Higher Education Omnibus Legislation Passed out of Legislative Review, Perfected in the House
On Tuesday, April 6, the House Legislative Review Committee, chaired by Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg) convened to consider amendments added to HB 297, legislation originally introduced to designate Southeast Missouri State University as an institution with a statewide mission in visual and performing arts, computer science, and cybersecurity. The bill sponsor for HB 297 is Rep. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau).
During the hearing, floor amendments added to the legislation were considered. In addition, the committee considered a new amendment to the underlying legislation, HB 1208, sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown (R-Kansas City), which has not been referred to a committee for a public hearing this session. HB 1208 would require Missouri public higher education institutions to grant undergraduate course credit for students who score three or higher on advanced placement examinations.
The committee voted HS to HB 297 do-pass by a vote 5-1. Rep. Ingrid Burnett (D-Kansas City) voted against the House Substitute noting concern with adding HB 1208 to the legislation since it had not received a hearing this session.
HB 297 now includes the following measures:
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HB 297—Designates Southeast Missouri State University as an institution with a statewide mission in performing arts, computer science, and cybersecurity. Also provides that five members of SEMO’s board of governors will be appointed from local counties. (Rep. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau)
- Allows the Curators of the University of Missouri to subdivide, sell, or convey title to land located within a university campus.
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HCS for HB 355—Creates the "Students' Right to Know Act." (Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho)
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HCS for HB 627—Changes the name of the “Missouri Education Savings Program” to the “Missouri Education Program,” establishes the "Show Me Child Development Account Program" (MCSAP), and creates the "Missouri Children's Development Account Program Fund." (Rep. Jonathan Patterson, R-Lee Summit)
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HB 908—Designates Northwest Missouri State University as an institution with a statewide mission in educator preparation, emergency and disaster management, and profession-based learning. (Rep. Allen Andrews, R-Grant City)
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HCS to HB 856—Suspends implementation of the Higher Education Student Funding Act after July 1, 2022. Requires institutions that use differentiated tuition to notify the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) and to discontinue the use of course fees. (Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs)
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HB 1208—Requires public institutions of higher education to adopt and implement policies that will give undergraduate course credit to entering freshman students for each advanced placement examination on which the student scores three or higher. (Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City)
On Thursday, April 8, the Missouri House perfected HS to HB 297. It is expected to be third read and passed next week and sent to the Senate for consideration.
HB 306 reported to the Senate and First Read
On Wednesday, April 7, the House third read and passed HS for HCS for HB 306, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Griesheimer (R-Washington). The bill includes an amendment that would affect student eligibility for the A+ program. The amendment originated in HB 1067, sponsored by Rep. Dan Shaul (R-Imperial). It would require MDHEWD to apply a high school student's highest available grade average in determining A+ eligibility so the student is not adversely affected by any negative change caused by COVID-19. In addition, any rule establishing a requirement that a student obtain a certain score on the Algebra I end-of-course examination or another applicable standardized test score, as determined by the department, cannot apply to a high school senior graduating in the 2020-21 school year.
The cost of the amendment is unknown but the department and House Oversight have determined that the A+ Scholarship Fund may need supplemental appropriations as additional students could qualify for scholarships as a result of this proposal.
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