State Representative Soo Hong of Lawrenceville, who holds the position of Governor’s Floor Leader, was present with Governor Brian Kemp as he endorsed House Bill 217. This new law aims to bolster workforce development in Georgia by extending the Dual Achievement Program pilot and refining scholarship verification and school board election regulations.
Rep. Hong expressed her support for the legislation, stating, “Yesterday’s signing of HB 217 marks a significant step forward in strengthening Georgia’s workforce and expanding opportunities for our students. I’m grateful to Governor Kemp and my legislative colleagues for prioritizing education and streamlining access to programs like the Dual Achievement Program and Promise Scholarship. With this legislation, we’re helping more students succeed, while laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive economy. Investing in education is investing in Georgia’s future.”
The legislation, arising from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), is set to reform the Dual Achievement Program and proposes a five-year extension for its pilot. It incorporates measures from the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) which allow the use of Department of Revenue (DOR) data for verifying income of Georgia Promise Scholarship candidates. Additionally, it offers clarification on the enrollment count date related to the school board elections nepotism clause.
The complete text of HB 217 is available for review.
