Statehouse Update
February 10, 2023
The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse, and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking and that moved during the fifth week of session. The House Ways and Means Committee took public testimony on the Governor’s proposed budget yesterday, so we are getting closer to seeing the House’s proposed budget before the House committee report deadline of Feb. 21st.
House Bills
HB 1001: State budget
House Ways and Means took public testimony on the Governor’s proposed budget on Feb. 10th. Next week, we anticipate seeing the House’s proposed biennial budget for the first time.
The governor's proposed biennial budget includes the Indiana Commission for Higher Education's operating funding recommendations for a 6% increase in FY24 and 8% increase in FY25 (equaling $184 million new higher education operating funding over the biennium) and follows the commission's recommendation of the funding split between the old outcomes-based funding model, new outcomes-based funding model and a base support increase.
HB 1449: Twenty-first century scholars program enrollment
Passed House Ways and Means 24-0
The bill allows the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana Department of Education to identify eligible students for automatic enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program with an opt-out provision.
HB 1511: Reservist tuition supplement program
Passed House Education 12-0 and recommitted to House Ways and Means
The bill establishes the reservist tuition supplement program and fund to be administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to administer the program and fund. It provides that an eligible applicant for a: (1) reservist tuition supplement program, (2) a national guard tuition supplement program, or (3) an educational costs exemption may apply a scholarship or exemption to a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution under certain conditions.
HB 1528: Transition to teaching
Passed House Ways and Means Committee 24-0
The bill allows an individual enrolled in a transition to teaching program to apply for a one-time $10,000 scholarship under the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship program. It requires an applicant to possess a baccalaureate degree, agree to obtain an initial practitioner license and teach at a qualifying school for five years.
Senate Bills
SB 167: FAFSA
Heard in Senate Education and Career Development and held for amendments and committee vote
The bill requires all students in their senior year of high school to complete and submit the FAFSA unless certain conditions are met.
SB 338: Art and music therapy
Passed Senate Health and Provider Services 12-0
The bill provides for the licensure of music therapists, art therapists, and art therapist associates by the medical licensing board of Indiana and Establishes requirements and procedures for an individual to be licensed. Additionally, it establishes an art therapy advisory council and a music therapy advisory council.
SB 404: Access to transcripts
Passed Senate Education and Career Development 13-0
The bill provides that if a current or former student owes $1,000 or less to a state educational institution or private for-profit postsecondary educational institution operated in Indiana must provide a transcript if the student has paid to the institution in the past year at least $100 or the total debt owed by the student to the institution, whichever is less. If a current or former student owes more than $1,000, the institution must provide a transcript if the student has paid to the institution in the past year at least ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the debt owed to the institution or three hundred dollars ($300), whichever is less.
SB 435: Twenty-first scholars program enrollment
Heard in Senate Education and Career Development and held for amendments and committee vote. Indiana University testified on behalf of itself, and the other state educational institutions, affirming support for the bill and our collective efforts on helping 21st Century Scholars persist year to year and complete a program of on-time study with a degree or credential.
The bill allows the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana Department of Education to identify eligible students for automatic enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program.