The House Education Committee met Wednesday to discuss several bills, including HB 139 by Rep. Dave Belton (R-Buckhead), which passed the committee unanimously. The legislation requiring school financial reporting contains the key elements from HB 659 which was vetoed in 2016 due to unrelated provisions which were added to the bill in the final days of the 2016 session. One minor addition has been included since 2016: the bill now directs local school districts to provide financial info to GaDOE, and the agency will disseminate the information.

The committee also unanimously passed HB 198 by Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) which amends existing state law requiring education on meningitis to also require education on influenza if a school already provides such educational material.

Also receiving unanimous approval was HB 246 by Rep. Wes Cantrell (R-Woodstock) which repeals the sunset provision on an annual physical fitness program.

On Friday afternoon, the Senate Education Committee unanimously passed SB 3, the "Creating Opportunities Needed Now to Expand Credentialed Training (CONNECT) Act" sponsored by Senate Ed Chairman Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta) on behalf of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. The legislation seeks to provide industry credentialing for students who complete certain focused programs of study and would also lower the age of participation in apprenticeship programs from 16 to 15. Additionally, SB 3 enables the State Board of Education to establish a competitive grant program for renovation, modernization, replacement or purchase of career tech or agricultural education equipment.