House passes bill to allow for more campus construction

More dorms, parking decks and student centers could be built at Georgia's colleges under a bill the House approved Monday.

Senate Bill 302 would increase the revenue bond cap for the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority from $300 million to $500 million. The group has already issued about $295 million in bonds so that the state's public colleges could build non-academic buildings.

Some have raised concerns about increasing the cap because it will place additional financial burden on students, who help repay what's borrowed. Students often pay thousands of dollars in mandatory fees and other charges each year.

Bill supporters said students are willing to pay these costs for facilities that improve the quality of life on campus.

The vote was 146-10. The Senate passed the bill Feb. 1, and it now heads to Gov. Nathan Deal.

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