Latest news with #HouseBill87
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bills filed could restructure BREC's leadership, transfer control to city-parish
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Two bills filed for the upcoming Louisiana legislative session could bring significant changes to the operations of BREC, the agency that manages parks and recreational facilities in East Baton Rouge Parish. The bills, House Bill 86 and House Bill 87, were both filed by State Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, on Thursday, March 20. The 2025 legislative session is set to convene on Monday, April 14. Under HB 86, the number of BREC commission members would be reduced from nine to five. Currently, the commission consists of nine members, including: Six appointed members chosen by the Metro Council. Three ex officio members: the mayor-president or a designee, an East Baton Rouge Parish school board member, and a planning commission member. The proposed bill would replace the current structure with a commission made up of the mayors of the following municipalities: Baker Baton Rouge Central St. George Zachary If passed, this change would terminate the terms of all current commissioners and replace them with the mayors of the specified municipalities. Three members would constitute a quorum, making decisions easier to reach with fewer participants. The second bill, HB 87, would repeal all existing statutes governing BREC, effectively eliminating the agency as an independent political subdivision of the state. Instead, the bill would transfer all obligations, property, records, and employees of BREC to the city-parish government. If enacted, this would place BREC under the direct control of the city-parish, rather than as a separate entity created under the Louisiana Disaster Act of the 1940s. BREC has operated independently for decades, managing recreational and park facilities as a political subdivision of the state. Proponents of the bills argue that greater local control and oversight could lead to more efficient operations. However, opponents may raise concerns about politicizing the agency's leadership and potentially impacting BREC's ability to maintain its award-winning parks and programs. The push for restructuring BREC's leadership and transferring control to the city-parish government comes just weeks after a 2022 audit revealed significant financial and operational concerns within the agency. The audit found: Payroll errors: Three employees were paid twice for their final termination payments, resulting in overpayments totaling approximately $42,000. Untimely reconciliations: The agency failed to reconcile bank accounts, payroll benefit liabilities, and inventory accounts in a timely manner, increasing the risk of financial mismanagement. Equipment theft: Multiple instances of theft totaling approximately $29,000 were reported, including stolen catalytic converters, power tools, and electronic equipment from various BREC facilities. BREC management responded to the findings by hiring additional accounting staff and improving financial oversight. The agency also said it is reviewing internal controls and enhancing security measures to prevent further thefts. While the audit is not mentioned in the two bills, the findings could play a role in shaping legislative conversations as the proposed bills move through the 2025 session. Louisiana First News has reached out to BREC for comment. BREC 10-year plan wants to improve East Baton Rouge parks, recreation centers White House: 'Critical functions' will stay under Department of Education Nearly all Cybertrucks recalled in latest blow to Tesla Family of 3 missing in Arizona after Grand Canyon visit Third juvenile arrested in fatal hit-and-run crash that killed bicyclist in New Mexico St. Gabriel police investigate after man found near fertilizer supplier dies Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC House advances bill to restrict cellphone use in schools
North Carolina House lawmakers advanced a bill on Tuesday that would require local school boards to establish policies restricting cellphone use in schools. The House judiciary committee passed House Bill 87, mandating each school district to adopt a policy either banning cellphones or restricting their use during class time. A similar bill has already passed in the state Senate, but the House bill has yet to be voted on in the full chamber. Accoridng to WRAL, Rep. Neal Jackson, R-Moore, the lead sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of allowing local school boards to determine the specifics of the policy. 'Our thought is these school boards are smart people that are elected,' Jackson said. 'They can flesh out the policy. They don't need someone from Raleigh telling them all the specifics of how this needs to work.' ALSO READ: School districts crack down on cellphone usage in classrooms About two-thirds of North Carolina's school districts already have policies regarding cellphone use. Some schools require students to keep phones in locked pouches throughout the day, while others have bins at the front of each classroom but permit phone use between classes. Supporters of the bill argue that stricter rules are necessary to ensure effective enforcement. Mary Anne Tierney from Buncombe County advocated for more comprehensive regulations, suggesting that bans should apply during the entire school day, not just class time. Karl Johnson, a public health professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, highlighted the need for technologies like lockable pouches and storage lockers to aid in enforcement. If enacted, the cellphone restriction policies would take effect next school year, with bipartisan support increasing the likelihood of the bill becoming law. Gov. Josh Stein has expressed support, citing cellphones as a 'major distraction' for students and a 'disruption' for teachers. VIDEO: School districts crack down on cellphone usage in classrooms
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC Senate approves cell phone ban for K-12 public school students
Photo: Daniel deThe North Carolina Senate passed a bipartisan bill 41-1 Tuesday requiring public schools to restrict student use 'wireless communication devices' during instructional time. The Senate approved SB 55, which would require local education agencies to implement policies that ban students from using, displaying, or having their phones turned on during class. The bill defines a wireless communication device as 'any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties,' including cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, paging devices, two-way radios, and gaming devices. Supporters of the bill say limiting cell phone use reduces distractions, prevents cheating, and curbs bullying. Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg), proposed an amendment to the bill that would've allowed students to use their devices during non-instructional time, but the amendment was tabled. Waddell called for schools to be given more flexibility in implementing the policy, arguing that 'one size does not fit all,' pointing to the diverse needs of school districts across the state. 'Every public school unit in North Carolina serves a different community with different needs. What works in one district does not work in another,' she said. Waddell also called for additional resources and time for schools to develop and implement the policies, arguing that the Oct. 1 deadline specified in the bill for schools to submit their policies to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is insufficient. A similar amendment by Sen. Lisa Grafstein (D-Wake) which would allow devices to remain powered on but inaccessible during instructional time, was also tabled. This bill is similar to House Bill 87, which passed a House committee last week. While both bills aim to limit student cell phone use in the classroom, Senate Bill 55 would go further by requiring a more stringent ban on all wireless communication devices, including tablets and laptops, during instructional time. The bill now moves to the House for a vote. If passed by the House, the bill would require school districts to have new policies in place by the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill's primary sponsors are GOP Senators Michael Lee (New Hanover), Jim Burgin (Harnett, Lee, Sampson) and Lisa Barnes (Franklin, Nash, Vance), but several members of both parties have also signed onto the bill as co-sponsors.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC House committee approves measure to limit student cellphone use
Photo: Daniel deA bill that would require North Carolina school boards to adopt policies that either eliminate or severely limit student use of cell phones during the school day is moving in the state House of Representatives. The House Committee on Education voted to advance House Bill 87 on Tuesday. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore, Randolph), said limiting cell phone use 'removes distractions from kids' when they should be focused on schoolwork. 'It keeps them from playing games on their phones. It keeps them from cheating, and it helps them focus on their teachers instead of being addicted to their phones,' Jackson said. Tiffany Gladney, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations for the advocacy group NC Child, also spoke in favor of the bill. She cited research linking increased social media use and screen time to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among teenagers. 'Although these new technologies have the potential for learning and networking, they also can negatively impact youth mental health, and that is why NC Child is here today in support of House Bill 87,' Gladney told the committee. Currently, around 77 school districts in North Carolina have their own cell phone policies, according to legislative staff. The proposed bill would require all districts to implement a policy. Newly elected state superintendent Mo Green has yet to express a position on the proposal. Last month, Green told NC Newsline that 'cell phones can be a powerful tool for expanding access to information, but they can also be a distraction for students in a classroom setting. As I begin my tenure as state superintendent, I am engaging with educators, parents, and students across our state to learn more about their experiences and opinions on this topic. After that engagement, I will offer my thoughts.' While the House bill only direct districts to restrict the use of cellphones, a stricter version in the legislature's upper chamber, Senate Bill 55, would require school boards to adopt policies that prohibit their use and along with all other wireless communication devices. The bill defines a wireless communication device as 'any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties,' including cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, paging devices, two-way radios, and gaming devices. Opponents of the bill have argued that limiting cell phone access could prevent students from communicating in emergencies. Tech advocates contend that restricting devices could stifle new avenues for learning. The bill now moves to the Judiciary Committee. If passed, it would take effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposal to limit student cellphone use in schools up for review by lawmakers
Lawmakers are set to discuss a statewide policy to ban or restrict cellphones in schools, with House Bill 87 under review this Tuesday. The proposed legislation aims to limit student access to cellphones during class, differing slightly from a previous Senate bill that also targeted other electronic devices like tablets and laptops. ALSO READ: Charlotte high school student wins scholarship for designing homes meant to weather rising seas According to WRAL, local school districts have faced pushback on similar policies, highlighting the emotional nature of the debate. The House K-12 education committee will review the bill on Tuesday, and the Senate will discuss it on Wednesday. The bill could undergo significant modifications during these discussions. The outcome of House Bill 87 remains uncertain as lawmakers prepare to debate its provisions and address concerns from both sides of the issue. VIDEO: Charlotte high school student wins scholarship for designing homes meant to weather rising seas
