Bill Highlights

Science of Teaching Reading Requirement

HB 74 requires that science of teaching reading be part of the teacher assessments examinations for Elementary Licensure.  The School Personnel Act will need to be amended to require that to teach Grades K-5, a candidate must demonstrate an understanding and ability by passing a rigorous licensure exam.

Recent Action: On February 22, HB 9 passed the House unanimously and is before the Senate Public Affairs Committee.

Homeowners Association Act

HB 9 sets rules for the establishment and operation of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) requiring notices for open meetings, disclosure of records, allowing audits, prohibiting restrictions on the installation or use of water conservation measures.  

Recent Action: On February 23, passed the House and is at the Senate Conservation Committee.

Eliminating Fraud and State Agency Accountability

HB 424 would allow the state auditor to designate agencies as at-risk for fraud, waste or abuse if the agencies fail to submit their required audit reports or if they receive adverse opinions on their audits.  Under the bill, if an agency is designated at-risk, it must submit monthly progress reports to the state auditorThe bill would also require the state auditor to post a list of the at-risk agencies on the state auditor’s website. 

Recent Action: On February 22 this bill passed the House Health and Government Affairs Committee. See the press release here.

Green Schools

HB 145 Cost-effective,  high-performance technologies would be implemented in school buildings under this legislation. The House approved measure would establish a framework to fund and install cost-effective high performance technologies to reduce energy consumption in existing school buildings. 

Recent Action: On February 23, HB 145 passed the House and is at the Senate Education Committee. See the press release here.

PERA Retirees with Part-time Jobs to Receive Pension

HB 57 would allow PERA retirees to return to part-time work while still drawing a pension unanimously passed the House Labor and Human Resources Committee today.  Under HB 57, a PERA retiree could earn up to $15,000 per year without having their pension benefits suspended.  The bill is supported by the Public Employee Retirees Association and the Federation of Teachers.

Recent Action: On Feb. 26 passed the House. On Jan. 27 Received unanimous support form House Labor and Human Resources Committee. Find full Press Release here.

Funding for Statewide Victims Notification Service

HB 55csa would support the statewide automated victim notification system, known as VINE.  Under House Bill 55csa, a contracted provider would give inmates access to telecommunications services and then apply up to a $0.35 fee per telephone call to be directed into the fund. 

Recent Action: On February 16 received the support of House of Representatives and goes to the Senate for consideration. See the Press Release here.

Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act

Under HB 56 a court with the authority to determine child custody would be able to order abduction prevention measures during custody proceedings if it finds that there is a credible risk of child abduction if it finds that there is a credible risk of child abduction. It addresses child abduction by a family member or a party known by the parent to pose a threat.

Recent Action: On February 8, HB passed the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. Find the press release here.

Shoring Up the State’s Unemployment Fund

HB 59cs would both increase employer contribution to the fund and reduce expenses on the benefits side in order to make the fund solvent. This measure will shore up the fund while preventing a deficit which would then require even greater contributions by employers.

Recent Action:  On Feb. 9, the bill passed the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee unanimously. Find the press release here.