The House Appropriations committee heard testimony, but took no action on Senate Bill 76 on Wednesday.   SB 76 appropriates funding for Education Service Agencies. ESAs would have to apply to the Department of Education to receive the funds.   “School boards are very supportive of Education Service Agencies,” Executive Director Wade Pogany testified. “ESAs […]

The third time may be the charm for Senate Bill 180. SB 180 passed the House Local Government committee on Tuesday in its third incarnation.   Committee members voted to pass an amended version of SB 180 on an 8-5 vote. The amended draft requires the total dollar amount of local government employees’ benefits be

House Bill 1143, which would have classified leased residential property as the fourth tax levy, fell one vote short at its Senate Taxation committee hearing this morning.   Committee members voted 4-3 to move HB 1143 to the 41st legislative day following a lengthy discussion on proposed creation of the new tax levy.   “It’s

Proposed levy moved to 41st   House Bill 1143, which would have classified leased residential property as the fourth tax levy, fell one vote short at its Senate Taxation committee hearing this morning.   Committee members voted 4-3 to move HB 1143 to the 41st legislative day following a lengthy discussion on proposed creation of

Senators passed an amended version of House Bill 1087, which would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds, on a 21-14 vote this afternoon.   HB 1087 heads back across the hall to the House floor for final approval. If the amendments are approved by Representatives, the bill would

“Under 100” joint powers bill approved   By a 67-1 vote, the House of Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 96. The bill will return to the Senate for approval.   SB 96 allows school districts with enrollments under 100 to remain open if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education, which would

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

Two bills that could impact K-12 education funding had hearings in House Appropriations this morning, but no action was taken.   House Appropriators held a lengthy discussion among themselves and those who testified on Senate Bill 28, which adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district. The discussion centered on the

Guns in Schools bill headed to Senate   A bill that would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds was passed by the Senate State Affairs committee today on a 5-4 vote.   House Bill 1087 would allow school boards to establish a sentinel program pending the approval of

Members of the House and Senate discussed, debated and acted on a number of bills well into the evening hours on Wednesday, which marked Crossover Day. All bills still in their original house had to be passed or tabled by the end of the day.   A long list of legislation related to K-12 education