Georgia SB472: Local Boards of Education; audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; provide for the suspension of members

What the bill says

To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the suspension of members of local boards of education following certain audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; to provide for employment contract terms, conditions, and limitations for local school superintendents under certain conditions…

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the suspension of members of local boards of education following certain audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; to provide for employment contract terms, conditions, and limitations for local school superintendents under certain conditions; to provide for a cap on the total amount of advance distributions of state allotted funds that may be made by the State Board of Education to local units of administration; to provide for plans for monitoring, supports, and intervention; to provide for the authority of the state auditor relative to such plans; to provide that a petition signed by 10 percent of the qualified voters in an independent school system shall be required in order to hold an election to determine whether to annul the special law of the independent school system so that it becomes a part of the respective county school system or systems in which the territory of the independent school system is located; to repeal outdated terms and provisions; to make conforming changes; to amend Chapter 6 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Audits and Accounts, …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Will Wade (R, 9) · primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, 4) · primary sponsor
• Larry Walker (R, 20)
• Blake Tillery (R, 19)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, 52)
• Freddie Sims (D, 12)
• Carden Summers (R, 13)
• Burns, Max (R, 23)

Latest actions

1. May 12, 2026: Act 722
2. May 12, 2026: Effective Date
3. May 12, 2026: Senate Date Signed by Governor
4. April 10, 2026: Senate Sent to Governor
5. March 27, 2026: Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
6. March 25, 2026: House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
7. March 25, 2026: House Third Readers
8. March 25, 2026: House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
9. March 4, 2026: House Second Readers
10. March 3, 2026: House First Readers

Votes

• Senate Vote #841 (March 27, 2026): 29 yea, 17 nay, passed
• House Vote #768 (March 25, 2026): 96 yea, 58 nay, passed
• Senate Vote #594 (February 26, 2026): 40 yea, 8 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB472?

SB472 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Local Boards of Education; audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; provide for the suspension of members.

What does SB472 do?

In its own words: To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the suspension of members of local boards of education following certain audit findings or findings by the state auditor of financial mismanagement or misconduct; to provide for employment contract terms, conditions, and limitations for local school superintendents under certain conditions…

What is the status of SB472?

Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Act 722 (May 12, 2026).

Who sponsored SB472?

Will Wade (R, 9), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB472?

On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72966