Students seeking to use the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) for workforce training programs may get to under House Bill 133.
The House Education Committee unanimously approved the legislation Tuesday morning.
According to bill sponsor Rep. Steve Bratcher (R-Elizabethtown), the legislation would allow students to seek education opportunities outside of the typical college route that KEES money currently funds.
“It’d be for things like (commercial driver’s) licensing, computer coding, Kentucky medication aide, pharmacy tech, phlebotomy nursing aid, things like that,” Bratcher said. “Items and careers we need in the Commonwealth.”
HB 133 defines an approved workforce solutions training program as a local, high-demand work sector training program offered by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
Jessie Schook, associate vice president of workforce and economic development for the KCTCS, testified alongside Bratcher. She said the workforce solutions training programs are there to address immediate labor market needs in Kentucky.
“In some instances, the programs are offered for credit and do translate directly into a further education pathway such as an associate degree in science or art,” Schook said.
Committee Chair Rep. James Tipton (R-Taylorsville) asked Bratcher if the bill would have a negative impact on the Kentucky Lottery funds from which KEES money is derived.
Erin Klarer, vice president for government relations and communications for the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), said the utilization of the KEES dollars will be done through a reimbursement process.
“A student will submit receipts to use, and we will reimburse up to the earned KEES amount,” Klarer said.
Right now, KHEAA estimates that the maximum utilization in one year will increase KEES expenditures by $100,000, Klarer added.
Overall, the answer to Tipton’s question was no, HB 133 will not have a negative impact.
If the bill becomes law, it would take effect for the academic year beginning July 1, 2023.
HB 133 will now go before the full House for consideration.
Information came from a release by the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.
