Chad Caldwell — Representative Caldwell argued that the proposal would amount to the legislature punting its responsibility and said he did not want to do that. He expressed a preference for the process to proceed smoothly, as it has in the past, and reiterated that the system is supposed to work through consensus rather than pushing forward something the body cannot agree on.
Molly Jenkins — Votes aye on the bill.
Molly Jenkins — Votes nay on the bill.
Dick Lowe — Recognized to present House Bill 3021 and describes it as a graduation requirement bill.
HB3021 — House Bill 3021 is introduced and discussed as a graduation requirement bill that cleans up conflicting statutory language by consolidating existing provisions and adding repealer language. After the sponsor explains the bill’s purpose, the committee votes to report it out favorably, first noted as an 8-0 vote and then as a do-pass recommendation by a 10-1 vote.
Cody Maynard — Votes aye on the bill.
HB3711 — House Bill 3711 is introduced as a transparency bill requiring schools to post instructional spending percentages and related information. The sponsor explains that taxpayers should know where their money is going if they are being asked to raise taxes, while a member raises concerns about how districts may interpret the bill’s language differently. In response, the sponsor says districts should disclose how much is spent on instruction and references a prior unsuccessful effort to require schools to spend at least half of their dollars in the classroom.
HB2987 — The committee moves to House Bill 2987, and Representative Rosecrants introduces it by noting that members were sent an email to review. He then explains that the bill would change the default outcome for academic standards if the legislature fails to act within 30 legislative days, allowing the legislature to approve, disapprove, or disapprove in part with instructions.
Jacob Rosecrants — Representative Jacob Rosecrants is recognized to present House Bill 2987, with the chair correcting the pronunciation of his name. Rosecrants thanks the chair, begins explaining the bill, moves for adoption, and yields for questions. The exchange also includes a light joke referencing his name before the discussion continues.
Jacob Rosecrants — Representative Rosecrants argued that the legislature did have a voice in the standards process because standards took effect when the legislature did not reject them, and challenged the other member’s claim that the legislature lacks a voice now. He noted that concerns about standards and administrative rules are longstanding, rejected the idea that the legislature had punted its responsibilities, and pointed out that the body has previously rejected or amended standards when it deemed action necessary.
Chris Banning — Representative Chris Banning is called on and then asks a question, using a business partnership analogy about partners being unable to agree on bylaws and asking whether that situation is similar to the standards process.
HB4427 — House Bill 4427 is presented with a PCS referenced as the working draft. The sponsor explains that, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the bill prohibits adjunct teachers from teaching core subjects—math, ELA, science, and social studies—in pre-K through fourth grade, with exemptions available through a process described by the sponsor. The presentation concludes with the sponsor inviting questions and asking for adoption.
Ellen Pogemiller — Ellen Pogemiller is first thanked for recognizing the need for the bill, filing a related bill, and providing feedback. She then asks a question based on her nonprofit experience, expressing concern that districts may define instructional spending differently. She elaborates that districts may prioritize services such as meals, transportation, counselors, librarians, and behavior specialists, which could be counted differently from direct instruction.
adjunct teachers / school districts — The bill is described as providing guardrails for how adjunct teachers are used by school districts.
Chad Caldwell — Representative Chad Caldwell is first noted voting aye, followed by a light remark about how long the bill has been in development. He then asks whether higher education, SDE, and Career Tech are all on board with the revised language, and follows up to confirm that the agencies will be in full agreement once the amendment is made.