Georgia House bill by author Rep. Donatucci on advanced math standards and instruction passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill authored by State Rep. Sandy Donatucci aims to set advanced math standards, require minimum math instruction time, and revise teacher certification, following approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Friday, March 27, clearing the House by a vote of 158-0 and the Senate by a vote of 51-0.

The bill, introduced as HB1030 on Tuesday, Jan. 27 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Math Matters Act; enact’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, cited as the Math Matters Act, requires the State Board of Education by Jan. 1, 2027, to set standards for middle and high school advanced math courses, including options that combine eighth grade and algebra content and compress two high school math courses into one year. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, districts must provide minimum daily or weekly math time for grades four and five, automatically enroll qualifying students in advanced math based on state test scores while allowing opt-outs, and offer academic supports and information on advanced pathways. The bill also bars waivers of these requirements, mandates annual state reporting on participation, and, effective July 1, 2026, revises teacher certification standards and exams to emphasize evidence based math instruction and the four strands of mathematical proficiency.

In the House, 61 Democrats and 97 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 19 Democrats and 32 Republicans voted in favor, also with no opposing votes.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Matt Dubnik (Republican-29th), Rep. Chris Erwin (Republican-32nd), and Rep. Scott Hilton (Republican-48th), along with three other co-sponsors.

Donatucci graduated from Indiana University in Pennsylvania in 1987 with a BS.

Donatucci, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 105th House District, replacing previous state representative Farooq Mughal.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, May 5.

In Georgia, the legislative process begins when a lawmaker, often at a constituent’s request, works with the Office of Legislative Counsel to draft a bill. After filing with the Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate, the bill receives its first reading and is sent to a committee, where most of the debate and fact-finding takes place. If approved, it advances to the floor for a third reading, debate, and a vote. To become law, the bill must pass both chambers, sometimes through a conference committee if versions differ, before being sent to the governor. The governor then has six days during session—or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die)—to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without a signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets annually for a 40-day session beginning the second Monday in January.

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