[Oasfaa] Legislative Update - February 16, 2024

Thu Feb 22 08:08:21 CST 2024

Thank you Dr. Beam!

Sandra
Sandra McKnight
Financial Aid Specialist | Accreditation

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From: OASFAA <oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net> On Behalf Of Beam, Colbi
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 2:00 PM
To: 'oasfaa at lists.onenet.net' <oasfaa at lists.onenet.net>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [Oasfaa] Legislative Update - February 16, 2024

Good afternoon,

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, I'm the new Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. I look forward to working with all of you as I learn and adapt to this new role. Please, don't hesitate to reach out with any questions we can help you with at OSHRE!

Without further delay, I apologize for my tardiness in getting this information out but the following is the legislative update for February 16th.

There have been two financial aid bills pass in committee already:

  *   Senate Bill 1302 (Senator David Rader): Deletes certain metrics required for Oklahoma's Promise qualification to better match DHS graduation requirements. Provides Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program eligibility for students placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services during certain time periods.
     *   Passed 13-0 on 2/13 from Senate Education

  *   Senate Bill 1339 (Senator Ally Seifried): Creates the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act. It defines applicable terms. It provides that the purpose of the program is to provide an award to eligible students with intellectual disabilities who are pursuing studies at a CTP program. It requires the award to be an amount equal to the nonguaranteed resident tuition at an institution of higher education or the tuition at a technology center school. It provides eligibility criteria.
     *   Passed 13-0 on 2/13 from Senate Education

Thank you,

Dr. Colbi Beam
Associate Vice Chancellor for State Grants and Scholarships
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
cbeam at osrhe.edu<mailto:cbeam at osrhe.edu>

The update below reflects the major legislation concerning Higher Education.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jarrett Jobe, Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, at jjobe at osrhe.edu<mailto:jjobe at osrhe.edu> or (405) 225-9424.

Legislative Report
February 16, 2024

Agency Admin
HB3026 by Rep. Cody Maynard: prohibits a state agency from using appropriated money to employ, as a regular full-time or part-time or contract employee, a person who is required by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to register as a lobbyist. It also prohibits a state agency from using any money under its control to employ or contract with an individual who is required by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to register as a lobbyist. It prohibits a state agency from using appropriated money to pay, on behalf of the agency or an officer or employee of the agency, membership dues to an organization that pays part or all of the salary of a person who is required by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to register as a lobbyist.
            Update: Assigned to House Judiciary-Civil Committee.

Budget
SB1226 by Sen. Adam Pugh: Creates the Higher Education Property Insurance Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and consisting of all monies received by the State Regents from legislative appropriations provided for the purpose of paying property insurance expenditures for institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed 12-0 on 2/13.

SB1353 by Sen. Kevin Matthews: creates the Morrill Act of 1890 Revolving Fund for the State Regents for Higher Education for the purpose of providing distribution of funds to Oklahoma's land-grant institutions created pursuant to the Morrill Act of 1890. The bill appropriates $418,986,272 to the fund from the FY2025 General Revenue Fund for the purpose of providing an equitable distribution of funds to Oklahoma's 1890 land-grant institutions, created pursuant to the Morrill Act of 1890.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

Deferred Maintenance
HB4013 by Rep. Mark McBride: Creates the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education Capital Needs Evaluation Committee, and fund. Designates membership and requires the submission of certain reports.
            Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

SB1225 by Sen. Adam Pugh: creates the Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and consisting of all monies received by the State Regents from legislative appropriations made for deferred maintenance purposes.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed as amended. 12-0 on 2/13.

DEI
SB1303 by Sen. Robert Standridge: requires the governing board of an institution of higher education to ensure that each unit of the institution does not, except as required by federal law: a. establish or maintain a diversity, equity, and inclusion office; hire or assign an employee of the institution or contract with a third party to perform the duties of a diversity, equity, and inclusion office; compel, require, induce, or solicit any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or give preferential consideration to any person based on the provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement; give preference on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin to an applicant for employment, an employee, or a participant in any function of the institution.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1305 by Sen. Robert Standridge: requires the governing board of each institution of higher education to establish curricula and designate courses at the institution in a manner that does not require or constrain students to enroll in a DEI-CRT related education, major, minor, or certificate requirements, except as provided therein.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1305 by Sen. Robert Standridge: requires the governing board of each institution of higher education to establish curricula and designate courses at the institution in a manner that does not require or constrain students to enroll in a DEI-CRT related education, major, minor, or certificate requirements, except as provided therein.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1626 by Sen. Ally Seifried: removes language that limits comprehensive university tuition and fees to the combined average of members of the Big XII conference. It limits comprehensive university and fees to the combined average of like-state supported schools in the state contiguous to Oklahoma.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1678 by Sen. Nathan Dahm: prohibits certain institutions of higher education from using state resources to support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

General Government
SB1394 by Sen. Robert Standridge: creates the Right Side Up Government Act of 2024. The bill requires an analysis to be done to determine the total cost to the state for the preceding fiscal year with respect to any person employed by an appropriated state agency, including salary and benefits, who is registered with the Ethics Commission as a legislative liaison pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of the Ethics Commission and any registered executive or legislative lobbyists that are under contract with or otherwise compensated by any appropriated state agency.
            Update: Assigned to Senate General Government Committee.

Gun Bills
HB3012 by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader: removes the requirement that a vehicle containing a gun or knife driven onto school property be only to transport a student to and from school and the vehicle does not remain unattended on school property. The bill changes references to the terms "gun," "handgun" or "weapon" to "firearms." It requires, considering the right to keep and bear arms provided in Section 26 of Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution, any person who is not precluded from lawfully owning and possessing a firearm pursuant to state law be considered to be individually authorized by the State of Oklahoma within the meaning of the provisions regarding individual licensure and verification pursuant to the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990.
            Update: Assigned to House Common Education Committee.

SB1870 by Sen. Robert Standridge: authorizes any person in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed handgun into or upon any public college, university, or technology center school property or building in which the person is authorized to be.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Public Safety Committee.

Higher Education
HB3244 by Rep. Monroe Nichols: Directs the State Regents to establish an education partnership grant program supporting a coalition of coordinated aligned comprehensive network of evidence based support services designed to close opportunity gaps within communities experience poverty and impediments to economic viability
            Update: Assigned to House Higher Education & CareerTech Committee.

HB3457 by Rep. Anthony Moore: requires, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, concurrent enrollment tuition rates will be reimbursed at a rate of not more than $120 per credit hour. It also requires, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and annually thereafter, the concurrent enrollment tuition reimbursement rate will be adjusted to reflect the percentage changes, if any, in the previous year's Consumer Price Index published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
            Update: Assigned to House Higher Education & CareerTech Committee.

HB3792 by Rep. Ellyn Hefner: Creates the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act. Giving scholarship awards to students with intellectual disabilities pursuing a CTP program. These awards shall be equal to the nonguaranteed resident tuition.
            Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee. Passed 13-0 on 2/12

SB1278 by Sen. Jessica Garvin: defines the term "full-time employee of this state" to include individuals employed by institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education for purposes of maternity leave.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed 12-0 on 2/13.

SB1306 by Sen. Robert Standridge: prohibits any institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from requiring students to enroll in: a course that is not a core requirement of their chosen curriculum; a course for which there is no tuition or fee charged to the student comparable to courses of similar time and commitment; or a course, which is not directly relevant to a degree being pursued, that the student or the person or party financially responsible for the course objects to for philosophical or religious reasons.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1359 by Sen. Adam Pugh: requires, beginning with the 2024-2025 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 not exceed the tuition and fee rates approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the 2023-2024 academic year.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1377 by Sen. Nathan Dahm: requires the Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise at Oklahoma State University continue at the same location and designates it the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at Oklahoma State University. It requires the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership operate as a single stand-alone academic entity within Oklahoma State University. The bill requires the Board of Regents for Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges to allocate appropriate funding for the operations of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1445 by Sen. Dave Rader: exempts from sales tax those who have entered into a public contract with the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority, Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Trust, Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority, and the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Trust.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Finance Committee. Title Struck. Passed 11-0 on  2/5.

SB1559 by Sen. Adam Pugh: exempts colleges and universities under the authority of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education from the definition of the term "state agencies" for purposes of the state's risk management program. It permits colleges and universities to request the Risk Management Administrator to advise on the purchase of property insurance coverage but prohibits the administrator from directing the purchase of property insurance from a specific entity.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Retirement & Insurance Committee. Passed 10-0 on 2/6

HB3178 by Rep. John Waldron: Directs the State Regents to allocate funding to implement workshops and education courses supporting nontraditional students
            Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

SCR12 by Sen. Robert Standridge: calling for equal treatment of college students; expecting institutions to respect the Constitutional protection of equality; respecting all students' beliefs; removing DEI; stopping funding at DEI-teaching institutions.

Oklahomas Promise
HB2971 by Rep. Rick West: removes the minimum grade point average requirement to qualify for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) scholarship.
            Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

HB3268 by Rep. Max Wolfley: Tax credits claimed pursuant to the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act cannot be used as taxable or nontaxable income in determining Oklahomas Promise Eligibility.
            Update: Assigned to House Higher Education & CareerTech Committee.

HB3454 by Rep. Anthony Moore: provides eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program for the children of teachers specified therein.
            Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

SB1302 by Sen. Dave Rader: Deletes certain metrics required for Oklahomas Promise qualification to better match DHS graduation requirements. Provides Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program eligibility for students placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services during certain time periods.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed 13-0 on 2/13.

SB1328 by Sen. Todd Gollihare: Adds completion of core curriculum and seeking admission to a CareerTech to the optional qualifications to the Oklahomas Promise requirements
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

Scholarships
HB4020 by Rep. Mark McBride: Increases Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants awarded to juniors and seniors
            Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

SB1339 by Sen. Ally Seifried: creates the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act. It defines applicable terms. It provides that the purpose of the program is to provide an award to eligible students with intellectual disabilities who are pursuing studies at a CTP program. It requires the award to be an amount equal to the nonguaranteed resident tuition at an institution of higher education or the tuition at a technology center school. It provides eligibility criteria.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed 13-0 on 2/13.

SB1360 by Sen. Adam Pugh: requires a student who qualifies for in-state status who is participating in or has received a partial or full scholarship from the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Army Reserve Officer Training Corps or the Navy/Marines Reserve Officer Training Corps be granted a waiver of room and board by the institution of higher education in which he or she is enrolled, not to exceed five years from the date of enrollment in the institution of higher education, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1405 by Sen. Chuck Hall: modifies the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act. It creates a credit for any taxpayer who makes a contribution on or after January 1, 2025, to an eligible higher education institution foundation equal to 50 percent of the total amount of contributions made during a taxable year, not to exceed $1,000 for single individuals, $2,0000 for married individuals filing jointly, or $100,0000 for any taxpayer which is a business entity formed under the laws of any state including limited and general partnerships, corporations, subchapter S corporations, and limited liability companies, provided if total credits claimed exceed established cap then the credit shall be equal to the taxpayer's proportionate share of the cap.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

Teacher Training and Retention
SB1311 by Sen. Adam Pugh: creates the Veterans Entering Teaching (VET) Act. It defines terms used therein. It requires the program to provide tuition and mandatory fee assistance to eligible students to earn a degree from an approved teacher preparation program at an Oklahoma educational institution if they agree to teach in a school district in this state for three consecutive years. It provides eligibility. It creates the Veterans Entering Teaching (VET) Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed as amended 12-0 on 2/13.

SB1342 by Sen. Ally Seifried: creates the Oklahoma Teacher Recruitment Academy to be administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to provide tuition and mandatory fee assistance to individuals to earn a bachelor's degree from a teacher preparation program accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability and commit to teach in one of the critical shortage subject areas in a public school in this state. The bill defines the term "critical shortage subject area" to mean a subject area identified by the State Department of Education that is in critical need of certified teachers.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed as amended. 11-0 on 2/13.

SB1440 by Sen. Dave Rader: creates the Oklahoma Teachers Legacy Fund. The bill requires the State Treasurer to appoint qualified investment managers to provide for the investment of the monies of the fund. The bill requires the investments be consistent with the manner in which state retirement funds are invested and that the risk of large losses be minimized by diversifying the investments in the fund, unless, under the circumstances, it is clearly prudent not to do so. It permits the investment managers to sell investments and realize losses if such action is considered advantageous to longer-term return maximization.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1905 by Sen. Adam Pugh: transfers the responsibility for ensuring that the reading competencies for elementary teachers are included in the competencies for special education teachers and that all teachers of early childhood education, elementary education, and special education are provided quality training in intervention, instruction, and remediation strategies in the science of reading to provide explicit and systematic instruction in phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and implement reading strategies that research has shown to be successful in improving reading among students with reading difficulties to the Commission for Education Quality and Accountability from the State Department of Education.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

Workforce and Economic Development
SB1304 by Sen. Robert Standridge: creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Revolving Fund in the State Treasury for the benefit of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. It requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to award funds from the Oklahoma Workforce Education Revolving Fund created therein to eligible institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education on a pro rata basis according to the number of students enrolled in the institution of higher education.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1358 by Sen. Adam Pugh: creates the Workforce Development Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the purpose of increasing the number of degrees granted to fulfill workforce needs in critical occupation areas that are in high demand and are projected to have positive future growth identified by the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. The bill appropriates $200 million from the FY2023 General Revenue Fund to the fund.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.

SB1358 by Sen. Adam Pugh: creates the Workforce Development Revolving Fund for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the purpose of increasing the number of degrees granted to fulfill workforce needs in critical occupation areas that are in high demand and are projected to have positive future growth identified by the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. The bill appropriates $200 million from the FY2023 General Revenue Fund to the fund.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee.
SB1447 by Sen. Kristen Thompson: Creates the Creating Oklahoma's Modern Plan for Economic Transformation and Effectiveness (COMPETE) Act. The bill states legislative findings. The bill defines applicable terms. The bill creates the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth, and Expansion to serve as the state's lead economic development agency. It requires the office be empowered to strategically drive opportunities for economic growth and diversification across the state; collaborate across local, regional, and state entities; coordinate the funding and investment activities of each element of the state's economic development efforts and marketing campaigns to achieve better results for the state's recruitment and retention of businesses; and act as the principal point of contact regarding investment in this state for public officials, businesses, and the public.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Busines and Commerce Committee.

SB1448 by Sen. Kristen Thompson: appropriates $698.0 million from the FY2023 General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth, and Expansion.
            Update: Assigned to Senate Appropriations Committee.

HB3274 by Rep. Rhonda Baker: adds optional career-readiness and armed services assessments for certain students and requires such assessments to be administered at no cost to students.
            Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

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