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House approves prison education amendment with 68–0 vote; adds Regents and 10‑year repealer
Summary
House passed House Bill 163, an amendment expanding inmate education and adding the State Board of Education and Regents to the program; a pink‑sheet amendment including a 10‑year repealer was adopted. Vote: 68 yes, 0 no.
The House on Jan. 21 adopted House Bill 163, a measure to expand inmate education programs and formalize participation by higher‑education entities, passing the bill 68‑0 and sending it to the Senate.
Representative Fransen, who explained the measure after it was 'uncircled' for consideration, said the bill expands an existing program and adds the State Board of Education and the State Board of Regents to the education initiative. "The Regents are now included as a part of the education program," Fransen said, urging support. Fransen also described and moved a pink‑sheet amendment dated Jan. 21, 1997, that added a repealer provision.
The amendment incorporates a repealer for the added provisions and was described in debate as a ten‑year repealer. "That's gonna be repealed July, in the year 02/2007," Fransen said, referencing the sunset date included in the amendment. Representative Valentine said the amendment addressed concerns he raised earlier on the floor and voiced his support.
After the House adopted the pink‑sheet amendment by voice vote, the body voted on the amended bill. The Clerk announced the recorded tally: House Bill 163 passed with 68 yes votes and 0 no votes. The House recorded that HB163 will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
The bill sponsor framed the measure as an effort to reduce recidivism through proven educational programming in correctional settings. No formal amendments beyond the pink sheet were recorded during floor action, and no roll‑call opposition was recorded.
