The Week In Review and Looking Forward into Next Week
Budget Stopgap Spending Bill Passes
Now operating in unchartered territory, operations of the new fiscal year are underway in North Carolina without a new approved biennium budget in place. With four days of postponed votes in the House on the potential veto override of HB 966 and no conclusion on how the General Assembly plans to address the budget for the 2019-2021 biennium, the State will continue to operate on auto-pilot based off of last year's budget provisions. For more information, check out the DPI School Business Newsletter: Operating after July 1 Without a Budget.
Next steps for the budget may include a veto override, drafting of continuing resolutions, multiple agency budget bills or continued operations on auto-pilot. In light of the unresolved budget plans, HB 111: Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed in the House and sent to the Senate to make supplemental appropriations for budget continuation. The bill addresses increases in public school average daily membership, NC Promise tuition plan, veterans in-state tuition, NC FAST operations, suicide prevention, 2018 disaster recovery, and other provisions related to tax systems, debt service, and employer contribution rate procedures. The Supplemental Appropriations Act is outlined in more detail below.
While awaiting further direction on the budget, education bills have been moving rapidly through committees and sessions this week. Bills regarding teacher contract changes and new personal finance courses (SL 2019-82), as well as studies on the challenges of being an NC Pre-K site (SL 2019-87) have become session law this week. In addition, a handful of bills were ratified and sent to the Governor, including bills modifying the school success indicator (HB 411), higher education changes (HB 668), educator preparation program changes (HB 107), and adjusting the performance grading to a 15-point scale (HB 362). Many other education bills moved through committees and crossed from one chamber to the other this week and will continue moving next week. Additionally, the State Board of Education had their monthly conference call on Thursday of this week. The agenda can be found here.
Several K-12 education bills are scheduled to be heard next week in the House Rules, Education and Insurance committees. In addition, the possibility remains that action will be taken with HB 966: 2019 Appropriations Act. For more detail on what is scheduled next week, the education-related legislative calendar can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
Supplemental Budget Bill
HB 111 Supplemental Appropriations Act
- Section 2.1 – Appropriates funds to DPI for public school Average Daily Membership increases and average salary adjustments.
- Section 2.2 – Permits UNC enrollment funds to be used for the NC Promise Tuition Plan for Elizabeth City State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University.
- Section 2.3 – Alters the statute that provides a waiver of 12-month residency requirement for in-state tuition for certain veterans.
- Section 3.1, 4.1 – Funds from General Fund appropriated to operations of NC Fast and provides funds from Medicaid Transformation Fund for nonrecurring NC Fast expenditures.
- Section 5.1 – Provides funding for a Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
- Section 7.1 – Clarifies fund use and permit for continued efforts of 2018 Disaster Recovery.
BILL SUMMARY
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Important Budget Resources
- Supplemental Appropriations Act here.
- DPI School Business: Operating after July 1 Without a Budget.
- K-12 Education Budget Overview here.
- Governor's Veto Statement here.
- HB 966: Ratified Conference Report here.
- Updated "Money" Report (Conference Report) here.
- Conference Committee Members here.
- DPI Financial & Business Services: Budget Comparison here.
- DPI Financial & Business Services: Summary of Budget here.
- HB 966: 2019 Appropriations Act (Senate v6) here.
- "Money" Report - 3rd Edition (Senate) here.
- Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Amendments here.
- HB 966: 2019 Appropriations Act (House v4) here.
- Committee "Money" Report - 2nd Edition (House) here.
- Education Items in the Governor's budget here.
- Highlights of the NC Public School Budget 2019 here.
- NC State Board of Education Budget Response here.
- NC Department of Public Instruction #NC2030 vision here.
- Public School Capital Outlays Chart here.
- North Carolina School Finances website here.
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State Board of Education - July Meeting
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The State Board of Education held their monthly meeting on Thursday, July 11 via conference call.
Items of interest covered at this month's meeting:
The SBE July Agenda is available here.
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Overview of New K-12 Education Session Laws
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SL 2019-51: (HB 57) Create Term for Public Schs. & Codify NCVPS BILL SUMMARY
- Defines the term "public school unit" and codifies past session laws for the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) program in the education chapter of the General Statutes (115C).
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SL 2019-11: (HB 263) Fill Vacancies/Modify 2018 Appointments
- Appoints Jeannette Butterworth of Henderson County to the North Carolina Charter Schools Advisory Board for a term expiring on June 30, 2021.
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SL 2019-22: (HB 646) ID Approval/Flex Muni One-Stop BILL SUMMARY
- Requires the head of a university, college, or K-12 school to submit sufficient documentation for voting identification card approval; amends the criteria school entities must meet for approval of ID card use.
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SL 2019-55: (HB 664) myFutureNC/Postsecondary Attainment Goal BILL SUMMARY
- Establishes a postsecondary educational attainment goal for the State to ensure the State remains economically competitive now and into the future. The State will make significant efforts to increase access to learning so that by 2030, 2,000,000 residents between the ages of 25 and 44 will have completed a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree..
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SL 2019-38: (SB 448) Amend Appt For Compact on Education/Military BILL SUMMARY
- Removes the requirement that the compact commissioner for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children be a licensed NC attorney who represents a local board of education; rather the Governor appoints the individual.
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SL 2019-60: (SB 227) TP3/Principal Fellows Consolidation BILL SUMMARY
- Maintain existing administration of the Transforming Principal Preparation Program (TP3) until it is repealed in 2021; expands the Principal Fellows Consolidation to include the TP3.
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SL 2019-63: (SB 674) Surry Co./Mt. Airy/Elkin City/Bd. Ed Partisan BILL SUMMARY
- Changes the method of election for the local Boards of Education in the above listed localities from nonpartisan to partisan and alters vacancy filing process.
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SL 2019-71: (SB 219) Modify Teacher Licensing Requirements BILL SUMMARY
- Makes various changes to statutes regarding the testing for the initial professional teacher (IPL) licensure; creates one-year extension for IPL for certain teachers; creates a limited teaching license for out-of-state teachers; authorizes local boards of education to determine commensurate pay level; and reduce the lifetime teaching license requirement from 50 to 30 years.
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SL 2019-76: (SB 556) GSC People First Language 2019 GENERAL COMMENTS
- Updates General Statues relating to the provision of services with people first language by changing the phrase "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability" or "intellectual or other developmental disability".
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SL 2019-78: (SB 88) Electrician Requirements for Certain Orgs BILL SUMMARY
- Local boards of education (LEAs) may employ licensed electrical contractors.
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SL 2019-81: (HB 656) Medicaid Changes for Transformation BILL SUMMARY
- Makes adjustments to the Medicaid and Health Choice appeals statutes, and other laws pertaining to Medicaid and Health Choice, in order to implement Medicaid Transformation and contracts with Prepaid Health Plans.
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SL 2019-82: (HB 924) Teacher Contract Changes BILL SUMMARY
- Clarifies the amount of time a teacher must work for an LEA in order to be eligible for an extended employment contract. Adds a new course in economics and personal finance as a graduation requirement for students.
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SL 2019-87: (HB 886) Study Participation of Operators in NC Pre-K BILL SUMMARY
- Requires DHHS, Division of Child Development and Early Education to complete a study of four- and five-star centers that are not participating in NC Pre-K in order to identify the challenges associated with becoming an NC Pre-K site.
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SL 2019-110: (SB 399) Rehire High-Need Teachers BILL SUMMARY
- Permits retired teachers to return to work in certain high-needs schools without adversely impacting their retirement benefits.
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SL 2019-120: (SB 500) Modify Advanced Math Course Enrollment BILL SUMMARY
- Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, makes certain modifications to the implementation of advanced math courses offered when practicable for grades six and higher. Requires an annual report on the number and demographics of students eligible for advanced math courses.
- Complete List of Bills that are Session Law here.
- For complete bill history and summaries, click on the bill link.
Relevant Bills with Action
Bills Passed in Both Chambers
Presented to the Governor
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HB 107: PED Oversight/EPP Changes
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HB 362: 15-Point Scale For School Performance Grades
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HB 411: Modify School Qual./Student Success Indicator BILL SUMMARY
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HB 668: Various Higher Education Changes BILL SUMMARY
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HB 735: Adopt Rules Incorporating 2017 Food Code BILL SUMMARY
- Complete List of Bills Pending the Governor's Signature here.
Focus on the Student
High Profile K-12 Education Bills Heard in Committee This Week
SB 354 would make the following changes:
- Allows parents to petition the student’s school for the development of a seizure action plan
- Would require schools to create seizure action plans for each student with a seizure disorder
- Requires schools to keep individual plans on file for administrators, nurses, and if the parent allows, volunteers that supervise the student
- Provides training for teachers and school employees on administering medication and assisting these students.
The plans would require documentation from the following:
- Student’s healthcare provider regarding seizure medication, dosage, administration, and symptoms
- Student’s parent indicating who is permitted to administer medication
The school would be provided at least one unopened dosage of the medication from the parent and the school is required to safely and securely store the medication in an accessible location for trained school personnel and volunteers. This bill aims to eliminate the potential detrimental consequences of schools being underprepared. Sam's Law was amended in the House Rules committee (CS) and passed the House this week and has been sent back to the Seante for concurrence.
BILL SUMMARY
SB 391: Expand Youth Internship Opportunities
Current law restricts youth under age 18 from being employed in occupations that have been declared hazardous by the US Department of Labor or deemed detrimental to youth by the NC Commission of Labor. These occupations include:
- Welding, brazing, torch cutting, electrician,
- Work involving exposure to quartz, lead, benzene, or any other volatile compound
- Work involving cutting or slicing machines, freezing and packaging machines, ladders or scaffolds, confined spaces, or the use of respirators.
This bill creates an exception for youth ages 16-18 to participate in supervised experiences in occupations found detrimental by the Commissioner of Labor. The following conditions must be met to be eligible for the exception:
- Student is enrolled in a school that has partnered with an employer offering the experience;
- Employer has submitted written documentation to the Commissioner of Labor that indicates that the work is incidental, intermittent, for a short period of time, performed under direct supervision, and the supervisor is experienced and qualified;
- And the employer must provide training and safety instructions as well as an organized schedule of the student’s work.
BILL SUMMARY
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Bills that Moved This Week
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Passed the House - Sent to the Senate
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SB 212: NC FAST/Early Child/Transformation/ACH Assess (Amended (CS) in House Rules and on the House Floor (A1) - Sent back to the Senate for concurrence
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SB 343: Various Education Law Changes (Amended (CS) in House Rules and on the House Floor (A1) - Sent back to the Senate for concurrence) BILL SUMMARY
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SB 354: Sam's Law (Amended (CS) in House Rules - Passed the House - Sent back to the Senate for concurrence) BILL SUMMARY
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SB 391: Expand Youth Internship Opportunities (Passed the House - Sent back to the Senate for concurrance) BILL SUMMARY
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SB 621: Testing Reduction Act of 2019 (Amended in House Rules (CS) and on the House Floor (A1) - Sent back to the Senate for concurrence 7/10/19) BILL SUMMARY
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Passed the Senate - Sent to the House
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HB 777: Various Retirement Chngs/Wastewater Reform (Passed the Senate - Sent back to the House for concurrence) BILL SUMMARY
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HB 922: Enhance Insurance Coverage/Educ. Buildings (Amended in Senate Commerce (CS) - Passed the Senate - Referred to House Insurance Committee) BILL SUMMARY
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Passed in a Committee - Referred to another Committee
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Bills that are filed, referred to a committee or calendared for the House or Senate Floor
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SB 123: Portability of Leave/Charter Schools (Agenda in House K-12 Ed on 7/16/19)
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SB 687: SBOE Confirmation/Jt. Session (Filed in Senate – referred to Senate Rules) BILL
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SB 688: Adjourn 2019 Session to Date Certain (Filed in Senate – referred to Senate Rules) BILL
- For complete bill history and summaries, click on the bill link.
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- 2019 Long Session LINK for bills impacting K-12 education.
- LINK to K-12 Public Education Bills that made Crossover.
- NCGA Crossover List - LINK.
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July 15 - 19: Legislative Meeting Calendar
Monday, July 15, 2019
2:00 p.m.: Senate: Session Convenes Senate | Audio
3:00 p.m.: House: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House 1228/1327 LB | Audio
SB 5: School Safety Omnibus
7:00 p.m.: House: Session Convenes House | Audio
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
9:00 a.m.: House: Insurance 1228/1327 LB | Audio
1:00 p.m.: House: Education - K-12 643 LOB | Audio
ONLINE RESOURCES:
This section includes details pertaining to acronyms and bill information referenced throughout the K-12 Education Legislative Update newsletters.
Biennium- A two-year term of legislative activity
Public Bill- Legislation enacted into law that applies to the public at large
Local Bill- Legislation put into law that has limited application (How many counties)- Local bills do not have to be signed by the governor
Sponsor- The legislator who presents a bill or resolution for consideration
Resolution- A document that expresses the sentiment or intent of the legislature or a chamber. Resolutions, when finalized, go to the Secretary of State
Glossary of Legislative Terms- LINK
DPI = NC Department of Public Instruction
LEA = Local Education Agency
NCGA = North Carolina General Assembly
LB/LOB = Legislative Building/Legislative Office Building
SBE = North Carolina State Board of Education
HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill
JR = Joint Resolution
SL = Session Law
GS = General Statute
PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute
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OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONTACT INFORMATION:
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Cecilia Holden – Director of Government and Community Relations | 919-807-3406
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Anne Murtha – Legislative Specialist | 919-807-3403
OFFICE OF THE NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION CONTACT INFORMATION:
To view previous 2019 Weekly Legislative Updates click here.
The NC Department of Public instruction offers a number of topics for subscription.
- To subscribe to the Weekly Legislative Update, click here.
- To subscribe to other NC Department of Public Instruction topics, click here.
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