MINUTES OF THE

HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE

Room 30, House Building

March 3, 2016


Members Present:                Rep. Brad G. Last, Chair

                                                Rep. V. Lowry Snow, Vice Chair

                                                Rep. LaVar Christensen

                                                Rep. Kim Coleman

                                                Rep. Bruce R. Cutler

                                                Rep. Steve Eliason

                                                Rep. Justin L. Fawson

                                                Rep. Francis D. Gibson

                                                Rep. Eric Hutchings

                                                Rep. David E. Lifferth

                                                Rep. Daniel McCay

                                                Rep. Carol Spackman Moss

                                                Rep. Marie H. Poulson

 

Members Absent:                 Rep. Michael E. Noel                          

 

Staff Present:                        Ms. Tiffany Stanley, Policy Analyst

                                                Ms. Linda Service, Committee Secretary

 


Note: List of visitors and copy of handouts are filed with committee minutes.


Chair Last called the meeting to order at 4:42 p.m.


MOTION:     Rep. McCay moved to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2016, February 29, 2016, and March 2, 2016 meetings. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Coleman and Rep. Gibson absent for the vote.


Vice Chair Snow assumed the chair.

 

H.B. 433         Minimum School Program Amendments (Rep. B. R. Cutler)


Rep. Cutler explained the bill with the assistance of Mr. Ben Leishman, Fiscal Analyst, Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst.


Rep. Last moved to pass H.B. 433 out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Coleman and Rep. McCay absent for the vote.



 

H.B. 445         State School Board Amendments (Rep. F. Gibson)


Rep. Gibson explained the bill.


MOTION:     Rep. Fawson moved to pass H.B. 445 out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Coleman and Rep. McCay absent for the vote.

 

H.B. 454         Educator Rights Amendments (Rep. K. Stratton)


Rep. Stratton explained the bill.


Spoke for the bill:

                        Ms. Rita Heagren, American Federation of Teachers, Utah

                        Dr. Sara Jones, Utah Education Association


MOTION:     Rep. Lifferth moved to pass out H.B. 454 favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Coleman absent for the vote.

 

H.J.R. 14        Joint Resolution Supporting the Retention of Public Educators (Rep. R. Edwards)


Rep. Edwards explained the bill.


MOTION:     Rep. Cutler moved to pass H.J.R. 14 out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Coleman and Rep. Gibson absent for the vote.

 

2nd Sub. S.B. 91                    Board of Education Amendments (Sen. L. Hillyard) (Rep. S. Eliason)


Sen. Hillyard explained the bill assisted by Mr. Dave Thomas, 1st Vice Chair, State Board of Education


Spoke for the bill:

                        Mr. Howard Headlee, Utah State Charter School Board

                        Ms. Angie Stallings, Utah State Board of Education


Spoke against the bill:

                        Mr. Brent Bills, Washington County School District

                        Ms. Julie King, parent


MOTION:     Rep. Eliason moved to pass 2nd Sub. S.B. 91 out favorably. The motion passed with Rep. Lifferth voting against the motion. Rep. Coleman and Rep. Gibson were absent for the vote. 

 

2nd Sub. S.B. 93                    Computer Science Initiative for Public Schools (Sen. H. Stephenson) (Rep. B. Last)


Sen. Stephenson explained the bill with the assistance of Dr. Tami Goetz, Director, STEM Action Center.


MOTION:     Rep. Lifferth moved to pass 2nd Sub. S.B. 93 out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

S.B. 152          Accelerated Foreign Language Course Amendments (Sen. H. Stephenson) (Rep. E. Hutchings)


Sen. Stephenson explained the bill with the assistance of Dr. Johanna Watzinger-Tharp, University of Utah.


MOTION:     Rep. Lifferth moved to amend the bill as follows:

 

1.    Page 1, Lines 23 through 25:   

 

23Other Special Clauses:

24    {  None  }  This bill provides a coordination clause. 

25Utah Code Sections Affected:

 

2.    Page 3, Lines 81 through 84:   

 

81   The Legislature intends that appropriations under this section:

82   (1) be used to develop {  courses that meet the criteria described in Section 53B-17-1003  }  foreign language concurrent enrollment courses for accelerated foreign language students  ;

83and

84   (2) under Section 63J-1-603, not lapse at the close of fiscal year 2017.

 Section 5. Coordinating S.B. 152 and H.B. 182 -- Substantive and technical amendments.

If this S.B. 152 and H.B. 182, Concurrent Enrollment Education Amendments, both pass and become law, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel shall prepare the Utah Code database for publication by:

       (1) not giving effect to Title 53B, Chapter 17, Part 10, Concurrent Enrollment Courses for Accelerated Foreign Language Students; and

       (2) replacing Subsection 53A-15-1703(1)(b)(ii) with the following:

       "(ii) are one of the following:

       (A) general education courses;

       (B) career and technical education courses;

       (C) pre-major college level courses; or

       (D) foreign language concurrent enrollment courses described in Section 53A-15-1708; and";

       (3) replacing Subsection 53A-15-1703(2)(a)(ii)(B) with the following:

       "(B) except for foreign language concurrent enrollment courses described in Section 53A-15-1708, institution of higher education lower division courses numbered at or above the 1000 level; and";

       (4) replacing Subsection 53A-15-1703(5) with the following:

       "(5) An LEA and an institution of higher education may qualify a grade 9 or grade 10 student to enroll in a current enrollment course by exception, including a student who otherwise qualifies to take a foreign language concurrent enrollment course described in Subsection 53A-15-1708."; and

       (5) replacing Section 53A-15-1708 with the following:

"53A-15-1708. Concurrent enrollment courses for accelerated foreign language students.

       (1) As used in this section:

       (a) "Accelerated foreign language student" means a student who:

       (i) has passed a world language advanced placement exam; and

       (ii) is in grade 10, grade 11, or grade 12.

       (b) "Blended learning delivery model" means an education delivery model in which a student learns, at least in part:

       (i) through online learning with an element of student control over time, place, path, and pace; and

       (ii) in the physical presence of an instructor.

       (c) "State university" means an institution of higher education that offers courses leading to a bachelor's degree.

       (2) The University of Utah shall partner with all state universities to develop, as part of the concurrent enrollment program described in this part, concurrent enrollment courses that:

       (a) are age-appropriate foreign language courses for accelerated foreign language students who are eligible students;

       (b) count toward a foreign language degree offered by an institution of higher education; and

       (c) are delivered:

       (i) using a blended learning delivery model; and

       (ii) by an eligible instructor that is faculty of a state institution of higher education.". 


 


 

 

Legislative Review Note

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

 

The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Lifferth moved to pass S.B. 152 out favorably as amended. The motion passed with Rep. Cutler and Rep. Moss voting against the motion. Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson were absent for the vote.

 

S.B. 86            School Building Coordination (Sen. A. Jackson) (Rep. Johnny Anderson)

 

Sen. Jackson explained the bill and distributed a letter from the Department of Transportation dated February 29, 2016.

 

Ms. Linda Hall, Utah Department of Transportation, spoke for the bill.

 

Mr. Brent Bills spoke to the bill.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Last moved to pass S.B. 86 out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

S.B. 78            State Board of Education Candidate Selection (Sen. A. Millner) (Rep. B. Last)

 

Sen. Millner explained the bill.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Coleman moved to amend the bill as follows:

 

1.    Page 1, Lines 13 through 14:   

 

13         describes {  the criteria and  } requirements relating to selecting candidates for the State

14Board of Education;

 

2.    Page 4, Line 111 through Page 5, Line 127: 

 

111 (6) The nominating committee shall select {  the most  } qualified {  of the  } candidates {  , taking

112into account a candidate's:

113 (a) level and quality of education and experience, including education and experience

114in the following areas:

115 (i) education;

116 (ii) administration or management;

117 (iii) past service on:

118 (A) a local school board or a charter school governing board, or in a state education

119agency; and

120 (B) other boards of public, private, for-profit, or nonprofit entities;

121 (iv) finances; and

122 (v) business management;

123 (b) knowledge and understanding of skill sets needed by Utah's citizens, including

124Utah's future workforce;

125 (c) work ethic;

126 (d) financial responsibility; and

127 (e) ability to perform the responsibilities of a member of the State Board of Education  } .

 

3.    Page 5, Lines 144 through 151

Senate 3rd Reading Amendments

       2-4-2016:     

 

144 (2) In selecting the candidates under Subsection (1)(a), the governor:

145  {  (a) shall select the most qualified of the candidates, taking into account the criteria

146described in Subsection 20A-14-104(6);  }

147  {  (b)  }  (a)  may not consider, nor make a selection, based on the political or educational

148philosophies, viewpoints, or affiliations of a candidate; and

149  {  (c)  }  (b)  shall, with the certification described in Subsection (1)(b), provide a written

150statement to the lieutenant governor describing the qualifications of the candidates selected by

151the governor.

 

4.    Page 6, Lines 152 through 155:      

 

152 [(2)] (3) If the governor fails to select two candidates for a state board district by

153August 1, the nominating and recruiting committee shall:

154 (a) select the two candidates[; and] {  using the same criteria, and  } subject to the same

155limitations {  ,  } described in {  Subsections (2)(a) and (b)  }  Subsection (2)(a)  ;

 

The motion passed with Rep. Cutler voting against the motion. Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson were absent for the vote.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Christensen moved to amend the bill as follows:

 

1.    Page 4, Lines 111 through 113:      

 

111 (6) The nominating committee shall select {  the most  } qualified {  of the  } candidates {  , taking

112into account a candidate's:  }  , taking into account a candidate's commitment to the policies of Utah's public education system as provided in Section 53A-1-101. 

113 (a) level and quality of education and experience, including education and experience

 

The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Christensen moved to amend the bill as follows:

 

1.    Page 3, Lines 68 through 70

Senate 3rd Reading Amendments

       2-4-2016:     

 

68   (c)  if the position is nonpartisan,  may not consider, nor make an appointment, based on the political or educational

69philosophies, viewpoints, or affiliations of an individual whose name is submitted under

70Subsection (3)(a).

 

2.    Page 5, Lines 128 through 131

Senate 3rd Reading Amendments

       2-4-2016:     

 

128 (7) The nominating and recruiting committee:

129 (a)  if the position is nonpartisan,  may not consider, nor make a selection, based on the political or educational

130philosophies, viewpoints, or affiliations of an individual who files a declaration of candidacy

131for the office of State Board of Education member; and

 

3.    Page 5, Lines 147 through 148

Senate 3rd Reading Amendments

       2-4-2016:     

 

147 (b)  if the position is nonpartisan,  may not consider, nor make a selection, based on the political or educational

148philosophies, viewpoints, or affiliations of a candidate; and

 

4.    Page 6, Lines 154 through 155:      

 

154 (a) select the two candidates[; and] using the same criteria, and subject to the same

155limitations,  if the position is nonpartisan as  described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b);

 

The motion passed with Rep. Cutler, Rep. Last, and Rep. Moss voting against the motion. Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson were absent for the vote.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Christensen moved to pass S.B. 78 out favorably as amended. The motion passed with Rep. Moss voting against the motion. Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

1st Sub. S.B. 149                   School Grading Modifications (Sen. A. Millner) (Rep. B. Last)

 

Sen. Millner explained the bill with the assistance of President Niederhauser and Mr. Richard Nye, Associate Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Moss moved to replace 1st Sub. S.B. 149 with 2nd Sub. S.B. 149. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Cutler moved to pass 2nd Sub. S.B. 149 out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

MOTION:     Rep. Lifferth moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Eliason, Rep. Fawson, Rep. Gibson, Rep. McCay, and Rep. Poulson absent for the vote.

 

Vice Chair Snow adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m.

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________

Rep. Bradley G. Last, Chair