MINUTES OF THE
HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 • 8:00 a.m. • 445 State Capitol


Members Present:
Sen. Keith Grover, Senate Chair
Rep. Michael K. McKell, House Chair
Sen. Deidre M. Henderson
Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard
Sen. Karen Mayne
Sen. Ann Millner
Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Melissa G. Ballard
Rep. Jon Hawkins
Rep. Kelly B. Miles
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci
Rep. Rex P. Shipp
Rep. Mark A. Strong
Rep. Mark A. Wheatley

Members Absent:
Rep. Susan Duckworth, House Vice Chair

Staff Present:
Sean C. Faherty, Finance Officer
Ben Leishman, Finance Manager
Lorna Wells, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Grover called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
1. Introduction of Issue Briefs
Sean Faherty, Finance Officer, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, showed committee members the subcommittee's web page.
https://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/Commit.asp?Year=2020&Com=APPHED
Sean Faherty briefly discussed the following issue briefs and meeting materials.
3a-Governor's Budget Higher Education Request Detail
3b-Higher Education FY 2021 Building Blocks
3c-Issue Brief - 2020 General Session - USHE Operations and Maintenance New Facilities
3d-Issue Brief - 2020 General Session - USHE Reallocations - Engineering Initiative
3e-Issue Brief - 2020 General Session - USHE Vehicle Expansion Request
3f-Issue Brief - 2020 General Session - Utah State University Reallocations
Sean Faherty discussed performance measures for higher education.
3j-FY 2021 HED Performance Measure Intent Language
Sean Faherty discussed budget adjustment options.
3k-FY 21 Budget Adjustment Options
Sean Faherty discussed S.B. 117 Targeted Jobs Performance funding.
3l-Issue Brief - 2020 General Session - Targeted Jobs Performance Funding (SB 117)
Sean Faherty discussed the linked base budget bill and COBI.
https://cobi.utah.gov/2020/1/overview
2. Approve Minutes - October 15, 2019
MOTION: Rep. McKell moved to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2019 meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-5.
Yeas - 11Nays-0Abs-5
Rep. M. Ballard
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. L. Hillyard
Rep. M. McKell
Rep. K. Miles
Rep. R. Shipp
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. M. Strong
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. S. Duckworth
Sen. K. Mayne
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. M. Wheatley
3. Welcome, Introductions and Opening Remarks
Subcommittee members introduced themselves.
Chair Grover gave some opening remarks regarding the subcommittee's work during the session.
Sean Faherty explained the USHE Finance Summary Brief.
9b-USHE Institution Finance Summary Brief 2020 GS
Chair Grover continued his remarks about the subcommitee.
Rep. McKell thanked the committee for their hard work. He mentioned that Rep. Duckworth is ill and is excused for the meeting. He gave appreciation for the Utah System of Higher Education and Utah System of Technical Colleges (UTECH) and system goals.
Ben Leishman, Finance Manager, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, discussed the meetings, schedule, how to complete requests for appropriation, rules, and other information.
2a-HED Subcommittee Calendar - 20GS
4. Introduction of Higher Education Base Bill, COBI and Analyst Summary
Sean Faherty discussed the base budget allocation for higher education. He introduced the Base Budget Bill and the Fiscal Note.
4a-Linked Higher Education Base Budget Bill (SB0001)
4b-SB0001 Higher Education Base Bill Fiscal Note
4c-S.B. 1 Analyst Base Budget Presentation - 2020 GS
Sean Faherty discussed the impact of the repeal of tax restructuring bill.
Sean Faherty explained how to navigate through COBI.
https://cobi.utah.gov/2020/1/overview
5. Base Budget Reallocations Proposed for the Base Bill
Sean Faherty asked committee members to review the Base Budget Reallocations proposals.
6. Operations and Maintenance Information
Sean Faherty explained some differences in O & M Funding budgeting process.
7. FY 2021 Higher Education Agency Requests
Sean Faherty discussed the FY 2021 Higher Education Agency Requests.
7a-FY2021-Building-Board-Book - Higher Education Items
8-FY21 UTech Budget Request - Utah System of Technical Colleges
8. Utah System of Technical Colleges Overview
Jared Haines, Interim Commissioner for Utah System of Technical Colleges (UTECH) gave an overview of the UTECH System.
8a-UTech Overview Presentation - 1-29-20
Sen. Mayne asked for more information regarding certifications and licensing. Jared Haines responded and continued his presentation.
Todd Bingham, President, Utah Manufacturers Association gave an industry perspective on the needs for technical positions and the UTECH system.
Ben Hart, Deputy Director, Governors Office of Economic Development discussed the importance of skilled and certificate-related labor and the UTECH system.
Sen. Mayne discussed the importance of recruiting women into these trades.
Steven R. Moore, Chair of the UTECH Board of Trustees mentioned the female students of the year.
Rep. Ballard discussed the importance of reaching out to younger students. She appreciated the collaboration with industry. She would like to see more collaboration with the prison population.
Todd Bingham discussed his experience teaching at the prison. He discussed the work the manufacturers association is doing at the prison.
Sen. Hillyard discussed his experience working with divorced women and informing them about Bridgerland Technical College.
Rep. Strong related an experience he had with regards to the current wages for licensed mechanics.
Jared Haines continued his presentation.
Rep. Strong asked about the statistic that 99% of their students are debt-free. Jared Haines responded and continued his presentation.
Steven Moore discussed the strategic vision of the Board of Trustees.
Rep. Ballard mentioned that the strategic goals are the most important of having a statewide vision.
Rep. Miles asked a question about the goal to increase graduation rates. Jared Haines responded.
Chair Grover mentioned that UTECH is a good system. He stated that having low enrollments because of low unemployment is a good problem to have.
9. Utah System of Higher Colleges Overview
David Woolstenhulme, Interim Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) gave an overview of USHE.
Harris Simmons, Chair, Utah State Board of Regents gave an overview on the 50-year history of USHE.
9a-USHE Overview Presentation - Utah System of Higher Education
David Woolstenhulme discussed the College Access Advisors' program.
Rep. Shipp asked about outreach to other schools. David Woolstenhulme and Harris Simmons responded.
Rep. Ballard discussed some of the successes in Davis School District. David Woolstenhulme responded and continued his presentation.
Harris Simmons discussed efficiency and impact as well as their initiatives for increased student safety.
David Woolstenhulme discussed the importance of student safety.
Rep. Pierucci asked how well the safety app is being used. David Woolstenhulme will provide that information.
Rep. Wheatley asked some questions regarding affordability. David Woolstenhulme will provide that information.
Rep. McKell asked about the affordability at community colleges compared to other USHE institutions. David Woolstenhulme responded.
Sen. Hillyard asked about the need for counselors for suicide prevention, more nurses, and information regarding the availability of federal assistance for education. David Woolstenhulme responded.
Rep. Strong discussed the issue of student debt and student debt forgiveness.
David Woolstenhulme continued his presentation.
Rich Amon, Associate Commissioner for Finance & Facilities, discussed Capital Prioritization & Space Utilization.
Rep. McKell asked how the 33.5 hours space utilization was developed. Rich Amon responded.
Sen. Millner asked for clarification about the process for recommending the three institutions that come forward. David Woolstenhulme responded.
Harris Simmons and David Woolstenhulme discussed the importance of meeting workforce needs.
Harris Simmons and David Woolstenhulme discussed 2020-21 Budget Requests.
9-FY21 USHE Budget Request - Utah System of Higher Education
Rep. Shipp mentioned the importance of the college advisor programs. David Woolstenhulme responded.
Rep. Strong asked several clarifying questions regarding budget requests. David Woolstenhulme responded.
Rep. Ballard appreciated the efforts of the efficiency goals. Harris Simmons and David Woolstenhulme responded.
10. Higher Education Governance Update
Sen. Millner gave an update regarding Higher Education Governance.
10a-Higher Education Strategic Planning Commission Final Report
David Woolstenhulme mentioned the USHE perspective of this process.
Jared Haines mentioned the UTECH perspective for this process.
Sen. Millner mentioned that some prior experiences that didn't work, but that a new nimble and flexible system will be required in order to meet future needs.
Rep. Ballard expressed appreciation for this new direction and vision.
MOTION: Rep. Ballard moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-6.
Yeas - 10Nays-0Abs-6
Rep. M. Ballard
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. K. Miles
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Shipp
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. M. Strong
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. S. Duckworth
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. L. Hillyard
Sen. K. Mayne
Rep. M. McKell
Chair Grover adjourned the meeting at 10:47 a.m.