Legislative Update: SB1625/HB1699, DOHR Meeting

TSEA February 26, 2016 Comments Off on Legislative Update: SB1625/HB1699, DOHR Meeting

SB1625 / HB1699
Education: Tuition waivers for full-time state employees
Sen. Paul Bailey / Rep. Joe Pitts

The TSEA board voted to support SB1625/HB1699.

This bill provides tuition and fee waivers to full-time state employees for up to four courses per academic year, rather than only one course per term; there are currently four distinct terms, including two mini-semesters, that would allow a state employee student to take four courses in a year under current law.

SB1625 has been approved by the Senate Education Committee and will be on the Senate Floor on Monday February 29th.


SB1472 / HB1940
Government Organization: Sunset – department of human services
Sen. Jim Tracy / Rep. Tim Wirgau

Changes the termination date for the department of human services from June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2017. Transfers the management and operations of financial accounting and reporting for the department of human services from the department of human services to the department of finance and administration. Requires the department of human services to submit a monthly report on the various financial and accounting measures taken by the department of health to the chairs of the government operations, health, and finance, ways and means committees of the senate and house of representatives, and the comptroller of the treasury.
Senate Status – 02/24/2016 – Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/2.
House Status – 02/24/2016 – Referred to House Government Operations Committee

SB1709 / HB1510
Education: Tuition discount for child of state employee
Sen. Dolores R. Gresham / Rep. Courtney Rogers

Allows a child of a state employee or a public school teacher to continue to receive a tuition discount for graduate-level studies if the child graduates with an undergraduate degree within four academic years of first receiving the discount.

Senate Status – 01/21/2016 – Referred to Senate Education Committee

House Status – 02/23/2016 – Taken off notice in House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee.


SB2414 / HB1957 
Corrections: Work schedule for employees of correctional facilities
Sen. Jeff Yarbro / Rep. John Mark Windle

Requires the commissioner of correction to implement a 14-day work schedule instead of a 28-day work schedule for all employees of a correctional facility. Broadly captioned.

Senate Status – 01/25/2016 – Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

House Status – 02/24/2016 – Failed in s/c State Government Subcommittee of State Government Committee

 


Also, TSEA staff will be meeting with DOHR next week to discuss the many issues facing state employees.