Committee approves multiple higher-education measures, sends them to Ways and Means

The House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development voted March 19 to advance multiple bills and refer them to the Joint Ways and Means Committee, moving several funding and program changes toward possible floor consideration.

Committee members passed amendments and approved due-pass recommendations for a set of bills that the committee handled in short work sessions. Most motions were adopted by roll call and several bills were described by staff as emergency measures that take effect on passage.

House Bill 3,182 (as amended): Staff told the committee the bill directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HEC) to distribute grants to public universities and community colleges for basic-needs programming, creates a student-housing task force and authorizes grants to nonprofits providing affordable housing support for low-income students. Representative Fragula moved the dash-2 amendment and then moved the bill as amended with a due-pass recommendation and referral to Joint Ways and Means by prior reference. Roll call recorded: Representative Ingram McDonald — Aye; Representative Munoz — Yes; Representative Wright — Aye; Representative Yucker — No; Vice Chair Fraglia — Aye; Vice Chair Harvick…