Bills Heard This Week
On April 29, several committees held hearings on bills that the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) is tracking:
- The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Rick Brattin (R-31), heard public testimony on HB 331. Sponsored by Rep. Ann Kelley (R-127), HB 331 establishes the “Career-Tech Certificate (CTC) Program” and the “Career-Tech Certificate (CTC) Program Fund." HB 331 is similar to SB 150, which was heard in the House Fiscal Review Committee on May 1.
- The House Rules – Legislative Committee, chaired by Rep. Scott Cupps (R-158), held an executive session on SB 160. Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson (R-33), SB 160 creates provisions relating to educational institutions and establishes the "Missouri Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (Missouri CROWN) Act" governing discrimination against protective hairstyles in educational institutions. It was voted do pass by a vote of 6 to 1, with two members voting present.
Also on April 29, the Senate Committee Substitute for the MDHEWD budget bill (HB 3) was debated on the Senate Floor. The substitute includes a Senate recommendation for the core increase to the public institutions to be increased to 3%, removes the $27.8 million dollars the House included for deferred maintenance costs at institutions, restores the federal spending authority for the Office of Workforce Development, and recommends the same state employee retention pay plan as the Governor, which would give 1% pay raises for every two years of service (capped at 10%/20 years). This substitute was passed by a vote of 27 to 4 and will now be sent to a Conference Committee made up of both House and Senate members.
On May 1, both the House and Senate Fiscal Committees held hearings on bills that MDHEWD is tracking:
- House Fiscal Review, chaired by Rep. Jim Murphy (R-94), held an executive session on SB 71 and SB 150.
- Sponsored by Sen. David Gregory (R-15), SB 71 creates and modifies provisions relating to compensation for public safety personnel and establishes the “Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act” to provide college tuition awards for certain public safety personnel and their legal dependents. SB 71 was voted do pass by a vote of 7 to 0.
- Sponsored by Sen. Jill Carter (R-32), SB 150 establishes the "Career-Tech Certificate Program Fund" to reimburse certain students' tuition, books, and fees to certain postsecondary training programs and programs of study. SB 150 was voted do pass by a vote of 7 to 0.
- Senate Fiscal Oversight, chaired by Sen. Mike Bernskoetter (R-6), held an executive session on HB 419.
- Sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew (R-124), HB 419 clarifies that military personnel are eligible for in-state tuition for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. HB 419 was voted do pass by a vote of 8 to 0.
On May 1, SCR 3 was taken up for third reading on the House Floor and was Truly Agreed and Finally Passed. Sponsored by Rep. Jill Carter (R-32), SCR 3 modifies the statewide mission of Missouri Southern State University to add health and life sciences and immersive learning experiences to the mission.
Upcoming Hearing
Below is the committee meeting that has been announced that will be hearing bills from the MDHEWD Bill Tracking List.
House Fiscal Review
Monday, May 5
2:30 p.m.
House Hearing Room 4
|
