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Committee rejects HB 168 in Senate — bill to fund special‑education services for 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds fails after close vote
Summary
House Bill 168, which would have allowed 3‑ and 4‑year‑old children receiving mandated special‑education services to count toward A and B funding (reducing reliance on permissive levies), failed in Senate Education on a 6–8 vote after lengthy testimony from parents, teachers and advocates.
Representative Jonathan Karlin told the committee HB 168 would fix a funding gap for districts required by federal and state law to provide special‑education services to 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds; the bill would make those hours eligible for A and B funding on an aggregate basis. Karlin said districts currently “rob Peter to pay Paul” and that counting these hours would reduce reliance on permissive levies and likely reduce local property tax burden over time.
Advocates and practitioners provided lengthy testimony. Parents and teachers described children whose services were cut because districts lacked funding; one parent said his daughter’s services were reduced from four days to two because of budget shortfalls. School specialists and district leaders gave concrete cost examples: some districts receive small federal amounts (tens of thousands) but face six‑figure annual costs to operate mandated programs. Proponents argued early intervention reduces long‑term special‑education costs and improves outcomes.
Opposition in committee was limited in testimony but several senators raised strong fiscal concerns in executive action. During executive action the committee recorded a roll call of 6 ayes and 8 nays; the bill failed to pass the Senate Education Committee and was tabled. Senators in favor emphasized mandated nature of services and equity for vulnerable students; opponents pointed to fiscal note and state budget constraints.
