GA SB82

Local boards of education approving new charter school petitions after June 30, 2025 receive $250,000 incentive grants annually for three years, subject to appropriations and continued authorization of the charter school

Local boards must provide written denial statements within 20 business days (reduced from 60 days) detailing reasons, deficiencies, existing school choice options, and academic performance of local schools; denials are published on the Office of Charter School Compliance website

School systems with 10,000-60,000 students that deny two or more local charter petitions subsequently approved by the State Charter Schools Commission lose eligibility to renew charter system status for up to three years; systems over 60,000 students face same penalty after three denied petitions

Office of Charter School Compliance must prepare standardized evaluation guidelines and rubrics for local boards reviewing charter petitions, including criteria for academic, operational, and financial plans

State Board of Education must submit annual charter school program reports to legislative leadership and appropriations committees by December 31 each year; accountability provisions automatically repeal July 1, 2035