Bills Heard This Week
On April 14, the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, chaired by Rep. Chris Brown (R-16), held an executive session on SB 150. Sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-32) and handled in the House by Rep. Ann Kelley (R-127), SB 150 establishes the “Career-Tech Certificate Program Fund” to reimburse students’ costs to attend two-year community colleges and technical schools. An amendment was adopted and rolled into the House Committee Substitute, adding several other higher education-related bills, including SB 38, HB 168, HB 265, and HB 183. SB 150 was voted Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 1.
Also on April 14, the House Emerging Issues Committee, chaired by Rep. Brad Christ (R-96), held executive session on SB 160 and SB 71. Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson (R-33) and handled in the House by Rep. Darin Chappell (R-137), SB 160 creates provisions relating to educational institutions. An amendment was adopted and rolled into the House Committee Substitute, adding several other higher education-related bills, including SB 69, HB 183, HB 937, and SB 11. SB 160 was voted Do Pass by a vote of 11 to 3. Sponsored by Sen. David Gregory (R-15) and handled in the House by Rep. Brad Christ (R-96), SB 71 creates the “Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act” to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel and their legal dependents. SB 71 was voted Do Pass by a vote 9 to 2, with two members voting present.
On April 15, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Rick Brattin (R-31), held a public hearing on SB 326. Sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown (R-26), SB 326 prohibits public institutions of postsecondary education and proprietary schools from requiring the submission of diversity, equity, and inclusion statements. SB 326 was voted Do Pass by a vote of 4 to 1.
Also on April 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Lincoln Hough (R-30), held a hearing to begin working on the budget markup. Changes to the budget that would affect MDHEWD include a Senate recommendation for the core increase to the public institutions to be 3 percent, matching the recommendation of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, cutting the $27.8 million dollars the House included for deferred maintenance costs at institutions, restoring the federal spending authority for the Office of Workforce Development, and recommending the same state employee retention pay plan as the Governor, which would give 1 percent pay raises for every two years of service (capped at 10 percent/20 years). These changes will have to go to the Conference Committee for discussion.
On April 17, the House Rules – Legislative Committee, chaired by Rep. Scott Cupps (R-158), held executive session on HB 1514 and HCR 6. Sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinman (R-103). HB 1514 creates the “Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act” to provide free college tuition for public safety personnel. HB 1514 was voted Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 1. Sponsored by Rep. Cathy Jo Loy (R-163), HCR 6 approves the statewide mission designation expansion for Missouri Southern State University. HCR 6 was voted Do Pass by a vote of 10-0.
Upcoming Hearings
Below are the committee meetings that have been announced that will be hearing bills from the MDHEWD Bill Tracking List.
House Fiscal Review
Tuesday, April 22
1:15 p.m.
House Hearing Room 7
Senate Education
Wednesday, April 23
10 a.m.
Senate Committee Room 2
House Higher Education and Workforce Development
Wednesday, April 23
12 p.m. or upon morning recess (whichever is later)
House Hearing Room 7
|
