Council’s contracted legislative monitor outlines early 2025 items to watch, including education savings-account bills

Theo Morrison, the council’s contracted state legislative monitor, briefed the Executive Committee on Nov. 25 about the 2025 legislative cycle and bills the council should watch. Morrison described the two-year cycle, committee assignment timing during the organizational session beginning Jan. 14, and the possible House bill-filing deadlines in early February.

Morrison highlighted early filings: Senate Bill 1/House Bill 1 — described as the governor’s Education Freedom Act to establish education savings accounts statewide — and Senate Bill 5/House Bill 11, a Department of Safety proposal to redesign credentials issued to qualified noncitizens so they are distinguishable from U.S. citizen credentials. "This bill is being referred to as the scarlet letter bill," Morrison said, noting concerns raised by immigrant and refugee advocates.

Members asked whether housing legislation or other major packages were likely to arise; Morrison said housing reforms were on the radar and offered to present committee-level briefings in February. Morrison confirmed the council will continue a weekly tracking report and that members should forward bill leads to council counsel and Miss Darby so his office can ensure bills with local impacts are monitored. The committee remains in a monitoring posture — staff and the contracted monitor will track bills and return recommendations if the council chooses to adopt a formal position.