HB 2773 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Higher Ed Rules

HB 2773 authorizes existing legislative rules governing West Virginia's higher education programs, rather than creating new policies. It formally validates 19 previously filed rules related to the Higher Education Policy Commission, including the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program, PROMISE grants, degree-granting institution oversight, and the Teacher Loan Repayment Program. Specific provisions include updating citizenship requirements for scholarship recipients and clarifying evaluation criteria for college presidents. This bill directly affects state universities, community colleges, and students participating in these authorized programs. As a procedural measure, it confirms the legal standing of these rules without introducing new funding or requirements.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Jul 2025

Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Signed Jul 31, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Version → Enrolled Version · 6 edits · Apr 25, 2025

MODERATE

The bill evolved from an Engrossed version to an Enrolled version, adding new legislative rules authorizing the Higher Education Policy Commission and Council for Community and Technical College Education. Key substantive changes include the addition of new rule authorizations for recent programs like the HEAPS Grant and STEM Scholarship, repealing outdated rules, and updating eligibility criteria for the PROMISE Scholarship to require higher GPA standards and residency documentation.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include additional legislative rules for both the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education, covering new scholarship programs, funding formulas, and administrative procedures not present in the earlier version.

SCOPE

Added new rule authorizations for the HEAPS Grant Program, STEM Scholarship Program, and Dual Enrollment Pilot Program to the Higher Education Policy Commission.

Added new rule authorizations for the Mental Health Loan Repayment Program and Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars and Teacher Loan Repayment Program.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated PROMISE Scholarship eligibility requirements to mandate a 3.0 GPA in core and overall coursework, with specific provisions for home-schooled students.

REQUIREMENT

Repealed several outdated legislative rules, including those for the Acceptance of Advanced Placement Credit and certain Human Resources Administration rules.

Added detailed amendments to Capital Project Management rules requiring facility utilization rates and net asset thresholds as factors in prioritizing capital projects.

Modified Mental Health Loan Repayment Program to include psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners alongside family therapists.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Version · 7 edits · Apr 8, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten and expanded from its original introduced version. The primary change is the addition of new legislative rules authorizing the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education, including numerous new programs, amendments to existing programs, and repeals of outdated rules. The bill now covers a much broader range of higher education initiatives and administrative procedures than the original version.

Scope change

The bill's scope significantly expanded from authorizing a limited set of legislative rules to authorizing dozens of additional rules covering new programs, updated eligibility requirements, and administrative procedures for both the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education.

SCOPE

Added new subsections authorizing legislative rules for the Council for Community and Technical College Education, which were not present in the original version.

Added numerous new legislative rule authorizations for the Higher Education Policy Commission covering programs such as Mental Health Loan Repayment, HEAPS Grant, Dual Enrollment Pilot, and STEM Scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria for the PROMISE Scholarship Program with detailed requirements regarding high school graduation, GPA, residency, and military dependents.

REQUIREMENT

Added detailed amendments to Capital Project Management rules regarding facility utilization rates, net asset values, and campus development plan confirmation requirements.

Repealed several older legislative rules related to Acceptance of Advanced Placement Credit, Human Resources Administration, and Accountability System that were previously authorized.

Added new requirements for Mental Health Loan Repayment Program to include psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners alongside family therapists.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions requiring governing boards to obtain Commission or Council confirmation before implementing campus development plans or purchasing properties not included in approved plans.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

32–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 33

Apr 8, 2025

D Democratic2

2 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican31

30 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 25, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 4/25/2025

lower

Apr 12, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - Senate Journal

upper

Apr 12, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - House Journal

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate effective date (Roll No. 452)

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (Roll No. 367)

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported do pass

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

To Education

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed House (Roll No. 124)

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do pass

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Committee

To House Education

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

To House Higher Education

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Committee

To House Education

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Committee

To Education

lower

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors