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Committee advances educator‑licensing bill with amendment clarifying "initial" certification requirement
Summary
The committee voted to approve HB 440 with an amendment that limits any required assessment to initial teacher licensing, a change supporters said came from professional testimony to avoid forcing re‑testing at renewal.
The House Education Policy and Administration Committee voted to advance House Bill 440, a measure intended to address educator licensing shortages in career and technical education (CTE), after adopting a narrowly targeted amendment.
Representative Rosa Freeman moved “ought to pass” for HB 440, saying the bill aims to address shortages of career and technical instructors by clarifying licensing requirements for initial certification. Representative Hall introduced amendment 01888h, which adds the word “initial” to the statutory language so that any assessment requirement would apply only to the initial license application, not to renewals. Hall said the amendment reflected concerns raised during testimony and professional feedback; several committee members said the change was intended to reassure practitioners and avoid requiring re‑testing at renewal.
Representative Terry asked whether the State Board of Education could require assessments at renewal absent the amendment; Hall and other proponents said adding the word “initial” clarified that renewals should not trigger the assessment. Supporters said the amendment was recommended by professional testimony and would reduce unintended burdens. The committee approved amendment 01888h by voice vote (recorded as 18‑0). Representative Freeman then moved “ought to pass as amended.” The committee carried the bill as amended by the same margin, 18‑0.
The bill and amendment address licensing pathways for CTE instructors who do not teach core curriculum but provide career‑focused instruction; proponents argued the changes could ease shortages in CTE programs. Opponents were not recorded in committee testimony; the amendment and the underlying bill received unanimous support at this hearing.
Ending: HB 440, as amended, moves forward from committee with unanimous support. The committee record shows an amendment vote of 18‑0 on amendment 01888h and a final committee recommendation of ought to pass as amended, 18‑0.
