A Conversation with House Education on the ‘Omnibus’ Education Bill

Updated on Tues. Feb. 12, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. to include the TV broadcast of “The Legislature Today” from Feb. 11, 2019.

SB 451 – comprehensive education reform – continues to dominate discussion at the Capitol and across the state. The bill was the focus of two public hearings Monday, and it’s now being considered in the House Finance Committee. Host Suzanne Higgins leads an in-depth discussion on the current form of the bill, policies within it, and how it could change in the coming days.

Late Friday evening, the House Education Committee passed its substitute for SB 451. The vote was 15-10, along party lines. House Education Chairman Danny Hamrick, R-Harrison, House Vice Chairman Mark Dean, R-Mingo, and House Minority Vice Chairman, John Doyle, D-Jefferson, join Suzanne Higgins on set to discuss the proceedings and what they expect could happen this week.

Highlights from the interview:

• Approaching the Senate’s version of SB 451
• Thoughts on the “committee as a whole” process
• Removing the non-severability clause
• Charter Schools
• Question of constitutionality
• Access to mental health needs, counselors, etc.
• Dealing with impacts from the opioid epidemic in schools
• Including stakeholders in the conversation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmjsJBkFpQI
Tuesday is the 35th day of the regular session, and it’s the last day to introduce bills in the House of Delegates. However, this rule does not apply to originating or supplementary appropriation bills, and it does not apply to Senate or House resolutions or concurrent resolutions.