Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB613

Introduced
5/2/23  
Refer
5/2/23  
Refer
6/21/23  
Report Pass
6/21/23  
Refer
6/22/23  
Report Pass
6/22/23  
Engrossed
6/26/23  
Refer
6/26/23  
Refer
6/28/23  
Report Pass
12/12/23  
Refer
12/13/23  
Report Pass
12/13/23  
Refer
6/24/24  
Report Pass
7/2/24  
Refer
7/3/24  
Report Pass
7/9/24  
Enrolled
7/11/24  
Chaptered
7/11/24  

Caption

Providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for

Impact

The implications of HB 613 reflect a significant investment in higher education, particularly in health-related fields. The funding designated for the University of Pennsylvania is aimed at enhancing its educational offerings and research capabilities in veterinary services and infectious diseases, which are critical areas for public health. As such, the act reinforces the state's commitment to supporting educational institutions that provide essential services to its residents. Additionally, the bill includes provisions that mandate detailed reporting from the University concerning the expenditure of the appropriated funds, which is intended to ensure transparency and accountability in how state funding is utilized.

Summary

House Bill 613, also known as the State-Aided University Nonpreferred Appropriation Act of 2024, focuses on making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania for the fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. This act specifies that a total of approximately $32 million is allocated for veterinary activities and nearly $1.9 million for the Center for Infectious Diseases within the University. The distributions are intended to support educational and health initiatives within the state, primarily benefitting Pennsylvania residents. The legislation emphasizes a structured funding system, detailing the need for specific quarterly payments and outlining compliance conditions for financial accountability.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 613 has generally been positive among proponents who view the funding as a vital investment in state education and public health. Supporters argue that the act addresses crucial health concerns and enhances educational opportunities for residents. Conversely, there are points of contention, particularly regarding the stipulations for board appointments and the degree of oversight required. Critics express concerns that such conditions may undermine the autonomy of state institutions and extend legislative reach into university governance.

Contention

Notably, discussions around the bill have highlighted concerns regarding the oversight mechanisms imposed by the legislation. Key points of contention include the requirement for the University to include appointed board members who are not elected officials, which some critics argue could dilute the representation and influence of elected appointees. Furthermore, there are apprehensions about the legislative control over the financial practices of the universities and potential limitations on how funds can be allocated and used, leading to debates over the balance between state regulation and institutional independence.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1421

Providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

PA SB170

Providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

PA SB290

Providing for funding for certain State-related universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

PA SB1171

Providing for funding for State-related universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

PA HB2412

Providing for funding for State-related universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

PA HB1474

In higher education accountability and transparency, providing for requirements for significant reduction of operations of State-related universities.

PA HB1798

Appropriation; IHL to provide additional funding for Alcorn State to address funding disparity between land grant universities.

PA SB315

An act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission and for minimum number of days or hours; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, providing for admission fees for school-sponsored activities; in intermediate units, further providing for staff; in certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and for State certificate fee reduction, further providing for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate, for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education and for postbaccalaureate certification, providing for assessment of basic skills, further providing for professional educator discipline fee and providing for career and technical administrative director certification flexibility; in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation, for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements and for study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction and for exceptional children and education and training; in student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator and for school safety and security training, providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2025-2026 school year and further providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students and for enrollment of students; in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions and providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts and providing for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; in interscholastic athletics accountability, further providing for council recommendations and standards; in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for enrollment and notification and for enrollee wellness checks; in career and technical education, further providing for capital reserve fund for approved purchases of equipment and facility maintenance, for career and technical education equipment grants, for Cosmetology Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program and for Barber Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program; providing for Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to State-related university performance-based funding model, further providing for prohibition on scholarship displacement at public institutions of higher education and providing for cooperation and for State scholarship renewals; in institutions of higher education, further providing for powers and duties of State Board of Higher Education, for definitions, for Performance-based Funding Council and for public institution of higher education reporting, providing for State-related University Performance Fund, for performance-based funding formula and for public accountability and further providing for agency duties, for grant priority and for report; in Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship, further providing for agency; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2025-2026; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, for extraordinary special education program expenses, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; abrogating regulations; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1472

In higher education accountability and transparency, providing for economic and workforce impact review by State-related universities; and imposing duties of the Department of Labor and Industry.

PA SB205

In supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance; and, in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for imposition of tax.

Similar Bills

PA SB288

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

PA HB2411

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

PA SB1169

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

PA HB1340

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

PA SB169

Making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the restricted revenue accounts within the Fantasy Contest Fund and Video Gaming Fund to the Attorney General, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

PA HB2413

Making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

PA SB1172

Making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

PA SB170

Providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.