Statehouse Update 5
Introduction
This week action continued to tick up at the General Assembly with robust committee calendars and activity on the House and Senate floors. We are starting to see bills succeed out of their chamber of origin, and expect that number to increase in the coming weeks as we near the deadlines.
The state budget, House Bill 1001, was heard this week in the House Ways and Means Committee. The committee accepted testimony on the Governor’s recommended budget, as they prepare their amendments for the committee to consider next week.
This week, in coordination with the six other Indiana public universities, our office had the opportunity to publicly share our support for Senate Bill 435. SB 435 charges the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to work with the Indiana Department of Education to identify income-eligible students to automatically enroll into the 21st Century Scholars Program.
Additionally, this past Thursday was Ball State Day at the Statehouse. We were pleased to see the significant legislative turnout, and were thankful for our University, who traveled to Indianapolis to share how their respective Colleges and areas provide a positive return on the state and taxpayer investment to our institution.
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. HB 1001 was heard in the House Ways and Means committee this week.
House Bill 1449: TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM Amends the twenty-first century scholars program (program) eligibility requirements for certain students. Requires the commission for higher education to notify an emancipated student, or the custodial parent or guardian of a student if the student is an unemancipated minor, of the student's eligibility to participate in the program and right to opt out of the program. HB 1449 passed the House Education Committee unanimously, and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 1511: RESERVIST TUITION SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM Establishes the reservist tuition supplement program (program) and reservist tuition supplement program fund (fund). Requires the commission for higher education to administer the program and fund. Provides that money in the fund is continually appropriated. Provides that an eligible applicant for a: (1) reservist tuition supplement program, (2) a national guard tuition supplement program, or (3) an educational costs exemption may apply a scholarship or exemption to a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution under certain conditions.
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 2028, 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 passed out of the Senate and has been referred to the House for consideration.
Senate Bill 167: FAFSA Requires all students, except for students at certain nonpublic schools, in the student's senior year to complete and submit the FAFSA unless: (1) a parent of a student or a student, if the student is an emancipated minor, signs a waiver that the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it; or (2) the principal or school counselor of the student's high school waives the requirement due to extenuating circumstances. Requires that the: (1) model notice prepared by the commission for higher education; and (2) notice that each school corporation is required to send regarding the FAFSA; include information regarding the requirements and exceptions for completing the FAFSA. Makes a conforming change and technical corrections. SB 167 was heard this week in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee.
Senate Bill 404: ACCESS TO TRANSCRIPTS Provides that a state educational institution or private postsecondary educational institution operated for profit (institution) in Indiana may not: (1) refuse to provide a transcript for a current or former student of the institution on the grounds that the student owes a debt to the institution; (2) charge a higher fee for obtaining a transcript or provide less favorable treatment of a request for a transcript of a current or former student who owes a debt to the institution; or (3) withhold from a current or former student's transcript any degrees earned on the grounds that the student owes a debt to the institution; if the student has paid certain amounts in the past year on the debt owed. Provides that a current or former student may bring a civil action against an institution for a violation of these provisions. SB 404 was amended and passed out of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee. SB 404 now moves to be heard by the full Senate.
Senate Bill 435: 21ST CENTURY SCHOLARS PROGRAM ENROLLMENT Provides that the commission for higher education and the department of education shall identify income eligible students for automatic enrollment in the twenty-first century scholars program. SB 435 was heard this week in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee.
Looking Ahead
Next week, bills will continue to move through the committee process as the General Assembly has a week and a half left to hear bills before the committee report deadlines. Bills that are neither heard or passed in committee by the deadline will be considered dead. Ball State Governmental Relations team will continue to monitor and provide feedback to the General Assembly on bills that could impact on Ball State.
