After the second week of the 2023 legislative session, the ASBSD Billtracker is up to 22-pieces of legislation being tracked.

 

Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.

 

Of those 22 legislative proposals on the list, there’s seven we’re supporting, six being opposed and nine being monitored.  Below is a breakdown of key bills ASBSD is tracking so far, with the blue text being links to additional webpages with more information.

 

What’s new:

• Senate Bill 76: Includes teachers, administrators and other educational professionals to the licensure endorsement process. ASBSD is supporting the bill, which has been assigned to the Senate Commerce & Energy committee, as it could help bring more teachers into the state and help more individuals get licensed to teach.
• House Bills 1095 and 1096: Both propose lowering the sales tax on groceries to 3.5 percent and 2.5 percent respectively. ASBSD is opposing both bills, which each have been assigned to the House Taxation committee, based on our resolution Tax Reduction or Repeal that resists a reduction or repeal without a new revenue source to replace the lost revenue. These bills make up a trio related to the grocery tax along with House Bill 1075, which proposes a full repeal.

What’s proceeding:

• Senate Bill 24: Provides the 5 percent increase in state aid and revises the property tax levies for school districts. ASBSD supports the bill, which was referred to the Joint Appropriations committee by the Senate Education committee on a 6-0 vote. Read about the hearing here.

• HCR 6001: Proposes the study of a potential optional educational path. ASBSD is monitoring the resolution, which House Education members and the House Representatives passed and has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee. Read more about HCR 6001 here.

• HB 1055: Increases the amount provided through the opportunity scholarship. ASBSD is monitoring the bill, which was referred from the House Education Committee on 15-0 vote to the House Appropriations Committee.

What’s on posted Committee meeting agendas:

• House Bill 1070: Appropriates funding to Black Hills State University to develop K-12 civics & social studies curriculum and professional development. ASBSD is opposing the bill, which is on  the House Education committee agenda on Monday (1/23) at 9 a.m.

• HCR 6002: Proposes the study of childhood mental health and available childhood mental health services. ASBSD is monitoring the resolution, which is on the House Health & Human Services Committee agenda on Tuesday (1/24) at 7:45 a.m.

• Senate Bill 3: Requires law enforcement to report juvenile offenses to school officials. ASBSD is monitoring the bill, which is on the Senate Education committee agenda Tuesday (1/24) at 8 a.m.
• Senate Bill 59: Appropriates funding for CTE program grants. ASBSD supports the bill, which is on the Senate Education committee agenda Tuesday (1/24) at 8 a.m.
• House Bill 1060: Modifies provisions related to procurement for the state and other purchasing agencies. ASBSD is monitoring the bill, which is on the House Local Government committee agenda Tuesday (1/24) at 10 a.m.
• Senate Bill 4: Modifies a court’s authority to commit a habitual juvenile offender to the Department of Corrections. ASBSD supports the bill, which is on the Senate Judiciary committee agenda Thursday (1/26) at 7:45 a.m.

In addition, the Joint Appropriations Committee will hold the budget hearing for the Department of Education, which will include a review of the proposed 5 percent increase to state aid, on Wednesday (1/25) at 9 a.m. Please note: committee agendas could be amended and a new agenda posted following the most recent meeting.

 

The Billtracker page will be updated almost daily, so be sure to check it throughout the week to stay up-to-date with legislative session and legislation effecting public education.