Statehouse Update 7
Introduction
This week, the General Assembly continued to move bills through committees, as each chamber approaches next week’s committee report deadline for bills in their second chamber. In addition, both chambers saw increased floor action, and bills moved through second and third readings.
President Mearns hosted members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus for a dinner on Wednesday evening. The meeting provided an opportunity to brief legislators on a number of activities occurring at Ball State, including the University’s Inclusive Excellence plan, athletics and our partnership with the Muncie Community Schools. Also on Wednesday, the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce had a legislative dinner with members of the local legislative delegation.
Bills that Moved
House Bills
HB 1082: Various higher education matters – The bill is the Commission for Higher Education’s legislative agenda bill. It makes changes to the employment aid readiness network (EARN) Indiana program, changes the name of the "return and complete" project to the "You Can. Go Back." project and makes changes to the definitions regarding the project, including repealing definitions regarding the return and complete project. Provides that money in the graduate medical education fund does not revert to any other fund. Repeals provisions that do the following: (1) Require state educational institutions to report annually to the commission regarding return and complete students. (2) Expire the return and complete project provisions. The bill was amended in committee to strike the “You Can. Go Back” project name and to reiterate the need for ICHE to work with institutions on outreach to students. The bill was amended to address a technical issue within the bill and was approved by the Senate Education and Career Development Committee. It is now eligible for floor action in the Senate.
HB 1091: Education benefits relating to military service – The bill contains a number of K-12 and higher education provisions. In part, it establishes that the children of military personnel are considered to have established legal residence in Indiana while pending transfer to a post in Indiana. It also contains language that makes changes to provisions concerning resident tuition rate eligibility for active duty armed forces personnel and dependents of active duty armed forces personnel and provides that spouses of active duty armed forces personnel are eligible for the resident tuition rate. The bill was approved unanimously by the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and is now eligible for floor action in the Senate.
HB 1153: Governor’s workforce cabinet – The bill provides that the governor's workforce cabinet shall, on or before December 1, 2020, create a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure alignment of Indiana's primary, secondary, and postsecondary education systems with Indiana's workforce training programs and employer needs. The bill had an initial hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee and will be considered for amendments and a committee vote next week.
Senate Bills
SB 383: Reporting on MBE and WBE contracting goals – The bill requires each state educational institution to submit an annual report to the state budget committee concerning progress in achieving goals for the use of minority and women’s business owned enterprises as contractors. The bill was unanimously approved by the House Ways and Means committee and is now eligible for consideration in the House.
Looking Ahead
Next week, the General Assembly will end its committee work for this session, with both chambers facing a February 27 deadline for moving bills out of committee. Bills will also continue to see floor action in each chamber ahead of 2nd and 3rd reading deadlines the following week.
