SB556Introduced in the Senate
HOPE Scholarship; the inclusion of advanced placement and international baccalaureate fine arts courses in the calculation of grade point averages; provide
Introduced by Chuck Payne, District 54
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
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.
Where it stands
Effective Date 2026-07-01
May 11, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #959 · April 2, 2026
36
Yes
17
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
54 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Watson | 1 | No |
| Derek Mallow | 2 | Yes |
| Mike Hodges | 3 | No |
| Billy Hickman | 4 | No |
| Sheikh Rahman | 5 | Yes |
| Matt Brass | 6 | Yes |
| Russ Goodman | 8 | Yes |
| Nikki Merritt | 9 | Yes |
| Emanuel Jones | 10 | Yes |
| Sam Watson | 11 | No |
Bill history
Senate Hopper
Senate Read and Referred
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
Senate Read Second Time
Senate Tabled
Senate Taken from Table
Senate Third Read
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
House First Readers
House Second Readers
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
House Third Readers
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub
Senate Sent to Governor
Senate Date Signed by Governor
Act 468
Effective Date 2026-07-01
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