Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 6 R · 3 D cosponsors

SB 85 — Grants for Foster Children; a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; establish

Last action — Senate Date Signed by Governor

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 03, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Brian Kemp (Republican) on May 12, 2025.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (6 R · 3 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to postsecondary education grants for foster children and adopted children, so as to establish a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Act 120

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

  3. Senate Sent to Governor

  4. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

  5. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

  6. House Third Readers

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

  8. House Second Readers

  9. House First Readers

  10. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

  11. Senate Third Read

  12. Senate Read Second Time

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

  14. Senate Read and Referred

  15. Senate Hopper

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 238 not signed on · 3 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (238)

238 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 238 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Passed 53 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 31101
Democrat 22001
Total 53102
% of votes cast 95%2%0%4%
How each member voted (56)
Member Party Vote
David Lucas Democrat Yea
Derek Mallow Democrat Yea
Donzella James Democrat Yea
Ed Harbison Democrat Yea
Elena Parent Democrat Yea
Emanuel Jones Democrat Yea
Freddie Powell Sims Democrat Yea
Gail Davenport Democrat Yea
Harold Jones II Democrat Yea
Jason Esteves Democrat Yea
Josh McLaurin Democrat Yea
Kenya Wicks Democrat Yea
Kim Jackson Democrat Yea
Michael 'Doc' Rhett Democrat Yea
Nabilah Parkes Democrat Yea
Nan Orrock Democrat Yea
Nikki Merritt Democrat Yea
RaShaun Kemp Democrat Yea
Randal Mangham Democrat Yea
Sally Harrell Democrat Yea
Sheikh Rahman Democrat Yea
Sonya Halpern Democrat Yea
Tonya Anderson Democrat Not Voting
Ben Watson Republican Yea
Bill Cowsert Republican Yea
Billy Hickman Republican Yea
Blake Tillery Republican Yea
Bo Hatchett Republican Yea
Brandon Beach Republican Yea
Brian Strickland Republican Yea
Carden Summers Republican Yea
Chuck Hufstetler Republican Yea
Chuck Payne Republican Yea
Clint Dixon Republican Yea
Colton Moore Republican Nay
Drew Echols Republican Yea
Ed Setzler Republican Yea
Frank Ginn Republican Yea
Greg Dolezal Republican Yea
Jason Anavitarte Republican Yea
John Albers Republican Yea
John F. Kennedy Republican Yea
Kay Kirkpatrick Republican Yea
Larry Walker, III Republican Yea
Lee Anderson Republican Yea
Marty Harbin Republican Yea
Matt Brass Republican Yea
Max Burns Republican Yea
Mike Hodges Republican Yea
Randy Robertson Republican Yea
Rick Williams Republican Not Voting
Russ Goodman Republican Yea
Sam Watson Republican Yea
Shawn Still Republican Yea
Steve Gooch Republican Yea
Timothy Bearden Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASSAGE

Passed 166 Yea · 2 Nay · 12 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 71009
Republican 95203
Total 1662012
% of votes cast 92%1%0%7%
How each member voted (180)
Member Party Vote
Al Williams Democrat Yea
Angela Moore Democrat Yea
Anissa Jones Democrat Yea
Anne Allen Westbrook Democrat Yea
Arlene Beckles Democrat Yea
Betsy Holland Democrat Yea
Billy Mitchell Democrat Yea
Brian Prince Democrat Yea
Bryce Berry Democrat Yea
Carl Gilliard Democrat Yea
Carolyn Hugley Democrat Yea
Dar'shun Kendrick Democrat Yea
David Sampson Democrat Not Voting
David Wilkerson Democrat Yea
Debbie Buckner Democrat Yea
Debra Bazemore Democrat Yea
Demetrius Douglas Democrat Yea
Derrick Jackson Democrat Yea
Dewey McClain Democrat Not Voting
Dexter Sharper Democrat Yea
Doreen Carter Democrat Yea
Edna Jackson Democrat Yea
El-Mahdi Holly Democrat Not Voting
Eric Bell Democrat Yea
Esther Panitch Democrat Yea
Floyd Griffin Democrat Yea
Gabe Okoye Democrat Yea
Gabriel Sanchez Democrat Yea
Imani Barnes Democrat Yea
Inga Willis Democrat Yea
Jasmine Clark Democrat Yea
Karen Bennett Democrat Yea
Karen Lupton Democrat Yea
Karla Drenner Democrat Yea
Karlton Howard Democrat Yea
Kim Schofield Democrat Yea
Kimberly Alexander Democrat Yea
L.C. Myles Democrat Yea
Lisa Campbell Democrat Yea
Long Tran Democrat Yea
Lydia Glaize Democrat Yea
Lynn Heffner Democrat Not Voting
Mack Jackson Democrat Not Voting
Marvin Lim Democrat Yea
Mary Ann Santos Democrat Yea
Mary Frances Williams Democrat Yea
Mary Oliver Democrat Yea
Mekyah McQueen Democrat Yea
Michael Smith Democrat Not Voting
Michelle Au Democrat Yea
Miriam Paris Democrat Yea
Omari Crawford Democrat Yea
Park Cannon Democrat Yea
Patty Marie Stinson Democrat Yea
Phil Olaleye Democrat Not Voting
Regina Lewis-Ward Democrat Yea
Rhonda Burnough Democrat Yea
Rhonda Taylor Democrat Yea
Robert Dawson Democrat Yea
Robert Flournoy Democrat Yea
Ruwa Romman Democrat Yea
Saira Draper Democrat Yea
Sam Park Democrat Yea
Sandra Scott Democrat Yea
Scott Holcomb Democrat Yea
Segun Adeyina Democrat Yea
Sharon Henderson Democrat Yea
Shea Roberts Democrat Yea
Sheila Jones Democrat Yea
Shelly Hutchinson Democrat Not Voting
Solomon Adesanya Democrat Yea
Spencer Frye Democrat Yea
Stacey Evans Democrat Yea
Sylvia Wayfer Baker Democrat Yea
Tangie Herring Democrat Yea
Tanya Miller Democrat Yea
Terry Cummings Democrat Not Voting
Tremaine Reese Democrat Yea
Viola Davis Democrat Yea
Yasmin Neal Democrat Yea
Alan Powell Republican Yea
Angie O'Steen Republican Yea
Beth Camp Republican Yea
Bethany Ballard Republican Yea
Bill Hitchens Republican Yea
Bill Werkheiser Republican Yea
Bill Yearta Republican Yea
Brad Thomas Republican Yea
Brent Cox Republican Yea
Bruce Williamson Republican Yea
Buddy DeLoach Republican Yea
Butch Parrish Republican Yea
Carmen Rice Republican Yea
Carter Barrett Republican Yea
Charles Martin Republican Yea
Charlice Byrd Republican Nay
Chas Cannon Republican Yea
Chris Erwin Republican Yea
Chuck Efstration Republican Yea
Clint Crowe Republican Yea
Dale Washburn Republican Not Voting
Danny Mathis Republican Yea
Darlene Taylor Republican Yea
David Clark Republican Yea
David Huddleston Republican Yea
David Jenkins Republican Yea
Deborah Silcox Republican Yea
Derrick McCollum Republican Yea
Devan Seabaugh Republican Yea
Don Parsons Republican Yea
Eddie Lumsden Republican Yea
Emory Dunahoo Republican Yea
Gary Richardson Republican Yea
Gerald Greene Republican Yea
Ginny Ehrhart Republican Yea
Holt Persinger Republican Yea
Houston Gaines Republican Yea
Jaclyn Ford Republican Yea
James Burchett Republican Yea
Jan Jones Republican Yea
Jason Ridley Republican Yea
Jesse Petrea Republican Yea
Joe Campbell Republican Yea
John Carson Republican Yea
John Corbett Republican Yea
John LaHood Republican Yea
Johnny Chastain Republican Yea
Jon Burns Republican Not Voting
Jordan Ridley Republican Yea
Joseph Gullett Republican Yea
Josh Bonner Republican Yea
Justin Howard Republican Yea
Karen Mathiak Republican Yea
Kasey Carpenter Republican Yea
Katie Dempsey Republican Yea
Kimberly New Republican Yea
Lauren McDonald III Republican Yea
Lee Hawkins Republican Yea
Leesa Hagan Republican Yea
Lehman Franklin Republican Yea
Lynn Smith Republican Yea
Mandi Ballinger Republican Yea
Marcus Wiedower Republican Yea
Mark Newton Republican Yea
Martin Momtahan Republican Yea
Matt Barton Republican Yea
Matt Dubnik Republican Yea
Matt Hatchett Republican Yea
Matt Reeves Republican Yea
Matthew Gambill Republican Yea
Mike Cameron Republican Yea
Mike Cheokas Republican Yea
Mitchell Horner Republican Yea
Mitchell Scoggins Republican Yea
Noel Williams, Jr. Republican Yea
Noelle Kahaian Republican Nay
Reynaldo Martinez Republican Yea
Rick Jasperse Republican Yea
Rick Townsend Republican Yea
Rob Clifton Republican Yea
Rob Leverett Republican Yea
Robert Dickey Republican Not Voting
Ron Stephens Republican Yea
Sandy Donatucci Republican Yea
Scott Hilton Republican Yea
Sharon Cooper Republican Yea
Shaw Blackmon Republican Yea
Soo Hong Republican Yea
Stan Gunter Republican Yea
Steve Tarvin Republican Yea
Steven Meeks Republican Yea
Steven Sainz Republican Yea
Tim Fleming Republican Yea
Todd Jones Republican Yea
Trey Kelley Republican Yea
Trey Rhodes Republican Yea
Tyler Paul Smith Republican Yea
Vance Smith Republican Yea
Victor Anderson Republican Yea
Will Wade Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Passed 53 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 31002
Democrat 22001
Total 53003
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (56)
Member Party Vote
David Lucas Democrat Yea
Derek Mallow Democrat Yea
Donzella James Democrat Yea
Ed Harbison Democrat Yea
Elena Parent Democrat Yea
Emanuel Jones Democrat Yea
Freddie Powell Sims Democrat Yea
Gail Davenport Democrat Yea
Harold Jones II Democrat Yea
Jason Esteves Democrat Yea
Josh McLaurin Democrat Yea
Kenya Wicks Democrat Not Voting
Kim Jackson Democrat Yea
Michael 'Doc' Rhett Democrat Yea
Nabilah Parkes Democrat Yea
Nan Orrock Democrat Yea
Nikki Merritt Democrat Yea
RaShaun Kemp Democrat Yea
Randal Mangham Democrat Yea
Sally Harrell Democrat Yea
Sheikh Rahman Democrat Yea
Sonya Halpern Democrat Yea
Tonya Anderson Democrat Yea
Ben Watson Republican Yea
Bill Cowsert Republican Yea
Billy Hickman Republican Yea
Blake Tillery Republican Yea
Bo Hatchett Republican Yea
Brandon Beach Republican Yea
Brian Strickland Republican Yea
Carden Summers Republican Yea
Chuck Hufstetler Republican Yea
Chuck Payne Republican Yea
Clint Dixon Republican Yea
Colton Moore Republican Yea
Drew Echols Republican Yea
Ed Setzler Republican Yea
Frank Ginn Republican Yea
Greg Dolezal Republican Yea
Jason Anavitarte Republican Yea
John Albers Republican Yea
John F. Kennedy Republican Not Voting
Kay Kirkpatrick Republican Not Voting
Larry Walker, III Republican Yea
Lee Anderson Republican Yea
Marty Harbin Republican Yea
Matt Brass Republican Yea
Max Burns Republican Yea
Mike Hodges Republican Yea
Randy Robertson Republican Yea
Rick Williams Republican Yea
Russ Goodman Republican Yea
Sam Watson Republican Yea
Shawn Still Republican Yea
Steve Gooch Republican Yea
Timothy Bearden Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 85 do?
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A., relating to postsecondary education grants for foster children and adopted children, so as to establish a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Who sponsors SB 85?
SB 85 is sponsored by Jason Esteves (Democrat), Randy Robertson (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), John Albers (Republican), Kenya Wicks (Democrat), Ed Harbison (Democrat), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), and Matt Brass (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 85?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 03, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 85?
Track SB 85 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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