House Appropriations Committee advances education bill “age 9 55” on 7-4 vote

The House Appropriations Committee voted to move favorably an education measure referred to in the transcript as “age 9 55” during its April 14, 2026, meeting, approving the motion by a roll-call tally of seven yes and four no votes.

The measure had been amended previously by House Education and then by House Ways and Means. The Chair said the committee had heard testimony and analysis from House Education, House Ways and Means, attorneys and fiscal officers before proceeding to a single vote. The Chair opened debate, entertained a motion “to move favorably age 9 55, as introduced by House Education and further amended by House Ways and Means,” and the motion was seconded; the Chair then called the roll and, seeing no further discussion, directed the vote.

Recorded votes were Whomley — yes; Taconston — no; Felvis — no; Kosenska — no; Roche — no; Roecky — yes; Nigro — yes; Squirrel — yes; Stevens — yes; Yacoboni — yes; and Shuck — yes, yielding a 7-4-0 result. The Chair announced the tally aloud as “7-4-0.” The transcript does not identify who formally moved or who seconded the motion by name.

After the vote, the Chair announced that Representative Nigro would serve as the bill’s reporter. The Chair also thanked members and staff for their work on the long bill and noted that the committee will be on the floor Thursday and Friday; the committee will not meet the next day because of a scheduled field trip and members planning to travel to the floor were advised to meet at 08:30 for carpool arrangements.

Next steps: the committee-recommended version of the measure will proceed to the floor later this week for further consideration. The transcript does not include the bill’s statutory title or a conventional bill number beyond the reference used during the meeting (“age 9 55”).