Legislative News
Legislative Report

• Legislative Report
  

  NDEA 2007 LEGISLATIVE REPORT

  Issue 7 - February 15, 2007

  Investing in Public Education

  For a PDF copy of the full report, click here!  

  Education Funding - Even before the 2007 Legislature began, there was no doubt an increase in education funding would be proposed.  The Governor had recommended at least $60 million.  The Commission on Educational Improvement had developed a plan to revise the funding formula to solve the equity problem.  That Commission also recommended some increases.  The bill was SB2200, and everyone wondered how much money would go into it during the first half of the session and whether the bill would change.  There is currently about $80.5 million in the bill.

  During the first half of the session, there were other attempts to put more money into education.  HB1441 would have put $195 million into education, and an amendment to HB1051 would have put an additional $30 million into education.  Although both of those proposals were defeated, maybe, by the end of the session, more money for education can be found.

  Early Childhood Education and Kindergarten - The House and Senate have approved additional funding for early childhood education and full-day kindergarten.  This is good!  Research shows that a good beginning for children makes a difference. 

  Minimum Wage - Education support staff should see wage increases over a three-year period.  HB1454 has passed both the House and Senate.  It is a done deal.  The bill increases minimum wages to $7.25 by 2009, contingent on a federal minimum wage increase.
   
  Access to Higher Education - Several bills were introduced to provide loan reduction, tax credits, and lower interest rates for college students.  Over a period of years, SB2347 would provide full tuition grants with eligibility based on ACT scores.  HB1249 provides loan forgiveness for individuals who teach at grade levels or content areas deemed to be teacher shortage areas.

  Paying Teachers Off Schedule - Although NDEA said school districts would not have a problem finding teachers if salaries for the profession were better, the House passed HB1177 that allows school boards to pay additional salary for positions necessary for school approval. 

  Education Support Staff Bargaining - Once again, the legislature said "no" to allowing political subdivision and state employees to bargain.  If passed, SB2267 would have provided bargaining rights to education support professionals.  This concept will be introduced again next session.  NDEA believes all school employees should have bargaining rights.

  Reorganization Hiring - SB2227 required reorganization school boards to first offer contracts for available positions to teachers involved in the districts that are reorganizing.  The bill was defeated, but a resolution, SCR 4030, has been introduced to study reorganization issues, including effects on teachers.
   

  Great Public Schools are a Basic Right

• 2007 Legislature Education Committee Schedule
  

  2007 LEGISLATURE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SCHEDULE

  North Dakota Education Association, PO Box 5005, Bismarck ND 58502-5005
  Phone 701.223.0450 Fax 701.224.8535 www.ndea.org

  Week of February 19 – 23, 2007

  HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE – PIONEER ROOM

  Date Time Bill Description 2/19-20 Crossover Break 2/21   No hearings

  SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE – MISSOURI RIVER ROOM

  Date Time Bill Description 2/19-20   Crossover break 2/21 9:00 a.m. 1270  Professional development days 9:45 am 1261 Naming of a school district 10:45 am  1248 School construction approval and appeals 11:15 a.m. 1198 School district reorganization criteria 1:30 p.m.  1178 Payment or reorganization bonuses 2:15 p.m.  4027  Bismarck State College as a four-year institution

   

• Bills Files
  Download:
  • PDF file (374) 

  2007 LEGISLATURE EDUCATION BILLS

  North Dakota Education Association, PO Box 5005, Bismarck ND 58502-5005
  Phone 701.223.0450    Fax 701.224.8535    www.ndea.org

  2/15/07

  Note: Bills are described as first introduced

  Abbreviations:  L = Legislative Report  /  Cm = Committee  /  H = House   /  S = Senate  / DP = Do Pass Recommendation / DNP = Do Not Pass Recommendation / Am = Amended /   Cf = Conference Committee / P = Pass  /  F = Fail  /  FV = Final Vote After Conference Committee Action

  Committees: AG = Agriculture / AP = Appropriations / ED = Education / FT = Finance and Taxation / GV = Government and Veterans Affairs / HS = Human Services / IB = Industry, Business and Labor / JU = Judiciary / NR = Natural Resources / PS = Political Subdivisions / TR = Transportation

  HOUSE BILLS

  L

  Bill

  Description

  Cm

  H Cm

  House

  S Cm

  Senate

  Cf

  P/F

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  X

  1003

  University system budget bill.

  AP

  H 1/11

   

   

   

   

   

  X

  1015

  Department of Corrections budget bill.

  AP

  H 2/6