Many good bills died this week because of inaction or procedural maneuvers, while others were added to existing bills as amendments.

SB 2049, for example, was kept alive as an amendment. This bill is the remaining financial aid administration bill that is a response to accounts of ethically questionable practices between colleges and the student loan industry.

SB 1064, the community college purchasing bill, died because the clock ran out before the House could hear it. Additional efforts to revive the bill as an amendment proved unsuccessful, given the complexity and sheer volume of the 54-page bill. DCCCD has worked on this bill for the past two sessions, so its death is especially disappointing.

SB 114, one of the remaining textbook-related bills, also died because of inaction by the House; however, it has resurfaced as an amendment to another bill. We continue to work to improve the bill because it could pose some significant challenges for DCCCD if passed in its current form.

Last week, the Senate passed HB 447 with a DCCCD-drafted amendment. This bill focuses on contracts by governmental entities and related professional services as well as public works performance and payment bonds. When the bill returned to House, the amendments were not supported, and it was placed in a conference committee, where discussion continues.