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HB 644 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Create Higher Ed Evidence-Based Innovation Fund, Grant Program

Summary
To enact section 3333.1211 of the Revised Code to create the Higher Education Evidence-Based Innovation Fund and Grant Program and to require the Chancellor of Higher Education to conduct a study on retrenchment processes at state institutions of higher education.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state fund for higher education innovation, allocating budget resources to support public education programs per bill's explicit funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates a new grant fund for higher education innovation, directly increasing funding and supporting institutional program development in higher education.95% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action May 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 6 edits · May 13, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was amended to remove a requirement for the Chancellor to conduct a study on retrenchment processes, focusing the legislation solely on creating a new grant program. The text was also reorganized to add a detailed list of cosponsors and to structure the new definitions and grant requirements into a clearer, numbered format.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the mandate for a study on retrenchment processes at state institutions of higher education.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Chancellor of Higher Education to conduct a study on retrenchment processes at state institutions.

Mandated specific criteria for grant applications, including plans to improve attainment rates, focus on low-income students, and evaluation plans.

TECHNICAL

Added a list of cosponsors to the bill header.

Reorganized the bill text to use a consistent numbered format for definitions and grant application requirements.

DEFINITION

Formalized definitions for 'State institution of higher education', 'Student success program', and three tiers of 'Evidence-based reform or practice'.

FISCAL

Established the 'Higher Education Evidence-Based Innovation Fund' and a competitive grant program to support student success initiatives.

Floor votes · House May 13, 2026

How they voted

80–7
Passed
Total votes 87
May 13, 2026
D Democratic29
29 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican58
51 Yea 7 Nay
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
2
May 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
May 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
May 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Gayle Manning
Gayle Manning
RRepublican
OH
52