House education committee reports wide docket of bills, moving dozens of education measures forward

The House Committee on Education completed a long docket and reported a large slate of education measures, moving several bills with substitutes and sending others to appropriations. The higher education subcommittee and K–12 subcommittee reports produced a string of actions, including reporting Senate Bill 97 (food‑pantry grant renaming and use restrictions) to Appropriations, SB299 with a substitute directing a strategic sustainability plan for a reconstituted regional college institute, and SB494 addressing board appointments and legal counsel matters.

On the K–12 side, the committee adopted substitutes and reported bills on juvenile discharge plans (SB171), supports program assessment (SB190), updated timelines (SB220), private-school anti-bullying policy (SB341), AI policy and data gathering (SB394), student addiction education including screen time (SB568), and parental notification on class registration (SB817). The committee also handled conforming motions and technical amendments across measures (SB122, SB200, SB427, SB815) and added a reenactment clause to SB20 to track budget negotiations. Several items were referred to appropriations where budget language applies. For example, SB20 was reported as amended 15–3; SB122 reported with substitute 17–0; and SB91 (a naming insertion for Old Dominion University) reported 19–0.

Committee leaders thanked subcommittee chairs and staff and noted the possibility of a brief follow-up meeting if additional referrals arise before the session adjourns.