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MINUTES OF HOUSE EDUCATION
STANDING COMMITTEE
Room 445, State Capitol
January 27, 2012

MEMBERS PRESENT:    Rep. Francis Gibson, Chair
        Rep. Bill Wright, Vice Chair
        Rep. Patrice Arent
        Rep. LaVar Christensen
        Rep. Becky Edwards
        Rep. Steven Eliason
        Rep. Greg H. Hughes
        Rep. Rebecca D. Lockhart    
        Rep. John G. Mathis
        Rep. Kay L. McIff
        Rep. Carol Spackman Moss
        Rep. Merlynn Newbold
        Rep. Marie H. Poulson
        Rep. Kraig Powell
        Rep. Ken W. Sumsion

MEMBERS EXCUSED:    Rep. Rebecca D. Lockhart
                     
STAFF PRESENT:    Constance C. Steffen, Policy Analyst
        Linda Service, Committee Secretary
        
Note: List of visitors and copy of handouts are filed with committee minutes.

Rep. Gibson called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m.

H.B. 261    Dividing of School Districts Amendments (Rep. K. Sumsion)

Rep. Sumsion introduced the bill which modifies requirements for the imposition of property taxes in a new district and remaining school district after a school district split.

MOTION:    Rep. Wright moved to pass the bill out with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Christensen, Rep. Moss , and Rep. Poulson were absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to place H.B. 261 on the consent calendar. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Christensen, Rep. Moss, and Rep. Poulson were absent for the vote.

H.B. 65    College and Career Counseling for High School Students (Rep. P. Arent)

Rep. Arent introduced the bill which creates a pilot program that provides grants for college and

career counselors.

The following spoke in support of the bill:
    Ms. Lillian Tsosu-Jensen, Utah State Office of Education
    Ms. Nancy Michako, Park City High School
    Ms. Nancy Karpowitz, President, Utah School Counselors Association
    Ms. Chris Richards-Khong, Utah Association of Career Technology Education
    Mr. Bill Egelund, West Haven, Utah
    Mr. Deon Turley, Utah PTA
    Ms. Tami Pyfer, Utah State Board of Education

Mr. Peter Cannon, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.

MOTION:    Rep. Moss moved to pass the bill out with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed with Rep. Newbold and Rep. Sumsion voting in opposition.    
    
S.B. 10    College and Career Readiness Assessment (Sen. M. Dayton) (Rep. K. Grover)

Sen. Dayton, assisted by Supt. Larry Shumway, State Superintendent of Schools, introduced the bill which requires school districts and charter schools to administer college and career readiness assessments.

The following spoke in support of the bill:
    Mr. Wesley Smith, Prosperity 20/20
    Ms. Judi Clark, Parents for Choice in Education

Mr. Kory Holdaway, Utah Education Association, commented on the bill.

MOTION:    Rep. Arent moved to pass the bill out with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. McIff and Rep. Wright were absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep. Poulson moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Gibson adjourned the meeting at 3:42 p.m.




            __________________________________
            Rep. Francis Gibson, Chair