This week's Policy Watch comes during a lull in legislative activity, though a few key bills - like K-12 SSA and Electronic Devices - have been sent to the Governor, and early budget conversations with Education Appropriations Chairs are beginning as we await official targets.
BILLS THAT MOVED THIS WEEK:
On Monday, the Senate Education Committee recommended passage of House File 295, which relates to accreditation, and has now been placed on the Senate debate calendar, although unlikely to be taken up yet this week. The Senate Education Committee also recommended passage of House File 401, which makes substantive changes to general education requirements, and has also been placed on the Senate debate calendar, although also unlikely to be taken up this week. This same committee also recommended an amendment and passage of House File 856, which relates to DEI, and has now been placed on the Senate debate calendar. The amendment would remove Division II, which focuses on private institutions of higher education, and effectively take them completely out of the bill. On Tuesday, the House concurred in Senate Amendment H-1159 on House File 782, the Governor's Cell Phone Bill, and then the bill passed the House (92-4); it will now be sent down to the Governor's office to be signed. The House also concurred with Senate amendment H-1220 on Senate File 167, K-12 SSA, and then the bill passed the House (60-36); it will now be sent down to the Governor's office to be signed.
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