Committee Summary for House Education Policy and Administration (01/23/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB362 Not specified 00:03:13.799 - 9:02:04 AM	Public Hearing	granting the department of education rulemaking authority to require candidates to obtain passing scores on professional education assessments.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB90 Not specified 00:43:34.040 - 9:42:25 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the definition of part-time teachers.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB235 Not specified 01:54:21.639 - 10:53:12 AM	Public Hearing	relative to amending the educator code of ethics and code of conduct to include responsibility to parents.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB286 Not specified 03:03:38.319 - 12:02:29 PM	Public Hearing	establishing a study committee to investigate if one school superintendent per county is feasible.	Weyler, Kenneth(R)[A-]2025
HB292 Not specified 03:36:43.279 - 12:35:34 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing a revolving loan fund for school districts.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025
HB131 Not specified 04:10:43.800 - 1:09:34 PM	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.	Ladd, Rick(R)[B+]2025

HB362 Not specified: Representative Lad Support00:03:13.799 - 9:02:04 AM; Representative Lad supports HB362, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high educational standards in New Hampshire. He argues that lowering the bar for teacher certification, as some other states are doing, raises concerns. He shares his personal background in education, from being a fourth-grade teacher to a school principal, and highlights his experience in Alaska where he was recognized as the Distinguished Principal. He advocates for keeping New Hampshire's educational standards high, referencing the state's top performance in national achievement scores. He addresses the need for maintaining standards in Career and Technical Education (CTE) as well, suggesting that while practical experience is valuable, classroom teachers should still meet certain standards. He concludes by supporting the Department of Education's efforts to enforce these standards through HB362.
HB362 Not specified: Steven Appy, Director, Department of Education Information Only00:15:04.600 - 9:13:55 AM; Steven Appy from the Department of Education discusses proposed amendments to HB362 and a similar bill from the previous day. He clarifies that the amendment would specify 'initial' New Hampshire license to address concerns about clarity. He also mentions exemptions for CTE teachers from certain requirements and clarifies the language regarding industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing to ensure it aligns with current practices and administrative rules.
HB90 Not specified: Representative Lad, Haverhill, NH Support00:43:34.040 - 9:42:25 AM; Representative Lad introduces HB90, which focuses on defining part-time teachers. He explains that the bill aims to allow professors or adjunct faculty from the University System of New Hampshire or the community college system to teach concurrent enrollment courses in high schools. He mentions that this is particularly important for schools like Manchester and Franklin, which may not have teachers with the necessary master's degrees for certain courses. He emphasizes the financial and educational benefits of concurrent enrollment, noting significant savings and better preparation for students. The bill specifies that these part-time teachers are limited to 20 hours per week, must pass a criminal background check, and are bound by a code of ethics and conduct. He clarifies that this bill does not aim to replace full-time staff but to supplement and enrich existing programs.
HB90 Not specified: Murray, Haverhill, NH Information Only00:58:35.400 - 9:57:26 AM; Murray expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on local negotiations regarding part-time hours per week. He questioned whether the bill might circumvent board and district level negotiations for employment, emphasizing that the goal is to align with bargaining agreements while establishing a standard for concurrent enrollment. He highlighted the shared responsibility of education across various stakeholders and stressed the importance of working together to provide opportunities for students, especially in districts lacking master's level teachers in specific subjects.
HB90 Not specified: Mor, Not specified Information Only01:01:34.599 - 10:00:25 AM; Mor inquired about the eligibility of a teacher working part-time in both public and private schools under the bill's provisions. The response clarified that the bill applies to full-time or adjunct faculty from the University or Community College system, not to part-time arrangements in K-12 settings.
HB90 Not specified: Rent S, Not specified Information Only01:02:11.680 - 10:01:02 AM; Rent S raised questions about the bill's specificity to concurrent and dual enrollment classes and the potential for misuse by unqualified individuals teaching other subjects. The response affirmed the bill's focus on college-level courses and the need for community college approval for such arrangements, emphasizing that the program is designed to address specific content areas where students can earn college credit.
HB90 Not specified: Woodcock, Not specified Information Only01:06:46.480 - 10:05:37 AM; Woodcock sought clarification on whether the bill specifically addresses concurrent or dual enrollment classes and raised concerns about the employment status of adjunct faculty. The response confirmed that the bill is intended for current employment and that the community college system must approve any arrangements for faculty to teach at high schools.
HB90 Not specified: Murray, Not specified Information Only01:11:26.159 - 10:10:17 AM; Murray questioned whether the bill could lead to conflicts or communication issues between districts and the university system regarding benefits and payments for part-time faculty. The response detailed how the community college system manages the curriculum alignment and approval process, ensuring that only qualified individuals teach the courses.
HB90 Not specified: Cordelli, Not specified Information Only01:14:35.679 - 10:13:26 AM; Cordelli asked if the bill could address teacher shortages in advanced placement (AP) courses. The response indicated that the bill is designed for concurrent and dual enrollment programs, suggesting that AP courses might fall outside the scope unless they are part of such programs.
HB90 Not specified: Cornell, Not specified Information Only01:15:22.480 - 10:14:13 AM; Cornell clarified the bill's application to AP courses and its potential for addressing broader teacher shortages. The response emphasized the bill's focus on concurrent and dual enrollment, suggesting that broader applications for teacher shortages might require further discussion or amendment.
HB90 Not specified: Ros S, Not specified Information Only01:18:03.320 - 10:16:54 AM; Ros S questioned the bill's potential to allow adjunct faculty to teach any course at any school, potentially circumventing full-time salary requirements. The response clarified that the bill is intended for specific college-level courses and not for general part-time employment without proper certification.
HB90 Not specified: Brian Hawkins, NEA New Hampshire Oppose01:21:58.560 - 10:20:49 AM; Brian Hawkins, representing NEA New Hampshire, expressed opposition to HB90 as currently written. He highlighted concerns about the lack of support for educators transitioning from higher education to K-12 settings, the absence of time limits on part-time teaching status, and the need for regular criminal records checks. Hawkins emphasized the importance of professional development, content area assessments, and adherence to a code of conduct for educators. He suggested that increasing aid to local school districts for competitive wages would be a more effective solution to address educator shortages rather than the proposed bill.
HB90 Not specified: Freeman Information Only01:30:13.960 - 10:29:04 AM; Freeman clarified the scope of the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment programs, noting that these programs are intended for high school students. However, the bill as written does not specify grade levels or explicitly mention these programs, potentially allowing for broader application across any grade level. This ambiguity raised concerns about the program's focus and implementation.
HB90 Not specified: Bony Information Only01:31:05.840 - 10:29:56 AM; Bony inquired if the bill could be revised to focus specifically on dual and concurrent enrollment. He expressed concerns about the lack of time limits and reassessment periods for educators under the current bill, highlighting the need for periodic evaluations to ensure educators are supported and effective in their roles.
HB90 Not specified: Mark Malone, Epping Oppose01:36:29.280 - 10:35:20 AM; Mark Malone, representing the town of Epping and with 40 years of experience in education, criticized the bill for its ambiguity. He argued that the bill could allow for hiring anyone from universities or community colleges for any role without specific qualifications, which could lead to mismatches in educational settings. Malone stressed the importance of addressing the qualifications of educators, especially in areas like advanced placement courses where Epping has faced challenges. He suggested that the bill needs serious revisions, including time limits and clearer qualifications for teaching K-12 students.
HB90 Not specified: Deborah House, American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire Oppose01:40:20.000 - 10:39:11 AM; Deborah House, President of the American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire, opposed the bill as written, emphasizing its lack of specificity regarding dual and concurrent enrollment. She raised concerns about the impact on students, particularly those with diverse learning needs, such as English language learners and students with special needs. House argued that university or community college faculty may lack the necessary training to handle these varied classroom needs effectively. She also pointed out that the bill could lead to supplanting existing teachers with uncertified part-time educators, suggesting that the real solution is to fully fund public schools to attract and retain qualified teachers.
HB90 Not specified: Becky Wilson, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only01:49:04.599 - 10:47:55 AM; Becky Wilson from the New Hampshire School Boards Association sought clarification on several points. She noted that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), special education support ends with a high school diploma, and many adjunct professors may lack training in this area. Wilson questioned the bill's clarity on required training and professional development for part-time educators at high schools. She also raised concerns about the implications for collective bargaining agreements and mandatory trainings for school district employees, suggesting potential amendments to address these issues.
HB235 Not specified: Representative Lad Support01:54:21.639 - 10:53:12 AM; Representative Lad introduced HB235, which aims to amend the Educator Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct to include responsibility to parents. He explained that the current code has four primary areas but does not explicitly mention parents. Lad suggested that adding 'parents' to the 'Responsibility to the School Community' category would align with the existing language that already references parents several times. He emphasized the importance of recognizing parents' roles in education, citing examples like parent-teacher conferences and the involvement of parents in school activities.
HB235 Not specified: Bon Information Only02:03:37.440 - 11:02:28 AM; Bon inquired about the intent behind the amendment, asking if it was meant to insert language into the current code of ethics or to instigate a review of the entire booklet. Representative Lad clarified that periodic reviews should be conducted, referencing a letter written to the Commissioner of Education on February 9, 2022, discussing the need for a fourth disciplinary action option: a confidential letter of concern. This option would be non-disciplinary and non-public, aimed at addressing issues privately before escalating to reprimands, suspensions, or license revocation. The amendment focuses on changing a specific section of the law and does not address broader rulemaking.
HB235 Not specified: Representative Murray Information Only02:08:01.559 - 11:06:52 AM; Representative Murray sought clarification on whether the amendment was replacing principle three or amending RSA 219-N. The discussion confirmed that the amendment was specifically amending RSA 21-N, not principles two and three as initially thought. The focus was on the specific text of the bill, which was amending a particular section of the statute.
HB235 Not specified: Representative Murray Information Only02:09:27.280 - 11:08:18 AM; Representative Murray asked about the rulemaking authority under RSA 21-N, confirming that it operates under the whole of 21-N, which includes a policy finding statement about parents, students, and local schools. This confirmed that the rulemaking authority would follow the broader statutory framework.
HB235 Not specified: Brian Hawkins, representing NAA New Hampshire Oppose02:10:32.960 - 11:09:23 AM; Brian Hawkins expressed concerns about the bill, noting that educators view their primary responsibility as being to their students. He highlighted the feedback from many who signed in opposition to the bill, emphasizing the educators' focus on teaching and the potential confusion caused by the bill's phrasing. Hawkins also mentioned the importance of the partnership between educators and engaged parents but stressed that in the context of the code of conduct, the focus should remain on professional standards. He raised concerns about rulemaking clarity and looked forward to reviewing Representative Lad's amendment.
HB286 Not specified: Dan McGuire, representing the town of Epsom Information Only03:03:38.319 - 12:02:29 PM; Dan Maguire, filling in for Representative Wer, discussed the primary concern of constituents being property taxes, which largely fund schools. He proposed that consolidating school administrative units (SAUs) could reduce costs and property taxes. Maguire outlined the differences between a committee (comprising elected officials) and a commission (which includes outside members) for studying SAU consolidation. He mentioned his own bill, HB765, which would directly implement SAU consolidation, suggesting that the committee should wait until all related bills are heard before making decisions.
HB286 Not specified: Unidentified Speaker Information Only03:07:58.319 - 12:06:49 PM; The speaker inquires about the feasibility of multiple school administrative units (SAUs) consolidating on their own initiative. They mention that RSA 194c governs SAUs and a recent legislative change allows for SAU consolidation, though they doubt it has been used yet. They express concerns about job losses and resistance to consolidation due to lack of incentives.
HB286 Not specified: Unidentified Speaker Information Only03:08:45.319 - 12:07:36 PM; The speaker raises a question about how the bill would affect school districts that send students across state lines, specifically mentioning partnerships with schools in Vermont and Maine. They are informed that these cross-state school districts, being single SAU entities, are exempted from the consolidation proposed in the bill and will remain as they are.
HB286 Not specified: Jerry Fu, Associate Executive Director of the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, representing superintendents, assistant superintendents, curriculum directors, business officials, student service officials, technology directors, and charter school heads Oppose03:11:09.399 - 12:10:00 PM; Jerry Fu expresses opposition to the bill, emphasizing the value of superintendents and their role in local communities. He argues that consolidating SAUs into a county model could lead to bureaucracy, confusion, and a lack of local connection, potentially not resulting in cost savings. He details the extensive responsibilities of superintendents, including managing student learning, finances, legal matters, community relations, and more, illustrating the complexity and the necessity of having dedicated leadership for each school district.
HB286 Not specified: Barb Christina, New Hampshire School Boards Association Information Only03:26:26.600 - 12:25:17 PM; Barb Christina does not take a position on the bill but offers to provide guidance if a study is initiated. She provides background on the increase in the number of SAUs over the last 20 years, noting that many communities have chosen to withdraw from larger SAUs to gain more personalized services and control, even at a higher cost. She discusses the challenges and reasons behind SAU withdrawals and mentions a recent bill incentivizing SAU consolidation.
HB292 Not specified: Rick Ladd, representing Hale, New Hampshire Support03:36:43.279 - 12:35:34 PM; Rick Ladd introduces HB292, which proposes a commission to study SAU consolidation. He believes that while full county consolidation might not work, there could be efficiencies and cost savings from other forms of consolidation. He references previous studies and bills on consolidation, suggesting that a commission could identify shared services and other potential benefits, despite cultural and logistical challenges.
HB292 Not specified: Doris Henney, former School Board member from Nashua, New Hampshire Oppose03:54:38.040 - 12:53:29 PM; Doris Henney opposes the bill, emphasizing the importance of local control and the potential negative impact of centralizing school administration. She criticizes the costs and bureaucracy of federal mandates and suggests that eliminating these could reduce the need for extensive administrative units. She also requests the inclusion of members from the School District's Governance Association in the commission.
HB292 Not specified: Marie Banfield, Parental Rights Advocate from Northampton, New Hampshire Support03:57:59.640 - 12:56:50 PM; Marie Banfield supports the bill, highlighting the need to study administrative costs and efficiencies. She notes a trend of increasing school budgets despite declining enrollment and points out high administrative salaries within SAUs. She compares school administration to business practices, suggesting that studying consolidation could lead to better use of resources and improved focus on classroom education.
HB131 Not specified: Rick Ladd, representing Hale, New Hampshire Support04:10:43.800 - 1:09:34 PM; Rick Ladd supports HB131, which requires school boards to create policies on cell phone use in schools. He discusses the issue of 'time on task' and how cell phones can disrupt learning. He acknowledges exceptions for educational use or specific student needs but stresses the importance of minimizing distractions during instruction. He cites statistics on teacher concerns about cell phone use and references other states' policies.
HB131 Not specified: Unnamed Speaker, representing unknown Information Only04:23:24.159 - 1:22:15 PM; The speaker discusses the availability of apps and programs that allow parents and children to manage time and app usage on cell phones. They mention research from Dr. Ranuli at the University of Connecticut, emphasizing that when cell phones are not used, students' minds can focus on learning. They express support for teachers controlling cell phone use in classrooms to maintain instructional time, acknowledging exceptions like career technical education where cell phones are necessary.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Freeman, representing unknown Information Only04:25:20.080 - 1:24:11 PM; Representative Freeman questions the speaker about the prevalence of high school students accessing pornography on their cell phones. The speaker acknowledges the issue of cross-district bullying facilitated by cell phones and suggests that turning off cell phones could be a solution to stop such problems.
HB131 Not specified: Leo Walco, representing Manchester Support04:26:05.319 - 1:24:56 PM; Leo Walco, a former teacher from Manchester and Londonderry, supports the bill but feels it does not go far enough. He shares personal experiences of how cell phone usage negatively impacted student learning in his classroom and those of his colleagues. He implemented a system where students had to deposit their phones upon entering the classroom, which led to improved student performance. He strongly urges the passage of the bill or an even stricter version to address the issue of student addiction to cell phones.
HB131 Not specified: Chip McGee, Superintendent of Schools, Pelham School District Support04:37:07.879 - 1:35:58 PM; Chip McGee introduces Cameron Marvin, an eighth grader from Pelham Memorial School, who will share his experience with the Yonder pouches used to restrict cell phone use. McGee supports the bill and highlights the positive impact of the pouches on reducing bathroom incidents and increasing time on task. He acknowledges initial community concerns but emphasizes the program's success.
HB131 Not specified: Cameron Marvin, eighth grader at Pelham Memorial School Support04:38:46.480 - 1:37:37 PM; Cameron Marvin shares his positive experience with the Yonder pouches at his school. He explains how the pouches have reduced distractions in class, improved the learning environment, and decreased destructive behavior in restrooms. He notes that the pouches have made the school day more peaceful and less stressful, allowing him to focus better on his studies. He supports the passage of HB131 and encourages other schools to adopt similar policies.
HB131 Not specified: Superintendent from Pelham Information Only04:50:55.798 - 1:49:46 PM; The superintendent from Pelham stated that their school district is already compliant with the proposed bill's requirements. They expressed a personal view that the bill does not go far enough in addressing the issue of cell phone use in schools. They mentioned that exceptions enforced by teachers are too much to ask of them.
HB131 Not specified: Superintendent from Pelham Information Only04:51:34.400 - 1:50:25 PM; The superintendent further clarified that in their school, exceptions for using cell phones in science classes for data collection are not acceptable. They emphasized that students have access to filtered Chromebooks, and accessing data through unfiltered cell phones is inappropriate in the school setting.
HB131 Not specified: Cameron Marvin, eighth grader at Pelham Memorial School Information Only04:52:21.958 - 1:51:12 PM; Cameron Marvin was thanked for his testimony. The committee expressed appreciation for having students testify on issues that directly impact them, emphasizing the importance of their perspective in the legislative process.
HB131 Not specified: Superintendent from Pelham Information Only04:53:07.558 - 1:51:58 PM; The superintendent provided information on the timeline of their cell phone policy implementation, which started at the beginning of the school year. They noted preliminary positive indications from diagnostic testing but awaited state assessment results for a conclusive impact on academic performance.
HB131 Not specified: Superintendent from Pelham Information Only04:54:16.798 - 1:53:07 PM; The superintendent continued to discuss the impact of the cell phone policy, mentioning improvements in student behavior as measured by discipline matters. They highlighted a change in perspective from the principal at Pelham Memorial School, who initially did not see a problem but later recognized its existence.
HB131 Not specified: Superintendent from Pelham Information Only04:55:48.920 - 1:54:39 PM; The superintendent discussed the intention to expand the cell phone policy to the high school level. They mentioned that the high school student government had organized to self-regulate, but the policy would be implemented if necessary.
HB131 Not specified: Gary Hoffman, President of the Nashua Teachers Union Support04:57:43.080 - 1:56:34 PM; Gary Hoffman expressed support for the legislation, representing around 1,400 teachers and support staff in the Nashua School District. He praised the bill for providing exemptions for students with learning disabilities or medical needs and cited international examples of cell phone bans in schools. He shared results from a survey of 210 Nashua High School teachers, indicating strong agreement that cell phones negatively impact student concentration, assignment completion, peer engagement, and self-directed learning. He noted dissatisfaction with the current teacher discretion policy and expressed hope for a more uniform policy.
HB131 Not specified: Gary Hoffman, President of the Nashua Teachers Union Support05:02:26.440 - 2:01:17 PM; Gary Hoffman addressed concerns about the bill's language, suggesting it might not go far enough but acknowledging its potential to pass with the current exception. He discussed the ongoing efforts within the Nashua School District to research and address cell phone issues, planning to craft a policy with central office administration and present it to the school board.
HB131 Not specified: Gary Hoffman, President of the Nashua Teachers Union Support05:04:01.840 - 2:02:52 PM; Gary Hoffman responded to questions about the necessity of a state mandate versus local control, emphasizing that a state policy would help teachers enforce cell phone restrictions more effectively. He also discussed the availability of devices like Chromebooks in Nashua and the potential inequality of relying on personal student devices.
HB131 Not specified: Brian Hawkins, representing NEA New Hampshire Support05:06:19.280 - 2:05:10 PM; Brian Hawkins expressed support for a state law mandating cell phone policies in schools. He cited a national survey indicating strong support among educators for cell phone bans during instructional time and the entire school day. He highlighted the challenges with existing district policies and suggested that a state policy could provide a more uniform and enforceable approach. Hawkins also recommended broadening the policy to cover the entire school day and suggested including exceptions for multilingual learners.
HB131 Not specified: Representative from New Hampshire School Boards Association Support05:13:15.400 - 2:12:06 PM; The representative from the New Hampshire School Boards Association expressed support for efforts to restrict cell phone use in schools. They provided a brief history of their sample policy on electronic communication devices and noted the benefits of a state law, as it would provide school boards with a legal basis to implement such policies. They mentioned the potential for reducing social ills and improving student outcomes based on evidence from other schools.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Information Only05:17:07.160 - 2:15:58 PM; The representative asked about the number of school districts with cell phone policies in place. The response was that the New Hampshire School Boards Association does not track which districts adopt which policies, indicating that cell phone policies are optional and not universally adopted across districts.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Terry Information Only05:17:57.600 - 2:16:48 PM; Representative Terry shared personal experiences from Rhode Island, highlighting a perceived decline in academic performance and student behavior, particularly in the Providence area. They expressed appreciation for the additional information provided about the situation in Rhode Island.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Litfield Information Only05:18:43.120 - 2:17:34 PM; Representative Litfield asked about the inclusion of devices in IEPs and 504 plans, specifically if schools provide devices like cell phones or tablets. The response indicated that some districts might provide devices, but it's not universally tracked or mandated.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Information Only05:19:29.040 - 2:18:20 PM; The representative inquired about the use of devices for collecting medical data, to which the response was that this was outside the scope of knowledge of the speaker from the New Hampshire School Boards Association.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Cel Information Only05:20:15.360 - 2:19:06 PM; Representative Cel asked if districts might need financial support to implement policies for storing phones. The response clarified that the bill does not require districts to purchase technology or equipment for a cell phone ban, leaving it to local decision-making. However, the Yonder bag was mentioned as an effective method for policy enforcement, and the need for education, training, and parental buy-in was highlighted.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Freeman Information Only05:21:38.958 - 2:20:29 PM; Representative Freeman mentioned a grant of $250,000 related to another similar bill by Representative Lichfield, which could help districts offset the cost of implementing policies like cell phone pouches. They confirmed that local districts can decide to include smartwatches in their policies without altering the proposed bill.
HB131 Not specified: Dan Marie Banfield Support05:23:13.000 - 2:22:04 PM; Dan Marie Banfield expressed support for HB 131, emphasizing the negative impact of technology in education, particularly cell phones. They argued that cell phones distract students and do not aid learning, though they acknowledged exceptions for medical and special education needs. Banfield highlighted Sweden's move towards less technology in schools and shared local efforts in SAU 21 to reduce digital device use, which had positive social outcomes. They also mentioned concerns about the cost to districts of implementing such policies and suggested state support could alleviate these concerns.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Freeman Information Only05:28:05.920 - 2:26:56 PM; Representative Freeman asked Dan Marie Banfield about the impact of technology in classrooms. Banfield responded by sharing concerns about inappropriate content on student devices, the mental health implications of digital communication, and the need for parental supervision during homework due to distractions like YouTube.
HB131 Not specified: Wendy Piper, Grafton County Commissioner Information Only05:30:30.160 - 2:29:21 PM; Wendy Piper, a former state representative and current Grafton County Commissioner, shared her experience as a college professor and guest high school teacher. She was surprised by the extent of cell phone use in high school and highlighted how such behavior is unacceptable at the college level. Piper suggested that a cell phone ban could serve as a wake-up call for students transitioning to higher education.
HB131 Not specified: Deborah House, President of the American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire Support05:33:39.400 - 2:32:30 PM; Deborah House expressed support for HB 131, arguing for a state law to set clear parameters for local school district policies on cell phone use. She emphasized the need for exceptions for students with disabilities or medical needs but stressed the importance of minimizing distractions in classrooms. House highlighted the negative effects of cell phones on student well-being, social interaction, and learning, suggesting that a ban could improve focus and engagement in school.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Hall Information Only05:36:58.160 - 2:35:49 PM; Representative Hall asked if the American Federation of Teachers supports a 'bell to bell' policy, where cell phones are banned throughout the school day. Deborah House responded that while they prefer this approach for its effectiveness in promoting social interaction, they would be okay with leaving it to local school district decisions as long as strong parameters are set for classroom use.
HB131 Not specified: Representative Litfield Information Only05:39:19.000 - 2:38:10 PM; Representative Litfield raised concerns about equity regarding the use of personal devices in instruction, suggesting that all students should use school-provided devices to ensure fairness. Deborah House agreed but noted the need for sufficient funding to ensure all schools can provide one-to-one devices.

Noble, Kristin(Chairman)(R)[A+]2025	Drye, Margaret(Clerk)(R)[B+]2025	Peternel, Katy(V Chairman)(R)[A]2025
Cornell, Patricia(D)[F]2025	Freeman, Lisa(R)[B+]2025	Belcher, Mike(R)[B+]2025
Hall, Muriel(D)[CT]2025	Terry, Paul(R)[B+]2025	McDonnell, Valerie(R)[B+]2025
Selig, Loren(D)[D-]2025	Balboni, Peggy(D)[CT]2025	Murray, Megan(D)[CT]2025
Tenczar, Jeffrey(R)[B+]2025	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025	Woodcock, Stephen(D)[F]2025
Kluger, Lee Ann(D)[F]2025	Snodgrass, Jim(D)[F]2025	Nadeau, Brian(R)[B+]2025