The 2008 Legislative Session is in full swing with Day 14 (out of a 40-day session) behind us and the passage of the Amended Fiscal Year 2008 budget by the House. More details on relevant action below.

House Passes AFY 2008 Budget

Before the General Assembly passes the state budget for the coming fiscal year (FY 2009: July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009), it makes adjustments to the state budget for the current fiscal year - FY 2008. This amended budget, often referred to as the "little budget," includes mid-year adjustments for increased enrollments in schools, corrections to current budget allocations and a few new appropriations.

On Friday, February 8^th, the House passed the AFY 2008 budget (House Bill 989) by a vote of 159 to 6. It will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Items of interest to the afterschool community in the House-passed AFY 2008 budget include:

• approximately $7 million in additional funds in the school funding formula for mid-year enrollment adjustments;
• changes the Governor's proposed $25 million for school districts to purchase new buses from cash to bonds, which will give districts more time to purchase the buses;
• uses the savings from the move to bonds to restore the equalization grants that go to low-income school districts;
• reduces Graduation Coaches funding by $1.1 million to reflect actual costs; and
• supports the $40 million in one-time funds for technology for schools as proposed by the Governor.

See House Bill 989 for more detailed information.

Legislation of Interest to the Afterschool Community

HB 901 (Rep. Roger Bruce - Atlanta): The Parent Protection Act, would require employers to allow employees to take leave (up to 24 hours annually) to attend school conferences and medical appointments. HB 901 was heard on Thursday, February 7^th by the House Industrial Relations Committee and a full room of interested supporters, as well as some opponents. The bill was assigned to the Employment Security Subcommittee. 

HB 1054 (Rep. Sharon Cooper - Marietta): The Children and Family Service Strengthening Act of 2008 was favorably reported by the House Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday, February 7^th. The bill would consolidate a number of child welfare and youth agencies. A new agency, the Governor's Office for Children and Families would be created to take over the work of the Children's Trust Fund Commission and the Children and Youth Coordinating Council. In addition, the Child Fatality Review Panel would move under the Office of the Child Advocate.

HB 1050: Rep. Kathy Ashe (Atlanta) introduced this bill to require the state to fully fund the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Act. HB 1050 would mandate the state's share of school funding be appropriated, as opposed to leaving the decision up the General Assembly each year. HB 1050 was assigned to the House Education Committee.