As first deadline nears, policy bills look to be on the move

Legislators and business leaders discuss education needs and concerns. (Photo by Jake Arnold, OSBA)  

The first-chamber deadline approaches, and policy committees are posting agendas to get bills moving. The deadline by which House and Senate bills must be moved out of their respective policy committees is April 9. The Senate and House committees on education each have two meetings this week, and the posted agendas indicate that they will work a number of bills before the deadline, including:

• A group of bills in House Education on nutrition and meals in K-12 schools: HB 2759, HB 2760, HB 2761 and HB 2765.
• High school equivalency testing: HB 2520
• Special education funding calculation: HB 2676
• Statewide reengagement system: SB 692
• Transfer of student credits: SB 730
• Tuition residency for certain Native students graduating from Oregon high schools: SB 312
• Oregon Promise Program required grade-point average: SB 497
• Abbreviated school day requirements for students: SB 719
• Misconduct, sexual harassment, and investigations around alleged sexual conduct and sex abuse: SB 155 and HB 3077
• Designating class size as a mandatory subject of bargaining under PECBA: SB 764

All of these bills will likely “move” out of committee, meaning that they will either go to another committee or the floor of the relevant chamber. OSBA will continue to monitor these bills and many more.

- Richard Donovan

Legislative Services specialist