Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SB295

Introduced
2/27/25  
Refer
2/28/25  

Caption

State Board of Education; local school systems to maintain and publish a registry of all contracts worth more than $10,000.00; require

Impact

The legislation seeks to enhance financial accountability and transparency within local school systems, fundamentally altering how contracts are managed and reported. By requiring schools to maintain a detailed contract registry that includes essential data such as contractor names, contract amounts, and payment terms, the bill aims to give the public insights into how effectively state funds are utilized. Advocates argue that this measure will enable better oversight of financial dealings and discourage mismanagement of funds.

Summary

Senate Bill 295 mandates that local school systems in Georgia create and maintain a public registry of all contracts exceeding $10,000 that are funded in whole or part by state funds. This requirement is to ensure greater transparency regarding how taxpayer money is allocated. Each local school system must have its registry posted and easily accessible on its public website by August 1, 2026. The bill also instructs the Department of Education to provide a template for this registry to streamline compliance across various school systems.

Contention

While the bill is largely aimed at promoting transparency, some legislators express concerns over the administrative burden it may place on local school systems, particularly those with limited resources. There are worries that the requirement to maintain up-to-date registries and adhere to strict reporting deadlines could divert attention from educational priorities. Additionally, potential political contention may arise regarding the appropriateness of stringent oversight measures in local governance, creating an ongoing dialogue about the balance between accountability and autonomy in school systems.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

GA HB1023

Education; utilize weapon detection systems in certain school buildings; require local boards of education and other public school governing bodies

GA SB596

"Quality Basic Education Act"; State Board of Education to establish a program of state-wide coordinated support for summer literacy programs offered by local school systems and other public schools; require

GA AB84

School accountability: Office of the Education Inspector General: school financial and performance audits: charter school authorization, oversight, funding, operations, networks, and contracting: data systems: local educational agency contractor background checks and contracting.

GA SB475

Charter School Funding; local boards of education to treat local charter schools no less favorably than other local schools; expenditure of the proceeds of a special purpose local option sales tax; require

GA S09944

Establishes a public animal cruelty registry that requires persons over eighteen years of age convicted of animal abuse to register with the division of criminal justice services; requires such registry to contain certain information about each person registered; requires persons registered to pay an annual surcharge of fifty dollars to be used for costs and expenses associated with maintaining the registry.

GA HB917

Education; open enrollment processes for students to transfer between local school systems and between schools within local school systems; provide

GA HB65

Public K-12 education; State Board of Education required to adopt model student cell phone use policy, local boards of education required to adopt cell phone use policy

GA HB81

Public K-12 education; State Board of Education required to adopt model student cell phone use policy, local boards of education required to adopt cell phone use and storage policy

GA SB516

Roofing Contractor Registration Act; modifying certain duties of registrar; modernizing direct access system requirements. Effective date.

GA SB516

Roofing Contractor Registration Act; modifying certain duties of registrar; modernizing direct access system requirements. Effective date.

Similar Bills

AZ HB2445

Task order contracts; website; posting

AZ HB2895

Task order contracts; website; posting

CA AB1931

Insurance: home protection companies.

CA AB2187

Public contracts: contracts for services.

CA AB483

Fixed term installment contracts: early termination fees.

CA AB1809

Public contracts: school and community college districts.

CA SB272

San Mateo County Transit District: job order contracting: pilot program.

NJ S3306

Requires notification to members of health club if club is to be sold and health club services contract assigned to new owner.