Federal and state legislation and policies impact public schools in Columbia County and the higher educational institutions they may attend after graduation.

It is beyond the capacity of our organization to monitor all the legislation and policies which impact public education. Here is a list of organizations we recommend our supporters follow. This is not an endorsement of any specific action of any of these organizations. In our blog entries tagged “legislation”, we highlight those actions and positions we do support.

• American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia
• EveryLibrary
• Fund Georgia’s Future
• Georgia Association of Educators
• Georgia Budget & Policy Institute
• Georgia Youth Justice Coalition
• Intercultural Development Research Association
• Southern Center for Human Rights

• HB 268 SCHOOL SAFETY LEGISLATION: strengthens school safety measures, expands security protocols, and mental health professional staffing.
• Cell Phone Use Restrictions: defines distraction free learning rules for grades 9-12.
• Literacy Instruction: expands funding for literacy coaches and reading instruction

2026 Legislative Priorities

• HB 372: Return – to – Work: which allows retired educators to return to teaching without impact to retirement benefits
• HB 1193 Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026: adds additional funding to literacy programs in public schools

Georgia Association of Educators 2026 Priorities

• Improve starting salary and cost of living increases, fully staff critical programs, restore class size formula, and universal access to fully funded Pre-K programs, etc ( see link below for infographic and more information) https://online.flippingbook.com/view/864099890/#zoom=true