Committee advances four higher-education bills, recommends confirmation for two gubernatorial appointees

In executive session the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee voted to advance four House bills and recommended confirmation for two gubernatorial appointments.

Staff briefed members on the four measures. Ben Omdahl, committee staff, described the bills as follows: second substitute House Bill 1273 would extend a pilot program to increase career and technical education dual-credit participation and covers certain expenses for secondary and postsecondary schools (a fiscal note estimates $616,000 for the 2025–27 biennium). Substitute House Bill 1486 would add a student member to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (estimated cost: $25,500 per biennium). Engrossed…