Committee approves reporting of bill clarifying Brown v. Board scholarship use for out-of-state students

Senate Bill 196, introduced by Senator Williams Grace, was reported by the Senate Rules Committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill clarifies how funds administered under the Brown v. Board of Education scholarship program may be used when verified descendants attend institutions outside Virginia.

Senator Williams Grace, the bills patron, said the measure would "clarify who how scholarship funds may be used particularly when recipients attend institutions outside of the Commonwealth." She described the boards decision to provide $5,000 to students attending colleges outside the Commonwealth and said that the scholarship amount for descendants attending in-state is $10,000. "All the other terms and conditions of the current law are still in place," she said, adding that recipients must have their lineage verified and that commission discretion on awards remains.

When the chair asked about fiscal impact, Senator Williams Grace responded that there would be no additional fiscal impact from the change because the program would use existing funds, including money already in the budget from the outgoing governor. Committee members asked about the scope of lineage; the patron said current law governing lineage (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) is not altered by this bill.

After discussion the committee moved, seconded and reported SB 196 to the Finance Committee; the roll was recorded Ayes 14, No 0. The Finance Committee will consider the bill next.