As we approach the final stretch of the legislative session, we are beginning to see the movement of omnibus bills through committees and soon to the House and Senate floor!
Senate Higher Education Omnibus Bill Passes Committee
On March 30th, the Senate Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee passed their omnibus bill through committee. The bill will now be heard in Senate Finance Committee before moving on to a vote by the full Senate. See below for details on the Senate omnibus bill. Read the full bill here.
House Higher Education Omnibus Bill Released, LeadMN Testifies
On April 5th the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee took public testimony on their omnibus bill. See the testimony from LeadMN President Axel Kylander below.
Senate and House Omnibus Bills
The Senate and House higher education omnibus bills differ greatly in terms of the overall costs and programs funded, highlighting the different approaches taken this session by the divided legislature. The following is an overview of provisions within the bills.
Overall Cost
Senate: $19.1 million (FY23), $23.9 million (FY24/25)
House: $100 million (FY23), $150 million (FY24/25)
Minnesota State Omnibus Provisions
Total Appropriation
Senate: $10.6 million (FY23), $10 million (FY24/25)
House: $10 million (FY23), $18 million (FY24/25)
Campus Responsiveness and Stabilization Funding
Senate: $673,000 in one time funding. (FY23)
House: $6 million increase in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23.
Mental Health Awareness Program (House only): $2 million in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23. Builds on the MN College Mental Health Awareness Act legislation created by LeadMN that was passed last session. This funding would meet Minnesota States supplemental budget request for mental health support.
Basic Needs Support (House only): $1 million in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23. Builds on the Basic Needs Barrier Reduction Act legislation created by LeadMN hat was passed last session. This funding would meet Minnesota States supplemental budget request to provide ongoing funding for a basic needs resource hub and partnership with United Way 2-1-1.
CTE Pilot Expansion (House only): $1 million in one-time funding (FY23) This funding would be used to expand the career and technical educator pilot project funded last legislative session.
Workforce Development Scholarships Expansion (Senate only): $10 million in funding (FY23). $7.5 million is dedicated to law enforcement scholarships. Provides $5 million increase in ongoing funding each year for workforce development scholarships. Expands eligibility for the scholarships to construction and law enforcement programs.
Office of Higher Education
Total Appropriation:
Senate: $6 million (FY23), $9 million (FY24/25)
House: $57.4 million (FY23), $117.2 million (FY24/25)
Free College Grants (House only): $29.7 million (FY23), $32 million a year in ongoing funding each year after FY23. Creates a last dollar college promise program grant at community and technical colleges. This grant would cover 100% of the cost of tuition and fees for state grant eligible students after other state, federal, and institutional grants and scholarships have been applied for students with a family adjusted gross income under $75,000. For every $5,000 increase in income over $75,000, the amount of remaining tuition and fees covered would be reduced by 5%. Students with a family adjusted gross income equal or greater than $125,000 would not receive funds. Also included is $250,000 for promotion of the program by Minnesota State. While the Office of Higher Education is the program manager, the program is dedicated to Minnesota State two-year college students, meaning all money from the program will flow to our two-year colleges.
Hunger Free Campus Grants (House only): $200,000 increase in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23. It also allows non-profit private institutions to be eligible for the grants.
Student Parent Center Grants (House only): $6.9 million (FY23), $6.4 million in ongoing funding each year after. This funding creates a grant program to provide funds to postsecondary institutions, community-based organizations, or other applicants deemed appropriate to provide support for student parents of young children and expectant student parents. The grants can be used to fund on-campus childcare, direct assistance to students as scholarships, covering childcare costs, or supporting basic needs.
Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (House only): $731,000 increase in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23.
Minnesota Reconnect (House only): $1 million increase in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23. This provision re-funds the Minnesota Reconnect program which helped returning adult learners with some credit complete their college degree at a community or technical college. Funding for the program expired last year.
Social Worker Scholarships (House only): $5 million in one-time funding (FY23). Provides funding to create scholarship for students enrolled in a baccalaureate program on social work to help address the shortage of social workers in the state. The program unfortunately does not apply to students enrolled in a social work transfer pathway program at a community and technical college.
Law Enforcement Degree Grants (Senate only): $3.8 million (FY23). Provides $3.7 million in on going funding each year after. Creates a new $1500 per semester grant to students pursuing a degree in law enforcement. Students pursuing an associate degree are eligible for up to $6000 and students pursuing baccalaureate degree are eligible for up to $12,000.
Youth Skills Pathway (Senate only): $500,000 in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23. Creates a new grant program that will award up to $50,000 to ten high schools for programs that align with career and technical education dual credit program options with employment-based training opportunities. Funds may be used for marketing, coordinating academic, vocational, work based, and other learning, and to reimburse the cost of tuition, books, tools, or other expenses.
University of Minnesota
Overall Appropriation
Senate: $2.5 million (FY23), $4.8 million (FY24/25)
House: $32.5 million (FY23), $14.8 million (FY24/25)
Natural Resources Research Institute
Senate:$2 million in one-time funding (FY23).
House: $6.9 million in one-time funding (FY23).
Public Safety Funding
Senate: 454,000 in one time funding (FY23). $2.4 million in funding each year after.
House: $10 million in one-time funding (FY23).
Reduce Cost of Attendance for MN Residents (House only): $6 million in ongoing funding each year starting in FY23.
Sustainability Improvements (House only): $7.5 million in one-time funding (FY23).
Green Training Program Account (House only): $1.5 million on going funding each year (FY23).
50 Year Clean Water Plan (House only): $650,000 in one time funding (FY23).