Subcommittee sends bill setting minimum grants for small districts to full committee

The Education Subcommittee on Thursday voted to move House Bill 3037 to the Ways and Means Full Committee with a due‑pass recommendation. The Legislative Fiscal Office told the subcommittee the bill will alter how currently funded grants are distributed but has no net fiscal impact.

House Bill 3037 would require minimum grant awards for school districts with fewer than 1,650 students unless a minimum is already established by statute. The measure also adjusts eligibility for the High School Graduation College Readiness Act grants (also referred to in the record as “high school success”), early warning system grants and Student Investment Account grants to include the Oregon School for the Deaf, eligible day treatment programs, youth correction education programs and juvenile detention education programs.

Why it matters: supporters said setting minimum awards and widening eligibility ensures small districts and alternative education settings receive base support; LFO cautioned the bill will change distribution of currently funded grant awards even though it does not increase total spending.

Action and next steps: Mr. Co‑chair moved the bill to the full committee with a due‑pass recommendation; no objection was recorded in the work session and a committee member volunteered to carry the bill to the floor. The measure will be considered next by the Ways and Means Full Committee.

Details: the transcript record states the measure “awards minimum grant awards to school districts with less than 1,650 students” and lists specific program eligibility changes; the Legislative Fiscal Office presented the measure and recommended referral to full committee.