What’s the latest with KSU, other higher education bills in Kentucky legislature?
As the legislature adjourns for a two week break, several higher education bills have passed in recent days.
Kentucky State University, which faces a multi-million dollar budget deficit, has been at the center of multiple bills. The Senate passed a bill that would give KSU $38 million over the next several years to address the financial issues at the school. Last week, Gov. Andy Beshear gave his approval to a bill that would remake the school’s board of regents.
Other bills, like the name, image and likeness legislation, passed through the legislature earlier this month.
Here are where several higher education bills stand.
New regents for KSU
Beshear signed Senate Bill 265 last week, which would replace most of KSU’s board of regents.
Eight new regents were announced on Thursday. Other members of the board include the three existing student, faculty and staff regents.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg.
“This is the first step, a piece of legislation, to realign this board, refocus this board, give the governor a chance to basically reconstitute the board itself as we get ready to move through the legislative session,” Givens said during a Senate Education Committee meeting earlier this month.
Appropriations for KSU
House Bill 250 would give $23 million to KSU for this fiscal year, which the university has said it needs to continue operating past this semester. Additionally, the bill would give KSU $5 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, and $10 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year, for a total of $38 million over the next three years.
The Senate passed the bill Wednesday, and it has now been sent to Beshear.
KSU was placed under state oversight last year, with CPE conducting an investigation into the management and finances of the university. The former president and the former CFO resigned last summer.
The bill includes requirements for KSU, like the Council on Postsecondary Education overseeing use of the money and requiring CPE to approve any expense greater than $5,000. Monthly reports must be given on KSU’s financial status.
The bill also gives the board of regents the ability to fire any university employee, including tenured employees. It also stops the current presidential search process. Under the bill, KSU will appoint an interim president and resume the search for the president in April 2023.
Financial disclosures for universities
Inspired by KSU’s funding request and budget deficits, House Bill 663 will require the president and governing boards of colleges to sign a statement about the college’s financial state each year. The bill was passed by the Senate Wednesday and sent to the governor.
The statement will include three parts: if the institution is in “sound financial standing with a stable financial base,” if the institution underwent an audit for most recent fiscal year and if a budget has been approved for the upcoming financial year.
This bill would only apply to institutions who report to the Council on Postsecondary Education.
Name, image and likeness
Senate Bill 6, which gives student athletes across the state the ability to make money based on their name, image and likeness, was signed into law by Gov. Andy Beshear on March 9. It received widespread support from universities, coaches and athletes across the state.
Student athletes were able to make money using NIL under an executive order signed by Beshear last summer. Under the law, they are able to continue doing so.
The law also outlines some restrictions and protections for students and universities. Students cannot endorse certain things, like illegal products and sports betting. Universities also are required to provide financial literacy education to student athletes.
Other higher education bills
House Bill 452 was introduced earlier this session, which would require public universities in the state to freeze tuition for four years with each incoming class, keeping tuition at the same rate for in-state students.
The bill is still in a House committee, and no action has been taken on the bill since early February.
Senate Bill 200 would give current KSU students a tuition waiver to transfer to another public university or community college in the state. It was sent to the Senate Appropriations and Revenue committee, and no action has been taken on the bill since early March.
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 10:47 AM.