Senate Appropriations Committee Amend HCS for HB 3
The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Dan Hegeman (R-Cosby), convened on Tuesday, April 19, to mark up HB 3003, which includes funding for the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (DHEWD), workforce programs, student financial aid programs, and public colleges and universities. The committee carried over many House recommendations to the bill but made some significant changes.
Notable changes from the House’s recommendations include:
- Removing $450,000 for DHEWD to “commission a study of higher education performance funding and higher education efficiency, institutional mission, and reform.”
- $2 million included for the “purposes of establishing a nursing simulation laboratory facility to enhance and expand nursing education and development opportunities through an online statewide nursing education program.”
- $7 million for the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment program. Language was also included to cover additional dual credit/dual enrollment cost for high-needs students.
- A fund switch for the department’s Office of Performance & Strategy to continue to provide labor market data needed to help grow the state’s economy.
- $200,000 increase to the KC Construction Project ($600,000 total).
- $1 million for the MoKan apprenticeship program.
- $5 million for a NGA Geospatial IT Program.
- $2.1 million for AccessPoint tutoring services.
- $500,000 increase to LaunchCode ($1 million total).
- $200,000 to LaunchKC.
- Along with accepting the House position on the $11 million Council of Public Higher Education’s MOSERS rate increase, the Senate also provided $4.9 million in one-time funding for the University of Missouri System’s retirement plan and a $10 million new decision item for community colleges.
- $4.46 million increase to Lincoln University’s land grant to fully fund the federal match requirement.
- Removing the Missouri Southern State University $2.3 million agriculture science program line-item that was included by the House.
- A new breakdown of the UM System campuses’ core funding and a $400,000 new decision item for Grace Chapel.
On Wednesday, April 20, the Senate Appropriations Committee reconvened to consider language amendments to HB 3003 and other budget bills. During this discussion, the Senate removed language the House included in all budget bills stating, “No funds shall be expended in support of any general admission event that requires or inquiries about COVID-19 testing unless required by Missouri state statute or a Governor’s emergency order”.
Next week, the full Senate will consider the amended HB 3003 and have an opportunity to offer amendments on the floor. It is expected the Senate Appropriations Committee will turn its attention to outstanding budget bills including HB 3019, the American Rescue Plan bill next week. In addition, Senate floor debate on HB’s 1-13 will begin.
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