House panel advances bill widening eligibility for Quality Educator Loan Assistance

The Montana House Education Committee advanced House Bill 509 on a voice vote, approving a measure to expand the Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program to include all newly hired quality educators in Montana public schools.

HB 509, sponsored by Representative Powers, would revise the state’s Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program to make remaining loan assistance funds available to newly hired teachers across the state. Committee staff described the bill as “an act to generally revise the Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program, to expand eligibility for the program to include all newly hired quality educators in Montana public schools.”

Committee members spoke in support. Representative Lynne Lynch said she would vote yes, noting that funding was often left unused when eligibility was restricted to only lower-income schools. “Offering it to new teachers in all districts is a good use of the funds,” Lynch said. Representative Julie Bertolio said she was upset by a chart in the packet and would support the bill if it helped “get teachers in these affected communities.”

Vice Chair Romano moved the bill for a due-pass recommendation. The committee conducted a voice vote and recorded two no votes; the committee chair announced that the remainder voted in favor and the bill will go to the House floor.

Votes and proxies recorded during the executive action included Representative Thain and Representative Greg voting aye by proxy and Representative Kerr recorded as voting no by proxy. Committee staff noted two total no votes and the remainder of members present and voting in favor.

The bill will now go to the House floor for further consideration.

The committee’s discussion on HB 509 was brief and focused on ensuring the unused loan funds would better recruit and retain teachers statewide. There was no amendment offered during the executive action.