Statehouse Update 3
Introduction
This week all legislative committee meetings and sessions were robust in conversation and action. In total, over 1,160 bills have been introduced. Ball State is tracking approximately 350 of those bills for some level of tracking. With all the bills now introduced, committee hearings will begin to ramp up and several bills Ball State is tracking will move on to 2nd reading amendments and 3rd reading votes before the full House or Senate.
Please see below for a list of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that have either been introduced or have moved during the last week. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at gov@bsu.edu
Bills that Moved
House Bills
House Bill 1001: STATE BUDGET The Governor’s budget has been introduced in the House as HB 1001, and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The Governor has recommended a 6% and 8% increase in higher education funding, totaling to an additional $184 million in the state appropriation for state supported institutions. Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 1002: EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE MATTERS Establishes the linking industry to nursing education fund (fund) for the purpose of expanding nursing education opportunities. Defines terms and provides administrative provisions for the fund. Requires the commission for higher education (commission), before August 1, 2023, to develop an application for a competitive grant program that matches contributions from a health care entity to an educational institution on a dollar for dollar basis from the fund. Provides that the application may be submitted by any educational institution and must require the educational institution to include the expected number of additional students the educational institution will be able to accept into its nursing education program as a result of the matching program. Requires the commission to approve an application if sufficient funds are available and if the matching grant will be used by the educational institution for certain purposes. Provides that a partial grant may be awarded. Requires the commission to make an annual report of certain information to the legislative council. Provides that a matching grant may not be used for the construction of a new building or the renovation of an existing building. Requires the professional licensing agency to retain 80% of all fees collected from new and renewed board licenses and certificates unless a certain amount or percentage of the fee is designated for a specific fund. Requires the agency to use the amount retained to carry out the agency's purposes and to work toward the goal of issuing all new licenses and certificates within 30 days after a complete application is submitted. Appropriates from the state general fund to the commission for higher education $30,000,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024, and $30,000,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, to be used for the fund.
House Bill 1350: FINANCIAL LITERACY Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2027, a student must successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course before the student may graduate.
Senate Bills
Senate Bill 35: FINANCIAL LITERACY Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2027, an individual must successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course before the individual may graduate. Creates requirements for content that must be covered in a personal financial responsibility course. SB 35 was heard and passed out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee.
Senate Bill 289:REVIEW OF DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC FUNDS Provides that each state agency directly receiving federal: (1) pandemic relief funds; (2) economic stimulus funds; or (3) loan funds; shall use a portion of the funds allocated to engage an independent third party firm to perform a risk assessment of the agency's controls in administering the use of the funds and to audit the disbursement of the funds. Provides that the auditor of state (auditor) shall engage internal or third party assistance to perform a risk assessment of executive branch agency internal controls for administering and disbursing federal: (1) pandemic relief funds; (2) economic stimulus funds; or (3) loan funds. Provides that upon engaging internal or third party assistance, the auditor shall consult with the state board of accounts and executive branch agencies that are conducting similar risk assessments or audits of federal funds regarding the scope of work being performed by the state board of accounts and executive branch agencies. Provides that before December 31 of each year, the auditor shall compile the auditor's findings and provide a report to the governor and to the legislative council. Appropriates to the auditor $500,000 from the coronavirus local fiscal relief funds made available to the state under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. SB 289 is referred to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
Senate Bill 384: PURPLE STAR DESIGNATION Requires the commission for higher education (CHE) and the Indiana department of veterans' affairs to develop and implement the higher education purple star designation for the following purposes: (1) To recognize postsecondary educational institutions that are supportive and inclusive of veterans and military connected families. (2) To provide veterans and military connected families with enhanced support for pursuing and finishing a degree or postsecondary credential. Provides that the application for a designation must be made available to interested postsecondary educational institutions on the website of the CHE before May 1, 2024. SB 384 was heard and passed out of the Senate Veterans Affairs and the Military Committee, and passed the Senate chamber on second reading.
Senate Bill 393: GRADUATE RETENTION INCENTIVES Provides for an exemption from the adjusted gross income tax for up to five years for an individual who graduates from a public or private four year college or university if the individual accepts a full-time position of employment in Indiana after graduation. Provides that if an individual leaves a full-time position in Indiana and subsequently accepts another full-time position in Indiana, the exemption carries over for the balance of the five year period. Provides that the department of state revenue shall prescribe a form requiring the Indiana employer to notify the department if the individual leaves employment with the Indiana employer before the end of the five year exemption. SB 393 is referred to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee.
Looking Ahead
Next week we can expect the General Assembly to continue to increase committee activity. The General Assembly may also hold second and third hearings for bills that have been moved out of their assigned committee.
