2019 Legislative Session

Indiana University Office of Government Relations

 Statehouse Report 6 

Introduction

With committee report deadlines fast approaching, this week included a busy schedule of committee hearings. As more bills pass out of committees, the House and Senate floor calendars also continue to lengthen.

In addition to monitoring legislative activity, IU’s Government Relations team jointly hosted another lunch with representatives from other state educational institutions. This week, the lunch was with members of the House Education committee and we discussed higher education-related issues pending before the committee.  

Bills that Moved

SB 93 – Let Indiana Work for You Program: This bill requires the Commission for Higher Education to establish a Let Indiana Work for You program to provide college and university students information concerning workforce opportunities in Indiana and other benefits of residing and working in Indiana after graduation. The program would be implemented at all state educational institutions by the 2020-2021 academic year. The bill received a hearing in the Senate Education and Career Development Committee on Wednesday.

SB 158 – Indiana Youth Service Program: This bill establishes the Indiana Youth Service Program to provide high school graduates with the opportunity to learn various skills and participate in nine months of service at host sites throughout Indiana. The program would be administered by Ivy Tech, and individuals selected for the program would receive a stipend during their time of service. The Senate Appropriations committee passed the bill on Thursday.

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. The bill passed third reading in the Senate on Thursday and will now move to the House.

Looking Ahead

On Monday, IU will join the other state educational institutions to host a lunch for the Senate Education committee. The rest of the week will be filled with more committee meetings and bill movement on the House and Senate floors.