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Senate splits over lifting cap on School LAND Trust funds; substitute fails after lengthy floor fight
Summary
A protracted debate over House Bill 43's proposed lift/raise of the $12 million School LAND Trust cap produced a failed substitute motion and a close third-reading advance (18-8-3). Senators emphasized local control, accountability and long-term fiscal consequences.
Senators spent an extended portion of the Feb. 16 floor session debating House Bill 43, which would alter the cap on distributions from the permanent school trust to the School LAND Trust Program.
Sponsor Senator Jon Hatch described HB43 as a measure to remove the $12 million cap and send more investment dollars to local school community councils to address classroom needs such as textbooks, remedial programs and class-size reductions. Senator Hickman proposed a delete-and-substitute amendment to raise — rather than remove — the cap to $22 million, preserving some legislative oversight. That substitute motion prompted lengthy back-and-forths in which supporters of local control (including Senators Hatch, Thomas and Walker) stressed community councils' successful expenditures and parental involvement. Opponents (including Senators Hilliard, Bramble and Hager) warned of accountability risks and future pressure on the legislative appropriations process if the cap were removed.
The substitute (delete-and-substitute raising the cap to $22 million) was adopted by voice but failed on a formal division/roll call. The final roll-call on HB43 recorded 18 yes votes, 8 no votes and 3 absences; the bill was read for the third time and moved forward in the process.
