Statehouse Express
Session #3 Episode #5
Hi I’m John Elcesser, Executive Director of INPEA, and welcome to Episode 5 of the Statehouse Express. Previously, I reported that we were at halftime of the session. Well today, we enter the 4th quarter. This week, the education committees held their final meetings for this session. Legislation that has passed out of committee in the second chamber will now head to that full chamber for second and third readings. Just as a reminder during second reading bills can be amended (for the good or bad) and on third reading the full bill is voted on by the full chamber. If the bill that passes out of the second chamber is different from the version that passed out of the first chamber, the bill typically goes to a conference committee to resolve those differences.
Here’s the rundown from this week’s committee hearings:
The House Ed Committee met on Monday and heard 5 bills. The two bills that would impact non-public schools were Senate Bill 83 and Senate Bill 115. Senate Bill 83 deals with the FAFSA and increasing the filing rates of families. It passed out of the committee by a vote of 9-1. The bill was amended in committee. The amendment removed the mandate that all seniors had to complete the FAFSA and instead set up expectations and procedures about getting information to families about the FAFSA. This bill is still in the amendment process so we aren’t sure how it will impact non-public schools. Currently, we are included in the bill but a possible second reading amendment would limit its application in non-public schools. We’ll know more next week.
SB 115 deals with employment misconduct. It clarifies prior legislation in that teachers who are convicted of certain felonies cannot be employed in Indiana schools. This bill passed out of committee 7-0. It also went through second reading unamended.
The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday and heard two bills and two resolutions. The controversial HB 1134 (the CRT bill), after some passionate discussion, passed out of committee 8-3. The bill has been significantly amended in an attempt to make it more palatable (and doable) for teachers.
HB 1251 (a various education matters bill), passed out of committee 8-3. This bill has various components including things like alternative teacher permits, more flexible transportation requirements, a review and synthesis of Indiana academic standards, and a request for federal flexibility in our state assessment.
We will keep you posted on how these bills progress through the process. Please watch for legislative action alerts, especially as it relates to SB 331. We will probably need your voice and engagement as the bill moves back to the Senate.
On a brief other note, IDOE held a webinar this week on the EANS 2 funding. The application window for schools to apply for EANS 2 funding opens on February 27th and closes on March 31st.
But back to the statehouse, we are heading quickly toward the home stretch. Talk in the hallways at the Statehouse is that the session may conclude on March 10th. Alleluia!
But until then watch for emails, alerts, and tweets. Stay watchful and engaged! We need you! We’ll see you back here for next week for the next edition of the Statehouse Express!