On April 1, Ohio House Republicans unveiled Substitute House Bill 96 (Sub. HB 96), which is their revised version of the state operating budget bill. The legislation makes appropriations for the next biennium: Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. There are a number of financial and policy changes within this substitute budget bill that deviate from the governor’s executive budget. You can view the comparison document here.

In terms of funding, the governor had proposed flat appropriations for State Share of Instruction (SSI–the main funding stream from the state to public colleges and universities), but the new House version of the bill contains roughly 2% increases to SSI in each fiscal year.

It was reported in March that the Inter-University Council (IUC–the consortium of Ohio’s public university presidents) decided to remain silent on SB 1 in hopes that the legislature would be more inclined to increase SSI. However, there are legitimate questions as to whether this funding increase would even adequately cover SB 1 compliance costs. SB 1 includes over 100 new, unfunded mandates.

Sub. HB 96 would place a 3% cap on tuition increases. It also would require each state university to establish an accelerated 90-hour degree program that is aligned to an in-demand career area. SB 1 required the chancellor to study the feasibility of three-year degree programs, but this budget bill would jump to requiring them under certain circumstances.

The legislation also takes a swipe at shared governance, attempting to sideline faculty over matters that are typically within the faculty purview. The language states:

Grants the board of trustees of a state institution of higher education unilateral and ultimate authority to establish new academic programs, schools, colleges, institutes, departments, and centers at the institution.

Prohibits a board from delegating its authority to adopt a curricular approval process or to approve or reject academic programs.

Requires the board to adopt a curricular approval process for the establishment and modification of academic programs, curricula, courses, general education requirements, and degree programs. Requires that approval process to (1) grant the faculty senate, or a comparable representative body, the opportunity to provide advice on the establishment and modification of each of those subjects, (2) clarify that all faculty feedback and recommendations is advisory in nature, and (3) retain the board’s final, overriding authority to establish or reject establishment or modification of any of those subjects.

The bill would require boards of trustees to update and submit its curricular approval process to the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) every five years.

Sub. HB 96 would eliminate funding support for mental health services. In the previous state budget and in the governor’s proposed budget, there had been $10 million allotted to ODHE for mental health support in each fiscal year. Mental health resources have been seen as key to academic success, as an increasing number of students have reported mental health issues in recent years.

Additionally, there is an allocation of $800,000 in each fiscal year for Cleveland State University to maintain its men’s wrestling program and establish and maintain a women’s wrestling program. Never before have we seen a specific appropriation for athletic programs in a state budget bill. At the beginning of the year, Cleveland State had announced it was cutting its wrestling program, as well as softball and women’s golf, in order to address budgetary concerns.

We encourage you to review the comparison document shared above for more information about how the budget bill will impact higher education. Please note that Sub. HB 96 still must pass the full House, and then it will move to the Senate for further consideration. There will almost assuredly be a conference committee between the chambers to reconcile their differences before sending a final version to the governor. Due to the fact that this is a bill containing appropriations, the governor has line-item veto power.

We will provide further updates on the budget as the process unfolds.