Highlights from the Legislature on Wednesday.
— The Senate gave initial backing to a bipartisan school reform bill (Senate Bill 130) that would exempt teachers and administrations from some state regulations if they can show it will help students. Some rules could not be waived, including one requiring students to take the state’s standard tests.
— The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee backed a measure (Senate Bill 182) limiting neighborhood protests after hearing from metro area residents whose neighborhoods have been targeted by abortion activists. Protesters would be limited to one sign each no bigger than 2 feet by 3 feet and wouldn’t be able to camp out in front of anyone’s house. The full Senate will vote on the bill next.
— The House gave initial approval to a bill (House Bill 1115) that creates a new felony crime for anyone who threatens a judge, a member of the judge’s family, or a person with a close relationship to a judge including a clerk. Opponents said people sometimes make vague threats that could now get them jailed. The bill faces a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
