[Oasfaa] State Legislative Update as of 2/20/23

Mon Feb 20 11:58:46 CST 2023

Following is an update on the bills we are tracking in the Oklahoma Legislature.

Bills that were passed in a committee this past week.  More detail is provided in the bill descriptions below.

  *   SB 11 - Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
  *   SB 27 - Oklahoma's Promise
  *   SB 322 - Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
  *   SB 363 - Freeze on Tuition and Fees
  *   SB 529 - Oklahoma Teacher Corps Program
  *   SB 654 - Captain Steven L Farley  Goldstar Families Act
  *   HB 1795 - Sergeant CJ Nelson Legacy Act
  *   HB 2555 - Oklahoma Critical Industries Scholarship Program
  *   HB 2559 - Inspired to Teach Scholarship
  *   HB 2718 - Oklahoma Promise Opportunity Scholarship
  *   HB 2772 - Oklahoma's Promise

Bills so far scheduled to be heard in committee this week:

  *   SB 93 - FAFSA
  *   HB 1443 - amendment to the Oklahoma Student Borrower's Bill of Rights

FAFSA
SB 93 (Sen. Dave Rader): Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, requires students to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to graduate from a public high school accredited by the State Board of Education. It provides exemptions authorizing parents to opt the student out of the requirement. The bill requires the State Department of Education to develop and publish materials for students, parents, and legal guardians explaining the requirements to complete the FAFSA, the benefits to completing the FAFSA, the opt-out provisions and to provide an opt-out form to be used by school districts, charter schools, and virtual charter schools.
Status: Referred to Senate Education Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/SB/SB93%20INT.PDF

Oklahoma's Promise
HB 1015 (Rep. Rick West and Sen. Dana Prieto): Oklahoma's Promise. Lowers the minimum ACT score required for homeschool students and students graduating from non-accredited high schools from 22 to 19.
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB1015%20INT.PDF

HB 2718 (Rep. Ellyn Hefner and Sen. John Michael Montgomery):  As amended in committee, the bill creates the Oklahoma Promise Opportunity Scholarship to provide a tuition scholarship for students with intellectual disabilities participating in comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs.  Defines eligibility and application process.
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee; passed House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education 2/20/23 (11 aye, 0 nay); referred to full House Appropriations & Budget Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20COMMITTEE%20AMENDMENTS/House/HB2718%20SUBPCS1%20ELLYN%20HEFNER-EK.PDF

HB 2772 (Rep. Cyndi Munson): Oklahoma's Promise.  Modifies the program requirement for refraining from substance abuse and commission of criminal or delinquent acts.  Deletes reference to refraining from substance abuse.   Specifies that students must refrain from the commission of violent crimes.
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee; passed House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education 2/20/23 (9 aye, 3 nay); referred to full House Appropriations & Budget Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB2772%20INT.PDF

SB 27 (Sen. Dewayne Pemberton and Rep. Ken Luttrell): Oklahoma's Promise. Allows completion of the "core" high school curriculum rather than the current required college preparatory high school curriculum for students seeking admission to a technology center school overseen by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.  Also specifies an equivalent SAT score to the required ACT score for homeschool students and students graduating from non-accredited high schools.
Status: Referred to Senate Education Committee and then to Senate Appropriations Committee; passed Senate Education Committee 2/7/23 (11 aye, 0 nay, title stricken); passed Senate Appropriations Committee 2/15/23 (21 aye, 0 nay); pending action on Senate floor
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20FLR/SFLR/SB27%20SFLR.PDF

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
HB 2865 (Rep. Kevin Wallace): Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant - OTAG. Makes comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs approved by the U.S. Department of Education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities eligible to participate in the OTAG program.
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB2865%20INT.PDF

SB 11 (Sen. Dave Rader and Rep. Daniel Pae): Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant - OTAG. Authorizes persons incarcerated in a state, federal or private correctional facility to be eligible to receive an OTAG award.  Deletes the current prohibition.
Status: Referred to Senate Education Committee and then to Senate Appropriations Committee; passed Senate Education Committee 2/7/23 (11 aye, 1 nay, title stricken); passed Senate Appropriations Committee 2/15/23 (21 aye, 0 nay); pending action on Senate floor
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20FLR/SFLR/SB11%20SFLR.PDF

SB 322 (Sen. Ally Seifried and Rep. Mark McBride): Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant - OTAG. Makes comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs approved by the U.S. Department of Education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities eligible to participate in the OTAG program.
Status: passed to Senate Education Committee 2/14/23 (12 aye, 0 nay); pending action on Senate floor
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20FLR/SFLR/SB322%20SFLR.PDF

National Guard Educational Assistance Program
SB 55 (Sen. Brenda Stanley): Amends the Oklahoma National Guard Education Assistance Program.  Increases the maximum number of graduate credit hours for which the benefit may be used toward a master's degree from 40 to 60.  Modifies some eligibility requirements.  Deletes repayment requirement.
Status: Referred to Senate Education Committee and then to Senate Appropriations Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/SB/SB55%20INT.PDF

Student Borrower Bill of Rights
HB 1443 (Rep. Melissa Provenzano Sen. John Michael Montgomery): Amends the Oklahoma Student Borrowers Bill of Rights.  Clarifies that student loan servicers must inform student loan borrowers if their type of loan does not qualify for loan forgiveness programs.
Status: Referred to House Committee on Banking, Financial Services and Pensions
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB1443%20INT.PDF

Teacher Scholarships
HB 1342 (Rep. Dean Davis): Amends the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive to allow students completing high school homeschool instruction to be eligible to participate in the program.
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB1342%20INT.PDF

HB 1990 (Rep. Mickey Dollens): Amends the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive to allow students completing high school homeschool instruction or General Educational Development (GED) test requirements to be eligible to participate in the program.
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB1342%20INT.PDF

HB 2559 (Rep. Mark McBride and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton): Changes the name of the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive to "Inspired to Teach".  Allows students completing high school homeschool instruction or General Educational Development (GED) test requirements to be eligible to participate in the program.  Defines "full-time student".
Status: Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee; passed House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Education 2/13/23 (14 aye, 0 nay); referred to full House Appropriations & Budget Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB2559%20INT.PDF

SB 529 (Sen. Adam Pugh): Creates the Oklahoma Teacher Corps Program to be administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to help students who graduate from an approved teacher preparation degree program and agree to teach at a school meeting certain criteria for four years.  Establishes eligibility requirements and assistance amount.  Provides for repayment if participant fails to complete the full term of service.
Status:  Referred to Senate Education Committee and then to Senate Appropriations Committee; passed Senate Education Committee 2/14/23 (10 aye, 0 nay); referred to Senate Appropriations Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/SB/SB529%20INT.PDF

Tuition and Fee Rates (State System Institutions)
HB 2663 (Rep. Josh West):  Related to in-state status for resident tuition at a state system institution for any person currently serving in the U.S. military, their spouse or dependent children.  Deletes certain time period limitations.
Status:  Referred to House Rules Committee; withdrawn from Rules Committee and referred to House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB2663%20INT.PDF

SB 363 (Sen. Adam Pugh): Freeze on tuition and fees at state system institutions.  Requires that beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, that the tuition and fee rates to be charged to students enrolled at an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education shall not exceed the tuition and fee rates approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Status:  Senate Education Committee and then to Senate Appropriations Committee; passed Senate Education Committee 2/14/23 (12 aye, 0 nay); referred to Senate Appropriations Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/SB/SB363%20INT.PDF

Tuition and Fee Waivers (State System Institutions & Career Tech)
HB 1795 (Rep. Mike Osburn and Sen. Kristen Thompson): Creates the Sergeant CJ Nelson Legacy Act.  Requires that no fees at State System institutions shall be charged to children of Oklahoma peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians who have died in the line of duty.
Status:  Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee; passed House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education 2/13/23 (14 aye, 0 nay); referred to full House Appropriations and Budget Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB1795%20INT.PDF

SB 654 (Sen. Paul Rosino): Creates the Captain Steven L. Farley Goldstar Families Act. Provides that the surviving spouse and children of a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces killed in action or in the line of duty after September 11, 2001, shall be eligible for a waiver of undergraduate resident tuition at a State System institution or resident tuition at a technology center school operated under the State Board of Career and Technology Education.  Estabishes eligibility requirements.
Status: Referred to Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and then to Senate Finance Committee; passed Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee 2/15/23 (11 aye, 0 nay); referred to Senate Finance Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/SB/SB654%20INT.PDF

Scholarships
HB 1626 (Rep. Regina Goodwin):  Amends the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program.  Creates a Community Advisory Committee.
Status:  Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB1626%20INT.PDF

HB 2555 (Rep. Mark McBride):  Creates the Oklahoma Critical Industries Scholarship Program.  Authorized a four-year pilot program.  Requires full-time enrollment at a state public higher education institution or state public technology center school.  Provides for identification of critical industry programs including computer science, engineering, and cybersecurity programs.  Directs state matching funds up to $15 million.
Status:  Referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee, Education Subcommittee; passed House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education 2/13/23 (14 aye, 0 nay); referred to full House Appropriations and Budget Committee
Current Text: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20INT/hB/HB2555%20INT.PDF

Bryce Fair
Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Phone: 405-225-9162
Email: bfair at osrhe.edu

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