Six Days Left And Counting
Lawmakers–originally scheduled to be on summer break this week–return from the holiday on edge, as all eyes look to whether the Republican caucus can finally broker a deal to name a new House Speaker. Without a Speaker, the logjam that has prevented the body from voting on bills since the April 11 resignation of Cliff Rosenberger will continue. If resolution is to come, it must happen by June 14, the last of six “if needed” session days on the calendar for 2018. Those are May 30 and 31st, June 6, 7, 13 and 14. Two tentative session days are scheduled this week: Wednesday at 1:30 and Thursday at 1:00.Bills Stuck In Limbo
Barring a solution to the Republican leadership impasse, the chamber will be unable to act on a number of bills awaiting a House vote. Dozens of bills are awaiting House action, but some noteworthy ones include:- HB 21 – to shift responsibility for student address verification from public to the charter schools they attend
- HB 123 – to enact payday lending reform
- HB 189 – to reduce educational and other requirements for cosmetology licenses
- HB 225 – to expedite plugging of hazardous abandoned methane-releasing gas wells
- HB 240 – to require public colleges to adopt policies on dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and rape
- HB 337 – to exempt college textbooks from sales taxes
- HB 365 (Reagan Tokes Act) – to allow more GPS tracking of released violent offenders
- HB 383 – to require parental notice of serious risks to the health or safety of children receiving child care.
- HB 456 – to prohibit mandatory overtime for nurses
- HB 535 – to provide better statewide data on drug overdoses
- SB 4 – to expand the expungement law for human trafficking survivors
- SB 20 – to increase penalties for acts of felony violence resulting in permanent disability
- SB 66 – to reform criminal sentencing laws and boost rehabilitation efforts