After a hearing lasting nearly two hours, the House Education Committee has voted overwhelmingly in favor of HB 493, the bill from Reps. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, and Branden Durst, D-Boise, to launch a pilot project to give kids incentives to move through school more quickly and scholarships if they graduate at least a year early. There was just one "no" vote, from Rep. Marcus Gibbs, R-Grace. After the vote, Durst said the numerous questions from the committee show people are taking the idea seriously. "It's a huge change - we know that," Durst said. "But we're excited to get it on the floor." The bill now heads to the full House.

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