Day 33 As we get
closer to the end of 139th legislative session, the Senate and House have
passed only the following three education related bills, thus far. HB75, the midterm FY15 budget. This bill has been signed by the Governor, and
schools have already received their midterm adjustment sheets. HB76, the FY16 budget. The Senate and House have agreed to most
recommendations by the Governor, but there are some differences that will
likely result in the bill going to a conference committee this week. HB170, the Transportation Funding Act of
2015. The Senate and House versions of
this bill are very different. There will
be considerable negotiations needed this week in order for this bill to make it
through the legislative process prior to the end of the 40th
day. The Senate version of the bill does
not require counties or school systems to spend part of their SPLOST and/or eLOST
funds on transportation. In late
action on Thursday, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted on HB198, the Jason Flatt Act-Georgia, relating
to student health in elementary and secondary education, and requiring annual
suicide prevention education training for certified school system personnel. The bill now moves to the Senate Rules
Committee for consideration. On Friday, the
full Senate debated and passed both the FY16 budget and the Transportation Funding
Act 2015. HB76, the FY16 budget. The Senate floor vote was: PASSED 52 – 1. The overall education portion of the budget improves funding for education. HB170, the Transportation Funding Act 2015. This bill passed the House, but has undergone major amendments since it arrived in the Senate Transportation Committee. — PASSED AS AMENDED Both bills
will likely be assigned to conference committees for final negotiations and
approval before the end of the 40th day. The Senate
Education and Youth Committee met to consider the following bills. No vote was taken on any of the bills. These and other bills may be on the Senate
Education and Youth Committee agenda on Monday. HB372, Utopian Academy for the Arts Act. This act will only affect the opening of charter schools. —PRESENTED, BUT NO VOTE. HB131, the End of Cyberbullying Act. This act will add cyberbullying to the Title 20 section regarding bullying. This bill will come back to the Senate Education and Youth Committee early next week. — PRESENTED, BUT NO VOTE HB401, Early Care and Learning clean-up bill. — PRESENTED, BUT NO VOTE. The House
Education Academic Support Subcommittee met to consider the following bills: SB132, the Move on When Ready Act. This bill will probably be amended prior to going before the full House Education Committee. — PASSED ON TO FULL COMMITTEE. SB156, would allow the State Charter Schools Commission to create a foundation. — PASSED ON TO FULL COMMITTEE. SB164, to provide for positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and response to intervention initiatives (RTI). — PASSED ON TO FULL COMMITTEE. This week should be very interesting, with the legislators scheduled to meet all five days for legislative days 34 – 38, as they prepare for the final legislative session day on April 2nd. The Senate
Rules calendar has six bills on it. The
only education related bill being considered is HB164. As passed by the House, this
bill will extend the suspension of the professional learning requirements until
the new regulations are in place. The House
Rules calendar for Monday has no education related bills on it at this
time. The House may have a supplemental
calendar on any day. The House
Education Committee will meet on Monday to consider an amended version of SB133, the establishment of the Opportunity School District for the supervision of public elementary and secondary schools that are failing. Refer to John Zauner’s March 20, 2015 Friday News and Political Fly By for specific concerns about the
bill. Please call your House
Representative to tell them your position on the bill. A two thirds majority vote is needed on the
constitutional amendment, SR287 to allow for the establishment
of the OSD. The Senate Education and Youth Committee will meet on Monday. As of now, no agenda has been established, but there are three bills that were not voted on during Friday’s meeting that may be considered. It has been reported that the Senate Education and Youth Committee will meet on Monday and Wednesday to consider bills to move on before the session ends. Hope you had a great weekend and that you will have a great week. If you have any questions about the legislative session, please feel free to contact me at mwsurma@bellsouth.ne |