Rep. Bethany Ballard

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to revise provisions for incentive grants for local boards of education to approve charter school petitions; to revise provisions for the Office of Charter School Compliance; to revise provisions relative to charter petitions by existing charter schools; to revise provisions relative to state charter school records; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to student health in elementary and secondary education, so as to enact the "You Are Not Alone Awareness Act"; to require public schools that issue student identification badges to include certain information about the 9-8-8 crisis response hotline on such badges; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally recognizes and commends Malcolm Mitchell, a former NFL player and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation. The resolution highlights his personal journey from struggling with reading to establishing a global literacy initiative that helps children overcome similar challenges. It directs the House Clerk to provide a copy of the resolution to Mitchell as an official acknowledgment of his work. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a ceremonial tribute to his contributions to literacy advocacy.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 86 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government efficiency, so as to provide for a comprehensive efficiency review of local taxing bodies; to provide for a report; to provide for a penalty; to permit use of certain grant funds; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-218 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to duty-free lunch period and planning period required, exemption for extenuating circumstances, and funding, so as to provide that said Code section shall not be subject to waiver; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-11-64 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to collection of information by juvenile court clerks, reporting requirement, and data collection, so as to require that juvenile court clerks collect and submit data regarding monetary sanctions assessed for juvenile offenders to the Administrative Office of the Courts; to provide for reporting requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryHR 1513 is a symbolic resolution recognizing March 3, 2026, as "Georgia Reads Day" to celebrate literacy efforts in Georgia. It honors students participating in the 2026 READBowl reading challenge, Georgia Reads Coach Malcolm Mitchell, the Georgia Council on Literacy, and community organizations recognized through the Georgia Reads Community Award. The resolution has no policy impact - it purely acknowledges existing literacy programs and achievements without creating new laws or funding. It was adopted by the Georgia House of Representatives on February 26, 2026, as a ceremonial gesture.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to delinquency, so as to provide for cognitive behavioral therapy for certain children in restrictive custody with the Department of Juvenile Justice; to provide for criteria and evaluation for participation; to require DJJ to provide such services; to provide for a minimum number of hours of provided therapy for such children; to require DJJ to annually produce a report on the provision of such services; to provide for contents and recipients of such report; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 1421), not a law. It formally commends Officer Matthew Wojtel of the Warner Robins Police Department for his service, dedication, and recovery after sustaining gunshot wounds in the line of duty on January 29, 2026. The resolution expresses the Georgia House of Representatives' appreciation for his "care, courage, and selfless dedication" but does not change any laws or policies. It has no direct impact on citizens or government operations beyond symbolic recognition.

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for the Georgia Public School Excellence and Stability (GPSES) grant program; to provide for eligibility; to provide for requirements; to clarify student residency qualification for promise scholarship accounts; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.