ATLANTA – State Representative Brenda Lopez Romero (D-Norcross) and House Minority Leader Bob Trammell (D-Luthersville), along with State Representatives David Dreyer (D-Atlanta), Jasmine Clark (D-Lilburn) and Beth Moore (D-Peachtree Corners), today introduced House Bill 896 to allow high schools graduates in Georgia to receive in-state tuition rates, regardless of their immigration status.
“The state has invested in our K-12 education system to ensure that we have the highest educated population because an undereducated workforce undermines Georgia’s economy,” said Rep. Lopez Romero. “House Bill 896 would ensure that our state has a well-educated workforce, and as a result, Georgia would continue to be the number one state to do business.”
House Bill 896 would guarantee in-state tuition rates to all Georgia high school graduates who attend at least three years of high school in our state.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states, including Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico and Utah, have enacted similar laws to offer in-state tuition to students regardless of immigration status, and seven states have enacted similar policies through their university system. These laws typically require attendance and graduation at state high schools, acceptance at a state college or university and promising to apply for legal status as soon as eligible.
Representative Brenda Lopez Romero represents the citizens of District 99, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Education, Retirement and State Planning & Community Affairs committee.
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