BILLS THAT MOVED THIS WEEK:
On Monday, the Senate passed (38-7) the Senate File 369 which requires students to pass the United States citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test as a condition of high school equivalency diplomas; we are registered opposed to the bill and it will need to pass the House. On Tuesday, the House concurred to the Senate amendment to House File 805, which focuses on dental assistants, and passed the bill (62-32); this bill has now been sent to the Governor. Another bill that was sent to the Governor on Tuesday was Senate File 574, after passing the House (90-4). This bill reduces the amount of retained payments from a contractor for the construction of public projects from 5% to 3%; we were registered in opposition to the bill. Also on Tuesday, the Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 11, which is the supermajority tax amendment first brought up last year. The bill will now need to be approved in the House for a second time before going to the voters; the bill proposes a constitutional amendment which would require a 2/3 majority in the Legislature to approve a new income tax increase. On Tuesday, an amendment was introduced on Senate File 369, which requires students to pass the US citizenship and immigration services naturalization civics test. As the bill currently stands, this requirement would apply to both high school students and individuals hoping to pass the HiSET. The amendment would remove the requirement for those trying to earn their high school equivalency diploma. Unfortunately, prior to debate in the House on Thursday, the amendment was withdrawn and the bill passed on a 60-33 vote as is, with the intent to promote civics education.
On Thursday, the Senate approved House File 295, Accrediting Restrictions, on a 32-15 party-line vote; the bill prohibits an accrediting organization from taking an adverse action against a state community college for the compliance by the school with a state law. The Senate also approved House File 706, Open meetings, on a 34-13 vote after an amendment was adopted; the amendment makes information from the Legislative security cameras and ID badges confidential.
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