The Senate Education Committee took up SB 698, the salary-based apportionment bill, and immediately passed it, with no discussion. "There's only one condition that I would support this motion, and that is that if Rep. Nonini agrees not to testify," Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, said to laughter. Chairman John Goedde, R-Coeur d'Alene, responded, "Sen. Fulcher, I think that's what we were trying to accomplish."

Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, said the bill is similar to one already approved by the committee, and pointed out the changes, the minimum teacher salary clause and the language regarding funding priorities.  

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bob Nonini, who is running for the Senate, told the panel, "I would just hope that if I'm successful in my election bid next November, that this was an indication of things to come." Goedde responded, "'Thanks' would be plenty."