Bills Heard This Week
On April 7, public testimony was heard on SB 71 in the House Emerging Issues Committee, chaired by Rep. Brad Christ (R-96). Sponsored by Sen. David Gregory (R-15), SB 71 creates the “Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act” to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel and their legal dependents. Speaking in favor of the bill were representatives from the Missouri State Council of Firefighters, St. Louis County Police Association, Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, Missouri Community College Association, City of Independence, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts, Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri, and the Missouri Ambulance Association. No one spoke in opposition.
On April 8, SB 69 was discussed on the Senate floor. Sponsored by Sen. Henderson (R-3), SB 69 modifies provisions of the Higher Education Core Curriculum Act and would approve a 60 credit-hour, transferable, lower-division course curriculum and a common course numbering equivalency matrix for five popular degree programs. Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-30) offered an amendment that would repeal provisions relating to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions. The text of the amendment is identical to SB 11. Discussion ensued, with Sen. Rick Brattin (R-31) offering an amendment to Hough’s amendment that would add language to prevent any public funds from being spent on any research facility of Missouri State University. The bill was laid over and will be discussed again at a future date.
On April 9, HB 855 was heard in the House General Laws Committee, chaired by Rep. Ben Keathley (R-101). Sponsored by Rep. Dane Diehl (R-125), HB 855 modifies provisions governing the “Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant” by increasing the maximum gross income for eligibility for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant from $80,000 to $100,000 for taxpayers who are married filing jointly and from $40,000 to $50,000 for all other taxpayers, adjusted annually based on inflation. Representatives from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Ozark Technical College, and the Missouri Community College Association spoke in favor. No one spoke in opposition.
On April 10, the House Fiscal Review Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Murphy (R-94), held an executive session on HB 937. Sponsored by Rep. George Hruza (R-89), HB 937 provides protections against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions. It was voted do pass by a vote of 8 to 0. Later that day, it was third read and passed in the House 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 Higher Education and Workforce Development
Monday, April 14
2 p.m.
House Hearing Room 6
House Emerging Issues
Monday, April 14
2 p.m.
House Hearing Room 6
Senate Education
Tuesday, April 15
9 a.m.
Senate Lounge
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