Virginia House Bill HB1044

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/10/24
• Report Pass: 1/31/24
• Engrossed: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/7/24
• Report Pass: 2/15/24
• Enrolled: 2/22/24
• Chaptered: 3/8/24
• Passed: 3/8/24

Caption

Higher Education for Virginia, State Council of; membership, effective date.

Impact

The bill amends existing regulations regarding the makeup and operation of the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia. The legislation mandates that nonlegislative citizen members should have relevant experience in higher education and workforce needs. With the provisions coming into effect on July 1, 2026, the bill aims to enhance the quality of higher education and create operational efficiencies among institutions by having informed individuals guiding state-level educational policy.

Summary

House Bill 1044 establishes the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia with the intention of promoting an effective and efficient system of higher education in the Commonwealth. The bill outlines the composition and responsibilities of the Council, which is intended to facilitate collaboration among institutions and lead strategic planning and policy development based on analysis and research. The Council will consist of thirteen members, including twelve nonlegislative citizen members and one ex officio member from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 1044 appears largely positive, with support stemming from various educational stakeholders who see the establishment of this Council as a significant step toward improving higher education governance in Virginia. By ensuring that members have substantial experience in the field, proponents believe that the Council will be well-equipped to make informed recommendations that benefit institutions and students alike.

Contention

Notably, the Council's structure includes strict term limits and appointment protocols, which aim to ensure that the Council's members are not only qualified but also diverse in their backgrounds and expertise. This aspect could lead to contention among legislators who may have differing views on the Council's authority and impact on local governance in education. However, specific points of contention were not prominently discussed in the transcripts reviewed.