LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7503 NOTE PREPARED: Feb 17, 2025
BILL NUMBER: SB 448 BILL AMENDED: Feb 6, 2025
SUBJECT: Higher Education and Workforce Development Matters.
FIRST AUTHOR: Sen. Goode BILL STATUS: 2
nd
Reading - 1
st
House
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill requires the Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH), in
collaboration with the Department of Education (IDOE), to:
(1) collect and compile certain student income data; and
(2) report certain credential information on the department's website.
The bill requires the Secretary of Education to establish a plan to develop a market driven stackable
credentials and qualifications framework and submit the plan to the General Assembly.
The bill provides that the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) shall (instead of may) approve or
disapprove certain branches, campuses, centers, new colleges, new schools, degrees, or programs. It provides
that before CHE approves or disapproves a degree or program, a state educational institution (SEI) shall
provide, and CHE shall consider, certain information regarding the degree or program.
The bill requires CHE to:
(1) review each degree or program for approval or disapproval at least one time every 10 years;
(2) outline a process for degree and program monitoring, improvement, suspension, and closure;
(3) publish certain information; and
(4) take official action regarding the approval or disapproval of certain requests within 90 days.
The bill requires the CHE to prepare and submit an annual report to the Legislative Council regarding certain
student enrollment data.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Commission for Higher Education (CHE): The bill increases workload
for CHE and is likely to require additional staffing. Costs for an additional staff member are estimated at
$113,000 to 118,000 annually. The added workload is related to approving new degrees or programs,
reviewing all programs at least once within a 10-year period, creating a process for program monitoring, and
completing the new annual report on student residency, citizenship, and dual enrollment. The bill also
SB 448 1 requires CHE to prepare recommendations regarding the percentage of resident students that the SEIs should
enroll to meet workforce demands.
State Educational Institutions (SEIs): The bill impacts workload at the SEIs to provide certain information
to the CHE. This should be able to be accomplished within existing resources. [SEIs receive state funding
through General Fund appropriations.]
Secretary of Education: The bill impacts workload at the DOE during FY 2026 to develop a market driven
stackable credentials and qualifications framework and to submit the plan to the General Assembly by
November 1, 2025. To the extent the DOE coordinates with the Department of Workforce Development
(DWD) and the CHE to analyze career pathways and labor market information, the workload impact could
be mitigated. It is anticipated this can be accomplished with existing resources.
Management Performance Hub (MPH): The bill’s requirements will impact workload for the MPH. To the
extent the MPH coordinates with DOE, DWD, and CHE, the workload impact could be mitigated. It is
anticipated this can be accomplished with existing resources.
Additional Information – Currently, CHE may approve certain branches, campuses, centers, new colleges,
degrees or programs. This work is accomplished by the Academic Affairs and Quality Committee. The
committee meets monthly and includes at least one dedicated CHE staff member. If the committee would
need to hold more meetings and/or add dedicated staffing, expenditures would increase. The bill changes this
to a shall, and adds specific requirements for the CHE to consider during the approval process in statute.
Explanation of State Revenues: Tuition Fee Revenue: SEIs could experience changes in enrollment which
could impact tuition fee revenue. The difference in resident and nonresident tuition and fee rates for full-time
students for the 2024-2025 academic year ranged from approximately $2,400 (Ivy Tech) to $30,000 (IU
Bloomington) depending on the SEI.
Additional Information – According to data for fall 2023 undergraduate enrollment from CHE, all but one
SEI campus reports over 50% of all undergraduates are resident students. This report does not specify data
for incoming freshman.
Explanation of Local Expenditures:
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: Management Performance Hub, Department of Education, Commission for Higher
Education, State Educational Institutions, Governor, Legislative Council.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Department of Workforce Development: https://indemandjobs.dwd.in.gov/
Department of Education: https://indianagps.doe.in.gov/ Management Performance Hub:
https://www.in.gov/mph/projects/ewd/ Commission for Higher Education:
https://iga.in.gov/publications/agency_report/2023-11-01T16-54-52.856Z-2023%20Annual%20Report%
20-%20Resident%20and%20Nonresident%20Rate%20Percentages.pdf
Fiscal Analyst: Alexander Raggio, 317-234-9485; Allison Leeuw, 317-234-9465.
SB 448 2