Senate and House HB 3 Conferees Reach Agreement, House to Accept HB 19 Senate Changes
On Wednesday, May 5, House and Senate budget conferees met to reconcile differences between each chamber’s recommendations for higher education and workforce development spending. The meeting was chaired by both Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage) and Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Andrew). Other conferees included:
- House: Reps. Dirk Deaton (R-Noel), Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe), Ingrid Burnett (D-Kansas City), and Kevin Windham (D-Hillsdale)
- Senate: Sens. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield), Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg), Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City), and Karla May (D-St. Louis)
Much of the discussion during the conference meeting focused on funding allocations across different higher education institutions, specifically to Missouri Southern State University and the University of Missouri System. Sens. Hough and Hoskins spearheaded those conversations which led to agreement around the need to consider a funding formula for public universities and State Tech.
Additional discussion was held on the Fast Track program. Sen. Hough convinced the conferees to accept the Senate position over the original compromise position. At this time, Rep. Black highlighted that Fast Track’s loan repayment component has slowed student participation. He recommended the General Assembly consider changes to the provision in the future.
Notable positions taken on conferenced items are as follows. Items that were supported by both chambers were not discussed during the meeting and are not listed here.
- Community colleges core increase: $10 million
- COPHE members: 3.7% core increase
- University of Missouri core increase: 3.7% (including $10 million for Precision Health Institute)
- Missouri Southern State University core increase: Additional $2 million added to core
- Harris-Stowe State University urban policing program: $500,000
- University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center: $1 million
- University of Missouri-St. Louis international collaboration: $133,378
- MoExcels: $21.8 million
- Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund: $12 million to the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
- A+ Dual Credit: $5 million
- Fast Track: $2.7 million
- Nursing simulation lab: $2 million (one-time funding)
- Launch KC: $200,000
- WorkKeys Assessment/Career 101: $935,500
Later in the day, the House accepted the Senate positions on the HB 19. The Senate switched funding for all higher education items to the Federal Budget Stabilization Fund. The list of the projects was included in the April 30 Legislative Update.
The House and Senate are expected to quickly consider the conference changes to meet the May 7 deadline to complete work on the budget.
HB 320 Voted Do-Pass in Senate Education with Senate Substitute, Public Hearing Held on SB 585
On Tuesday, May 4, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin (R- Shelbina), held an executive session on HB 320, sponsored by Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R- Holts Summit) and handled by Sen. Mike Cierpiot (R-Lee’s Summit). During the session, the original bill title was expanded to read, “Modifies Provisions Related to Education.” The expansion allowed the following higher education additions to the bill:
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HB 856: Suspends caps on tuition increases at public institutions of higher education for five years (Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs)
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HB 498: Enacts provisions governing compensation for student athletes (Rep. Nick Schroer, R- O'Fallon)
The committee voted do-pass by a vote of 7-2.
The committee also heard public testimony on SB 585, sponsored by Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola). The legislation creates the “Rewarding Workforce Readiness in Institutions of Higher Education Act,” which would establish a funding formula for public colleges and universities based on the earnings of individuals previously enrolled at Missouri public colleges and universities.
Cicero Institute executive director Jared Meyer spoke in support of the legislation and explained the concept in more detail. A representative of Ozarks Technical Community College also spoke in support of the bill.
COPHE executive director Paul Wagner expressed concern about the specific incentives the legislation would create. For example, if enacted, the legislation could encourage institutions to focus on investing more in majors that lead to work in high-income fields rather than high-need areas such as social work and teaching.
House Rules Committee Votes SB 152 Do-Pass, Bill Placed on the Calendar
On Monday, May 3, the House Rules—Legislative Oversight Committee, chaired by Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R-St. Peters), considered SB 152, sponsored by Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg) and handled by Rep. Christofanelli. The legislation includes the following higher education provisions:
- Community college annexation transparency language, which includes requiring the institution proposing annexation 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 career and tech ed students with support to complete an application for aid through federal job training programs. This language is similar to language in HB 101, Rep. Brad Pollitt (R-Sedalia) / SB 265, Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola).
- Language on 529 bankruptcy.
The legislation was voted do-pass and is now on the House’s Senate Bills for Third Reading—Informal calendar awaiting consideration.
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