments; to authorize certain personnel to administer opioid antagonists and carry opioid antagonists; to provide for immunity; to provide that neither civil liability nor professional discipline shall accrue to personnel, the systems, or institutions or units thereof; to make conforming changes; to establish a scholarship for students enrolled medical school; to provide for eligibility; to provide terms and conditions; to modify the maximum contribution limit for savings trust accounts under the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan; to create a deduction from taxable net income for contributions to certain qualified tuition programs; to provide for publication of list of qualified tuition programs; to exclude part-time students from membership in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan; to modify provisions relating to the minimum reserve amount of the lottery shortfall reserve; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the DREAMS (Dedicating Resources to Educationally Advance More Students) scholarship program, which will provide financial aid to undergraduate students with unmet financial need at eligible institutions within the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, with a maximum award of $3,000 per academic year, and requires recipients to complete a financial literacy course and engage in part-time work. It also expands the calculation of grade point averages for the HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) scholarship and other scholarships to include advanced fine arts courses, provided the student graduated high school after July 1, 2026, and mandates that institutions within the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia acquire and maintain a supply of opioid antagonists, with personnel authorized to administer them and granted immunity from civil liability for good faith administration, except in cases of willful or wanton misconduct. Additionally, the bill creates a new scholarship for medical students enrolled in eligible medical schools within the University System of Georgia, requiring recipients to practice medicine in the state for at least four years after graduation to avoid repayment, increases the maximum contribution limit for savings trust accounts under the Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan to $550,000, and creates a state income tax deduction for contributions to qualified tuition programs, with specific limits and a requirement for the Department of Revenue to publish a list of eligible programs. Finally, it excludes part-time students from membership in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and modifies provisions related to the lottery shortfall reserve, requiring it to be maintained at a higher level and allowing for excess funds to be appropriated for educational purposes.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (on 04/02/2026)

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