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Panel adopts amendment to rebalance higher-education appointments and adjust funding metrics
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 2,079 that would rebalance Tennessee Higher Education Commission appointments between the governor and legislative leaders, add graduation metrics into an outcomes-based funding formula, and move the bill to Commerce and Labor.
Senate Bill 2,079, as amended by drafting code 013346, would change the composition and some funding metrics used by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Sponsor Senator Watson explained the amendment would "balance it more between the executive and legislative branches by having 3 members plus the student member be appointed by the governor and then 3 members by, the House speaker and 3 members by the Senate speaker," a shift intended to increase legislative input on THEC.
The amendment also adjusts the outcomes-based funding formula to include a four-year graduation rate for traditional four-year institutions and a two-year rate for community colleges, and it contemplates separate tuition conversations for institutions that meet specified graduation metrics. The amendment was adopted by voice vote; the committee later recorded that the bill passed out of committee and was sent to the Commerce and Labor Committee for further consideration.
