Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB400: Education; unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; prohibit
Status: Passed both chambers, March 31, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to prohibit unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; to require certain institutions to participate in the Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund and to provide how such institutions may participate; to provide for indemnification; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to prohibit unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; to authorize the use of irrevocable letters of credit in lieu of surety bonds; to require denial of applications to operate in certain circumstances; to clarify that grievance procedures for denials of authorization to operate do not apply to denials of authorization to offer additional courses…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to prohibit unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; to authorize the use of irrevocable letters of credit in lieu of surety bonds; to require denial of applications to operate in certain circumstances; to clarify that grievance procedures for denials of authorization to operate do not apply to denials of authorization to offer additional courses; to require certain postsecondary educational institutions to provide academic records to the executive director in certain circumstances; to require certain institutions to participate in the Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund and to provide how such institutions may participate; to provide for indemnification; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, is amended in Code Section S. B. 400 (SUB) LC 61 0478S 20-3-250.2, relating to definitions relative to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, by revising paragraph (17) and adding a new paragraph to read as follows: "(7.1) 'Distance education' means education or …
Sponsors
- Charles Martin (R, 49) · primary sponsor
- Burns, Max (R, 23) · primary sponsor
- Billy Hickman (R, 4)
- Chuck Hufstetler (R, 52)
- Chuck Payne (R, 54)
- Clint Dixon (R, 45)
- Lee Anderson (R, 24)
- Randy Robertson (R, 29)
- John Albers (R)
- Carden Summers (R, 13)
- Ricky Williams (R, 25)
- Shawn Still (R, 48)
Latest actions
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : Senate Third Read
- : Senate Read Second Time
- : Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : Senate Read and Referred
Votes
- House Vote #808 (March 31, 2026): 168 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #539 (February 11, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB400?
- SB400 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Education; unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; prohibit.
- What does SB400 do?
- In its own words: To amend Part 1A of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to nonpublic postsecondary educational institutions, so as to prohibit unaccredited institutions from offering degrees; to authorize the use of irrevocable letters of credit in lieu of surety bonds; to require denial of applications to operate in certain circumstances; to clarify that grievance procedures for denials of authorization to operate do not apply to denials of authorization to offer additional courses…
- What is the status of SB400?
- Passed both chambers as of March 31, 2026. Latest action: House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (March 31, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB400?
- Charles Martin (R, 49), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB400?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72232
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.