House Economic Development Committee holds hearing on SB 672—Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant legislation
On Thursday, April 14, the House Economic Development Committee considered SS to SCS to SB 672, legislation which would extend the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant program, make other modifications, and establish other economic and workforce development initiatives. The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-Springfield). All provisions in the bill were previously passed by the committee under HB 2203, sponsored by Rep. Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit).
The bill does the following:
- Removes the promissory note and loan conversion component; this is replaced with a requirement that the student must be a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the Fast Track grant. The promissory note created a significant obstacle for students and slowed the program’s growth.
- Provides that active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been transferred to Missouri or their spouses are not subject to the two-year residency requirement.
- Extends the program’s sunset to seven years.
- Allows eligible individuals who are participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved apprenticeship to be reimbursed for education-related costs such as tools, books, and uniforms.
- Expands eligibility to qualifying students participating in a training program approved under the Office of Workforce Development’s Eligible Training Provider System.
- Establishes the Targeted Industrial Manufacturing Enhancement Zones Act.
- Creates a Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development.
Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment bills pass Senate and House Committees
On Monday and Thursday, April 11 & 14, Rep. Brenda Shields’ (R-St. Joseph) HB 2731 and SB 1055 sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City) were voted “do-pass” by their respective committees of jurisdiction—House Higher Education and Senate Education. The bills would modify the current dual credit program in statute and establish a Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship for students with a financial need. More information on the changes to the dual credit statute proposed by both bills can be found in the April 1 legislative report. The Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Council on Public Higher Education, Missouri Community College Association, AlignED, and the Missouri National Education Association supported both bills during public hearings. Governor Parson recommended $7 million in his FY 2023 budget request to fund the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship.
House General Laws moves athletic competition legislation forward
On Monday, April 11, the General Laws Committee, chaired by Rep. Curtis Trent (R-Springfield) advanced two bills that would prohibit public higher education institutions from allowing an individual of the male gender (as stated on a birth certificate at birth or another government record) to participate in a sport designated for the female gender. The bills are sponsored by Reps. Chuck Basye (R-Rocheport) (HB 2734) and Bennie Cook (R-Houston) (HB 2197).
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