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House Education Committee approves drafting and introduction of early-literacy study resolution
Summary
The Montana House Education Committee voted to request drafting and introduction of an interim study resolution on early literacy, authorizing researchers to prepare a draft for committee review and future prioritization in the interim process.
The House Education Committee voted to request drafting and introduction of an interim study resolution on early literacy, taking the step to commission a committee-level review of past and pending early-literacy legislation and funding.
Chair Exton, chair of the House Education Committee, proposed that the committee examine the body of early-literacy bills the Legislature has already passed and chart a comprehensive course for future action. Committee staff member Laura Henke Kibbe explained that House rules allow a committee to request drafting and introduction of a study resolution today and that approval of such a request requires a three‑quarter vote.
Vice Chair Romano moved that the committee both draft and introduce a study resolution on early literacy to avoid missing filing deadlines. Representatives including Bertolli and Estrand voiced support for a committee study. Representative Deming asked about cost; Henke Kibbe explained that an interim study resolution is drafted for the interim and would not carry an immediate fiscal note; if prioritized it would be assigned to the appropriate interim committee and could receive resources through the interim committee process.
The committee took a roll-call-style voice vote with members present indicating support. Chair Exton and staff said researchers (PADD) and committee staff will draft the resolution and that the chair could lead the effort to shepherd a draft back to the committee for review.
Why it matters: committee members said multiple early-literacy bills have been passed but have not coalesced into a coherent long-term approach; committee members framed a study as the mechanism to reconcile prior bills, examine funding, and review successful models from other states.
Next steps: staff and the chair will coordinate with PADD researchers to produce a draft interim study resolution for the committee to review and, if the resolution is prioritized by the Legislature, for assignment to the appropriate interim body.
