GA SB475

Reduces the petition threshold from 25% to 10% of qualified voters required to trigger an election on whether to dissolve an independent school system and merge it into the respective county school system(s)

Requires local boards of education to treat local charter schools no less favorably than other local schools when spending proceeds from the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) for education

Exempts local school systems from any obligation to use SPLOST funds for purchasing or improving property or facilities owned by charter schools or other non-district entities

Updates terminology throughout the school consolidation statutes, replacing outdated references to "municipalities" and "districts" with "territory included in the independent school system"

Takes effect immediately upon approval by the Governor or upon becoming law without such approval