Committee advances community college budget with modest reductions and new tuition restraints

The House Appropriations Committee approved the H‑1 substitute to House Bill 45 79, the state appropriation for community colleges, with fiscal staff describing a modest net decrease driven primarily by removal of one‑time funding and adjustments to tuition‑restraint language.

House Fiscal Agency staff said the bill proposes a gross amount of about $456.7 million, all from the School Aid Fund, representing a roughly $5.6 million decrease (1.2%) from the current fiscal year. The proposal removes one‑time operational appropriations included in the prior year and would result in projected decreases to community college operations in the range of roughly 0.8% to 1.3% depending on the institution, the analysis said.

The House substitute revises tuition and fee restraint language for community colleges to cap in‑district tuition and fee increases at the greater of either 3% or $149. The bill also adds a number of policy restrictions similar to those in other higher‑education bills discussed in committee, including language related to Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, limits on DEI spending, and new reporting requirements on institutional salaries and gender‑segregated sports policies.

Members questioned the practical impacts. Representative Markkanen, who presented the budget, emphasized the need to support workforce development programs such as HVAC, plumbing and nursing through the community colleges. Representative O’Neil asked how the DEI restriction would affect student supports; staff replied the language varies by section and would be clarified in conference.

The clerk recorded the committee’s roll call on reporting the bill with recommendation as substituted: 17 yays, 12 nays. The bill moves forward for further consideration and negotiation.