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Senate passes bill repealing obsolete higher‑education programs after heated debate
Summary
House File 2539 passed the Senate following debate about removing the college‑bound program; proponents said the program was unfunded and redundant, while opponents urged preserving supports for first‑generation and minority students. Final roll call was 30–17 in favor.
The Senate passed House File 2539, a bill repealing certain programs and functions of the State Board of Regents and higher‑education institutions, after an extended floor debate.
Senator Scott Gruenhagen, sponsor of the bill, said the targeted programs were "no longer used, funded, or redundant, or obsolete," and argued repeal was appropriate. He told senators the college‑bound language in chapter 262.92 had been expanded elsewhere and that federally supported TRIO and university recruitment filled similar roles.
Senator Kornbach argued against broad deletions, calling out chapter 262.92, point 92 (the college‑bound program) as an example that "reaches out to students from minority backgrounds and helps to prepare them for college work." Kornbach said that eliminating that statutory language risks removing an explicit outreach tool for first‑generation students.
Gruenhagen replied that the program "was never funded" and said other programs now accomplish the intended goals. After debate the Senate voted to pass the bill; the clerk reported 30 ayes and 17 nays and declared the bill passed.
The bill was ordered messaged to the House. Floor debate focused on policy tradeoffs — program consolidation and statutory housekeeping versus preserving named outreach programs for disadvantaged students — and included references to TRIO and university recruitment efforts.
