Finance committee advances higher‑education supplemental with $52 million one‑time grant appropriation

Senate Finance took up higher‑education policy and budget items and moved funding language into the supplemental budget vehicle.

Senator Fatai and staff described two bills: SF 39‑43 (policy omnibus) and SF 46‑38 (higher‑education supplemental appropriations). Committee adopted an A13 amendment removing fiscal provisions from the policy omnibus (SF 39‑43) and laid that bill over as amended. Senator Fatai said his highest priority was addressing a shortfall in the state grant program and urged the committee to supply as much funding as possible so awards wouldn’t be sharply rationed.

Fiscal analyst Erica Byrd walked the committee through the A3/A30 spreadsheet: starting in FY2027 the A3/A30 language includes a one‑time $52,000,000 appropriation to the Office of Higher Education for the state grant program (no tail) and separate licensing/registration policy changes that result in $84,000 of expenditures and $184,000 in ongoing revenue starting in FY2027. Members discussed potential fee impacts and Senator Pratt drafted an amendment (A47) to address an anticipated $100,000 annual increase in registration fees so the committee could examine how to prevent the cost from burdening students; that friendly A47 amendment was adopted and the A30 amendment (as amended) was approved. HF 24‑33 (the supplemental vehicle) was laid over for later floor action.

Why it matters: Committee members said the $52 million one‑time appropriation would address a grant program shortfall that, without funding, could force reductions in awards and harm students mid‑cycle.

What’s next: The higher‑education budget provisions will be inserted into the supplemental appropriation vehicle and the vehicle will be laid over. Committee members and authors said they will continue work on fee issues and the implementation details.