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Senate Education Committee clears multiple House education bills in executive action
Summary
The Senate Education Committee advanced a package of House bills in executive action, clearing the STARS Act and measures on curriculum transparency, educator loan assistance, school medication, and agency cleanup; several bills drew brief debate and proxy votes before being carried to the floor.
The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday completed executive action on a slate of House bills, passing measures on school funding, curriculum notification, educator loan assistance and school health policy and assigning carriers to move the bills to the Senate floor.
Chair Fuller opened executive action by moving House Bill 252, the STARS Act, described by committee staff as changes to school funding that ‘‘enhance the existing incentives of the TEACH Act’’ and add a new ‘‘future ready’’ funding component and a cap on district general fund increases in high-housing-cost areas. The committee cleared the measure by roll call for passage in Senate Education.
The committee also took action on House Bill 471, a curriculum-notification and parental opt-in measure related to ‘‘identity instruction’’ that Representative Jedidiah Hinkle described as creating new definitions and opt-in requirements. Vice Chair Novak and other members questioned overlap with Senate Bill 299; the committee recorded a roll-call vote reported as 8 yes, 6 no and approved the bill. A carrier was requested to carry the bill to the Senate floor.
House Bill 509, which expands eligibility for the quality educator loan assistance program and prioritizes ‘‘impacted schools’’ if demand exceeds appropriations, was described by proponents as a recruitment and retention tool for rural Montana and passed on voice vote.
On school health policy, House Bill 600 would allow districts to stock albuterol for asthma emergencies. Supporters argued it provides backup for children who lose prescribed inhalers; opponents and some members raised parental-consent and handling concerns. The committee approved HB 600 and assigned Senator Windiboy as carrier.
The committee also approved housekeeping changes to the Montana Arts Council (House Bill 786) and revisions to the Perkins plan committee membership (House Bill 823), both described by proponents as cleanups or streamlining that better align K-12 career and technical education with higher-education and workforce stakeholders.
Chair Fuller said the committee will take formal executive action on bills heard later in the week on April 8. The committee adjourned after a point of personal privilege acknowledging the panel’s work during the session.
Votes and proxy votes were recorded in committee proceedings; carriers were named where noted. The committee’s actions now move these bills toward floor consideration in the Senate.
