Tennessee House Bill HB2184

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/24
• Refer: 1/31/24
• Refer: 3/27/24
• Refer: 4/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 49, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 7, relative to Tennessee Promise scholarship students.

Impact

The amendments proposed by HB2184 are significant for the funding associated with education in Tennessee. By allocating a portion of sports wagering tax revenues to the completion grant account, the bill changes the financial landscape for the Tennessee Promise program. It anticipates providing immediate financial assistance of up to $1,000 per semester to eligible students who also qualify for Pell Grants, addressing the concern that financial barriers may prevent students from completing their education. This development signals a responsive approach to higher education funding that directly impacts student success rates in the state.

Summary

House Bill 2184 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to the Tennessee Promise scholarship program. Notably, the bill adjusts the distribution percentage of privilege taxes collected from sports wagering licenses, decreasing it from 80% to 75%. Additionally, it mandates that 5% of these collected taxes be allocated to a newly established 'Tennessee Promise completion grant special account' to fund completion grants for students under the Tennessee Promise program. This approach intends to enhance support for students pursuing their education and onboarding them with necessary financial assistance as they complete their programs.

Contention

Some points of contention may arise around the sources of funding for these increments in the educational grants. Critics might question the logic of relying on gambling revenue to support educational initiatives, advocating instead for more stable, traditional funding methods. Additionally, the shift in tax allocation may evoke discussions about the long-term sustainability of the funds for the completion grants, particularly regarding how economic fluctuations within the sports wagering field could affect grant availability in the future.