House Ways and Means advances multiple Senate bills, approves amendments to school emergency and library measures

Chair Janelle Wilkins convened the House Ways and Means Committee voting session and moved a series of Senate bills forward on consent calendars, advancing multiple measures with favorable recommendations and adopting amendments where noted.

The committee began by placing Senate Bills 70, 99, 262, 292, 359 and 402 on a consent calendar and, after a motion to move the package favorably, the chair called the voice vote and announced the bills would move forward, some with amendments. A second consent calendar of Senate Bill 468 (with amendments) and Senate Bill 507 was then moved and approved.

Delegate Eversaw described Senate Bill 218, cross-filed as House Bill 28, saying the measure “authorizes [the] state superintendent of schools to declare a prolonged state of emergency for an event that prevents regular in-person attendance at a public school for at least 14 consecutive school days, thereby allowing a local school system to provide virtual instruction to affected students.” Amendments were moved, seconded and adopted; the committee then moved the bill favorably as amended. The chair recorded Delegates Buckle, Hornberger, Miller, Long and Griffith as opposed to the final favorable motion.

Delegate Young moved amendments to Senate Bill 535 (cross-filed with House Bill 586), which the committee described as authorizing a board of library trustees to take specified actions; the amendments were adopted and the bill was moved favorable as amended. Delegates Long and Griffith were recorded as opposed.

Chair Wilkins thanked members for their work, noted that Delegate Hartman had been excused due to a minor health issue, and adjourned the session.

What the committee did and why it matters: the committee advanced numerous bills on a fast-moving voting list, using consent calendars to approve multiple measures at once; two bills received fuller description and amendment votes — one affecting how and when virtual instruction may be authorized during prolonged school-emergency closures, and one adjusting authority for library trustees. Next steps for the advanced bills include further floor or chamber action per legislative procedure.