A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the state board of higher education for workforce education innovation funds.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Randy Burckhard and 10 co-sponsors

HB 1221 would appropriate $24 million to the State Board of Higher Education to award funds for workforce education innovation programs at eligible institutions.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 0 nays 91

Main purpose

HB 1221 would appropriate state general funds to the State Board of Higher Education to establish or expand a Workforce Education Innovation Program. The appropriation is intended to support eligible higher-education institutions in developing or scaling workforce-focused training, credentials, and innovation initiatives designed to address labor-market needs.

Key provisions

Appropriation: $24,000,000 from the state general fund (or so much as may be necessary).

Recipient/Administrator: Funds are appropriated to the State Board of Higher Education.

Use: Awarding "workforce education innovation funds" to eligible institutions (text does not define eligibility in detail — authority and detailed program rules would be expected to be set by the Board or implementing guidance).

Budget period: Funds authorized for the 2025–2027 biennium (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027).

Purpose scope: Implicitly targeted at programs that innovate in workforce education — e.g., new training models, industry partnerships, credential programs, apprenticeships, equipment or curriculum upgrades — but specific allowable uses are not enumerated in the provided text.

Who would be affected

State Board of Higher Education: responsible for administering and awarding funds.

Eligible postsecondary institutions and workforce training providers: would be the recipients of grants/awards (community colleges, regional colleges, universities, or other entities designated by the Board).

Employers and students: likely indirect beneficiaries through expanded training capacity and new workforce programs.

State budget: $24 million in general fund resources would be committed for the biennium.

Fiscal impact

Direct: $24,000,000 appropriation from the general fund for FY2026–FY2027 (biennium). The bill text refers only to the appropriation; any further fiscal impacts would depend on program design and award timing.

Indirect: Potential workforce and economic benefits if funds produce effective training capacity; not quantified in the bill text.

Procedural / timeline notes

The appropriation is tied to the 2025–2027 biennium (effective funding window July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).

The bill text simply creates the appropriation; implementing rules, eligibility criteria, award process, and reporting would ordinarily be developed by the State Board of Higher Education or through subsequent statute or rulemaking.

According to the status provided at the top of this summary, HB 1221 did not advance beyond second reading (failed by vote 0–91). If accurate, the appropriation did not become law in that form; any similar funding could still be pursued via other bills or the budget process.

Note: Multiple different legislative documents labeled “HB 1221” exist across states and sessions; this summary addresses the version titled “An Act to provide an appropriation to the state board of higher education for workforce education innovation funds” (the appropriation text for the 2025–2027 biennium).

Bill