Statehouse Update 4
Introduction
The General Assembly began their second month of work and moves closer to the committee report deadlines. Activity in committees and on the House and Senate floors kicked into high gear. The Ball State Governmental Relations team continues to monitor committee hearings and floor action on bills we are tracking.
This week, in coordination with the six other Indiana public universities, our office had the opportunity to publicly share our support for House Bill 1449. HB 1449 amends the 21st Century Scholar Program requirements making enrollment automatic for those who qualify, with an opt-out provision. Additionally, our office testified in support of Senate Bill 135 which would amend the eligibility conditions for a student to receive in-state tuition.
Please see below for a list of bills being tracked by Ball State Governmental Relations that have either been introduced or 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; and (4) credential completion grant. Provides that the department of education (department), in consultation with the governor's workforce cabinet, shall: (1) designate and approve course sequences, career courses, modern youth apprenticeships, and course sequences leading to certification; and (2) determine the grant amount that a career scholarship student may receive under the CSA program fund for each sequence, course, or apprenticeship. Establishes eligibility requirements to participate in the CSA program. HB 1002 was amended and passed out of the House Education Committee. HB 1002 includes a fiscal impact, and is being recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee.
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. HB 1449 passed the House Education Committee unanimously, and has been recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee.
Senate Bills
Senate Bill 35: FINANCIAL LITERACY Provides that, beginning with the cohort of students who are expected to graduate from a public school, a charter school, or a state accredited nonpublic school in 2028, an individual must successfully complete a personal financial responsibility course before the individual may graduate. Creates requirements for content that must be covered in a personal financial responsibility course. The bill passed a third reading and is now eligible for consideration in the House.
Senate Bill 135: ELIGIBILITY FOR RESIDENT TUITION Provides that an individual who meets certain conditions is eligible for the resident tuition rate as determined by the state educational institution. Requires such an individual to verify that the individual meets the criteria to receive the resident tuition rate. SB 135 was heard in Senate Education and Career Development Committee.
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 passed the Senate on third reading and is now eligible for consideration in the House.
Looking Ahead
Next week, bills will continue to move through the committee process as February’s committee report deadlines come into view: February 21 for the House and February 23 for the Senate. We can also expect the number of bills moving to the House and Senate floors to continue to increase as the bills move on to second reading amendments and third reading votes. The Governmental Relations team will continue to closely follow bills that could impact Ball State.
On Thursday February 9th, we will celebrate Ball State and its impact on the State of Indiana at the Ball State Day at the Statehouse event in the South Atrium from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
