Statehouse Update
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 that have had activity up to this point during the tenth and eleventh weeks of session.
House Bills
HB 1449: Twenty-first century scholars program enrollment
Passed Senate Education and Career Development 13-0 on Wed. March 15 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations
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 Senate Education and Career Development 13-0 on Wed. March 22 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations
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 Senate Education and Career Development 11-2 on Wed. March 15 and recommitted to Senate Appropriations
The bill allows an individual enrolled in a transition to teaching program or an alternative teacher certification 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
Passed House Education 11-1 on Wed. March 15 and the House 84-9 on Tues. March 21
The bill requires all students in their senior year of high school to complete and submit the FAFSA unless certain conditions are met.
SB 384: Purple star designation
Passed House Veterans Affairs and Public Safety 13-0 on Mon. March 20 and engrossed on 2nd Reading in the House on Thurs. March 23. Indiana University testified on behalf of itself, and the other state educational institutions, in committee affirming support for the bill and our efforts to serve and support this special population of military students.
The bill requires the Indiana Commission for Higher Education 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; and (2) to provide veterans and military connected families with enhanced support for pursuing and finishing a degree or postsecondary credential.
SB 404: Access to transcripts
Passed House Education 11-0 on Wed. March 15 and the House 93-0 on Tues. March 21
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.