St. Paul, Minnesota — Today, state Representative Mary Sawatzky (DFL – Willmar) was appointed to serve on the Education Policy Conference Committee. If the House and Senate versions of the bill are different, they go to a conference committee. The committee meets to work out differences in the two bills and to reach a compromise.
Rep. Sawatzky said she was pleased to be appointed to the conference committee.
“The Education Policy Bills were the direct result of collaboration and hard work between a lot of people and groups who care so much about ensuring that every one of our students has a chance to succeed,” said Rep. Sawatzky. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to find common ground, compromise, and bring a good bill back to the House and Senate, and then on to Governor Dayton to be signed into law.”
The conference committee's compromise bill then goes back to the House and the Senate for another vote. If both bodies pass the bill in this form, it is sent to the governor for his approval or disapproval. If one or both bodies reject the report, it goes back to the conference committee for further consideration.
Highlights of the bill include comprehensive changes to English language learner services, revamp of the career and technical education model, reform of teacher licensure core skills testing, addition of an adult standard high school diploma, Minnesota’s entrance into an interstate compact to help children of military families — which was chief authored by Rep. Sawatzky — and unsession repeals.
Rep. Sawatzky encourages constituents to contact her with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Sawatzky can be reached by phone at 651-296-6206 or by email at rep.mary.sawatzky@house.mn. Constituents can also visit Rep. Sawatzky’s AreaVoices blog, legislative page and sign up for email updates.