Senate Appropriations Committee Amend HCS for HB 3
The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Andrew), convened on Monday, April 19, to mark up HB 3, which includes funding for the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD), workforce programs, student financial aid programs, and public colleges and universities. The committee carried over many House recommendations to the bill but made several changes.
Key changes from the House’s recommendations include:
- Additional $7 million for community college core funding ($10 million total)
- 3.7 percent core increase for all COPHE member institutions
- $10 million core increase for the University of Missouri, plus an additional $500,000 for the Delta Research Center ($1 million total) and UMSL Biotech increased to $550,000
- $500,000 to design and implement an Urban Policing Program at Harris-Stowe State University
- $12 million in spending authority for GEER II funds to public higher education institutions
- $21.8 million for all MoExcels projects to match the Governor’s recommendations
- $5 million in funding and spending authority for the A+ Dual Credit Program, which was created by a law passed in 2019 (HB 604) but never funded
- $2 million to establish a nursing simulation laboratory facility to enhance and expand nursing education and development opportunities through an online statewide nursing education program
- Fast Track GR funding increased by $1 million GR to match Governor’s $2.7 million recommendation
- $600,000 to Mission STL through unspecified CARES Act dollars
- $200,000 to develop an accelerator lab through Launch KC
- $835,500 GR funding for Career Ready 101 and WorkKeys
- $398,022 to the State Historical Society for core restoration and increased salary and benefits
- $1 million in federal grant and donations spending authority for MDHEWD
- FTE position to assist with compliance reviews removed from MDHEWD
Next, the full Senate will consider the amended HB 3 and have an opportunity to offer amendments on the floor.
House Elementary and Secondary Education Amends SB 152 (Education omnibus) and HB 480
On Tuesday, April 20, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) amended Sen. Denny Hoskins’ (R-Warrensburg) SB 152, which modifies provisions related to education. During committee, lawmakers included several higher education and workforce development amendments to the bill, which is primarily focused on K-12 education. The following measures were added:
- Community college annexation transparency language, which includes requiring the institution to appear at a public meeting of the school district to which the annexation is being proposed to present the proposal.
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HB 355—Creates the "Students' Right to Know Act." (Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho)
- Language that would put St. Joseph in North Central Missouri College’s service region. St. Joseph is currently in Metropolitan Community College’s service region. This language is similar to SB 390, which was introduced by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer (R-St. Joseph).
- MDHEWD to provide CTE students with support to complete an application for aid through the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This language is similar to language in HB 101, Rep. Brad Pollitt (R-Sedalia) / SB 265, Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola).
- Language pertaining to 529 bankruptcy.
The committee is set to reconsider several procedural matters related to the bill and proceed with another executive session on SB 152 next week.
During the meeting, the committee also heard public testimony on Rep. Phil Christofanelli’s (R-St. Peters) HB 480, the Cronkite New Voices Act. The bill reinforces that student journalists have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media in public high schools and higher education institutions. The legislation does allow institutions to regulate the number, length, frequency, and format of school-sponsored media to an extent and restrict speech that is offensive or threatening. The legislation also stipulates that no public institution can be held liable in any civil or criminal action for any publication or other expression of matter by student journalists in the exercise of their rights.
Several students, the Missouri NEA, and Missouri Press Association spoke in favor of the legislation.
The committee plans to vote on SB 152 and HB 480 on April 27 at 8 a.m. You may watch here.
Senate Education hears public testimony on HB 297 and HB 306
On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R-Shelbina) considered HB 297 (the higher education omnibus) sponsored by Rep. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) and Rep. Aaron Griesheimer’s (R-Washington) HB 306. You may read summaries previously provided for both bills here.
There were limited questions by lawmakers on both bills.
Speaking in favor of portions of HB 297 are as follows:
- Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Missouri NEA
- Carlos Vargas – President, Southeast Missouri State University
- Mun Choi – President, University of Missouri System
- Paul Wagner – Council on Public Higher Education
- Opportunity Solutions Project
- Parents as Teachers
- Missouri State Treasurer's Office
Along with several students, speaking in favor of portions of HB 306 are as follows:
- Missouri State Treasurer's Office
- Gifted Association of Missouri
- Affton School District
- Joseph School District Gifted Students
- Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Missouri NEA
The Missouri Association of School Administrators spoke against. The Senate Education Committee will consider any amendment and cast votes on the bills next week.
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