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Committee removes language deemed burdensome in school board transfer statute
Summary
The committee approved HB 1199, which strikes language requiring dual-board affidavits for school-to-school student transfers involving districts under desegregation-related court orders; sponsor said the existing wording is unnecessary and can create veto power for a single board member.
The House Education Committee voted to pass HB 1199, a bill that removes statutory language governing prohibited transfers for schools that are under desegregation-related court orders.
Sponsor Representative Sonya Barker told the committee the bill strikes language that is “unnecessary, burdensome, and problematic.” Barker said the existing text prohibits board-to-board transfers when either the resident or receiving district is under a desegregation-related court order, and that the statute’s affidavit requirement — which asks all board members to sign — can give a single board member the power to stall a transfer.
Barker said the bill does not change or alter the underlying desegregation court orders themselves and that the Department of Education has reviewed the proposed change and is “okay with the bill.” She said the statutory language dates to the 1980s and that the change originated from a school administrator rather than from her district’s stakeholders.
The committee recorded no public opposition on the roll for committee testimony. A motion to “do pass” was made and approved by voice vote; the chair declared HB 1199 passed in committee.
Committee discussion emphasized that the bill does not remove districts’ responsibilities under court orders but removes redundant statutory language and the affidavit mechanism that, according to the sponsor, could be used by a single board member to block transfers. No amendments were adopted in committee.
