Unclaimed prize money would fund HOPE

Unclaimed prize money from the Georgia Lottery would automatically be used toward the state's HOPE scholarships and pre-kindergarten programs under a bill filed by Sen. Rick Jeffares, R-Locust Grove.

The law currently allows unclaimed money to be added back into the lottery pool for future prizes or to be used toward programs related to compulsive gambling. All other lottery revenue already funds HOPE and pre-k programs, although lawmakers this week were told HOPE payouts would drop staring in 2014 because the program -- and lottery revenue -- can't keep up with soaring enrollment and tuition.

Jeffares said Senate Bill 310 was prompted by news last month that a winning $77 million Powerball ticket -- sold in west Georgia -- had expired because no one claimed it. More than 30 senators have signed on to the bill, which has bipartisan support in the chamber.