PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- High-achieving South Dakota students would receive an increase in the state-funded, merit-based Opportunity Scholarship.

The House Education Committee passed House Bill 1055 to the Joint Appropriations Committee Wednesday morning

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It would increase the scholarship from $6,500 over four years to $7,500 yearly.

Bill sponsor Rep. Tony Venhuizen (vin-high-zin) from Sioux Falls.

Brandy Miesnera (meese-ner) from the Noem Administration’s Bureau of Finance and Management spoke against the measure.

The committee voted 15 to 0 on a do-pass motion to send the measure to the Joint Appropriations Committee for additional consideration.