Tennessee House Bill HB0116

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/20/23
• Failed: 3/20/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9, relative to state lottery proceeds.

Impact

The amendment would potentially increase the number of institutions eligible for funding through lottery proceeds, thereby broadening access to financial resources for education. This could positively impact students by providing more options for accredited educational opportunities. Moreover, embracing competency-based education may align academic programs more closely with the needs of employers and the workforce demands in Tennessee, contributing to a more skilled workforce in the state.

Summary

House Bill 0116 is aimed at amending Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically in the context of state lottery proceeds and eligibility for postsecondary institutions. The bill expands the definition of an 'eligible postsecondary institution' to include private institutions that meet certain criteria such as having a partnership with the state, being accredited, using a competency-based model, and maintaining a physical campus in Tennessee. This extension is significant as it will allow more institutions to benefit from state-supported educational funding derived from lottery proceeds.

Contention

Notably, the bill may face some contention from public institutions within the state, as the inclusion of more private institutions might raise concerns about the distribution of limited resources. Legislators may debate the fairness of utilizing state lottery funds for private institutions, questioning whether it diverts necessary funding from public education systems. Additionally, stakeholders may discuss the implications of expanding competency-based models in educational settings, including how these models affect traditional education paradigms.