House Bill No. 5126, introduced in the February Session of 2024 and reported favorably by the Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement, proposes a mandate for the Office of Higher Education to conduct a study on postsecondary education opportunities in the state. The bill requires that the results of this study be submitted in a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly that oversees matters related to higher education and employment advancement by January 1, 2025. This bill is identified by File No. 166 and includes a new section to take effect upon passage.
The fiscal impact statement accompanying the bill indicates that there will be no state or municipal cost associated with the implementation of this bill. The Office of Higher Education is expected to have the necessary staff and expertise to carry out the study without incurring additional expenses. The bill analysis by the Office of Legislative Research does not provide an analysis of Special Acts, but the committee action shows that the bill received a joint favorable vote with 20 yeas and 2 nays on March 14, 2024.