The House Committee on Education endorsed on Wednesday four Senate amendments to a bill that would allow public schools the apply for the same waivers open-enrollment charter schools receive.
House Bill 1377 would allow public schools to apply for waivers charter schools in their districts are eligible for, including relief from certain personnel disciplinary requirements and the ability to hire teachers who have passed the required professional tests but are not certified.
Two of the amendments to House Bill 1377, which addressed small changes to the wording of the bill, failed in a meeting of the committee Tuesday, committee chair Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, said.
The committee made a "procedural mistake" because there were four amendments to be voted on, and the committee only voted on two, Cozart said, and said the committee need to concur all four of the amendments Wednesday.
Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, contested Cozart's decision, saying that it was not allowed to bring the two amendments that failed up for another vote without expunging the previously failed vote.
"You cannot do that," Walker said to Cozart. "I know you think you can do whatever you want…show me where it says it other than your wisdom."
Cozart said that the committee "[does] it all the time. We have brought bills back and forth, it's the same."
Walker called for House Parliamentarian Buddy Johnson to rule on the matter, and Johnson confirmed that the committee would only need to expunge a vote after a second failed vote on those amendments.
Rep. Reginald Murdock, D-Marianna, sponsor of the bill, chose to present all of the amendments at once, which passed on a voice vote.
Walker called for a roll-call vote first, then Rep. Charles Armstrong, D-Little Rock, asked for one as well.
"You may win but you're going to have to roll call it," Walker said.
The amendments were concurred on the roll call vote and the bill will head back to the House for approval.
Walker also asked for Johnson to rule on the validity of Republican Rep. Mark Lowery's motion to suspend the rules to expunge the vote by which Senate Bill 847 failed previously in committee.
The bill to give open-enrollment charter schools first access to vacant public school facilities, sponsored by Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, failed twice in that committee previously. The vote would have to be expunged for the committee to consider it a third time.
See Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.