Education Committee
March 18, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Dave Murman | Bills Heard: 3 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB671: Technical cleanup and clarification of education statutes
Introduced by: Sen. Dave Murman | Testimony: 1 proponents, 1 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Education Committee delays vote on technical cleanup bill after dyslexia reporting concerns. LB671, a Department of Education technical amendments bill, faced pushback over provisions that would simplify dyslexia data collection requirements enacted in 2023.
Why it matters: Nebraska's reading achievement has declined significantly, and detailed dyslexia data collection was a hard-fought legislative win. Weakening those requirements could hamper efforts to identify which interventions work and which schools are succeeding.
What they're saying: - Proponents: Brian Halstead (NDE) said the bill merely removes outdated language and clarifies reporting to include approved applications alongside rejections. "It's not the intent of the department to change anything about what the Legislature wanted done." - Opponents: Heather Schmidt, a dyslexia advocate, warned the bill "walks us backwards" by removing specific metrics on student evaluation and identification. Her daughter Norah, a graduating senior with dyslexia now in AP English, testified that early identification saved her academic life but only because her mother fought for it.
By the numbers: 1 proponent, 1 opponent, 2 neutral testifiers.
What's next: Sen. Murman said the committee will continue working with the department to improve dyslexia provisions before advancing the bill. No vote was taken.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Conrad Skeptical: Sen. Jana Hughes Unclear: Sen. Margo Juarez, Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB681: Placeholder bill for procedural purposes
Introduced by: Sen. Dave Murman | Testimony: 0 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Placeholder bill LB681 introduced for procedural purposes. Sen. Murman introduced the bill as a contingency measure but stated he is not considering action on it at this time. No testifiers appeared.
LB680: Placeholder bill related to Educational Service Units (ESUs)
Introduced by: Sen. Dave Murman | Testimony: 0 proponents, 0 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
ESU leaders brief committee on role of 17-district cooperative system serving Nebraska schools. LB680, a placeholder bill, provided platform for Educational Service Unit officials to discuss their work supporting 245 school districts across the state.
Why it matters: ESUs employ 1,700 people and provide critical services from special education to cybersecurity that individual districts cannot afford independently. They also serve as a force multiplier for the state Department of Education, which has only about 70 K-12 focused staff.
What they're saying: - Larianne Polk (ESU Coordinating Council): ESUs have evolved since 1965 to meet emerging needs like mental health support and cybersecurity. Identified gaps: mental health services lack dedicated funding, and statewide cybersecurity coordination could improve efficiency. - Drew Harris (ESU 9): ESUs enable smaller schools to share expensive specialists like psychologists and behavioral specialists. Cooperative purchasing saved Nebraska schools nearly $10 million last year.
By the numbers: 17 ESUs, 1,700 employees, 245 school districts served. Contracts and grants comprise 2/3 of ESU budgets; state aid and local levy make up the remainder.
What's next: No action taken. Bill remains as placeholder.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Margo Juarez, Sen. Dan Lonowski
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The committee also heard a gubernatorial appointment hearing for Duane Kime to the Bureau of Educational Lands and Funds. Kime, a rancher from Cherry County with 35 years of school board experience, discussed his background and views on the bureau's mission to maximize funding for schools through land management. Committee members asked about board meeting frequency (monthly), composition (5 members, one vacancy), and whether selling educational lands makes sense (Kime expressed preference to keep lands in portfolio for diversification and long-term appreciation). No vote was taken on the appointment during the hearing. The committee also received testimony from Brian Halstead (NDE) regarding the Department of Education's size (approximately 550 employees, with 230 in vocational rehabilitation and 70 in disability benefits determination) and federal education policy concerns raised by Sen. Juarez regarding potential elimination of the U.S. Department of Education.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.