Joint education committee adopts amendment creating lottery scholarship framework; passes House Bill 1417 as amended

A joint meeting of the education committees adopted an amendment to create a framework for a lottery-funded scholarship and then passed House Bill 1417 as amended.

The amendment, presented by Representative Lundstrom, sets up the structure members requested to implement a constitutional amendment tied to the lottery scholarship program and allows the program to begin implementation. "It does set up the framework for lottery scholarship but this allows it to start now getting that all together," Representative Lundstrom said, thanking former Speaker Shane Broadway, former Speaker Jerry McGillam and Mike Rogers of the Department of Workforce for their help in drafting the basics.

The amendment expands potential eligibility beyond four-year colleges to include public and private vocational programs, junior colleges and providers that offer certificates leading to licensure. Representative Lundstrom said the measure specifically lists industry sectors that would be eligible — including plumbing, electrical, health care and information technology — and she told members the full list includes roughly 20 priority industry categories such as trucking and mechanical trades. Senator Hammer pressed for clarity on the term "industry," and said, "So the term that's in the amendment industry is a direct reference to establish programs found elsewhere in law." Representative Lundstrom and the chair said the Department of Higher Education (rules and regulations) will monitor and update that list as workforce needs change.

After brief questions, the committee adopted the amendment on a voice vote; the motion to adopt was made by Representative Vaught and seconded by Senator Hammer. The chair announced, "Ayes have it," and declared the amendment adopted. Representative Lundstrom then presented House Bill 1417 as amended, saying the amendment serves as the bill's framework. The committee moved, seconded and passed the bill as amended on a subsequent voice vote; the chair announced, "Your bill is passed."

Members emphasized that the joint committee vote counts for both committees and therefore the measure need not return separately to Senate committee consideration. The chair closed by thanking members for attending and adjourned the session; the Senate Education Committee was scheduled to begin immediately after adjournment.

Records in the transcript list the amendment's mover as Representative Vaught and the second as Senator Hammer; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.