Kansas House Bill HB2414

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/23
• Refer: 2/14/23
• Report Pass: 3/13/23
• Engrossed: 3/28/23
• Refer: 3/30/23
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Substitute for HB 2414 by Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development - Developing postsecondary engineering programs, providing scholarships for engineering students at certain public and private institutions of higher education by establishing a matching grant program to be administered by the secretary of commerce and creating the engineering graduate incentive fund.

Impact

The implementation of HB2414 is expected to have significant ramifications on the state's educational landscape. By including private postsecondary institutions into the university engineering initiative, the bill not only increases the diversity of educational options for students but also promotes competition among universities for the best engineering talent. This legislative move is designed to bolster the pool of engineering graduates, thus directly addressing the skills gap in the Kansas economy. As a result, increased funding and resources will be allocated for facilities, equipment, and potentially scholarship opportunities, making engineering education more accessible.

Summary

House Bill 2414 aims to expand engineering education opportunities in Kansas by establishing financial grant programs designed to enhance the capacity for engineering degrees at both public and private postsecondary educational institutions. The bill seeks to facilitate the growth of engineering programs in response to the state's workforce needs, particularly in engineering-intensive fields responsible for a significant portion of Kansas's payroll and tax base. This initiative is framed within the broader context of the university engineering initiative act, which has established goals for increasing engineering graduation rates to address the requirements of local industries.

Contention

While supporters of HB2414 laud it as a necessary step towards ensuring a well-trained workforce to meet the demands of modern engineering industries, there are points of contention regarding the allocation of state funds to private institutions. Critics argue that public funds should prioritize public educational institutions, where oversight and accountability are more stringent. Furthermore, the requirement for matching grants raises questions about the financial viability for some smaller, possibly under-resourced private institutions to participate fully in this initiative, which may inadvertently limit their involvement contrary to the intended inclusive approach of the bill.