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 — Aye; Chair Hudson — Aye. Motion carries; the bill was referred to Joint Ways and Means.

House Bill 3,183 (as amended): The measure appropriates funding for the Open Educational Resources program; staff said a dash-1 amendment reduced the appropriation from $4,500,000 to $2,000,000. Representative Fragle moved the amendment and then moved the bill as amended with a due-pass recommendation and referral to Joint Ways and Means. On the roll call the committee recorded ayes and one or more no votes; the motion carried and the bill was referred to Joint Ways and Means.

House Bill 2,997 (as amended): Staff said the bill requires HEC to establish and administer a grant program to expand college-access and success programs and includes a dash-3 amendment that changes language from “underrepresented” to “underserved.” Representative Bridal moved the amendment and then the bill as amended with a due-pass recommendation to Joint Ways and Means. The roll call results were recorded and the motion carried.

House Bill 3,025 (as amended): Staff summarized the bill as removing the shared-responsibility model for calculating Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) awards and giving HEC authority to determine awards by enrollment level and need, including for some non-degree programs. The dash-1 amendment clarifies HEC rulemaking authority and allows a delayed start for non-degree awards until the 2026–27 academic year. Representative Fragula moved the amendment and then the bill as amended with a due-pass recommendation and a request to rescind referral to Joint Ways and Means. The motion passed; the Speaker’s office will assign a floor carrier and Representative Bridal volunteered to carry the bill on the floor.

House Bill 3,066: The committee approved a due-pass recommendation and prior reference to Joint Ways and Means for an appropriation to the Department of Corrections to fund an advanced aesthetics program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (staff summary: $180,000; effective date noted as 07/01/2025). Representative Fragula moved the bill; the motion carried on roll call.

House Bill 3,185: The committee approved a due-pass recommendation to refer changes in nonprofit work-study programs at Eastern Oregon University and Portland State University to Joint Ways and Means; Representative Regla moved the bill and the motion carried.

House Bill 3,618: The committee approved a due-pass recommendation to refer $247,000 to HEC for distribution to Southwestern Oregon Community College to repair elevators at Tioga Hall. Representative Harvick moved the bill; members described it as an accessibility necessity and voted to advance the measure.

What the votes mean next: Each measure advanced to Joint Ways and Means by prior reference, where appropriations and budgetary changes will be reviewed. Committee members generally handled these items in abbreviated work sessions; staff described most as emergency measures that take effect on passage. None of the bills listed above recorded amendments that defeated the measures in committee.

Details and evidence: Staff summaries, motions, and roll-call votes were recorded in the committee transcript for March 19. The committee closed each work session after the roll call and moved on to the next agenda item. The committee noted that at least one bill’s referral status (rescission of prior reference) would be finalized after the Speaker’s office assigns a carrier.

Next steps: Each bill advanced in committee now awaits review in Joint Ways and Means, possible floor assignment, and subsequent votes by the full House. The committee did not place additional policy conditions or assignments on these items during the March 19 meeting.