Bill would require four‑year public institutions to report federal and state funding and contingency plans

Clerk read House Bill 165, sponsored by Representative Garrett. The sponsor told the committee the bill would require public four‑year institutions to prepare annual reports listing state and federal funding receipts and expenditures and to submit plans describing how the institution would operate if federal or state receipts declined by 5% or 20%.

The reports would be sent to the executive budget office and used to inform legislative budget hearings every even‑numbered year; the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance and Taxation Committees would conduct hearings on the reports as part of the legislative budget process. The sponsor framed the proposal as a precaution against potential downturns in federal receipts and noted that state revenue growth has leveled off: "We're not sure when tough times are coming," the sponsor said, urging institutions to plan ahead.

Representative Garrett noted the bill would take effect Oct. 1, 2026. Committee members heard the sponsor's presentation and moved to give the bill a favorable report; the committee recorded a voice vote in favor. No detailed roll call or fiscal estimate for the bill was provided during the committee discussion recorded in the transcript.