Georgia General Assembly approves HB1514 altering Fulton County school board president election process

Legislation introduced by State Rep. Lydia Glaize is set to implement a consistent schedule and transparent procedure for selecting the Fulton County Board of Education president after passing the House and Senate, according to the Georgia State House.

The measure cleared both legislative chambers as of Wednesday, March 25, with the House voting 161-2 in favor and the Senate approving it by a margin of 50-0.

Brought forward as HB1514 on Wednesday, March 4, during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, the bill is officially titled: ’Fulton County; Board of Education; change election date of president’.

Here is a summary based on the actual bill text, with clarifications of some of its provisions.

The measure alters the timing and procedure for electing the Fulton County Board of Education president. Under the new requirements, the president must be selected by a majority vote from current board members at the board’s first December meeting in every even-numbered year. The president remains in office until a successor is appointed through the same process. The act is intended to standardize leadership selection and streamline internal procedures. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and repeals conflicting statutes.

Of the House, 69 Democrats and 92 Republicans supported the legislation, with two Republicans voting against it.

In the Senate, all 19 Democrats and 31 Republicans present backed the bill, with no opposition.

The bill lists Rep. Robert Dawson (Democrat-65th), Rep. Stacey Evans (Democrat-57th), Rep. Mekyah McQueen (Democrat-61st), and two additional representatives as co-sponsors.

Glaize earned her degree from Seton Hall University in 1982.

Glaize, a Democrat, was elected to represent Georgia’s 67th House District in 2023, succeeding Micah Gravley in the State House.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 12.

In Georgia, the legislative process starts when a legislator, often responding to a constituent, collaborates with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft new proposals. Upon filing with either the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the measure receives its introduction and is assigned to a committee, serving as the primary forum for debate and review. Approval by the committee advances the bill to the floor, where it receives further reading, debate, and a decisive vote. For enactment, both chambers must pass the legislation, with a possible conference committee to reconcile differences before it goes to the governor, who then has six days during the session—or up to 40 days after Sine Die—to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly holds a 40-day session beginning the second Monday of January every year.

Information in this article was obtained from the Georgia State House. The source data can be found here.