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News & Press: Policy Update

TICUA Policy Update for February 17, 2023

Friday, February 17, 2023  
Posted by: TICUA

113th General Assembly
Policy Update

February 17, 2023

Dual Enrollment Bill to be Heard

by Senate Education Committee

SB1408/HB597 seeks to address recent changes to the Dual Enrollment Grant. In the previous session, the General Assembly increased the amount of the grant to match the tuition charges of the public community colleges. However, lawmakers also set the increased grant amount as a cap on the cost of the courses. Without state subsidies, it is difficult for some TICUA members to recoup the necessary funds to pay for certain courses. Consequently, TICUA is requesting the cap be removed from private colleges and universities. Rep. William Slater and Sen. Ed Jackson have agreed to sponsor the measure. The bill has been set on the Senate Education calendar for Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

Discussions about Middle College Bill Continue

SB1267/HB958, sponsored by Rep. William Slater and Sen. Raumesh Akbari, seeks to align institutional eligibility for the Middle College grant with Tennessee Promise. Middle College is designed to offer high school students the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree at the same time they complete their high school requirements. Currently, only public community colleges are eligible for the Middle College grant to assist students in paying for the program. The proposed legislation would allow four-year institutions which offer associate degrees to benefit from the scholarship. The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) has expressed concerns about the measure. TICUA is working with the TBR and select lawmakers to ease those concerns. The fiscal note is also being drafted, and it is anticipated the bill will require about $1 million in lottery funds. This adds an additional challenge to the bill’s passage. The bill will not be placed on notice for consideration until the key issues are resolved.

TICUA Hosts Hill Visits in DC

During the NAICU Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., TICUA hosted hill visits with several member colleges and universities. The group was able to spend quality time with several members of the Tennessee delegation and their staff. Issues discussed included Double Pell, IRS overtime rule change, endowment tax, accreditation, and various regulatory issues. Following the NAICU Annual Meeting, TICUA remained in DC to attend the Tennessee Business Forum, which allowed for more face-to-face time with several Tennessee members of the House of Representatives. TICUA plans on returning to DC for hill visits sometime this summer.

TICUA Annual Meeting Next Week

TICUA is looking forward to hosting member presidents, board members, the class of 2023 Executive Leadership Institute Fellows, and members of the Government Affairs Council for TICUA’s 67th Annual Meeting. The meeting will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 21st and 22nd, in Nashville. Attendees will hear from leadership within the 113th Tennessee General Assembly. Confirmed top officials include the House and Senate Education Chairs, Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director, Speaker of the House, and the Lt. Governor. In the evening TICUA Presidents will host a legislative reception followed by a networking dinner. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

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