Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee considers workforce development bills
On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester), considered SB 136, legislation that modifies provisions relating to workforce development in elementary and secondary education. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Karla Eslinger (R-Wasola), was initially scheduled for Feb. 14 but was postponed by a week.
If enacted, the legislation would:
- Require each school district to establish a process in which a student completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student is exempt from the requirement under particular circumstances;
- Require students to complete an individual career and academic plan (ICAP) with assistance from the student's parent or guardian and the school's counselors.
"The legislation will help students to be better prepared for postsecondary life," Sen. Eslinger said about the ICAP provision. She also conveyed additional thoughts on the FAFSA component of the bill. For students, “knowing [their] financial opportunities is imperative."
During the hearing's questioning period, Sen. Greg Razer (D-Kansas City) expressed his support for the legislation and its potential impact. "Behind the scenes, this might be one of the most important bills the legislature could pass this session," Sen. Razer said.
The committee also considered SB 163, sponsored by Sen. Mary Elizabeth Colemen (R-Arnold). The legislation would "authorize the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to enter into contracts with private entities that offer job training programs to individuals." The bill details how each contract would contain a provision in which the department provides "payments" (or reimbursements) to private entities equal to a 50 percent difference between the individual's original state income tax liability and their resulting income after the training. The legislation intends to incentivize private companies to invest more in their workers.
The goal here is to "encourage employees to make meaningful investments in their employees," Sen. Coleman said. "If private companies want to increase someone's wages substantially, the state would split the cost of the investment."
There was no discussion on the legislation.
Both bills are expected to receive a vote in executive session in the coming weeks.
House Higher Education hears public testimony
on student association legislation
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the House Higher Education Committee, chaired by Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph), heard public testimony on HB 136, legislation that would prohibit public higher education institutions from taking any action or enforcing any policy that denies belief-based student association benefits available to other student associations.
In previous iterations of this legislation, the language specifically referenced protection for religious organizations. During the hearing, bill sponsor Rep. Brad Hudson (R-Cape Fair) said, "I do not see this as a religious bill, but a first amendment protection bill."
He shared that the legislation is codifying into statute what is already established in the U.S. Constitution. To further the point, Rep. Bill Allen (R-Kansas City) confirmed the scope of the protections under the legislation.
With this bill, "we are talking about all faith-based [organizations]; if we are talking about satanic groups or Wiccan groups, we welcome those as well, correct?" the sponsor confirmed. "The reality is those groups have just as much protection under the first amendment as other groups."
Rep. Hudson also explained that nothing within the legislation would prevent an institution from establishing rules or taking action against "despicable groups" which, for example, can believe one race is superior to another. However, members, including Ranking Member Kevin Windham (D-Hillsdale) and Rep. Raychel Proudie (D-Ferguson), questioned the actions of an organization outside the context of a "despicable group."
What if the "belief that is held is discriminatory in nature against what we have already held as a protected class?" asked Rep. Proudie.
This discussion and most of the later debate over the legislation centered on the bill's protection for student associations based on its requirement that "leaders of the association adhere to its sincerely held beliefs, sincere practice requirements, or standards of conduct."
The prominent example shared was of a Christian organization juxtaposed against someone's stance on same-sex marriage. Members and witnesses also asked questions about how institutions handle social fraternity and sorority selection practices.
During public testimony, over 20 witnesses spoke on opposite sides of the bill as the hearing extended beyond two hours.
As for the next steps, the committee will consider the legislation during an executive session in the coming weeks.
Other Updates:
- On Tuesday evening, the Senate perfected SS SCS SB 8, sponsored by Sen. Bill Eigel (R-Weldon Spring). Current law requires that personal property be assessed at 33.3 percent of its true value in money. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, this act requires that personal property be assessed at 31 percent of its true value in money. The legislation also" requires assessors to use the manufacturer's suggested retail price from the year of manufacture of the motor vehicle or farm machinery and apply the ten-year depreciation table provided in the act to determine the true value in money of motor vehicles and farm machinery." The legislation impacts personal property taxes and, therefore, could impact funding to Missouri's public community colleges.
- On Tuesday evening, the House perfected Rep. Mike Henderson's (R-Bonne Terre) HB 417. The legislation would provide grants to employers to encourage employees to obtain "upskill credentials."
- This week, the General Assembly passed and sent the early supplemental bill (HB 14) to Governor Parson's desk. The legislation includes the State of Missouri employee 8.7 percent pay increase.
- On Wednesday, March 1, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee will consider HB 482, sponsored by Rep. Ben Baker (R-Neosho). The legislation “establishes provisions governing transparency in public education.” The legislation would require all forms of compensation and benefits paid to or on behalf of public higher education institutions to be included on the Missouri Accountability Portal maintained by OA."
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