Final passage for Ga. Archives measure

The state Senate unanimously approved a measure Thursday allowing the University System of Georgia to take over management of the Georgia Archives.

The vote sends House Bill 287 to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature. Deal pledged last year to cut the archives’ ties to the Secretary of State’s Office, where it bore the brunt of budget cuts as state revenue lagged. At one point last year, it was almost closed to the public except for limited appointments.

The bill, which has already been approved by the full House, would transfer the archives starting July 1. The University System has already formed a task force to recommend how to handle the transition.