Senate panel approves amendment and passes bill to extend governor’s scholarship eligibility to students with parents on work visas

The Senate Education Committee on an expedited schedule adopted an amendment and approved Senate Bill 287, which would allow students who are legally present in the state and whose parents hold work visas to be eligible for the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship.

Chair (Unidentified) opened the meeting saying the committee needed to finish time-sensitive bills and that portions of SB287 that do not affect lottery scholarship revenues should move forward. "We went through while I was traveling to put this amendment on the bill," the chair said, explaining the amendment removes provisions that would alter lottery scholarship revenue practices.

Senator Hester, the bill’s sponsor, described SB287 as "a very simple bill," saying it "allows someone here on legal status and age 4 so their parents are here on a work visa, to be eligible for the governor's scholarship that they have rightfully earned." He told the committee he believed two students in the state were currently affected but said there could be more.

Members discussed schedule constraints tied to the scholarship application window. Senator Hester noted March 1 is the last day to apply for the scholarship and asked the committee to expedite action so the bill could reach the governor’s desk in time. The chair and members agreed to move the item promptly.

After the amendment was adopted by voice vote and without public opposition, the committee voted by voice to pass SB287 as amended. No roll-call vote or individual tallies were recorded in the transcript.

The committee’s approval sends the amended bill forward for subsequent floor and House consideration and, if enacted, would allow eligible students whose parents hold work visas to receive the scholarship under the terms set out in the bill.