Biennial budget update
The House Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education has finished hearings on the education provisions of the biennial budget legislation, House Bill (HB) 49. The General Assembly is set to begin its two-week spring recess April 10. We anticipate the House will have its changes incorporated into a substitute version of HB 49 when members return.
House Education and Career Readiness Committee
The committee heard proponent testimony on HB 108. This bill would require a half-unit of financial literacy in the high school curriculum.
The committee also heard proponent testimony on HB 98, which would prohibit districts from placing restrictions on presentations of career information on the skilled trades that are not applied to other employers or institutions. Districts also would be required to provide two opportunities per school year for these entities to present information in person to high school students.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 9. This legislation would provide a three-day sales tax holiday in August, making the purchase of clothing and school supplies exempt from sales and use taxes.
The committee also heard sponsor testimony on HB 124 from Reps. Andrew Brenner (R-Powell) and Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Township). This bill would allow a joint vocational school district to submit a renewal tax levy to voters who did not have an opportunity to vote on the levy during the 2015 November election because the levy was only placed on the ballot in one of several counties in which the district has territory. The committee also heard proponent testimony on the bill from Mary Beth Freeman, superintendent of the Delaware Area Career Center.
Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee
The committee held another hearing on SB 54. This bill would require school districts to allow approved summer food service program sponsors to use school facilities to provide food service during summer intervention programs. No witnesses were present to testify on the bill.
Senate Education Committee
The committee heard proponent testimony from Sens. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) and Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) on SB 82. This legislation would require public schools to place a telephone call to a parent within one hour of the start of the school day if a student is absent without notification.
House State and Local Government Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 129 from Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati). This legislation would require the governor to complete a 40-hour externship consisting of on-site work experience in city, local and exempted village school districts.
House Government Oversight and Reform Committee
The committee heard sponsor testimony on HB 87 from Rep. Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson). This bill would require that funds returned to the state because of a community school enrollment audit be credited back to public school districts.
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee
The committee heard proponent testimony on HB 58, which would require instruction in cursive handwriting.