Georgia House bill spearheaded by Rep. Persinger seeks changes to student records and school definitions

State Rep. Holt Persinger is backing a new bill in the Georgia House aimed at clarifying education statutes and improving student records access throughout Georgia, the Georgia State House reports.

Filed as HB1486 on Tuesday, March 3, during the regular session of the 158th General Assembly in 2026, the bill’s official summary is: ’Education; term “education record”; revise definitions’.

Our summary below is based on the bill’s language and may use interpretation for clarity.

Basically, HB1486 modifies Georgia education rules to unify definitions and timing for school functions and student records access. It gives specific meaning to terms like “school business day” and “school day,” clarifies categories for local school systems, and aligns “school system” with “local school system.” The bill updates “education record” to reflect FERPA federal definitions and details what’s excluded. It expands cross-references to parents’ and legal custodians’ inspection, copying, and correction rights for student records. The prior time limit for record requests is removed, and new protocols replace multiple old timing terms with “school business day.” The legislation is to take effect once the governor signs it or if it becomes law otherwise.

Reps. Chris Erwin (Republican-32nd) and Beth Camp (Republican-135th) also co-sponsored the measure.

Persinger has sponsored three additional bills since the session started, with two already enacted.

He earned a degree from The University of Georgia in 1998.

Persinger, a Republican, has served in the Georgia State House representing District 119 since 2023, succeeding former state representative Marcus Wiedower.

As described in Georgia’s legislative procedures, lawmaking typically starts with a legislator—at times by constituent request—working with Legislative Counsel to draft a proposal. After submission to the House clerk or Senate secretary, the measure has a first reading and moves to committee, where primary debate and investigation occur. Passage from committee accelerates the bill to the chamber floor for a final reading, further discussion, and a vote. Passing both legislative bodies, and reconciled if needed, the bill proceeds to the governor, who then has six days in session or 40 days post-adjournment (Sine Die) to sign, veto, or let the measure lapse into law unsigned. The Georgia General Assembly’s sessions start the second Monday in January and last 40 days.

Details in this article are from the Georgia State House. View the underlying data here.