Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia SB556: HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide
Status: Signed into law, May 11, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to uniform reporting system for certain purposes, dual credit courses, and academic eligibility requirements to receive HOPE scholarship, so as to provide for the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages for determining student eligibility for the HOPE scholarships and other scholarships; to provide for applicability; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Titles 20, 31, 47, 48, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, health, retirement and pensions, revenue and taxation, and state government, respectively, so as to amend various provisions relating to higher education; to establish the DREAMS scholarship; to provide for policies; to provide for eligibility; to create an endowment fund for such scholarship; to provide for reports…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Titles 20, 31, 47, 48, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, health, retirement and pensions, revenue and taxation, and state government, respectively, so as to amend various provisions relating to higher education; to establish the DREAMS scholarship; to provide for policies; to provide for eligibility; to create an endowment fund for such scholarship; to provide for reports; to provide for the inclusion of advanced fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages for determining student eligibility for the HOPE scholarships and other scholarships; to provide for an exception; to require the possession of opioid antagonists by institutions within the University System of Georgia and units within the Technical College System of Georgia; to provide for definitions; to provide for possession of opioid antagonists by certain individuals; to require the maintenance of a stock supply of opioid antagonists; to provide for the use and location of opioid antagonist storage compartments; to authorize certain personnel to administer opioid antagonists and carry opioid antagonists; to provide for immunity; to provide that neither civil liability nor professional discipline shall accrue to personnel, the systems, or institutions or units thereof; to make conforming changes; to establish a scholarship for students enrolled medical school; to provide for eligibility; to provide terms …
Sponsors
- Scott Hilton (R, 48) · primary sponsor
- Chuck Payne (R, 54) · primary sponsor
- Shawn Still (R, 48)
- Ricky Williams (R, 25)
- Freddie Sims (D, 12)
- Billy Hickman (R, 4)
Latest actions
- : Effective Date
- : Act 468
- : Senate Date Signed by Governor
- : Senate Sent to Governor
- : Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
- : House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
Votes
- Senate Vote #959 (April 2, 2026): 36 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #958 (April 2, 2026): 25 yea, 25 nay, failed
- House Vote #842 (April 2, 2026): 167 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate Vote #669 (March 6, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB556?
- SB556 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide.
- What does SB556 do?
- In its own words: To amend Titles 20, 31, 47, 48, and 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, health, retirement and pensions, revenue and taxation, and state government, respectively, so as to amend various provisions relating to higher education; to establish the DREAMS scholarship; to provide for policies; to provide for eligibility; to create an endowment fund for such scholarship; to provide for reports…
- What is the status of SB556?
- Signed into law as of May 11, 2026. Latest action: Effective Date (July 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB556?
- Scott Hilton (R, 48), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB556?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73535
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.