State senator wants unclaimed lottery prizes for HOPE, pre-K

A Georgia state senator wants to use unclaimed lottery prizes to fund the state’s HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten programs.

Sen. Rick Jeffares, R-Locust Grove, says SB310 would amend the state code by requiring the Georgia Lottery Corporation to transfer all net proceeds from unclaimed lottery prizes to the Georgia Lottery Education Account.

Under current Georgia law, unclaimed prize money from the Georgia Lottery is funneled back into the lottery system for future prize earnings and to support compulsive gambling programs throughout the state. Ultimately, unpaid prizes are paid out to the players.

“Passing this bill is a step in the right direction towards advancing student achievement in Georgia,” Jeffares said in a news release. ”Providing access to a world-class education is imperative to the future prosperity of this state. With that said, I look forward to furthering discussion with my colleagues in the Senate to enact this legislation that places educational funding back into the hands of our students.”