First of all, we had a great week by killing HB 1201 and thank you to everyone for all your help on contacting our legislators. The vote was 28 yes and 40 no so it was a great result. We are at the halfway point of the session so it will get very hectic this next week as we need to get all bills through the first body. We also have to worry about all the title bills.

Revenue projections for the budget came in and it wasn’t good news – ongoing revenue is down, and one time money is slightly up. Everyone will be fighting to restore some of the cuts. The education groups will handle the funding issues and vouchers and most of the policy issues, but your group needs to focus on the counseling and mental health issues.

We, in the education lobby groups, have killed all of the negative legislation, thus far but we continue to be on the lookout for any bills to come back. Knowing some of the ways things have been dealt with, anything could happen – they are still fighting with trans gender issues and birth certificate issues. They are also starting to attack school boards authority.

The property tax issue, the prison funding and location, pipeline continue to be issues that will be debated hotly. Governor proposed a property tax bill attempting to cap property tax increases in the owner occupied category and a freeze on property tax increases for two years. We will see if this goes anywhere and then some of the other property tax bills will die. More on this later.

SB 71 –   Revise provisions pertaining to the compulsory age of school attendance – bill was amended with 3 minor amendments and then passed the Senate 34-1.

SB 99 –Makes an appropriation for purchasing, storing, and distributing sexual assault kits – passed Sen Judiciary Committee 7-0 and is in Sen Appropriations Committee – had a positive hearing there and was deferred until budget setting – good comments through from many of the members

SB 113 – Provide protection of parental rights – we have seen this bill before – was significantly amended and passed committee 6-3. Passed Senate 30-4.

 HOUSE BILLS

HB 1009 – Creates a voucher program (now called an education empowerment account) for private and home school kids. Bill takes money from the state aid formula for this program and little or no accountability – bill was killed/41st day in committee but will resurface in some form later 

HB 1020 – Voucher bill sponsored by Rep. Odenbach – bill proposes new program of $4 million for private and homeschool kids at $3000 per child. No accountability or transparency and totally new type of school call nonpublic, nonaccredited. Bill takes 40 percent of per student allocation. Bill was killed/41st day 9-6 but will be back in some form.

HB 1040 –   Reduces the state’s contribution to a subsidized high school dual credit program – should oppose – bill was referred to Appropriations Committee with a do not pass recommendations – we are trying to save this from the cuts. It increases the fee students pay to 50% of the cost. Bill was referred to House Appropriations with recommendation of do not pass 14-0 and was deferred until Budget discussions

HB 1041 – Revises and repeals certain provisions pertaining to the state library and library board-referred to Joint Appropriations Committee and deferred

HB 1089 – Establishes parameters for reimbursement for school districts that provide free/reduced lunches to students – Bill was sent to House Appropriations Committee – hearing on 2/18

Please make sure you keep in contact with your legislators and help us have a successful session. Thank you.