AN ACT relating to instructional materials.
     Amend KRS 156.400 to require chief state school officer to arrange school subjects by program of studies and adoption groups by content; amend KRS 156.405 to authorize the Department of Education to develop and publish an evaluation instrument for textbooks and instructional materials offered in lieu of basal texts, promulgate administrative regulations for the review of materials and publication of consumer guides, recommend textbook reviewers for the approval of the chief state school officer, and increase their remuneration; require the State Textbook Commission to conduct an annual meeting to receive and consider concerns relating to the inclusion and exclusion of instructional materials before the establishment of the textbook bid list; require three members of the State Textbook Commission to be appointed annually with two members appointed in their fourth year and require one member be a school-based decision making council member; amend KRS 156.407 to require the chief state school officer to select textbook reviewers and require the department to publish and distribute the consumer guide by December 15; amend KRS 156.410 to make technical corrections; amend KRS 156.415 to establish the state bid process; amend KRS 156.435 to authorize the department to solicit additional bids for textbooks and execute contracts by May 1; amend KRS 156.437 and 165.439 to authorize the department to promulgate administrative regulations including methods to calculate the school district materials allocation; amend KRS 156.440 to direct the local board of education to adopt and maintain listing of materials; direct in KRS 156.470 that all materials on the bid list be maintained by the chief state school officer; require in KRS 157.100 that textbooks be provided free of charge under certain circumstances; amend KRS 157.145 to grant power to the chief state school officer to execute contracts for rebinding textbooks; amend KRS 157.150 to make technical changes; direct in KRS 156.160 and 156.170 that the Kentucky Board of Education promulgate administrative regulations regarding the sale and disposal of textbooks; require in KRS 157.190 the Department of Education to cooperate with the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children to ensure access to textbooks and instructional materials to children; amend KRS 156.445 concerning text materials for private and parochial schools; correct references in KRS 158.281, 158.282, and 158.080; repeal KRS 156.445, 156.450, 156.455, 156,474, 156.475,156.476 157.120, and 157.130.

     Feb 18-introduced in House
     Feb 19-to Education (H)
     Mar 2-posted in committee
     Mar 9-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute
     Mar 10-2nd reading, to Rules; floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute; posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for March 11, 1998
     Mar 12-3rd reading, passed 48-47 with Committee Substitute and floor amendment (1)
     Mar 13-received in Senate
     Mar 16-to Education (S)
     Mar 25-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar with committee amendment (1)
     Mar 26-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 31-recommitted to Appropriations and Revenue (S)