HB 3 Goes to Conference, Deadline to Pass Friday, May 7
HB 3 is heading to a budget conference committee next week. During the conference committee meeting, lawmakers will work to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House amended versions of the budget bills. Key differences between the two versions include funding for MoExcels, increases to public institution core budgets, and the fund source for WorkKeys and Career Ready 101. The list of conferees is unknown at this time, though it is expected each chamber will send three Republicans and two Democrats and convene on Wednesday, May 5.
The House and Senate must pass the FY 2022 operating budget bills by the constitutional deadline of 6 p.m. on the first Friday following the first Monday in May -- this year, May 7.
House Chairman’s Amendment Adds Higher Education Projects to HB 19; Senate Appropriations Committee Votes Do-Pass
On Monday, April 26, Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage), chairman of the House Budget Committee, offered an amendment to HB 19 (capital improvements) that included several higher education and workforce projects, including:
- Community colleges: deferred maintenance ($18 million)
- Harris-Stowe State University: deferred maintenance ($2 million)
- Lincoln University: expansion of nursing facility ($4 million)
- Mineral Area College: technical education and workforce development center ($5 million)
- Missouri Southern State University: structural capital improvements ($2.5 million)
- Missouri State University: Darr Agricultural Center ($4 million)
- Missouri Western State University: Scanlon Hall ($644,000)
- Northwest Missouri State University: central plant upgrades ($5 million)
- Southeast Missouri State University: utility tunnels ($5 million)
- State Technical College of Missouri: utility tech center ($5 million)
- Truman State University: Greenwood Autism Center ($4.6 million)
- University of Central Missouri: W.C. Morris Building ($5 million)
- University of Missouri-Columbia: veterinary laboratory, 50/50 match ($15 million)
- Boone County Technical Education Center ($1.5 million)
- Perryville Technical Education Center ($5 million)
The House Budget Committee voted do-pass on the bill and reported it out to the full House. During floor debate, several members including Reps. LaKeySha Bosley (D-St Louis) and Kevin Windham (D-Hillsdale) argued that the $2 million for Harris-Stowe State University was less than the university had requested for critical repairs and liability reduction, which totaled $5.9 million. The House passed the bill and it was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which also approved the bill. It now awaits a vote in the Senate Chamber.
House Elementary and Secondary Education Amends SB 152 (Education Omnibus) and Votes Do-Pass
On Tuesday, April 20, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) reconsidered and amended Sen. Denny Hoskins’ (R-Warrensburg) SB 152, which modifies provisions related to education. You may find the summary of the higher education and workforce provisions in the April 23 legislative update. The bill is pending executive session before the House Rules—Legislative Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), on Monday, May 3. Rep. Christofanelli is also the House handler for the legislation.
HB 287 Reported Do-Pass by Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight
On Wednesday, April 30, the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee, chaired by Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), considered and voted do-pass on HB 297 (the higher education omnibus) sponsored by Rep. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau). You may find the summary of the higher education and workforce provisions in the April 16 legislative update. The legislation is now on the Senate Formal, House Bills for Third Reading calendar. The Senate handler for the legislation is Sen. Holly Rehder (R- Sikeston).
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