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Education 2011-2012

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The Senate Education Committee met Wednesday, June 27, 2012 and reported out the following bill as amended:

HB 1907 (Everett) – This legislation amends Section 751 of the Public School Code by allowing school districts, in the event of an emergency, to advertise for bids to repair or replace a school plant or any part thereof, contingent only on the approval of the school board.

  • Senator Piccola offered Amendment A12713, which inserts a comprehensive summary of the school code, makes technical revisions, provides for budgetary necessities and minor administrative budget initiatives, as well as includes policy items. The amendment was adopted.
  • Senator Dinniman offered Amendment A12562, which inserts language pertaining to construction, tuition rates, and partnership school districts.  The amendment was adopted.

The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday, June 26, 2012 and unanimously reported out the following bills as amended:

HB 1330 (Quigley) – This legislation transfers the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) from the Tax Code back into the Public School Code and makes several changes in the program.  Senator Piccola offered Amendment A12590 which modifies the EITC program, increasing the tax credit amount, income allowances and setting the tax credit maximum for businesses.  Additionally, the amendment applies the legislation to charter school for the deaf and blind, and establishes certain reporting requirements.  The amendment was unanimously adopted.

HB 1363 (Rapp) – This legislation proposes a two year moratorium on requirements of individuals holding a Pennsylvania public school certification to earn 180 continuing education hours every five years.  Senator Piccola offered Amendment 12630, which includes language requiring the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to submit an interim report at the one-year mark of the program, and also allows the Secretary of Education to hold hearings in the school district during a time of a contract impasse.  The amendment was unanimously adopted.

The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday, June 19, 2012 and reported out the following bills:

As committed
SB 327 (Dinniman) – This legislation amends section 301 (relating to Board of Directors; Election or Appointment) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14), known as the Public School Code.

As amended
SB 1134 (Corman) – This legislation amends the Public School Code (School Code) to prohibit the Commonwealth from mandating or approving specific aspects of any religious pre-kindergarten, pre-school, nursery school, before-school or after-school program or summer school program without the consent of the religious entity.  The bill also provides for the regulation and oversight of such programs by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).  Senator Piccola offered Amendment A12029 on behalf of Senator Corman. This amendment makes comprehensive changes to the administration, promulgation and regulation of health and safety measures in religious early childhood education facilities or before-or-after-school programs. Following a lengthy discussion and requests for further examination of this legislation through hearings and/or public forums, the amendment was approved by a vote of 10-1.

SB 1456 (Folmer) – This legislation amends Article XII (relating to Certification of Teachers) of act of March 10, 1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14), known as the Public School Code to create a new Military Science Certificate.  Senator Folmer offered Amendment A10446, which was technical in nature.  The amendment was unanimously approved.

SB 1508 (Piccola) – This legislation amends the Public School Code (School Code) to allow a community college meeting certain criteria to negotiate with its local sponsors the amount the local sponsors will provide to the community college for the college’s annual operating costs and annual capital expenses. On behalf of Senator Mensch, Senator Piccola offered Amendment 10438, which creates the Pennsylvania Community College Affordability Task Force. The amendment was unanimously approved.

The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday, June 5, 2012 and reported out the following bill as committed:

HB 1343 (Baker) – This legislation creates the Commonwealth Higher Education Modernization Act and makes several repeals.

The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday, May 22, 2012 and reported out the following bills:

HB 1307 (Milne) – This legislation limits the compensation of superintendents and assistant superintendents of school districts in financial distress; requires the Auditor General to conduct an audit every four years of school districts in financial distress; requires the Department of Education to provide annual reporting on intermediate unit funding, contracts and agreements; and allows students to wear military uniforms at graduation ceremonies.

Senator Piccola introduced Amendment 10521, which inserts the language found in SB 1296 into the bill, provides protocol to identify and aid financially distressed schools, and outlines dates by which the department must post intermediate unit reports.

Democratic members offered a series of amendments to Amendment 10521:

  • Senator Dinniman offered Amendment A10624, which provides for requirements for operators of schools in converted to charter schools in financially distressed districts, including being a 501 (c)(3) organization; ensuring certain academic, cost-saving and service success guarantees; and providing for limitations in payouts to management organizations.  The amendment failed by a 4-7 vote.
  • Senator Ferlo offered Amendment A10596, which requires school districts to accept students from failing school districts when the recovery plan calls for tuitioning out to other districts.  The amendment failed by a 4-7 vote.
  • Senator Dinniman offered Amendment A10597, which requires that school districts only contract with entities with proven records of cost savings, and includes a penalty for noncompliance.  The amendment failed by a 4-7 vote.
  • Senator Leach offered Amendment A10598, which requires that the funding of financially distressed schools be restored to its 2010-2011 levels.  The amendment failed by a 4-7 vote.
  • Senator Dinniman offered Amendment A10599, which establishes a grant program for financially distressed districts.  The amendment failed by a 4-7 vote.
  • Senator Dinniman offered Amendment A10600, which requires districts declaring financial distress to conduct a best management practices review.  The amendment failed by a 4-7 vote.
  • Senator Williams offered Amendment A10722, which establishes certain criteria for the Chief Recovery Officer’s handling of schools which do not achieve academic success.  The amendment failed by a 1-10 vote.

Amendment A10521 was adopted as committed by a vote of 7-3, with Senator Williams abstaining.  The bill was reported as amended by a vote of 7-3, with Senator Williams abstaining.

HB 1901 (Everett) – This legislation amends Section 751 of the Public School Code by allowing school districts, in the event of an emergency, to advertise for bids to repair or replace a school plant or any part thereof, contingent only on the approval of the school board.  The bill was unanimously adopted as committed.

The Senate Education Committee met on May 1, 2012 and reported out the following bills:

SB 1303 (Williams) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 to allow for adjustment of the rate of taxes levied on real estate in a school district of the first class. Senator Williams offered Amendment 10003, which would allow the City of Philadelphia to lower the tax rate for the school district, providing that the city sets a tax rate that will provide the district revenue figures equal to or greater than the highest one-year property tax revenue yield collected over the previous three years before reassessment. Additionally, the amendment adjusts “look back” rates and allows for limits of and conditions to the levying of property taxes while the City is in financial distress.  The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended.

SB 1381 (Williams) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require a broader employment history review for prospective employees of school entities and independent contractors of school entities for positions involving direct contact with children. Senator Williams offered Amendment A09976, which is a gut and replace amendment providing for additional requirements and child abuse clearances for applicants, employers and independent contractors;  requirements for disclosure; immunity for certain parties; penalties for falsifying of information; and, training requirements for those having direct contact with children.  The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended.

SB 1459 (Smucker) – Amends the Professional Educator Discipline Act to expand the jurisdiction of the Professional Standards and Practices Commission, the basis for discipline, and mandatory reporting requirements. Senator Smucker offered Amendment A09975, which makes technical and substantive changes, including clarifications to supplemental sanctions, implications of child consent, mandatory reporting and self reporting, certification requirements, confidentiality, and public disclosure; requirements for reporting of instances of sexual misconduct, retention of evidence, timetables for discipline; and limits on civil liability.  The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended.

SB 1492 (Smucker) – Amends the Public School Code of 1949 to encourage collaborative partnerships between school districts for the purpose of providing expanded access to high-quality curriculum to students in a cost-effective manner through the use of technology.  The bill was reported as committed

HB 1610 (Vereb) – This legislation is a freestanding Act to establish requirements related to information, training, and procedures intended to prevent sudden cardiac arrest and death in student athletes. Senator Smucker offered Amendment A09999, which is technical in nature and provides further clarification to the language and definitions, and inserts language to eliminate any effect on collective bargaining agreements.  The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 and unanimously reported out the following bills as amended:

SB 1225 (Pileggi) – This bill codifies the Library Code in consolidated statute form to improve the readability of the Library Code and reconciles conflicts between the Library Code and regulations that have been issued under it.  Senator Piccola offered Amendment A09066, which implements library funding distribution for Fiscal Year 2012-13. The amendment was unanimously adopted. Senator Piccola also offered Amendment A09367 on behalf of Senator Pileggi, which was technical in nature.  The amendment was unanimously adopted.

SB 1410 (Ferlo) – This bill removes the expiration date of Section 1704-B(c) of the Public School Code of 1949.  Senator Ferlo offered Amendment A09341, which was technical in nature.  The amendment was unanimously adopted.

SB 1436 (Piccola) – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to prohibit the Department of Education or the State Board of Education from taking any action prior to June 30, 2020 that has the effect of eliminating, limiting or delaying the development or implementation of the Keystone Exams.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A09334, which would prohibit the Department of Education from taking any action prior to June 30, 2020 that would modify the Keystone Exam’s weight of one-third of the student’s final course grade.   The amendment was unanimously adopted.

SB 1440 (Dinniman) – This bill adds Section 120 to the Public School Code of 1949 to provide reimbursement to school districts, charter schools and cyber charter schools for costs incurred should the Department of Education or the State Board of Education reduces the number of Keystone Exams to developed and implemented.  Senator Dinniman offered Amendment A09345, which would provide outline the reimbursement process for school districts, charter schools and cyber charter schools.  The amendment was unanimously adopted.

The Senate Education Committee met on March 6, 2012 and reported out the following bills:

SB 209 (M. White) – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new article dealing with the disclosure of athletic opportunities in public and private schools.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A08082 (on behalf of Senator Mary Jo White), which was technical in nature.  The amendment was agreed to and the bill was unanimously reported.

SB 1115 (Browne) – This bill amends the Public School Code to establish a new equitable formula to distribute special education funding and an accountability system to ensure effective investment of resources. Senator Browne offered amendment A08967, which provides a comprehensive re-write of the bill to include a reworking of the special education funding formula; a tiered formula for assessing the intensive need for special education services; greater accountability, including allowing for the Department of Education to approve or disapprove funding if goals are not met; a new special education component for the contingency fund; and requirement that the Commission examine the cost of administering special education services.  The amendment was agreed to and the bill was unanimously reported.

SB 1296 (Piccola) – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to provide for greater transparency and accountability in superintendent and assistant superintendent contracts by setting new requirements for the content of those contracts and subjecting them to the Right-to-Know Law.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A08985, which provides for changes to certain lengths of contracts; alters sick leave allotments and maximum compensation for unused leave; provides for annual performance-based assessment, which would be posted on the district’s website; and applies these provisions to the Philadelphia School District.  The amendment was agreed to and the bill was unanimously reported.

SB 1406 (Folmer) – This bill amends section 6503 of Title 24 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (24 Pa.C.S. §6503) to allow private, nonprofit colleges or universities to offer additional degrees and institute additional programs and majors without the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) if the college or university has operated continuously in Pennsylvania for at least ten years and is accredited by a regional accrediting agency.  The bill was unanimously reported.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, and unanimously reported out the following bills as amended:

SB 1133 – The bill amends the Public School Code by permitting all PASSHE institutions to provide graduate instruction at the doctoral level in areas of study leading to professional doctoral degrees – also known as applied doctoral degrees.  Technical amendment A05938 was offered.

SB 1211 – This legislation amends the Public School Code by providing additional flexibility for the Universities by removing the required delegation of all projects to the schools by the Department of General Services.  Amendment A05936 was offered which was technical in nature.

SB 1221 – This bill amends the Public School Code by removing impediments that greatly impact the entrepreneurial ability of the Universities to guide affiliated not-for-profit foundations which are designed to generate alternative revenues for the Universities and PASSHE in the face of declining state funds.  These not-for-profit affiliated foundations can receive an array of gifts that the universities by law cannot accept.  Amendment A06171 was offered that states nothing shall be construed to alter or affect the responsibilities and duties of affiliated entities under the “Right-to-Know Act”

The following bills were unanimously reported out as committed:

SB 1239 – The bill amends the Public School Code by providing the Universities with the flexibility to achieve greater efficiencies in procurement, construction and renovation project management and contract approvals by streamlining the current, duplicative levels of required approvals under then Commonwealth Attorneys Act.  All contacts are to be made available to the public by listing them with the State Treasury Department in accordance with the Right to Know Act.

SB 1322 – The legislation amends the Public School Code by permitting the state-owned universities to enter into an agreement with an entity for cooperative procurement of supplies and services.  Cooperative purchases made through this consortium will be done in accordance with current competitive bidding requirements.

SB 1308  – This bill creates a new “State System of Higher Education Intellectual Property Act” (Act) that permits State-owned universities to enter into agreements to develop and market intellectual property owned or created by an employee of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, and reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 1 – The legislation creates a statewide Opportunity Scholarship program targeting low-income (130% of poverty) child.  The bill also brings the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program provisions back into the Public School Code of 1949 and makes minor changes to this program.  Senator Ferlo offered amendment A5740 which would increase the EITC amounts.  The amendment failed by a vote of 2-9.  Senator Piccola also offered amendment A5700 that would make revisions to the existing provisions relating to the Opportunity Scholarships, the EITC and charter school reform.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the amendment and bill as amended.

The Senate Education Committee met on Monday, June 27, 2011, and reported out the following bills as amended:

SR 147 – A resolution that directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to examine programs for postsecondary education in rural communities and make recommendations for improving the delivery of community and technical education in those communities.  Amendment A03839 was offered which was technical in nature.  A vote of 10-0 was recorded on the amendment and the bill as amended.

HB 1352 – The legislation amends the Public School Code in order to add the offense of Institutional Sexual Assault to the list of offenses which act as a bar to employment. Senator Piccola offered amendment A04212 which encompasses provisions for the Omnibus School Code for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  A vote of 9-1 was recorded on the amendment.  A vote of 10-0 was recorded on the bill as amended.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, and unanimously reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 172 – This legislation establishes and creates the Pennsylvania MESA Initiative.  Amendment A02818 was offered which was technical in nature.

The committee reported out the following bill as committed:

SB 391 – The bill provides for training of school employees in diabetes care and management and for possession and use of diabetes medication and monitoring equipment.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

SB 1087 – The legislation requires that the professional employee rating system include student performance as a factor to be considered in determining teacher performance.  A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

SB 1127 – This bill provides that no school board may vote or take other official action, other than votes or actions of a ministerial or emergency nature in a lame duck year. It also provides for penalties if a violation of this provision occurs.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

SB 1129 – The legislation clarifies that where a host district contracts with a third party for the provision of educational services, the third party may seek payment directly from the district of residence.  A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 1086 – The legislation amends the Library Code to set forth the formula for the allocation of state library aid for fiscal year 2011-2012.

HB 1352 – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to include institutional sexual assault in the list of offenses a conviction of which would cause an individual to be banned from school employment for five years.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 and reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 560 – The bill establishes the State Military College Legislative Appointment Initiative Program.    A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

SB 743 – This legislation amends the Public School Code to allow a teacher or director of a private driver training school to teach driver education without having to meet the certification requirements.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

SB 813 – The bill amends the Public School Code to require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide value-added assessment system data (PVAAS) down to the grade and classroom level. Current law requires PDE to provide the school district and school building level on its website.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

La comisión aprobó por unanimidad los siguientes proyectos de ley en su forma enmendada:

SB 306 – The bill amends the Public School Code to include chartered schools for the deaf and blind and private schools for disabled children in the definitions of an “educational improvement organization” and “innovative education program”.  Amendment A01545 was offered which was technical in nature.

SB 389 – This legislation amends the Public School Code by providing for the definition of “vocational agricultural education” to develop student potential for success upon entering and advancing through a number of careers in the agricultural field.  Amendment A00708 was offered that inserts landscape contracting, nursery and floriculture production and retail garden center management into the definition of “vocational agricultural education”.

SB 933 – This bill amends the Public School Code to require intermediate units to submit an annual financial report to the Secretary of Education and to report on contracts and subsidies received for providing services.  Amendment A01814 was offered which eliminates section 1 of the bill that duplicates the financial reporting requirements for IUs that is already in the School Code as well as clarifying language.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 and reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 537 – This legislation requires a 2/3 vote by school boards to raise property taxes.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

SB 801 – The legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to permit school entities to contract with a single prime contractor for construction projects.  A vote of 4-7 was recorded and the bill failed.

SB 803 – This legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to permit school districts to advertise from a menu of options for public notice reporting requirements.  A vote of 7-4 was recorded.

SB 844 – The legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to provide an exemption from continuing education for superintendents and school administrators under certain circumstances.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

SB 857 – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to repeal an obsolete fiscal provision limiting school districts to use of increases in basic education funding to create new programs and expand existing programs.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

SB 869 – The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to provide that no public school district is required to transport a student to any other school or school district outside state borders, except for PDE-approved schools that provide specialized instruction to students with disabilities.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

SB 870 – The legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to repeal certain provisions relating to paid sick leave and sabbaticals.  A vote of 8-3 was recorded.

SB 872 – This legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to reduce the requirements placed on school entities and postsecondary institutions that choose to participate in the Opportunities for Educational Excellence program, commonly known as dual or concurrent enrollment.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

The committee reported out the following bills as amended. All of the amendments were passed unanimously:

SB 202 – The legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to provide for alternative certification pathways for principals and teachers.  Senator Dinniman offered amendment A01170 which was technical in nature.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 293 – The bill amends the State Public School Building Authority Act to raise the threshold cost at which a school construction project is financed through the authority must be competitively bid.  Senator Brubaker offered amendment A00971 which is technical by nature.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 296 – The legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to raise the threshold cost for bidding.  Senator Eichelberger offered amendment A00960 which was technical in nature.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 329 – This bill mends the Public School Code of 1949 to suspend non-essential reports from districts to PDE in years in which state education funding declines.  Senator Dinniman offered amendment A01068 which further defines “basic education funding.”  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 612 – The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to permit school entities to furlough professional employees for economic reasons.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A00969 which provides certain criteria upon which school entities determine furloughs instead of solely based in seniority rights which is current law.  Senator Piccola also offered amendment A00942 which provides that the Secretary may waive the requirement providing for a proportionate reduction in administrators with the approval of the State Board of Education.  Senator Dinniman offered amendment A01138 prohibiting school districts from using costs as the sole factor in determining which professional employees to suspend.  A vote of 8-3 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 802 – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to permit school districts to hire registered nurses who complete a program of inservice training in school nursing approved by PDE. Districts would retain the option of employing a school certificated nurse.  Senator Dinniman offered amendment A01184 that provides further parameters for training and employment of registered nurses.  PDE would also be required to undertake a study on the effectiveness of utilizing registered nurses.  A vote of 6-5 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 814 – The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to reinstate the mandate waiver program that expired on June 30, 2010.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A0111 that is technical in nature.  A vote of 8-3 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 858 – This legislation amends the Public School Code of 1949 to permit school districts to hire a person to serve as a superintendent or assistant superintendent if he or she holds a graduate degree in business or finance.  Senator Dinniman offered amendment A01115 that will require a person hired under this new optional provision to successfully complete a leadership development program that meets the Pennsylvania school leadership standards.  A vote of 8-3 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 871 – This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to place a two-year moratorium on Act 48 continuing professional educational requirements. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee would be directed to conduct a study of Act 48 continuing education requirements. Senator Brubaker offered amendment A01218 which clarifies that nothing in the bill shall be construed to impair existing collective bargaining agreements.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended.

SB 873 – The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to direct PDE to work in conjunction with the State Board of Education to review PDE’s PlanCon process and make recommendations and regulations to improve the process.  Senator Brubaker offered amendment A01209 which exempts school districts that are not eligible for reimbursement for school construction projects from being required to participate in PlanCon.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended.

The Senate Education Committee met on Monday, March 7, 2011 and unanimously reported the following:

The committee unanimously reported out Ronald Tomalis for Secretary of Education.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, and reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 1 – The legislation creates a creates a statewide Opportunity Scholarship program targeting low-income children,  The bill also brings the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program provisions back into the Public School Code of 1949 and makes minor changes to this program.  A vote of 8-2 was recorded.

The following amendments were offered by Senator Piccola and passed unanimously:

  • A00745 – Technical
  • A00517 – Prohibits recruitment of students for athletic reasons or by either public or private schools.
  • A00702 – Requires participating public schools to be nonprofit entities exempt from federal taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS and to make written policies related to tuition, admissions, academics, discipline, religious instruction, parent involvement and extracurricular activities available if requested by parents seeking to enroll their children.

The following amendments were offered by Senator Dinniman and failed:

  • A00670 – Eliminates year 3 of the Opportunity Scholarship program and increases the total available credits to the EITC program in 2013-14 from $100 million to $150 million.  A vote of 3-7 was recorded.
  • A00699 – Clarifies that the Opportunity Scholarship funds received by a participating nonpublic schools may be subject to audit in accordance with the law.  A vote of 4-6 was recorded.
  • A000743 – Requires participating nonpublic schools to administer an assessment or a nationally normed standardized test in the same subject area that are part of the State assessment in the public schools in grade 3 through 8 and 11.  The amendment also requires PDE to publish a notice including a list in the PA Bulletin of recognized nationally normed tests that may be used.  A vote of 4-6 was recorded.
  • A00744 – Requires a participating school to return the full amount of the Opportunity Scholarship when the recipient is expelled by or requested or directed to withdrawl by the participating nonpublic school.  A vote of 2-9 was recorded.
  • A00781 – Reduced the contribution deduction percentage for business firms making an EITC donation from 74% to 65% for an annual donation and 90% to 80% for a two year commitment.  A vote of 4-6 was recorded.

The following amendments were offered by Senator Ferlo and failed:

  • A00725 – Adds “or as a student with a disability” to the list of persons that a nonpublic cannot discriminate against in admissions as part of the definition of participating nonpublic school.  A vote of 3-7 was recorded.
  • A00767 – Requires each school district to include with its annual property tax bill a notice stating the estimated costs of complying with SB1.  The amendment also sets forth the manner in which those costs are to be determines.  Each school district will submit the same information to PDE within 15 days of when the tax bills are mailed out.  A vote of 3-7 was recorded.

The following amendments were offered by Senator Leach and failed:

  • A00736 – Removes the section which deals with the reduction of student aid to a school district in the second year of the program due to an Opportunity Scholarship recipient enrolling in a participating nonpublic school.  A vote of 3-7 was recorded.
  • A00803 – Requires a participating nonpublic school to provide Opportunity Scholarship recipients the ability to opt out of religious instruction or ceremonies.  A vote of 2-8 was recorded.