Statehouse Update 10
Introduction
This week we experienced an increase in committee activity as the House and Senate worked to move bills through their assigned committees and onto the chamber floors for second reading amendments and third reading votes.
This week, the U.S. Congress enacted H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act, legislation to provide $1.9 trillion in assistance to Americans. President Biden signed the bill into law on Thursday afternoon. The legislation includes $39.58 billion for the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, of which Ball State is expected to receive $42.8 million for use by September 30, 2023. The bill also includes direct funding to support state and local governments.
President Mearns continued to hold meetings with legislators this week, to highlight Ball State’s budget proposal and to express his gratitude for Indiana’s continued investment in higher education.
Please see below for a list 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
HB 1553 - Next generation Hoosier educators scholarship: The bill changes the eligibility requirements for the next generation Hoosier educators scholarship and provides that a student may qualify for the scholarship by achieving a cumulative grade point average upon graduation of at least a 3.75 on a 4.0 grading scale during grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. The bill had an initial reading in the Senate and was referred to the Senate Education and Career Development Committee.
SB 2 - Funding for virtual instruction in public schools: The bill establishes a definition of "virtual instruction" for purposes of determining a school corporation's basic tuition support using the 2021 spring count of average daily membership (ADM). The bill was approved by the House with a 92-2 vote and is now eligible for concurrence or dissent by the Senate.
SB 54 - FAFSA awards: The bill was amended to provide that a school corporation may receive a FAFSA completion improvement award and establishes a formula for calculating the award amount. The bill was approved by the House Education Committee and has been referred to House Ways and Means.
SB 93 - Tuition charges for qualified nonresident veterans: The bill provides that a: qualified nonresident veteran; or spouse or dependent of a qualified nonresident veteran; who enrolls in a state educational institution not later than three years after the date of the qualified nonresident veteran's discharge or separation from the armed forces of the United States or the Indiana National Guard is eligible to pay the resident tuition rate at a state educational institution. Establishes requirements for eligibility. The bill received an initial hearing in the House Education Committee and will be considered by the committee again next week for amendments and a final committee vote.
SB 101 - Education and higher education matters: The bill amends requirements regarding the development of a student's graduation plan. Provides that a student who is at least 17 years of age has full legal capacity to enter into a contract for a next generation Hoosier educators scholarship. Provides that the requirement that a postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution that ceases operation submit student records to the Indiana archives and records administration applies regardless of any outstanding debts owed to the institution. Repeals a provision that requires a student to develop an initial graduation plan in grade 6. The bill was approved by the House Education Committee with a unanimous vote and is now eligible for second reading in the House.
Looking Ahead
Next week, floor activity on the House and Senate chamber is expected to increase as committees continue to hear and pass bills onto the House and Senate floors for second reading amendments and third reading votes. President Mearns will also appear before the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 18 to make a brief budget presentation to the committee.
