Senate committee advances higher-education omnibus bill after amendments clarifying state grant rationing and surplus rules

The Senate Higher Education Committee voted to recommend passage of an omnibus higher-education budget bill (Senate File 2,483) after adopting multiple amendments that officials said will stabilize the state grant program, clarify how the Office of Higher Education (OHE) applies rationing and handle surpluses.

Committee chair (presiding officer) opened debate, saying, "I'm proud to be carrying this budget bill which takes responsible steps, to balance our financial aid programs in the face of a challenging budgetary landscape," and summarized provisions intended to preserve student-aid parameters and avoid deep cuts to other state programs.

The committee adopted a package of changes and technical fixes, including: - The A4 “delete everything” amendment (moved by Senator Kupek), adopted early in the hearing and incorporated into the bill before later amendments. - The A8 amendment, described by committee staff Mr. Watson as technical fixes that, among other items, clarify that a $50,000 administrative appropriation to the Office of Higher Education is annual and that members of an enrollment-fraud working group receive no additional compensation; members adopted A8. - The A7 amendment (offered by Senator Umu Vervein) clarified how a surcharge applied during rationing must be calculated. The amendment specifies…