Georgia House bill by author Rep. Gaines on foreign funding disclosure for public education passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Houston Gaines aims to increase transparency by requiring Georgia public education institutions to report and disclose foreign funding after winning approval in both chambers, according to the Georgia State House.

It passed both chambers as of Wednesday, March 18, clearing the House by a vote of 139-16 and the Senate by a vote of 31-20.

The bill, introduced as HB1379 on Wednesday, Feb. 18 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly, was formally described as: ’Foreign Funding Transparency and Accountability 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, titled the Foreign Funding Transparency and Accountability Act, requires Georgia public education institutions, including state universities, technical colleges and public schools, to submit semiannual reports starting in 2027 on all funding received from foreign sources. Reports to the attorney general and the Department of Accounts and Audits must detail amounts, types and purposes of funding; identify foreign sources; and include related contracts. Additional disclosures are required for funding from designated foreign countries, entities or individuals of concern, including any influence over curriculum, research or personnel and protections for academic freedom and cybersecurity. Reports, with certain sensitive data redacted, must be posted online. The bill exempts tuition and related fee payments by individuals or families and takes effect July 1, 2026, with a prior foreign funding reporting code section repealed effective Jan. 1, 2027.

In the House, 42 Democrats and 97 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 16 Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, one Democrat and 30 Republicans voted in favor, while 20 Democrats voted against it.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. John Carson (Republican-46th), Rep. Brent Cox (Republican-28th), and Rep. Tim Fleming (Republican-114th), along with two other co-sponsors.

Gaines graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA.

Gaines, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 120th House District, replacing previous state representative Trey Rhodes.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, May 12.

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.