House committee adopts $250,000 amendment to school nurse pay bill and gives do-pass recommendation

The House Education Committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 195 that adds an appropriation of $250,000 from the general fund for 2026 to raise school nurse minimum salaries, and then gave the bill a do-pass recommendation to the next legislative stage.

Representative Garrett, vice chair, explained the amendment to the committee. The amendment adds a new section appropriating $250,000 from the general fund to the Public Education Department for expenditure in 2026 to increase school nurse minimum salaries under the act; the unexpended or unencumbered balance would revert to the general fund. Garrett said HAFC leadership suggested the amount as a placeholder and that the line could be removed later in the appropriations process.

A motion to adopt the amendment was made and there was no objection; the amended bill was before the committee. Representative Vlada moved a do-pass recommendation on the bill as amended. The committee took the do-pass motion without objection; the chair announced the bill received a do-pass recommendation.

Committee officers reminded members that HAFC will handle final budget items and that the $250,000 figure is intended to ensure funding language is available while appropriations are worked out. The committee adjourned with a notice that the next meeting will be Monday at 8:30 a.m.

Ending: House Bill 195, as amended to include a $250,000 appropriation for school nurse minimum salaries, was recommended do-pass by the House Education Committee and will proceed through the legislative process with final funding to be resolved in appropriations.