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Committee advances bill to allow Ten Commandments posters in grades 5–12, privately funded
Summary
Representative Gidley’s House Bill 216, which would authorize Ten Commandments posters in grades 5–12 funded by private donations, received a favorable report from the committee; sponsor said the bill is substantially the same as last year's with one grade-range change and that private funding is required.
House Bill 216, presented by Representative Gidley, received a favorable committee report after a brief presentation and questions.
Gidley described the bill as "identical" to a measure passed from the floor last year except that the posters would be placed only in fifth grade through 12th grade. He showed committee members a sample flyer and said the placement would be funded by private donations: "this very plainly stated in the bill as it was last year that there is no physical requirement to the school or to any any school of of association. It's all paid for with private funds," he said.
Gidley said he worked with the governor’s office and others "to try to get a good solid bill that would beat any kind of legal muster and would also work to comply in our schools." Representative Dubose asked whether there would be any cost to the public; Gidley reiterated there would be no public cost unless private funds were not provided.
The committee moved and approved a favorable report for the bill by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
The measure now proceeds toward floor consideration, subject to any amendments members may add later.
