2026 Regular Session - Day 44 - HB 654 | Rep. Shane Baker

Thank you Mr. Speaker. House Bill 654 is a follow-up to House Bill 48 that we did last year. In House Bill 48 we attempted to remove administrative burdens in education to streamline the process for people in the classroom and those who face the students each and every day. Over the interim last year we met with KDE and a number of folks to continue this conversation and Kentucky Department of Education provided a list of various reports that they collect and require from districts and schools every year. We went through that report and we identified some things that we need to make sure that we preserve in relation to school safety, school funding, transportation and other issues. So there's non-codified language in the bill that makes sure that we cover those bases that we continue on with those reporting requirements. But we asked KDE last year can you give us some things that you actually want to see removed and so you'll see throughout the bill a number of different items that have been stricken and language at their request. There's a couple other things in here. One thing that we did, we talked about what happens while we were out of session if they need a certain report. This will allow EARS to temporarily authorize a report to get them through the next session while we are not in Frankfort. Those things would sunset at the end of the next session. But one last thing it does, it prohibits KDE from requiring any component of a CSIP or CDIP, a comprehensive school improvement plan or district improvement plan that is not expressly required by federal law or state statute. But with that Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the clerk report House Committee Sub 1. Clerk please report. House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 619. Gentleman from Pulaski. Move adoption. Motion is for the adoption of House Committee Substitute 1. During discussion of Committee Substitute. Seeing none, those in favor signify by voting aye. Aye. Those opposed nay. House Committee Substitute 1 is adopted. Gentleman from Pulaski. Mr. Speaker, would you ask the clerk to please report House Floor Amendment 1. Clerk please report. House Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 654. Gentleman from Pulaski. This is just a simple technical correction. I move adoption. Motion is for the adoption of House Floor Amendment 1. During discussion of the floor amendment. Seeing none, those in favor signify by voting aye. Aye. Those opposed nay. House Floor Amendment 1 is adopted. Gentleman from Pulaski. With that Mr. Speaker, I move passage of House Bill 654 as amended by House Committee Sub 1 and House Floor Amendment 1.