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SAI Weekly Legislative Update – April 18, 2025
This was Week #14 of a scheduled 16 week session. We are still unsure if they will be done in two weeks, but we shall see. There are still a lot of things that need to happen including the overall budget and appropriations bills, as well as the property tax legislation.
The Governor’s announcement regarding her decision not to run for re-election was a surprise, especially with the timing. She will still be in her seat through the next legislative session. The Governor has quite a few education bills to act on and we expect her to sign them at some point. Our priority is the SSA bill, and we hope that will be done soon.
Here are the bills and actions for this week.
Moving out of the Senate
HF 316 — Certificates and Career Instruction
This bill requires the DE to develop seals that can be affixed to high school transcripts denoting completion of industry-standard certifications. It requires districts to provide career instruction in grades 5 and 6 and to increase instruction in grades 7 and 8. The bill passed 45-0; it now goes to the Governor.
HF 190 — Online Assessments
This bill allows any school delivering instruction over the internet to administer any state summative assessment online. It includes requirements on the use of proctors. The bill passed 44-2; it now goes to the Governor.
HF 393 — School Dropouts
This bill does not count the second dropout in school performance measures of a student who drops out, returns to school, and drops out again. The bill passed 47-0; it now goes to the Governor.
HF 870 — Religious Absences
This bill requires schools to excuse the absence of a child for attending up to five hours a week of private religious instruction. The bill 47-0; it now goes to the Governor.
HF 471 — Concussion Management
This bill includes individuals holding a doctorate in psychology for concussion management for high school sports. The bill passed 47-0; it now goes to the Governor.
SF 369 — Civics Instruction
This bill requires a high school student to score at least 60% of the US Citizenship exam in order to graduate from high school or receive a GED. It allows the student to take the test as many times as needed. It does include accommodations for students with IEPs or with other needs. It would be implemented during the 2026-27 school year. The bill passed 38-7 and was sent to the House.
HF 706 — Open Records and Open Meetings
This bill increased penalties for inappropriate actions. Passed 34-13 with an amendment and was sent back to the House.
Moving out of the House
SF 574 — Construction Retainage
This bill reduces the amount of retained payments from a contractor for the construction of public projects from 5% to 3%.The bill passed 90-4; it now goes to the Governor.
SF 369 — Civics
This bill requires that all graduates pass a 100-question Civics test. It would be implemented during the 2026-27 school year. Passed 60-33 and sent to the Governor.
SF 277 — Chronic Absenteeism Fixes
This bill includes County Attorney requirements, no certified letters required, and gives flexibility to administrators regarding attendance meetings. Passed 93-0 and goes to the Governor.
SF 175 — Human Growth and Development Curriculum Requirements
This bill includes a specific type of video. Passed 60-30 with an amendment and goes back to the Senate.
Out of a Subcommittee
HF 315 — Would allow districts that experience a natural disaster to use the budget guarantee for a second year. It moved out to the full Ways and Means Committee.
Bills we are waiting on
HF 787 — Governor's Omnibus (House)
This is a good bill and we expect it to be brought up in the House soon.
HF 623/SF 445 — Continuum of Care Bill
This is the Governor’s bill on expansion of preschool and daycare. We are not hearing a lot about this and are not sure what will happen with it. The hangup appears to be on funding of current programs and how that fits with the proposals in the bill.
SSB 1227/HSB 328 — These are the property tax bills.
There is still a lot of work to be done if they are going to finalize it this session. The legislators are still meeting behind the scenes and are hearing the input being provided.
The biggest issues for schools are around current and future PPEL and Debt Levy tax levies, as well as for the Management Levy. As you get more information on how the proposed bills will impact your district, make sure that you share that with your legislators. They need to get this right and not rush the decision.
There was discussion that it would be beneficial to have conversations with your cities and counties and get their take on the tax bills and also share your concerns.
Final Thought
There were a lot of bills that moved out of chambers this week, including up through 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. They are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as well. Let's hope that they use good judgement as they finish up the session and do what is right for education.
Have a great weekend.
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