Bill Text: GA HB157 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Lottery shortfall reserve subaccounts; revise trigger reductions in HOPE; provisions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-07-01 - Effective Date [HB157 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB157-Introduced.html

---

09 LC 28 4446

House Bill 157

By: Representative Harbin of the 118th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 50-27-13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the lottery shortfall reserve subaccounts, so as to revise the amounts in the lottery accounts that trigger reductions in HOPE scholarship program benefits; to provide a definition; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 50-27-13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the lottery shortfall reserve subaccounts, is amended by revising paragraph (5) of subsection (b) as follows:

"(5)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the term:

(i) 'Highest year-end balance' means the highest total amount of unexpended and uncommitted funds in the Lottery for Education Account, as determined by the state auditor, at the end of any fiscal year beginning with Fiscal Year 2004 and continuing through the most recent fiscal year for which the state auditor has verified the amount of such funds, which shall not include amounts contained in the subaccounts provided for in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection.

(ii) 'year-end 'Year-end balance' shall mean means the amount, as determined by the state auditor, of unexpended and uncommitted funds in the Lottery for Education Account at the end of a fiscal year, which shall not include amounts contained in the subaccounts provided for in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection.

(B)(i) In the event that the year-end balance of a fiscal year is less than 92 percent of the highest year-end balance of the fiscal year immediately preceding, as defined in this paragraph, then all scholarships and grants for book allowances under Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 shall not exceed $150.00 per year beginning in the next fiscal year and thereafter. This provision shall not apply to students who are eligible to participate in the federal Pell Grant program.

(ii) In the event that the year-end balance of any subsequent fiscal year is less than 84 percent of the highest year-end balance of the fiscal year immediately preceding, as defined in this paragraph, then all scholarships and grants for book allowances under Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 shall be eliminated beginning in the subsequent fiscal year and thereafter. This provision shall not apply to students who are eligible to participate in the federal Pell Grant program.

(iii) In the event that the year-end balance of any further subsequent fiscal year is less than 75 percent of the highest year-end balance of the fiscal year immediately preceding, as defined in this paragraph, then all scholarships and grants for mandatory fees under Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 shall be eliminated beginning in the next fiscal year and thereafter."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.