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This week…

On Thursday, the Senate finally passed redistricting for the state of Missouri, House Bill 2117. The proposal makes changes regarding where the boundary lines for the eight congressional seats are drawn. The bill passed by a 22-10 vote, with an emergency clause attached. This will now head back to the House and then will need to be approved by the Governor.

Missouri House of Representatives

STEM

The House third read and passed Representative Travis Fitzwater’s House Bill 2202, that makes changes to computer science courses offered in elementary and secondary schools. The Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ of Missouri Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ worked with the bill sponsor on language on compromising language and appreciates the bill sponsor for working with us on this.

Tuition Reimbursement

On Monday, the House Higher Education Committee held a hearing on Representative Ann Kelley’s House Bill 2670, which would allow students in certain vocational certificate programs of study to be eligible for tuition reimbursements under the A+ schools program. 

Coach Gary Pinkel

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Emerging Issues held a hearing on Representative Kurtis Gregory’s resolution honoring the coaching achievements of Coach Gary Pinkel, including his achievements as the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ of Missouri football coach (HCR80). Mike Kelly, the voice of the Mizzou Tigers, testified in favor of this resolution and spoke highlight of Coach Pinkel and all that he did for his student athletes, for the program and the university. The Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ of Missouri Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ also testified in favor of this resolution and thanks the resolution sponsor for his work on this.

Sports Wagering

The House third read and passed Representative Dan Houx’s House Bill 2502 relating to gaming. In Missouri, sports betting is not currently legal and most residents travel to neighboring states to make bets. The bill would make sports wagering legal in the state of Missouri, including college sports, and puts in place safeguarding provisions to try and tackle any issues with impropriety and criminality.

Holocaust Education Week

The House perfected Representative Adam Schwadron’s House Bill 2000, which establishes a Holocaust Education Week in the state of Missouri. Specifically, this bill will create a Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission, housed out of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which will be responsible for promoting educational and awareness programs in Missouri. The second week in April will be designated as "Holocaust Education Week" which will provide instruction to students regarding the history of and lessons learned from the Holocaust.

Missouri Senate

Performance Funding Formula

On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Education heard public testimony regarding Senator Karla Eslinger’s Senate Bill 1077, which would establish a performance funding formula for university and two-year college systems. The Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ of Missouri Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ testified in favor of this legislation, thanking the bill sponsor for her work on this, while also stating that we look forward to working with her further to on changes to the text that would reflect the goal of the bill which is to promote student outcomes and student success. There are a few measures that the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ of Missouri Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ would like to see considered in the funding formula including professional degrees, research, land grant universities, and agricultural/extension programs. The Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ of Missouri Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ looks forward to working with the bill sponsor on the text of this bill and appreciates the bill sponsor for her work on this.