House Education committee members voted 13-1 to refer Senate Bill 76 on to the House Appropriations committee.

SB 76 Appropriates funding for Education Service Agencies. ESAs would have to apply to the Department of Education to receive the funds. The bill currently has $1 attached to it.

“This is an attempt to restore some of the funding (ESAs) were at least getting,” Sen. Ryan Maher (28), the bill’s sponsor, said.

Established in 2004, ESAs serve school districts in one of six regions through professional training or student assistance among other things, but had most of its state funding cut in 2009.

“ESAs have been sorely missed and if this (bill) would just get them back on their feet that would be a really good start,” Rep. Kathy Tyler (4) said.