As the third week of the 2012 supplemental session ends, the Legislature faces the end of initial policy committee work and will switch gears to focus on moving bills through appropriation committees and their respective floors.

The House Higher Education Committee moved several pieces of legislation during its second to last meeting prior to the deadline for policy committees on January 31. Among the bills the Committee took action on include legislation to require public comment opportunities at board meetings of the institutions of higher education, provide regulatory relief to institutions of higher education, and reinforce the role of students around the student and activities fees.

The Senate Early Learning & K12 Education Committee held a public hearing on legislation, which Evergreen testified in support, to establish a task force focused on increasing collaboration among K-12 and higher education for students with disabilities.

Finally the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee met this morning and took action on two bills that would impact institutions of higher education. House Bill 2071 focuses on raising awareness about the opportunity for  multiple career pathways to marketable job skills and productive careers and promoting these opportunities.

In addition the Committee took up legislation focused on investing in higher education. The legislation requires that, in each fiscal year in which state revenues exceed the prior fiscal year’s revenues for the general fund, certain amounts of increased revenue be appropriated for public schools and higher education, and be appropriated or transferred to the new dedicated account. The bill would provide funding for institutions of higher education based on improvements in such areas as graduation and retention.