Committee advances two funding bills, tables one for amendment after debate

After a brief caucus the House Education Committee conducted executive action on three bills.

House Bill 168: Vice Chair Greg moved HB168 "do pass." Staff summarized HB168 as an act to include 3- and 4-year-old children with disabilities participating in district special-education programs in A-and-B calculations. Members spoke in support of the measure and the committee approved HB168 on a voice vote; Chair Rexton announced the bill "passes to the floor."

House Bill 153: Vice Chair Greg moved HB153 do pass and the sponsor offered an amendment to revise the composition of the school funding interim commission. Several members raised concerns that the amended membership shifts appointment power toward executive-branch appointees and reduces public membership. Representative Thain made a substitute motion to table so members could draft an amendment addressing appointment concerns. The committee took a roll call and Chair Rexton announced the tabling motion passed, "12 for tabling and 3 against." HB153 is therefore tabled for further drafting.

House Bill 156: The committee considered HB156 with a sponsor-requested technical amendment clarifying a calculation in the countywide levy math. Members discussed county-level redistribution effects and took a roll-call vote on the amended bill; the committee approved the bill as amended. Chair Rexton closed Executive Action and adjourned.

Votes recorded during executive action are reflected in committee minutes; staff offered to support small-group drafting to produce an amendment on HB153 prior to future floor consideration.