Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 9 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 589 — "Quality Basic Education Act"; the date by which a child must attain a certain age to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten or first grade; revise

Last action — Senate Date Signed by Governor

  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 25, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Brian Kemp (Republican) on May 12, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (9 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to revise the date by which a child must attain a certain age to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten or first grade; to provide for parents and guardians to elect for their children who have attained the age of four or five to be enrolled in a voluntary pre-kindergarten program provided and operated as part of Georgia's Pre-K Program; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Effective Date

  2. Act 633

  3. Senate Date Signed by Governor

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

  6. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

  7. House Third Readers

  8. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

  9. House Second Readers

  10. House First Readers

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

  12. Senate Third Read

  13. Senate Taken from Table

  14. Senate Tabled

  15. Senate Read Second Time

  16. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

  17. Senate Read and Referred

  18. Senate Hopper

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 237 not signed on · 3 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (237)

237 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 237 →

"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 49 Yea · 0 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 31001
Democrat 18004
Unaffiliated 0002
Total 49007
% of votes cast 88%0%0%13%
How each member voted (56)
Member Party Vote
VACANT — Not Voting
VACANT — Not Voting
David Lucas Democrat Yea
Derek Mallow Democrat Yea
Donzella James Democrat Not Voting
Ed Harbison Democrat Yea
Elena Parent Democrat Not Voting
Emanuel Jones Democrat Not Voting
Freddie Powell Sims Democrat Not Voting
Gail Davenport Democrat Yea
Harold Jones II Democrat Yea
Jaha Howard Democrat Yea
Josh McLaurin Democrat Yea
Kenya Wicks Democrat Yea
Kim Jackson Democrat Yea
Michael 'Doc' Rhett 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
Brian Strickland Republican Not Voting
Carden Summers Republican Yea
Chuck Hufstetler Republican Yea
Chuck Payne Republican Yea
Clint Dixon Republican Yea
Drew Echols Republican Yea
Ed Setzler Republican Yea
Frank Ginn Republican Yea
Greg Dolezal Republican Yea
Jason Anavitarte Republican Yea
Jason T. Dickerson Republican Yea
John Albers 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 Yea
Russ Goodman Republican Yea
Sam Watson Republican Yea
Shawn Still Republican Yea
Steve Gooch Republican Yea
Steven McNeel Republican Yea
Timothy Bearden Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASSAGE

Passed 156 Yea · 3 Nay · 21 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 630014
Republican 93303
Unaffiliated 0004
Total 1563021
% of votes cast 87%2%0%12%
How each member voted (180)
Member Party Vote
VACANT — Not Voting
VACANT — Not Voting
VACANT — Not Voting
VACANT — Not Voting
Akbar Ali Democrat Yea
Al Williams Democrat Not Voting
Angela Moore Democrat Yea
Anissa Jones Democrat Not Voting
Anne Allen Westbrook Democrat Not Voting
Arlene Beckles Democrat Yea
Betsy Holland Democrat Yea
Billy Mitchell Democrat Yea
Brian Prince Democrat Not Voting
Bryce Berry Democrat Yea
Carl Gilliard Democrat Not Voting
Carolyn Hugley Democrat Yea
Dar'shun Kendrick Democrat Yea
David Sampson Democrat Yea
David Wilkerson Democrat Yea
Debbie Buckner Democrat Yea
Debra Bazemore Democrat Yea
Demetrius Douglas Democrat Yea
Derrick Jackson Democrat Yea
Dewey McClain Democrat Yea
Doreen Carter Democrat Yea
Edna Jackson Democrat Yea
El-Mahdi Holly Democrat Yea
Eric Bell Democrat Not Voting
Eric Gisler Democrat Yea
Esther Panitch Democrat Yea
Floyd Griffin Democrat Not Voting
Gabe Okoye Democrat Yea
Gabriel Sanchez Democrat Yea
Imani Barnes Democrat Yea
Inga Willis Democrat Yea
Jasmine Clark Democrat Yea
Karen Lupton Democrat Yea
Karla Drenner Democrat Yea
Karlton Howard Democrat Not Voting
Kim Schofield Democrat Yea
Kimberly Alexander Democrat Yea
L.C. Myles Democrat Not Voting
Lisa Campbell Democrat Yea
Long Tran Democrat Yea
Lydia Glaize Democrat Yea
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 Yea
Michelle Au Democrat Yea
Miriam Paris Democrat Yea
Omari Crawford Democrat Yea
Park Cannon Democrat Yea
Patty Marie Stinson Democrat Yea
Phil Olaleye Democrat Yea
Regina Lewis-Ward Democrat Not Voting
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
Shea Roberts Democrat Yea
Sheila Jones Democrat Yea
Solomon Adesanya Democrat Yea
Spencer Frye Democrat Yea
Stacey Evans Democrat Yea
Sylvia Wayfer Baker Democrat Not Voting
Tangie Herring Democrat Yea
Tanya Miller Democrat Not Voting
Terry Cummings Democrat Yea
Tremaine Reese Democrat Not Voting
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 Fincher 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 Nay
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 Nay
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
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 Yea
Reynaldo Martinez Republican Yea
Rick Jasperse Republican Yea
Rick Townsend Republican Yea
Rob Clifton Republican Yea
Rob Leverett Republican Yea
Robert Dickey Republican Yea
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 Not Voting

Official roll call →

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Passed 54 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 32000
Democrat 22001
Unaffiliated 0001
Total 54002
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (56)
Member Party Vote
VACANT — Not Voting
David Lucas Democrat Yea
Derek Mallow Democrat Yea
Donzella James Democrat Yea
Ed Harbison Democrat Not Voting
Elena Parent Democrat Yea
Emanuel Jones Democrat Yea
Freddie Powell Sims Democrat Yea
Gail Davenport Democrat Yea
Harold Jones II Democrat Yea
Jaha Howard 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 Yea
Ben Watson Republican Yea
Bill Cowsert Republican Yea
Billy Hickman Republican Yea
Blake Tillery Republican Yea
Bo Hatchett Republican Yea
Brian Strickland Republican Yea
Carden Summers Republican Yea
Chuck Hufstetler Republican Yea
Chuck Payne Republican Yea
Clint Dixon Republican Yea
Drew Echols Republican Yea
Ed Setzler Republican Yea
Frank Ginn Republican Yea
Greg Dolezal Republican Yea
Jason Anavitarte Republican Yea
Jason T. Dickerson Republican Yea
John Albers 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 Yea
Russ Goodman Republican Yea
Sam Watson Republican Yea
Shawn Still Republican Yea
Steve Gooch Republican Yea
Steven McNeel Republican Yea
Timothy Bearden Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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 589 do?
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to revise the date by which a child must attain a certain age to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten or first grade; to provide for parents and guardians to elect for their children who have attained the age of four or five to be enrolled in a voluntary pre-kindergarten program provided and operated as part of Georgia's Pre-K Program; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Who sponsors SB 589?
SB 589 is sponsored by Kim Jackson (Democrat), Mike Hodges (Republican), John Albers (Republican), Steven McNeel (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Clint Dixon (Republican), and Randy Robertson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 589?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 25, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 589?
Track SB 589 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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