Numerous issues regarding the public school system continue to be discussed in Helena, and that includes textbooks.

House Bill 501, sponsored by State Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe (R-Billings) cleared that chamber on near-party lines and had a hearing in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday.

It would revise laws to ensure that textbooks sold to districts are aligned with Montana content standards.

The legislation adds to existing code that the state superintendent of public instruction has the authority to ensure textbooks meet the state content standards adopted by the Board of Public Education before the dealer can be issued a license.

Montana standards are split into 11 categories, dealing with everything from arts to world languages to mathematics.

Supporters say the bill will help districts decide which textbook companies are best for them.

Opponents say they understand what the sponsor is aiming for, but as written, it is not needed and eliminates local control.

“It would be a notification to our school districts to say that yes, indeed, they are aligned to this standard or that standard or to that grade level within that standard. And it would be incumbent upon the company to do this,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said.

“There is never a perfect match between the textbook and the standards,” said Rob Watson, speaking on behalf of School Administrators of Montana and Coalition of Advocates for Montana Public Schools. “If the OPI wants to get into the process of checking alignment it seems to me that it would be another step for textbook companies, an extra step for school districts.”

The only other supporter at the hearing was Robyn Mohs, a parent of children in public schools.

Other opponents include the Montana School Boards Association, the Montana Federation of Public Employees, Montanans Organized for Education and two residents speaking in their personal capacity.

Licenses need to be renewed annually, and Arntzen says there have yet to be discussions with textbook companies about how the bill would impact them.

Amendments are likely to be added during executive action, and some of the opponents say they could become proponents depending on the changes.

The bill would become effective on July 1, 2023.

A fiscal or legal note has not been attached to the legislation.