The Senate Education Committee reported House Bill 2548 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass after debate over enforcement tools for rule violations. Counsel described the bill as requiring the State Superintendent to report annually to the Legislature on implementation of State Board rules in each county school district and, if a county continues to be in violation, authorizing withholding of school aid funding from that county.

Senators questioned the breadth and possible consequences of the withholding authority. Senator Vermaier asked whether similar withholding provisions exist in current law; counsel said he did not believe so and that the provision would provide an additional remedy. Senator Randolph and others asked what remedies the State Superintendent currently employs; counsel and Deputy State Superintendent Sonya White (who testified) described existing accountability tools, including state oversight, takeover in extreme cases, and judicial enforcement. White said the department monitors county budgets and that the department had not previously needed to withhold school-aid funding.

Senator Randolph offered an amendment to remove the two lines authorizing the withholding of school-aid funding (lines 19–20 on page 2). Randolph argued withholding funds could worsen already troubled finances in counties that are violating rules and that the State Board already has takeover remedies. Other senators opposed the amendment, saying the state needs remedies to stop fiscal mismanagement. After debate, the committee voted and the amendment offered by Senator Randolph was rejected; the chair announced the noes had it. The committee then voted to report the bill to the full Senate with recommendation that it pass; the chair declared the motion adopted.

What happens next: The bill, as reported with withholding language intact, will be sent to the full Senate for consideration. Stakeholders including county finance officers and the State Board of Education may seek clarification on implementation if the measure advances.