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Minutes for HB2248 - Committee on Higher Education Budget
Short Title
Establishing the Kansas nursing initiative grant program and authorizing the state board of regents to approve need-based or competitive grants for the expansion of nursing faculty, laboratory supplies and tools for student success at postsecondary educational institutions.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 13, 2025
Chairperson Howe opened the hearing on HB2248.
Jill Wolters, First Assistant Revisor, provided a bill brief to the committee. (Attachment 1)
Tara Mays, the Vice President State Legislative Relations for the Kansas Hospital Association provided proponent testimony. Mays highlighted the importance of this bill when considering the aging nursing population in Kansas and is in support of the funds for tutoring and study support programs. Mays also believes the bill will allow grants to fund multi-year initiatives for rural and urban settings. Mays answered committee member's questions and referred members to the website happyinhealthcar.org for further information. (Attachment 2)
Blake Flanders, President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents provided proponent testimony. Dr. Flanders, while in support for the bill believes that it should cover both consumable and non-consumable resources. Dr. Flanders also shared that the board of regents works to help programs with declining National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) scores rather than cutting their nursing program entirely as some have advocated for. Answered committee questions. (Attachment 3)
Written proponent testimony was provided by
Monica Natzke, the Chief Nursing Officer for AdventHealth South Overland Park. (Attachment 4)
Matt Lindsey, the President of Kansas Independent College Association. (Attachment 5)
Kylee Childs, the Director of Government Affairs for LeadingAge Kansas/ (Attachment 6)
Chairperson Howe closed the hearing on HB2248.
