NIRSA’s Government Affairs Committee stays up-to-date on the latest federal and state policy and legislative news through a variety of scanning tools. One particular resource they use is the bi-weekly Policy Pages provided by Active Policy Solutions. (For more on this partnership, along with other SAHEC associations, have with Active Policy Solutions, see below.)

The policy issues included in the Policy Pages document are highlights of a point in time. They are by no means exhaustive and change continually – so matters discussed in the last issue normally will not carry over to the next unless there is some updated action to be discussed.

The Committee encourages NIRSA members to keep themselves informed on federal and state policy issues affecting their work as professionals on campuses. These issues could be specific to higher education, physical activity, or NIRSA’s strategic value areas. If you have an issue that is of concern to your campus, reach out the Government Affairs Committee.

Policy Page documents will be stored, as a resource for NRISA members, in the NIRSA Connect Community library. You can find them within the “Member Benefits” folder in a subfolder titled “Federal and State Policy Pages.”


In this issue:

Government Updates

Education

  • U.S. Education Department starts investigation of 8 colleges named in admissions scandal
  • Veterans groups address GI Bill’s 90/10 rule, POLITICO reports
  • Regulatory agenda as HEA sticking point, POLITICO reports

Federal Legislation

  • Senators introduce college transparency bill
  • Senate bill promises to PROTECT students
  • Federal bills aim to offer college path to homeless and youths in foster care
  • Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019 (HR 1585) introduced
  • College student access and success equity bill (S.943) introduced
  • Know Before You Owe Act (S.887) introduced
  • Understanding the True Cost of College Act (S.888) introduced
  • Net Price Calculator Improvement Act (HR 1915/S.889) introduced
  • Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculating Act (HR 1899) reintroduced

State & Local Government

  • Editorial discussing state campus carry on colleges efforts

Arkansas

  • Arkansas bill advances that would allow in-state tuition for immigrants
  • Arkansas House Democrat files bill to repeal guns-on-campus law provision

California

  • California free speech bill amended and heads back to committee for reconsideration

Florida

  • Florida hazing bill advances to the Florida House floor

Iowa

  • Iowa governor signs bill requiring state universities to respect “free speech” on campus

Maryland

  • Maryland providing funding to upgrade community college facilities and services to make them more accessible for students with disabilities under consideration

New Jersey

  • New Jersey governor announces higher education agenda

New York

  • New York high court upholds state labor department interpretation of ‘live-in’ workers employee rule

Texas

  • Texas bill that calls for new sexual assault reporting standards for colleges and universities clears hurdle in Texas Senate
  • Texas House considers free college for students experiencing homelessness

Vermont

  • Vermont universities seek to increase mental health, addiction programs with state funding

West Virginia

  • West Virginia governor vetoes anti-hazing law for being overly broad

Education and Schools News

  • 5 lawsuits that could bring major change to higher ed

About NIRSA’s partnership with Active Policy Solutions

As an association, NIRSA strives to monitor and track policy and legislative issues with the potential to impact our members or the campus communities they serve. These issues are wide ranging and may pertain to higher education, employment law, physical fitness, or our strategic values areas.

NIRSA has joined with a subset of SAHEC members (ACUHO-I, ACPA, ASCA, NASPA, and NIRSA) in hiring Active Policy Solutions to assist with monitoring, tracking, analyzing, and determining appropriate action on issues relevant to our associations. Through our partnership with SAHEC, NIRSA continues to monitor policy, legislation, and advocacy work that affects both the higher education and physical activity space. Active Policy Solutions provides government relations and advocacy support to NIRSA and the Association’s SAHEC partners.

  • For more information, please contact NIRSA Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships Erin O’Sullivan.
  • Want to share with your colleagues how this proposed legislation might impact your campus? Pitch us your ideas.
Headshot of Erin O'Sullivan
Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at | NIRSA Profile

Erin O'Sullivan is currently the Director of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at NIRSA.