JBC agrees to one‑year TREP extension for affected students, allocates ~$800K

Committee members debated the TREP program (a two‑year post‑secondary pathway) and how to address students affected by timing and scholarship decisions. Staff explained differing chamber approaches and the budgetary implications: the introduced bill anticipated funding for students in a limited set of cohorts; a Senate amendment had effectively delayed the program by a year and expanded eligibility.

Members expressed a preference for a narrowly tailored fix: provide one additional year so current seniors can take a fifth year and current fifth‑year participants can complete their sixth year, and then let the program end rather than extend it permanently. Staff said roughly $799,200 would fund the one‑year extension and that the figure aligns with prior discussions about available school‑bus funding used to cover the appropriation.

The committee moved to amend HB1357 to align with that approach (one additional year for impacted students, then sunset) and the motion passed 6–0. Staff will draft the conference committee amendment language.