2019 Legislative Session

Indiana University Office of Government Relations

 Statehouse Report 5 

Introduction

The legislative process continues to move along, and the first month of the legislative session has come to a close. The IU Government Relations team continues to monitor committee hearings and floor action on bills we are tracking.

This week, the IU’s Government Relations team joined representatives from other state educational institutions to host a lunch for members of the House Ways & Means committee.  This lunch was part of a series of lunches for university representatives and legislators to discuss higher education policy and funding issues.

Bills that Moved

HB 1002 – Career & Technical Education Matters: This bill would, among other provisions, allow workforce ready grants to be used for programs approved by the Commission for Higher Education, including programs offered by IU. The bill unanimously passed on third reading in the House on Tuesday and will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

HB 1009 – Teacher Residency Grant Pilot Program: This bill establishes a teacher residency grant pilot program and fund. Under the program, the Commission for Higher Education 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. The bill passed on third reading in the Senate on Monday and will now move to the House.

SB 188 – Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program: This bill establishes the nursing faculty loan repayment grant program with the intent of increasing the number of nursing faculty in Indiana. In committee, Dean Hendricks from the IUK School of Nursing testified in support of this bill in her role as the President of the Council of Indiana Nursing Deans and Directors. The bill passed on third reading in the Senate on Thursday and will now move to the House.

SB 216 – Educational Cost Exemptions: This bill amends the eligibility requirements for educational costs exemptions for children of and certain individuals related to certain veterans. 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. The bill passed the Senate Education and Career Development committee on Wednesday.

Looking Ahead

Next week will be a continuation of committee hearings and floor actions on bills as February’s committee report deadlines come into view. The Government Relations team will continue to closely follow bills that could impact the university and engage legislators in discussions about higher education policy matters.