Statehouse Update 7
Introduction
This week, the Indiana General Assembly met their committee report deadlines; the House of Representatives also met their second reading deadline yesterday. The calendars each day were robust, as introduced legislation that did not receive a hearing by their assigned committee is now considered ineligible for further consideration.
The House Republicans passed their version of the state budget, House Bill 1001, which includes historic investments in higher education. The current proposal includes a four and six percent increase in overall higher education state funding over fiscal years 2024 and 2025. In addition, Ball State’s first priority capital project, north campus building renovations, is fully funded at $81.6 million. HB 1001 now resides in the Senate for consideration.
Please see below for a sample of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that 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 1002: EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE MATTERS Establishes the: (1) career scholarship account program (CSA program); (2) career scholarship account program fund (CSA program fund); (3) career scholarship account administration fund; (4) connecting students with careers fund; (5) intermediary capacity building fund; and (6) credential completion grant. Provides that the department of education (department), in consultation with the governor's workforce cabinet (cabinet), shall: (1) designate and approve course sequences, career courses, modern youth apprenticeships, certain apprenticeship programs, and programs of study leading to industry recognized credentials; and (2) determine the grant amount that a career scholarship student may receive under the CSA program fund for each sequence, course, apprenticeship, or program. HB 1002 passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee and will now move the full House for consideration.
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 money in the fund, in the National Guard tuition supplement program fund, and in the National Guard scholarship extension fund may not be expended, removed, or transferred from the respective fund except to be used for the purposes of the respective fund. Provides that an eligible applicant for: (1) a reservist tuition supplement program; (2) a national guard tuition supplement program; or (3) an educational costs exemption; may apply for a scholarship or exemption to a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution under certain conditions. HB 1511 passed second reading and will be heard for final consideration by the House on Monday.
Senate Bills
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 passed out of the Senate and now resides in the House for further consideration.
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 passed the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and has been re-committed to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 443: VARIOUS EDUCATION MATTERS Requires the Indiana department of administration to, not later than November 1, 2023, do the following: (1) Create a list of personal liability insurers that offer personal liability insurance policies for teachers. (2) Post the list on the department's website. Makes changes to the education law concerning the science of reading and teacher preparation and licensing requirements. Requires literary endorsements for certain teaching licenses. Requires a school corporation to differentiate the amount of salary increases or increments for teachers who possess a required literacy endorsement. Provides that, after June 30, 2024, a school corporation shall expend an amount for teacher compensation that is not less than an amount equal to 62% of the state tuition support distributed to the school corporation during the state fiscal year. (Current law provides a school corporation shall expend an amount for full-time teacher salaries that is not less than an amount equal to 45% of the state tuition support distributed to the school corporation during the state fiscal year.) Provides that the academic standards committee appointed by the secretary of education must include employers (in addition to other members under current law). Provides that a school psychologist may provide services on a private basis to an individual if the school psychologist receives a referral from the individual's parent and the individual is an unemancipated minor. Removes a requirement that certain supplemental payments to teachers must be discussed. SB 443 passed the Senate Appropriation Committee and will now head to the full Senate for consideration.
Looking Ahead
Next week, the Senate will meet second reading deadlines, and both the House and Senate will meet third reading deadlines. Concluding these deadlines, we will see increased activity as succeeding bills will have completed their process in their chamber of origin.
