The Missouri General Assembly had a short week this week, taking Monday off to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and remember Dr. King's fight for the Civil Rights Movement. Per usual, the General Assembly adjourned floor sessions on Thursday.
The Missouri House is currently out of office due to an abundance of caution with COVID-19. The Senate remained in office; floor sessions look a bit different at this time to maintain safety, with legislators and attendees seated at a distance and limited capacity. Committee hearings are available for those interested online at house.mo.gov and senate.mo.gov.
Senate Education Committee
The Senate Education committee met this week to discuss three bills, two of which are related to scholarship accounts for school choice and charter expansion, Senate Bill 23 and Senate Bill 25.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
We expect the House to return to office next week, with the ongoing distanced safety precautions in place, and begin committee hearings once again. House Committee Chairs have training next week and we anticipate an increase in hearing notices throughout the week. The Senate is expected to discuss next week's schedule Friday to determine if additional COVID-19 precautions need to be taken.
The House Subcommittee on Appropriations is tentatively set to meet next Tuesday and hear testimony from 欧美口爆视频 leaders. UM 欧美口爆视频 President and MU Chancellor Mun Choi plans to attend the hearing and testify on behalf of UM 欧美口爆视频. That hearing can be live streamed by clicking on the link below and then clicking on the committee hearing through:
House Bill Referrals
Computer Science Course Legislation
House Bill 320, filed by Representative Travis Fitzwater, and Senate Bill 204, filed by Senator Mike Cierpiot, would both mandate that high schools offer a computer science course that could be substituted for a mathematics unit, or science unit. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education on 1/14/2021.
Campus Policy Changes
Representative Jason Chipman has filed multiple bills related to higher education that would change current higher education policies implemented by certain campuses. House Bill 681 would eliminate the requirement that students pay fees related to any health care if they show proof that they already have health insurance coverage. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Health and Mental Health Policy on 1/14/2021.
House Bill 682, also filed by Representative Jason Chipman, would prohibit public institutions from requiring students to live on campus, except for their freshmen year. This bill has not been referred to a committee at this time.
House Bill 683, filed by Representative Jason Chipman, prohibits institutions of higher learning from enacting any policy or program using technology to track students' locations. House Bill 683 was referred to the House Committee on Emerging Issues on 1/14/2021.
Informed Student Document Act
House Bill 355, filed by Representative Ben Baker, would establish the 鈥淚nformed Student Document Act,鈥 which would require institutions of higher education to collect alumni information to provide outcomes data to incoming freshmen. This data includes averages regarding employment, costs, and admissions. This bill was referred to the House Committee on Rural Community Development on 1/14/2021. House Bill 233, filed by Representative Chuck Basye, mirrors HB 355 and was referred to the House Committee on Higher Education on 1/14/2021.
Campus Carry
Senate Bill 117., sponsored by Senator Eric Burlison, includes higher educational institutions in the list of locations an individual can carry a concealed firearm or an individual with a ccw permit can carry a concealed firearm within the state. The bill prohibits public institutions of higher education from imposing any policies or contractual requirements that would prohibit employees or students from the carrying of concealed firearms into locations where concealed carry is not otherwise permitted by law. This bill has been referred to the Senate General Laws Committee on 1/21/2021.
Broadband
Senate Bill 108, sponsored by Senator Mike Cierpiot, which would allow two or more municipalities to form a broadband infrastructure improvement district for the delivery of broadband internet service to the residents of such municipalities, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy, and the Environment.
Reviewed 2021-01-21