Statehouse Update 11
Introduction
This week bills continued to move through the House and Senate Committees and onto the chamber floors. Chamber activity has increased with second reading amendments and third reading votes.
In addition, President Mearns joined the governmental relations team on Wednesday for several meetings with legislators. He shared perspectives about the state budget and the ways Ball State is contributing to Indiana’s economy, partnering with community stakeholders, and helping our cardinals have fulfilling careers and lead meaningful lives.
Please see below for a sample of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that are being considered in the 2023 legislative session. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at gov@bsu.edu.
Bills that Moved
House Bills
House Bill 1511: HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND COST EXEMPTIONS - Establishes the reservist tuition supplement program fund (fund). Requires the commission for higher education to administer the fund. Provides that money in the National Guard tuition supplement program fund and 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 scholarship under the reservist tuition supplement program; (2) a scholarship under the National Guard tuition supplement program; or (3) an educational cost exemption or award; may apply for a scholarship, exemption, or award to attend a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution under certain conditions.
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 House and now heads back to the Senate for concurrence or dissent.
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 is now being heard for consideration by the House on third reading.
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 passed out of the House and now heads back to the Senate for concurrence or dissent.
Looking Ahead
Next week, activity in the House and Senate will continue to increase as the chambers move closer to their respective deadlines. Successful bills that are altered by the second house will return to their chamber of origin for the author to concur or dissent with the changes. We are starting to see a few bills land on the governor’s desk and expect this will continue to increase.