Bills Heard This Week
On March 31, the House Emerging Issues Committee, chaired by Rep. Brad Christ (R-96), heard public testimony on SB 160. Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson (R-33), SB 160 prohibits public institutions of higher learning from discriminating against religious, political, or ideological associations. The Missouri Catholic Conference, Americans for Prosperity, Amendment Coalition, and the Alliance Defending Freedom spoke in favor of the bill, as did a representative from the Chi Alpha Campus Ministries. Missouri PROMO, the Missouri NAACP, the ACLU of Missouri, and the Missouri Equity Education Partnership spoke against the bill.
On April 1, HB 3, the MDHEWD budget bill, was taken up on the floor. The House Committee Substitute was adopted, as well as an amendment from Budget Vice-Chair Rep. Bishop Davidson (R-130). Amendments from Rep. Wick Thomas (D-19), Rep. Marty Jo Murray (D-78), and Rep. Betsy Fogle (D-135) were defeated.
On March 2, the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, chaired by Rep. Chris Brown (R-16), heard several bills.
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HB 1272, sponsored by Rep. Bill Owen (R-131), modifies provisions governing contributions to qualified tuition programs and was up for executive session. It was voted do pass by a vote of 12 to 0.
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HCR 6, sponsored by Rep. Cathy Jo Loy (R-163), approves the statewide mission designation expansion for Missouri Southern State University and was up for executive session. It was voted do pass by a vote of 13 to 0.
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SCR 3, sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-32), modifies the statewide mission of Missouri Southern State University. MSSU President Dean Van Galen spoke in favor. There was no opposition.
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SB 150, sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-32), establishes the Career-Tech Certificate Program Fund to reimburse certain students’ tuition, books, and fees to certain postsecondary training and programs of study. Representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri National Education Association spoke in favor. There was no opposition.
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HB 265, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields (R-11), modifies provisions governing certain postsecondary education financial assistance awards. Representatives from the Missouri Community College Association, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri, and the Missouri National Education Association spoke in favor. There was no opposition.
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HB 442, sponsored by Rep. Marla Smith (D-74), establishes the “College Admission and Financial Aid Consistency Task Force.” Representatives from the Missouri National Education Association and the Missouri NAACP spoke in support. There was no opposition.
On April 3, HB 3, the MDHEWD budget bill, was third read and passed, and reported to the Senate.
Upcoming Hearings
Below are the committee meetings that have been announced that will be hearing bills from the MDHEWD Bill Tracking List.
House Emerging Issues
Monday, April 7
4:30 p.m. or upon adjournment (whichever is later)
House Hearing Room 7
House Rules - Legislative
Monday, April 7
4:30 p.m. or upon adjournment (whichever is later)
House Hearing Room 4
House Rules - Administrative
Tuesday, April 8
9:30 a.m.
House Hearing Room 4
House Government Efficiency
Tuesday, April 8
12 p.m. or upon morning recess (whichever is later)
House Hearing Room 7
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