Hello MACRAO membership-
Below are legislative updates since our last post on January 12. Legislative movement has been limited thus far in early sessions as filibusters have limited legislative progress. Below are updates on additional bills that have been filed since the previous Governmental Relations Committee blog post along with some articles that we thought would be of interest to the membership.
Newly Filed House Bills
HB 2310 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2310&year=2024&code=R) -Similar to SB 1075
Sponsor: Cameron Parker (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions of the Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act. Would require the transition of Core 42 to a 60 credit hour program that must be in place by June 30, 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill allows students with an associate degree from a Missouri public institution of higher education to be considered as satisfying the transferable lower-division coursework requirements and upon transfer to a public institution no additional general education requirements for the same program of study will be required.
Status: Has been read and referred to the General Laws Committee.
HB 2415 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2415&year=2024&code=R) -Similar to HB 1578 and 2051
Sponsor: Chris Brown (R)
Synopsis: Requires in-state public educational institutions to grant undergraduate course credit for students who score 4 or higher on international baccalaureate examinations. The bill does not contain language that distinguishes between SL and HL exams.
Status: Has been read and referred to the Higher Education Committee.
HB 2421 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2421&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Ingrid Burnett (D)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to higher education tuition. Relates to Missouri residency eligibility for those who are not a citizen or permanent resident of the US.
Status: Has been filed.
HB 2448 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2448&year=2024&code=R)
Sponsor: Brad Hudson (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Status: Has been read and referred to the General Laws Committee.
HB 2448 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2569&year=2024&code=R) -Similar to HB 2448
Sponsor: Ben Baker (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits state departments from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Status: Has been filed.
Newly Filed Senate Bills
SCR 22 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=906046)
Sponsor: Jill Carter (R)
Synopsis: Modifies the statewide mission of Missouri Southern State University, Adds health and life sciences and immersive learning experiences to the existing mission.
Status: Referred to committee.
Other Updates
Inside Higher Ed: Another “Devastating” FASFA Delay (summarizes delays colleges and universities will face in receiving applicants’ federal aid information)
From Politico (via AACRAO): Negotiated Rulemaking to Start This Week on Several Issues (summarizes topics being discussed by US Department of Education)
MACRAO Governmental Relations Committee
