House Budget Discusses Higher Education Institution Deferred Maintenance, HBs 17-19
On Monday, April 3, the House Budget Committee, chaired by Rep. Cody Smith (R-Carthage), continued its discussion on HBs 17-19. HB 17 includes reappropriations for higher education institution projects, while HB 19 provides additional funding toward HB 3020’s (FY23) ARPA transformational capital improvements. There are no higher education and workforce development items in HB 18.
Before discussing these specific bills, Chairman Smith raised the topic of deferred maintenance across Missouri public higher education institutions. Specifically, the chair inquired how recent state funding investments in capital improvement address the $1.9 billion public colleges and universities repair needs, as presented in a 2021 Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) survey.
MDHEWD Special Assistant for External Relations Gerren McHam appeared before the committee to address the question. During the discussion, Mr. McHam explained that institutions are at different points on the “deferred maintenance spectrum” and “projects across institutions are unique and will address various conditions and actual needs.” For example, the priority for several institutions is to address what is typically considered deferred maintenance. However, other institutions prioritize physical footprint reduction, demolition and replacing outdated facilities, and program expansion to meet workforce demands; each approach addresses mounting deferred maintenance cost differently or recognize how repair needs present a lesser challenge, as is the case at newer institutions.
As a follow-up, the chairman requested the department provide an update on how each institution believes recent investments will address critical needs and cross-reference those investments into cost savings or revenue generated.
The committee will continue budget discussions on these bills in the weeks ahead.
Senate Committee Amends DEI, “Do No Harm Act” Legislation; Votes Do-pass
On Thursday, April 6, the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development, chaired by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester), voted do-pass on SB 410. The legislation, sponsored by the chairman, requires all public and private higher education institutions receiving state funding to certify to MDHEWD, as described in the act, that it does not and will not require “students, applicants, instructors, employees, contractors, vendors, volunteers, or agents to ascribe to, study, or be instructed with diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) ideologies or materials.” The legislation previously required the Department of Health and Human Services to manage the certification collection process. The legislation further prescribes the following:
- Any institution violating the bill’s provision forfeits its state funding, grants, contracts, or any other benefit and must repay the state the amount of funds received, as described in the act.
- Each institution of higher education shall not reduce the academic standards for student admission or advancement within health care-related academic programs without receiving prior approval by the General Assembly through a concurrent resolution.
Once reported out by the committee, the legislation will go to the Senate Formal Calendar for floor consideration.
Other Updates:
- The Senate Appropriations will begin its mark-up process of the operation budget bills in the next couple of weeks.
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SB 39, which establishes guidelines for student participation in athletic contests organized by sex, is scheduled for a House hearing before the General Laws Committee on Tuesday, April 11.
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