Committee adopts amendment to change THEC appointments and funding metrics, then advances bill

Senate Bill 2,079, presented with amendment drafting code 013346, was amended in committee to restructure appointments to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and to change components of the state’s outcomes‑based funding formula.

Sponsor told members the amendment changes THEC appointments so the governor appoints three members (including the student member) and the House and Senate speakers each appoint three, giving the legislative branch additional input. The amendment also modifies the funding formula to count 4‑year graduation rates for 4‑year institutions and 2‑year graduation rates for associate/community colleges, and it allows institutions meeting specified graduation metrics to enter separate tuition conversations.

The amendment was called and explained on the record; the committee approved the amendment by voice and then passed the bill as amended. The sponsor said the amendment results from conversations with higher education and is intended to balance executive and legislative input and to encourage graduation‑rate‑based policy conversations. The bill was reported to the Education Committee for further consideration.