Several media outlets have been reporting that HB 315, HB 335,and HB 336, the 3 bills introduced that follow after and amend SB 1108, the anti-teacher law and SB 1110, the teacher merit-pay law will delay or derail efforts to conduct areferendum campaign, because the trailer bills contain emergency clauses, allowing them to take effect before the November 2012 election.
Typically, once a bill is signed by the governor, the bill does not become law until July 1st, the beginning of the next fiscal year. However, a bill sponsor may attach an emergency clause to a bill; ensuring that it becomes law upon the governor’s signature. Supt. Luna and Governor Otter did utilize the emergency clause provision to enact all but 4 sections of SB 1108.
If enacted, the trailer bills would require that all sections of both SB 1108 and SB 1110 take effect immediately.
As IEA President Sherri Wood has been telling reporters, “We’ve known all along that certain portions of the law would be in effect from the moment the bills were signed until repealed in the November, 2012 election. If IEA members decide to move forward with signature collection, the passage of these bills will not impact our efforts.”
