Empowering Families Through Information Act of 2012

Became Public Chapter 794

We are so grateful to our Bill Sponsors, Senator Mike Bill (R-Riceville) and House Speaker Pro Tem Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma).

Purpose of the bill:

•  to promote informed choice in education
•  to promote transparency in the governance of charter schools

How the bill works:

• requires charter schools to make publicly available certain information as that provided by the LEA in which the charter school resides
• requires charter schools to publish information on their website that will assist families in school choice decisions

Why we need this bill in Tennessee:

• the more information families have about schools in their districts, the better they will be positioned to make appropriate school choices for their student
• ensures public access to governance information with regard to charter schools

HB3539 by Matheny - FLOOR VOTE: AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/15/2012
Passed
          Ayes...............................................98
          Noes................................................0

          Representatives voting aye were: Alexander, Armstrong, Brooks H, Brooks K, Brown, Butt, Campbell, Camper, Carr, Casada, Cobb, Coley, Cooper, Curtiss, Dean, DeBerry J, DeBerry L, Dennis, Dunn, Elam, Eldridge, Evans, Faison, Favors, Fitzhugh, Floyd, Ford, Forgety, Gilmore, Gotto, Halford, Hall, Hardaway, Harmon, Harrison, Hawk, Haynes, Hensley, Hill, Holt, Hurley, Johnson C, Johnson P, Jones, Keisling, Kernell, Lollar, Lundberg, Maggart, Marsh, Matheny, Matlock, McCormick, McDaniel, McDonald, McManus, Miller D, Miller L, Montgomery, Moore, Naifeh, Niceley, Odom, Parkinson, Pitts, Pody, Powers, Pruitt, Ragan, Ramsey, Rich, Richardson, Roach, Sanderson, Sargent, Sexton, Shaw, Shepard, Shipley, Sontany, Sparks, Stewart, Swann, Tidwell, Tindell, Todd, Towns, Turner J, Turner M, Watson, Weaver, White, Williams K, Williams R, Windle, Wirgau, Womick, Madam Speaker Harwell -- 98.

          HB3539 by Matheny - CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE:
Recommended for passage - refer to: House Regular Calendar 1 3/8/2012
          Voice Vote - Ayes Prevail

          HB3539 by Matheny - EDUCATION COMMITTEE:
Recommended for passage w/amendments- refer to: Calendar & Rules Committee 3/6/2012
          Voice Vote - Ayes Prevail

          HB3539 by Matheny - EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE:
Recommended for passage w/amendments- refer to: Education Committee 2/22/2012
          Voice Vote - Ayes Prevail


SB3178 by Bell - FLOOR VOTE: THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/5/2012
Passed
          Ayes...............................................29
          Noes................................................1

          Senators voting aye were: Barnes, Beavers, Bell, Berke, Burks, Crowe, Faulk, Finney L, Ford, Gresham, Harper, Haynes, Henry, Herron, Johnson, Kyle, Marrero, Massey, McNally, Norris, Overbey, Roberts, Southerland, Stewart, Tate, Tracy, Watson, Yager, Mr. Speaker Ramsey -- 29.
          Senators voting no were: Kelsey -- 1.

Senate moved to substitute and conform to HB3539

SB3178 by Bell - S. ED. COMM.:
Recommended for passage w/amendments- refer to: S. Cal. Comm. 2/15/2012
Passed
          Ayes................................................7
          Noes................................................2

          Senators voting aye were: Berke, Burks, Crowe, Gresham, Summerville, Tate, Tracy -- 7.
          Senators voting no were: Campfield, Kelsey -- 2.