Statehouse Update 8
Introduction
It’s officially halftime at the Indiana General Assembly, which means bills that did not receive a passing vote by third reading in their chamber of origin are ineligible for further consideration. Approximately 100 pieces of legislation that the Ball State Governmental Relations team is currently following have succeeded their chamber of origin.
Please see below for a sample of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that succeeded through the first half of the 2023 legislative session. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at gov@bsu.edu.
Bills Switching Chambers
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Looking Ahead
Next week, the Statehouse will be full again as the House and Senate report back for the second half. Committee activity will again commence, and we will see large calendars as each chamber considers legislation brought to them by their counterparts across the hall. On Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will begin hearings to review requests from state agencies and funded by the state budget; starting with higher education budget presentations. President Mearns will deliver Ball State’s budget request. Also presenting that day will be Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery, and the other public university presidents.