Weekly report #2 Last Friday was our first Education Committee meeting. There are 13 standing committees, and they are assigned bills by the Speaker that come to his attention in the House. We discussed HB1002 which said that all certified educators must take a course in Indian Studies. We voted on a couple of “clean up” bills and adjourned. Fridays are traditionally short days in the House chambers.

Monday was a holiday, so on Tuesday we had our Health and Human Services Committee meeting. We met with Shawnie Rechtenbaugh, secretary of Human Services and she explained that a lot of their work deals with disabled individuals and older folks. We also met with Melissa Megstad, Secretary of Health. They spoke on a couple of “clean up” bills. We discussed these two bills and sent them to the House chamber to be voted on. The Health Secretary’s report to us was really enlightening. Some of the cases that they have seen I thought only existed in foreign countries. In the House we voted on and passed the Education bills from Friday. There were other bills that we discussed and dealt with and finished our day.

I was excused on Wednesday, but the legislature worked on. The Education Committee met and dealt with HB1009 by deferring it to January 29, 2025. This was the only bill for that day, but it took a lot of discussion before it was deferred. In the House chambers there were a number of bills from other committees that were discussed and voted on.

On Thursday, our Health and Human Services committee met and discussed three different bills, but the one that really stands out has to do with a NewBorn Infant Safety Device. The first two bills were sent to appropriations, but the Device bill really tugs at your heart. It passed out unanimously. In the chamber we had a lot of debate and votes. This is a very passionate House of Representatives. We adjourned just before 3:00 and had a joint Memorial service for those legislators who have died since the last session. It was a beautiful service and the choir “Surprise Package” was awesome as they sang “There is a season” and “Amazing Grace”.