Relating to higher education; declaring an emergency.
Summary
HB 2997 requires the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to create a grant program to help organizations expand the reach and scope of college access and college success programs. The measure is aimed at supporting entities that work with students before and during postsecondary education, with a focus on organizations that already have experience serving communities and populations that are historically underserved in higher education.
To qualify for funding, an applicant must be a nonprofit tax-exempt organization, a community-based organization, or a public institution of higher education. In awarding grants, HECC must consider whether the applicant has a demonstrated history of providing effective college access and success services and whether it serves underserved populations. The commission is also directed to adopt rules governing applications, eligibility, award amounts, and data collection to evaluate program effectiveness.
Impact
The bill creates a new state grant program within HECC and appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for the 2025-27 biennium to carry it out. It does not amend existing higher education statutes directly, but it adds a new administrative duty for HECC, authorizes rulemaking, and establishes a state-funded mechanism to support college access and success providers. The emergency clause makes the act effective immediately upon passage, allowing the program to begin without waiting for the usual effective date.
Sentiment
The available vote history suggests generally favorable support for the bill, with the House committee voting 4-3 to recommend passage with amendments and referral to Ways and Means by prior reference. That margin indicates the measure was supported by a majority but not unanimously, and that it was considered significant enough to require budget committee review because of the General Fund appropriation. No committee transcript is available, so the broader discussion record is limited.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely the $5 million General Fund appropriation, the creation of a new grant program, and how HECC will determine eligibility and distribute funds. The bill’s emphasis on organizations serving historically underserved populations may also raise questions about program targeting, equity, and which entities should receive priority. The close committee vote suggests some disagreement over either the policy approach, the fiscal commitment, or both.