25 LC 55 0545
House Resolution 396
By: Representatives Campbell of the 35
th
, Hugley of the 141
st
, Miller of the 62
nd
, Glaize of
the 67
th
, Howard of the 129
th
, and others
A RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to
1
provide by law for the creation of the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund; to provide for the2
appropriation of moneys into such fund, including a one-time appropriation from the3
Revenue Shortfall Reserve; to provide that moneys appropriated into such fund shall not4
lapse and shall be used to provide scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance5
for child care services; to provide for the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the6
moneys appropriated into such fund; to provide that returns on such investments shall be7
used for financial assistance for child care services; to provide for related matters; to provide8
for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.9
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10
SECTION 1.11
Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI of the Constitution is amended by adding a new12
subparagraph to read as follows:13
"(s) The General Assembly is authorized to provide by law for the creation of the
14
Georgia's Children First Trust Fund for the purpose of providing, in accordance with the15
provisions of this subparagraph, financial assistance for child care services in this state. 16
Upon the creation of the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund, the General Assembly shall17
H. R. 396
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make a one-time appropriation in the amount of $3 billion into such fund, which shall be18
appropriated from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve. The General Assembly shall be19
authorized, but not required, to appropriate additional amounts into such fund. All moneys20
appropriated into the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund shall not be subject to the21
provisions of Article III, Section IX, Paragraph IV(c), relating to the lapsing of funds, and22
shall be used to provide scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance for child23
care services in this state; provided, however, that a portion of the moneys appropriated to24
the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund shall be invested and reinvested in a manner as25
provided by law. Moneys received from returns on such investments and reinvestments26
shall be deposited into the Georgia's Children First Trust Fund and shall be used to provide27
scholarships, grants, or other forms of financial assistance for child care services in this28
state. The General Assembly shall be authorized to provide by law for any matters relating29
to the purpose or provisions of this subparagraph."30
SECTION 2.31
The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as32
provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the33
above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:34
"( ) YES35
36
( ) NO37
38
Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General
Assembly to use a portion of the state's historic, multiyear revenue surplus
to create a self-sustaining Georgia's Children First Trust Fund for the
purpose of providing access to child care services in this state?"
All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes."
39
All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If40
such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall41
become a part of the Constitution of this state.42
H. R. 396
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