Bill Would Create Public Education Review Steering Committee to Direct JLARC Reviews

The committee considered engrossed second substitute House Bill 26‑36, a proposal to establish a Public Education Review Steering Committee that would identify legislative policies and funding provisions for review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC).

Elena Becker, committee staff, said the steering committee would compile policies enacted by the legislature for JLARC review and that JLARC would assess whether those policies meet five goals, including whether the policy achieves its intended outcome, improves student outcomes, has a positive cost‑benefit result, retains ongoing relevance, and merits maintenance, modification or repeal. Becker noted a partial fiscal note on the second substitute showing costs listed as $426,100,000 over the four‑year outlook.

Rep. Skyler Root, sponsor, said the bill is a response to continuing concerns from districts about unfunded mandates and would use existing structures (JLARC and other stakeholders) to review policies and identify opportunities to reduce administrative burden and free funds for classroom use. Rep. Jerry Paulette, chair of JLARC, said the steering committee would guide where performance audits should focus and that the auditor’s recommendations could inform future legislation.

Members asked whether the steering committee would act as a gatekeeper for new requirements or primarily examine existing policies. Rep. Root and Rep. Paulette said the committee is directed to review existing policies and make recommendations to the legislature; it would not itself change statutes. Senator Wilson and others pressed for clarity on how "policy" and "program" would be defined and how statewide recommendations would account for variation among the state’s 295 school districts.

Several committee members explored whether JLARC reviews could include cost‑benefit analyses and whether the steering committee should have specific guidance about scope; sponsors said the bill intentionally leaves the selection of issues to the appointed stakeholders.

Next steps: the committee paused the public hearing on HB 26‑36 after sponsor remarks and questions and proceeded with other agenda items. No committee vote on HB 26‑36 is recorded in the hearing transcript.