Week 13: May 1 - May 5

It was a contentious week at the capitol as lawmakers focused on the state budget and potential revenue-raising options. Progress is slow, however, as the scheduled Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget (JCAB) meetings were cancelled for much of the week as negotiations appear to be stalled. The pressure is on, as Sine Die is constitutionally mandated by the last Friday in May. The legislature is prohibited from introducing revenue-raising measures during the last five days of session, which means they effectively have only two remaining weeks to come to a budget agreement. Below is a brief summary of a few of the bills with potential to impact our association.  If you have questions about any of the information provided below, please contact our office, or you may contact Skye McNiel, 918-645-1289 or by email at [email protected] or Hayley Jones at (405) 524-1191. 
I. State Budget and Funding: HB 1837 by Rep. Leslie Osborn (R-Mustang)

HB 1837 directs a portion of Oklahoma Lottery proceeds be placed in a lockbox revolving fund administered by the SDE and allocated to schools on the basis of ADM for the purposes of implementing Pk-3rd grade reading initiatives or STEM programs. 
  • HB 1837 was signed by the Governor on May 2, 2017 and will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.

  • HB 2365 by Rep. Leslie Osborn (R-Mustang)
    fiscal impact:
    • Cigarette tax estimated to generate $185 - $215M
    • Fuel tax estimated $125M
    • HB 2365 was scheduled to be heard on the House floor this week, but was pulled after it became apparent there were not enough votes (revenue raising measures require 76 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate) to pass the measure.

II. 4-day School Week: HB 1684 by Rep. Harold Wright (R-Weatherford)

HB 1684 requires school districts who choose to implement 4-day school weeks submit a detailed plan to the SBE outlining goals of the 4-day week.

  • HB 1684 passed the Senate floor and was sent back to the House to approve or reject Senate amendments.
  • Senate amendments were rejected, and conference committee was requested. HB 1684 will be assigned to the Conference Committee on Common Education.

III.  Curriculum and Instruction : HB 2155 by Rep. Jadine Nollan (R-Sand Springs)

HB 2155 requires the State Board of Education to adopt a new system of college and career planning tools known as the Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP). Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in 2019-2020, each student shall be required to complete the process of an ICAP in order to graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma. The ICAP shall include but not be limited to components such as: career and college interest surveys, written postsecondary and workforce goals and progress towards those goals, intentional sequence of courses that reflect progress toward a student’s postsecondary goals, the student’s academic progress, and a service learning component.
  • HB 2155was signed by Governor Fallin on May 2, 2017. The measure will take effect on November 1, 2017.

IV. State Board of Career and Technology Education: HB 2316 by Rep. Charles McCall (R-Atoka)

HB 2316 amends current law to provide that members of the State Board of Career and Technology Education serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed or replaced without cause.  

V. OHLAP: SB 529 by Sen. Jason Smalley (R-Stroud)

SB 529 modifies the qualifications and criteria required for students to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. It requires an award for eligible Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program students enrolled in a postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by a technology center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal student financial aid be satisfied for both vocational-technical and college work in which enrolled. It expands to the scope of student ineligible for the program with parents that meet updated income requirements. 
  • SB 529 passed the House floor on Tuesday by a vote of 87-3.
 
  RESOURCES:

Oklahoma Legislature:   http://www.oklegislature.gov/index.aspx