Committee advances several education bills; HB 445 tabled after roll‑call

The House Education Committee conducted executive action and votes on several bills during the session recorded in the transcript.

HB 357 (middle‑school CTE grants): Representative Tillman introduced an amendment (357.001.001) revising the appropriation to $240,000 for grants supporting career and technical education in middle grades. After staff summarized the one‑page amendment, the committee approved the amendment by voice and then approved the bill as amended by voice. Representative Lynch was recorded voting 'aye' by proxy. The committee announced HB 357 will go to the floor.

HB 445 (cursive instruction): The committee opened a hearing on House Bill 445, which proposes legislative goals encouraging instruction in cursive handwriting. Representative Nick Lukakos moved a conceptual amendment to change language to 'encourage' or 'encourage instruction' rather than 'provide.' Members debated whether the legislature should add curriculum expectations or defer to locally elected trustees. Representative Lebron moved to table HB 445; the clerk conducted a roll‑call and the chair announced the final tally was 9 in favor of tabling and 6 opposed. The bill was tabled (remains live but not advanced).

HB 339 (sixth‑grade funding and CTE tie): Sponsored by Vice Chair Romano, an amendment (339.10.3) clarified middle‑school/junior‑high language, reduced the fiscal note by creating a middle‑grade funding rate (the amendment effectively splits A/B amounts to lower per‑student cost), and added a new section directing a per‑student amount toward expanding CTE (the transcript references $100 of the A/B amount per student tied to CTE). Committee discussion noted the current fiscal note did not reflect the amendment; the amendment passed by voice. A roll‑call vote on the amended bill produced a final tally of 14 yes and 1 no; the committee reported HB 339 will advance to the floor.

HB 385 (school mental health promotion pilot): Sponsored by Vice Chair Romano, the bill establishes a pilot grant program. An amendment clarified grant amounts (not less than $5,000 and not more than the lesser of $25 per student or $50,000). Committee members said the amendment aimed to ensure small/rural schools could apply for smaller grants (as little as $5,000). The amendment passed by voice; the bill passed in committee with two recorded 'no' votes (names recorded in the transcript). Representative Lynch voted aye by proxy. The bill will advance to the floor.

Ending: Committee members closed executive action for the day and opened the remaining hearing (HB 343). The committee adjourned after the HB 343 hearing.