District staff say they are monitoring over 50 education bills, track LB 653 changes

Millard Public Schools staff reported on legislative activity at the Jan. 20 board meeting and said they are actively tracking more than 50 education-related bills in the Legislature’s 60-day session.

The district’s legislative liaison described committee schedules and the timeline for floor debate, and noted that education committees begin hearings that afternoon. Staff said they are monitoring LB 653 (introduced in the prior session) and that Amendment 1701 contains three main provisions: automatic acceptance for siblings of option students, additional parental notifications when a student is suspended, and a K–2 suspension exemption permitting short-term suspension only for violent acts that could harm others. Staff reported they view the amendment “pretty good” after negotiations and will keep watching its movement.

Board members asked about practical implications of the sibling-provision language — whether siblings would be guaranteed placement in the same building or could be assigned where program capacity exists. Staff said the amendment would obligate districts to accept the student into the district but would not necessarily require placement in the same building if special-program placement dictated otherwise.

One board member asked whether the governor’s proposal to repeal K–2 suspension statute entirely would overlap with LB 653; staff said the governor supports a full repeal while LB 653’s amendment would create a limited exemption for violent acts.

What’s next: Staff will continue modeling bills, coordinating with education partners and advising Millard-area senators as hearings proceed this week.