[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6631965,"mediaKeyId","2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9","parentId",2676178,"title","THEC seeks $1.3M for Advise TN, $335M annual capital-maintenance target and flags lottery risk","audioSeconds",381,"startMs",1520000,"endMs",1901000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9&start=1520&end=1901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9/thumbnail_1520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631965/Tennessee/THEC-seeks-13M-for-Advise-TN-335M-annual-capital-maintenance-target-and-flags-lottery-risk","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631965-158db87fe5496d32193933c64cec654a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770683182&Signature=n7-jQuC1aUc5Iljh1-WjKvVvOvQU9MCpi7mrTP~cszApv6wyO017cj-ES0JjX0h0W7A40Ya9z213mnMDYjxDs85588b2mLAQzD3lL2E1ZMA63DXshiShrwCd5oYX8hzWf6Nh~sduOc1R9Oc2cVaPmxnOnW1HptpytljP9~jS2Mep8HGoOGsQxrcyGRg-OnB-bA9j8XJWc47PSzSdNsIYqV2QDAFWbGzRXZ2uP4y48IL18Vj54EpPqVcqhWHSA2ah~AU7ZEr9GyFe4rzjo3W7Iu-6Oz75dUT6Q9mp9bH1LinDt9DsMx4yARVtonD7U2NMFDYWyOVa0P98QOR8HIWZAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN House of Representatives","date","2025-03-18T22:39:34.463Z","article","Steven Gentile, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), told the Finance, Ways and Means Committee on March 18 that sustained investment in higher education remains a priority as enrollment and dual‑enrollment measures rise.

“Last year we were number one in the country for FAFSA completion,” Gentile said, summarizing national rankings and enrollment growth. He added Tennessee led the nation in several measures and emphasized the state’s increases in dual enrollment and TCAT dual-enrollment participation.

Why it matters

Gentile detailed THEC’s budget priorities, focusing on two areas: agency‑level requests and systemwide higher education funding. The commission asked the legislature to add $1.3 million in recurring funds to Advise TN, a program that embeds counselors in underserved high schools. Gentile said the program has produced “upwards of 10%” increases in college enrollment where it is used and that without additional recurring funds “AdviseTN next year will be serving 6,500 fewer high school students.”

Capital maintenance and deferred needs

THEC officials presented capital requests and estimates: the commission requested $335 million in capital maintenance for institutions in the coming year and noted campuses jointly estimate about $3.6 billion in deferred maintenance. Gentile explained that recurring capital maintenance in recent years has stabilized at about $50 million per year, which funds roughly 20 projects, but that the combined deferred backlog exceeds what recurring funding covers.

Lottery revenue and scholarship pressure

Committee members pressed THEC on lottery-funded scholarships. Gentile said second-quarter lottery revenue was down year over year and that while the state holds a $100 million reserve to cover shortfalls, projected scholarship obligations could exceed net lottery proceeds beginning in fiscal 2027. He said THEC and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) are conducting evaluations of HOPE and other scholarship programs and would be prepared to recommend changes if reductions become necessary. “We have evaluation underway right now to see what’s working, what’s not working,” Gentile said.

Rural health and other program asks

Gentile described a $12.7 million appropriation for a rural‑health task force modeled on the GIVE Act; the commission issued an RFP and had not yet deployed the funds as of the hearing. He said that funding is intended as year‑one of a multiyear distribution and that evaluation components will be built into awards. Gentile also reiterated THEC’s request for additional outcomes‑funding growth beyond the $17 million the commission received, saying the commission originally requested $40 million and that $23 million remains unfunded to fully cover outcomes growth.

Questions and responses

Committee members asked about the time and validity of a comprehensive statewide capital facilities assessment THEC had proposed for $7.5 million; Gentile said the governor’s budget did not include the request and that such a study would take one to two years to complete and likely have a useful shelf life of about 10 years.

Gentile closed by stressing the commission’s priorities: maintain investments that have helped Tennessee rise in national metrics and direct resources to programs — including Advise TN, capital maintenance, and outcomes funding — that senior staff said produce measurable results.

Ending

THEC’s testimony set the stage for detailed institutional requests that followed in the hearing. The committee asked follow‑up questions about timelines, evaluation plans and the risk that lottery proceeds might not cover projected scholarship costs in later fiscal years.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee- March 18, 2025- House Hearing Room 1","oneSentenceSummary","Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director Steven Gentile asked the committee to fund recurring and capital priorities, including $1.3 million for Advise TN and a $335 million annual capital‑maintenance target, and warned lottery revenue may decline.","taxTitle","Finance, Ways, and Means, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",31062,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631969,"Committee advances six bills, rolls one; higher education hearings follow",468,667000,1135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9&start=667&end=1135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9/thumbnail_667000.jpg","/articles/6631969/Tennessee/Committee-advances-six-bills-rolls-one-higher-education-hearings-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631969-3382aa7c4a941577714802dcd7a95346/orig.mp4?Expires=1770683182&Signature=g4v219ciJFCY1vG0DzopJYtS8n2nLJM8DsFIqkp7CccM2IJUnIGfCZzozmZ6wpx7V8xVocO416vFyl3H~oTIvvoNmpJ53eJPItWRM88RsUM~8HyQYvucIZQSCxyqJMcNOr-GCE7CDu9~wnf23KVATSnikYF0WFPPeyQ3qwayXPdbNgqjvMoSAy2-x0FAgGVRmZoeBR2qNIASuet7lFdN3uYX7W7skhjqJmLZZDa~pn~3QtlZnYr7XCkLcxsZxhH7LduIydJ6yFXkzLBhbs9h0booWf7dOOYx32oU9njabiX~A17Kd7VcrRI71Sly1XnQCJOOwpMSbEUALjhxpUqLuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance, Ways and Means Committee met March 18, 2025, and forwarded six bills to Calendar and Rules, rolled one bill for a week and completed those votes before beginning higher education budget hearings.

The committee took up seven calendar items. Most votes were unanimous or near-unanimous; recorded tallies were read aloud by the clerk after each roll call. The committee then convened the higher education budget presentations from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), the University of Tennessee system and the six locally governed institutions (LGIs).

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 4 21 (Speaker Pro Tempore Marsh): Changes continuing-education requirements for utility board members, reducing a second-cycle requirement from 12 hours to 6 hours and adding a path to reinstatement for commissioners removed for noncompliance. Vote: 22 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: moved to Calendar and Rules.

- House Bill 125 (Chairman Haston): Lowers the local match requirement for parks and recreation grants in at-risk and distressed counties (description given by chairman). Vote: 22 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: moved to Calendar and Rules.

- House Bill 117: Rolled one week by unanimous consent; no roll-call vote recorded on March 18.

- House Bill 824 (Representative Freeman): Extends the event marketing fund that devotes a portion of hotel-motel tax receipts to recruit and market major events. Representative Freeman said the fund helps recruit events such as the Music City Bowl and CMA Fest; the bill extends the sunset to FY 3132. Vote: 17 ayes, 0 noes, 3 present not voting. Outcome: moved to Calendar and Rules.

- House Bill 1329 (Representative Garrett): Lowers the state collection fee from 1.125% to 0.75%, a change the sponsor said would return nearly $19,000,000 to local governments. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: moved to Calendar and Rules.

- House Bill 1337 (Representative Garrett): Extends a short filing window for charitable organizations that missed raffle registration deadlines, reopening a five-day period after gubernatorial signature to allow them to hold fundraisers. Vote: 21 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: moved to Calendar and Rules.

- House Bill 635 (Chairman Williams), as amended (amendment drafting code 3,883): Alters treatment of tax credits so taxpayers may elect to increase Tennessee excise tax liability to utilize otherwise unused credits; committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and then approved the bill on roll call. Vote on final bill: 23 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: moved to Calendar and Rules.

Context and next steps

Committee members briefly described each bill and opened the floor to questions; most items drew limited discussion. After the votes the panel recessed the bill calendar and heard budget and policy presentations from higher education agencies and institutions. Those presentations included requests for recurring funds for programs such as Advise TN, large capital-maintenance asks, and operating support for a recently acquired campus (UT Southern). Several presenters also flagged concerns about federal grant suspensions affecting land-grant activities and lottery revenue projections for scholarship programs.

The committee recessed the business portion of the agenda and began higher education hearings; chairman remarks noted the hearing schedule would continue the next morning in House Hearing Room 3 at 8 a.m. without further committee business recorded.

Ending

All items that passed on March 18 were forwarded to Calendar and Rules as indicated; the committee did not adopt any substantive amendments other than those noted for House Bill 635. Additional hearings and follow-up were scheduled during the higher education budget reviews that followed the votes.","The Finance, Ways and Means Committee moved six bills to Calendar and Rules (mostly unanimously), rolled one bill for a week and then heard higher education budget presentations from THEC, TBR, UT and the six LGIs on March 18, 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631955,"University of Tennessee touts record enrollment growth, asks for new chemistry building and UT Southern support",684,5106000,5790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9&start=5106&end=5790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9/thumbnail_5106000.jpg","/articles/6631955/Tennessee/University-of-Tennessee-touts-record-enrollment-growth-asks-for-new-chemistry-building-and-UT-Southern-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631955-cb8f138e28eff9ef9f36d8b65b9ff142/orig.mp4?Expires=1770683182&Signature=PIiQziukbqleCrZAlPyOHffneY4o8F-~uCWrNhaIvVgDaHT24OvpY4~BEd3XLF9tKQLVeYvrqSrJmgBjlKGoyH9bYEZ-EMP1ITO~wm3WlaQjjuFJvfTpAPSUhd0OiCE1qJoUTxoFXzcIeSQD6d7onUd5aUmtuxC6MWRYoTqqf-7vKvBmohEmWYModozyjHGGllpV1-bBfJkLEnNBeT3vNKRHZNCxVQGj4FhpsZliRk2NYG2zacx3GWbD7czlpl0eSohQsOhmRAYsOiCVi~fy3RWS35xhm8uBrFUGqUqZvqf9hrQslsWLx07U~T4pWwQJIKwn1LtiXZZHVCStKMfdSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd presented system metrics and budget priorities March 18 and pressed the committee to support capital and operating requests tied to enrollment growth and campus needs.

Enrollment, affordability and research

Boyd said enrollment was at historic levels across the UT system, with UT Knoxville at nearly 39,000 students and retention rates at record highs. He emphasized affordability programs: the UT Promise covers full tuition and fees for students from families with incomes under $75,000, and the university reported 47% of graduates with zero debt and an average indebtedness of $26,000 among those who do borrow.

Capital priorities and deferred maintenance

Boyd urged support for capital priorities in the governor’s budget, including $165.2 million proposed for a new chemistry building at UT Knoxville and $57.5 million for a business building at UT Martin. He told the committee the university faces a capital‑maintenance backlog of about $930 million and urged consideration of THEC’s larger request for higher education capital maintenance. “If we don't maintain the buildings we have, they're going to get even more expensive,” Boyd said.

UT Southern operating support

Boyd requested a one‑time operating adjustment of $1.9 million to bring UT Southern’s funding closer to its current enrollment; UT Southern has grown from roughly 700 students at acquisition to about 1,150 and faces a lag entering the funding formula on an earlier base. Boyd warned that without the adjustment the campus would be perpetually underfunded when it enters formula funding.

Federal grant suspensions and research risk

Committee members asked Boyd about recent federal developments. He said proposed changes to NIH and other federal grant formulas could cost UT Health Science Center and UT Knoxville tens of millions of dollars annually and that some stop‑work orders affecting international and other research programs have already been issued. Boyd said the university would seek to sustain commitments to faculty and projects but that some projects had already been paused.

Ending

Boyd closed by thanking the committee for prior support and asked legislators to consider capital requests and UT Southern’s operating adjustment as part of the upcoming appropriations decisions.","University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd reported record enrollment, rising retention and research spending, asked for capital support including a proposed chemistry building and operating assistance to align UT Southern's funding with enrollment growth, and warned of potential impacts from proposed federal grant changes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631960,"TBR highlights TCAT expansion, workforce partnerships and Memphis aviation campus move",347,3343000,3690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9&start=3343&end=3690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676178-a9954b9ed029e68a6bfffd5fea9718c9/thumbnail_3343000.jpg","/articles/6631960/Tennessee/TBR-highlights-TCAT-expansion-workforce-partnerships-and-Memphis-aviation-campus-move","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631960-978564cc45dc0586cd67a5c64ef5a7b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770683182&Signature=LON-ECpj3wEpL1ENXhEhL6euIS-35Hdk~ZYHLsA4JUfExPunBgB1XQTzPq8pNIUruq4u1akf15fHj46LOEgcACbvR3PdokJiNotCD7-oEYpOXQ18r6khImR~QfdoX19Nfjrg7sSIFZtfDE3XfL1IKPwoDYu37GrYovW2GCmVu9igfMgwP4JBuCLrKGLaF9A5tj-a8PULoA59SCQE-mgPvyPyn~vZbmvZxL1MFrI-AIYHwOwBZdCiIo0cp3LlhOU13jjQArfPLLuidP~2OZQH8AZhq0hiA~Ewpu367hdmiPIAJPSIpKu6x0NFu~0hRDpSlTssX1~ve7-IhuC6pRQaoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Flora Tydings, chancellor for the Tennessee Board of Regents, and TBR staff described system accomplishments and funding needs, stressing workforce training and an ongoing TCAT construction program.

TBR reported enrollment and training growth: a 7% overall enrollment increase systemwide, 20% growth at TCATs and 4% at community colleges; system workforce training totaled about 1.4 million contact hours, serving 37,388 individuals and 600 businesses in the last year.

TCAT master plan and capital projects

Tydings said the TCAT master plan is on schedule: projects have been designed and ground has been broken on 37 projects funded by a multi‑year $1.5 billion program. She told the committee the TCAT buildings were designed to be adaptable for future industry needs and highlighted a warranty program that guarantees retraining for graduates whose skills do not meet employer needs; she said the program had issued 88,221 credentials and reported zero claims under the warranty.

Memphis Aviation campus

TBR explained the Memphis Aviation campus must relocate because the airport authority requires the current property for expansion. Tydings said TBR and aviation stakeholders have identified relocation property and that airport and industry partners, including FedEx and the airport authority, have agreed to help with relocation costs though the amount was not finalized. TBR requested $20 million in the governor’s budget to begin the replacement project and said the full campus replacement is currently about $21.3 million short of requested funds.

Workforce partnerships and new programs

Tydings highlighted partnerships and new programs: a Nashville Songwriters Association International collaboration to provide music‑industry business training, an LPN/RN apprenticeship program developed with the Tennessee Hospital Association and Department of Labor (supported by a $300,000 grant), and an expanded partnership with Nissan to staff instructors at multiple TCAT sites. TBR also requested recurring funds for a Center for Workforce Development expansion to increase staff and statewide coordination; chancellor testimony said two center staff managed the existing program that delivered more than a million hours of training and that the requested recurring funds (approximately $2.27 million) would expand staffing and operations.

Questions and context

Committee members questioned timelines, bond capacity and program costs. Tydings said capital projects are being executed to schedule and defended the approach of balancing capital maintenance with select new construction; she also said institutions vary in debt capacity and that an expanded bond authority would be used selectively by campuses with capacity.

Ending

TBR officials thanked the committee for prior investments and asked lawmakers to consider the outstanding gaps in Memphis aviation funding and the recurring request for workforce center expansion as the budget process continued.","The Tennessee Board of Regents told the committee TCAT enrollment and workforce training expanded sharply, outlined a multiyear TCAT master‑plan rollout, and said the Memphis Aviation campus requires relocation because the airport authority needs the current site.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

THEC seeks $1.3M for Advise TN, $335M annual capital-maintenance target and flags lottery risk

Committee advances six bills, rolls one; higher education hearings follow

University of Tennessee touts record enrollment growth, asks for new chemistry building and UT Southern support

TBR highlights TCAT expansion, workforce partnerships and Memphis aviation campus move