2019 Legislative Session

Indiana University Office of Government Relations

 Statehouse Report 12 

Introduction 

This was another busy week for the IU Government Relations team as several of our tracked bills were heard in committee or passed on third reading. On Monday, we joined the other university representatives in hosting a lunch with staff from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE). On Tuesday evening, we hosted a table at the annual Indiana Gridiron Dinner, where we were joined by fiscal staff from the legislature, State Budget Agency, and CHE. The annual Gridiron Dinner is a fundraiser for the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute.

Bills that Moved

HB 1009 – Teacher Residency Grant Pilot Program: This bill establishes a teacher residency grant pilot program and fund. Under the program, CHE may award grants to school corporations and charter schools to partner with postsecondary education institutions to establish a teacher residency program that provides stipends to program participants and teachers who serve as mentors. The grant award may also be used to pay the approved postsecondary educational institution the school corporation or charter school has partnered with for administrative costs incurred in developing and implementing the program. Funding for this bill was included in the House version of the budget. The bill passed the Senate on third reading on Tuesday. Because it was amended in the Senate, the House must now either concur or dissent on the new version of the bill.

HB 1245 – Various Higher Education Matters: This bill contains a number of provisions related to higher education, including changes in status or name for various universities. It also requires CHE to provide each high school in Indiana with names of students who have filed for financial aid, and requires high schools to enter into an agreement with CHE to allow for this information to be shared. The bill passed the Senate on third reading on Tuesday. Because it was amended in the Senate, the House must now either concur or dissent on the new version of the bill.

SB 216 – Educational Cost Exemptions: This bill amends the eligibility requirements for educational costs exemptions for certain veteran relatives. It also provides that a spouse or dependent of a qualified veteran is eligible to pay the resident tuition rate of a state educational institution if certain requirements are met. This bill was passed by the House Education Committee on Wednesday.

Looking Ahead

With two full weeks left for committees to meet, next week should be another busy week of committee hearings. The House and Senate floor calendars will continue to get longer as more bills pass out of committee and we approach the second set of legislative deadlines.