Pennsylvania SB 1214: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in institutions of higher education, abolishing the State Board of Higher Education and its powers and duties; further providing for Performance-based Funding Council and for public institution of higher education reporting; and providing for reversion of certain powers and duties of the State Board of Higher Education to the State Board of Education and Council of Higher Education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1495
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1214
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, LANGERHOLC, GEBHARD, ROTHMAN,
MASTRIANO, MARTIN, J. WARD, VOGEL, HUTCHINSON, STEFANO AND
KEEFER, MARCH 12, 2026
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MARCH 12, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in institutions of higher education,
abolishing the State Board of Higher Education and its powers
and duties; further providing for Performance-based Funding
Council and for public institution of higher education
reporting; and providing for reversion of certain powers and
duties of the State Board of Higher Education to the State
Board of Education and Council of Higher Education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "board" in section 2001-L of
the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public
School Code of 1949, is repealed:
Section 2001-L. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
["Board." The State Board of Higher Education established
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under section 2010-L.]
* * *
Section 2. Subarticle B of Article XX-L of the act is
repealed:
[SUBARTICLE B
COORDINATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Section 2010-L. State Board of Higher Education.
(a) Establishment.--The State Board of Higher Education is
established within the department.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the board is to provide
direction, coordination and support to ensure that institutions
of higher education fully meet the workforce and economic
development needs of this Commonwealth and ensure that all
residents of this Commonwealth have access to affordable, world-
class postsecondary education.
(c) Membership and appointment.--The board shall consist of
the voting members specified in this subsection. In making
appointments to the board, the Governor shall ensure that the
appointee is a Pennsylvania resident and has the background and
experience suitable for performing the statutory responsibility
of a member of the board. Membership of the board shall be as
follows:
(1) The Secretary of Education or a designee who shall
be an employee of the department.
(2) The Secretary of Labor and Industry or a designee
who shall be an employee of the Department of Labor and
Industry.
(3) One member of the Senate appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate or a designee who shall be an
employee of the Senate.
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(4) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate or a designee who shall be an employee
of the Senate.
(5) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a designee
who shall be an employee of the House of Representatives.
(6) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or a
designee who shall be an employee of the House of
Representatives.
(7) Members appointed by the Governor, in accordance
with paragraph (8), as follows:
(i) One representative of a State-owned university
who must be a president, administrator or local trustee.
(ii) One representative of the Board of Governors of
the State System of Higher Education.
(iii) One representative of a community college who
must be a president, administrator or board member.
(iv) One representative of an independent
institution of higher education who must be a president,
administrator or board member.
(v) Four representatives, one from each State-
related university, who must be presidents, chancellors,
administrators or local trustees.
(vi) Two representatives of a union representing
employees at public institutions of higher education who
may not be from the same institutions of higher education
as the representatives under subparagraph (i) or (iii).
(vii) Two representatives of business.
(viii) Two student representatives, one of whom is a
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student at an independent institution and one of whom is
a student at a public institution of higher education.
(ix) One representative of the Thaddeus Stevens
College of Technology.
(8) The Governor shall make the appointments under:
(i) paragraph (7)(iii) from a list of three names
submitted by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community
Colleges;
(ii) paragraph (7)(iv) from a list of three names
submitted by the Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities; and
(iii) paragraph (7)(vii) from a list of