The Georgia Legislature adjourned sine die on April 2. On March 31, legislators adopted the conference committee report for the budget bill, House Bill 76. The 2015-16 budget will provide $19.3 billion in general funds, a 5.2 percent increase over the original 2014-15 budget, with $9.4 billion devoted to the Quality Basic Education Program (up 5.9 percent) and $2 billion to higher education (up 5.1 percent). 

Education legislation passed during the session includes Senate Resolution 287, a constitutional amendment to authorize the establishment of a state Opportunity School District to intervene at failing schools. The amendment will go before voters in 2016. Senate Bill 133 is the enabling legislation for the Opportunity School District amendment.