Today in the legislature both chambers are beginning to ramp up their work. The House Education Committee held two subcommittee meetings early in the afternoon and discussed two bills. You can click on the bill number link to review each bill.
HB 81 – Capital Outlay funding flexibility for low wealth systems – Sponsor Rep. John Corbett reviewed the bill and emphasized that this bill in its current form was sponsored by Chairman Erwin last year and it passed the House unanimously last session but did not make it through the entire process. The bill centers around low wealth districts accessing supplemental capital outlay funding from GADOE with certain requirements that will be developed. It is for the bottom 25% of the school districts of low wealth ranking and the building being replaced has to be more than 35 years old. This passed unanimously. It moves to the full House Ed committee.
HB 87 – Completion Special State Schools – Sponsor Chairman Chris Erwin – includes MT Education, Foothills, Coastal Plains – This bill provides 7 zones of service based on RESA districts while changing the funding to reflect a more traditional funding model. Moving away from the current model. It includes QBE funding, with additional opportunities at Alternative School funding, and some additional funding through an MOU with local districts. The 37 page bill is just beginning its journey through the process. This passed unanimously. It will move to the full House Ed committee.
These are the first two education bills to get a hearing and a vote by the 2023 House Education subcommittees. We will provide daily reports on the progress of education legislation as they move and impact our K-12 profession. We will continue to provide feedback and information to legislators who request any additional info or data related to the content of the bills. GSSA has no objection to either bill but we will continue to work to improve the language of both.
Tomorrow February 7, 2023, is Legislative day 14 has the Joint Senate Education and Higher Ed committees meet at 2:30pm tomorrow in 450 CAP.
