"We can infer all we want to about the origin of the species . . . but let's not (characterize) those inferences as a proven fact. Let's not mislead our kids," Ferrin said. "It's not my desire schools be teaching any notions about religion. But it's also not my desire for us to be teaching as fact that which has not been proven as fact."

Ferrin said the substitute would address State Office of Education concerns.

But curriculum director Brett Moulding says the new incarnation is "even more problematic than previous versions of the bill." It steps on state school board authority to oversee curriculum and misrepresents the fact-backed theory of evolution, he said.

The bill also still comes from a "poisoned well" of legislative intent based on religious beliefs, said Carol Lear, director of school law and legislation for the State Office of Education.

"This is just an evolution . . . from the earlier bill found unconstitutional several times. It isn't sanitized because it's substituted and resubstituted and amended and re-amended," she said.

The bill awaits action in the House Rules Committee, which chooses that bills get heard and which will quietly die. That group has not yet addressed Senate bills, which won't be debated in the House until Monday, said chairwoman Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo.

"Honestly, I'm not even thinking about Senate bills. I'm concerned about House bills, making sure they get a hearing and a chance," she said.

Ferrin believes the House would like the bill in its current state.

"I understand the Senate wants the bill heard, and in the last days of the session the House and Senate get to cooperate with each other," Ferrin said. "I think it's a good bill and it ought to be heard."

---

E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com