Missouri lawmakers continue pushing forward
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MO HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE, DALE WRIGHT CAPITOL REPORT
With just four weeks left until the end of the 2024 legislative session, Missouri lawmakers continue pushing forward with legislative proposals to address issues and concerns for Missourians. The House’s approved state operating budget remains in the hands of the Senate, awaiting completion by the constitutional deadline of May 10. Meanwhile, the House has continued moving legislation in an effort to vet the proposals in hopes of advancing it through the process in the days to come.
Missouri Legislature Passes Education Reform Bills
The Missouri General Assembly has passed SB 727 and HB 2287, two education reform bills.
SB 727 includes changes to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, updates minimum school term requirements, and addresses literacy among elementary students via the Elementary Literacy Fund. Alongside these items SB 727 also lists issues like teacher certification, school board vacancies, and suicide prevention.
Initially focused on refining Missouri’s Course Access and Virtual School Program, HB 2287 calculates average daily attendance for full-time virtual students, provides state aid to host districts, allows statewide open enrollment, establishes enrollment policies, accommodates students with disabilities through individualized education programs, and simplifies the enrollment process for parents or guardians. The bill permits host districts to contract with providers for virtual education services. Recently, the legislation expanded to include an increase in Missouri’s private school tax credit program, and permitting charter schools.
These two bills transition the state from a strict attendance-based model to one that allocates 50% of funding based on area and 50% on enrollment. They double small school grants and boost funding for early childhood education. They implement wage increases, career ladder programs, and flexibilities to attract and retain educators nationwide.
The bills are meant to incentivize schools to shift to a five-day week and enhance options for homeschooling families. They expand the Missouri empowerment scholarship program and prioritize scholarships for low-income students and those with learning disabilities.
With an $800 million dollar price tag and passage in both chambers of the Missouri Legislature, SB 727 and HB 2287 now head to the Governor’s desk, where they await his signature into law.
Emergency Funding to Support Border Security Initiative Passes Through Both Chambers
Both chambers of the Missouri Legislature have passed HB 2016, making it the first bill of this session to do so. This bill is all about providing extra money in case of emergencies, specifically to send Missouri National Guard members to help out at the U.S. southern border.
This all started when Governor Parson issued Executive Order 24-03 on February 20, 2024. This order activated 200 Missouri National Guard members and 22 Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers to assist Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star along the Southern Border. The plan is to rotate shifts for the Guard members and send troopers equipped with regular police gear, all of whom volunteered for this duty.
To support these efforts, both the House and Senate voted to approve HB 2016, which requests an extra $2.3 million to help with border security and to refill the Governor’s emergency response fund. This bill got support from both Democrats and Republicans. Here’s where the money goes:
• $2 million for the National Guard’s work under the Governor’s orders
• $115,074 for personnel costs
• $91,683 for expenses and equipment
The bill is now on its way to the Governor’s desk for him to sign.
Missouri House Passes Legislation to Combat School Bullying
With recent high-profile incidents of bullying and violence in mind, the Missouri House of Representatives has unanimously passed HB 1715 & HB 2630, also known as the “Missouri Childhood Hero Act”. This legislation marks a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of students across the state.
HBs 1715 & 2630 aim to ensure that students who are the targets of bullies are not re-victimized by school districts’ zero-tolerance policies, which often suspend both instigators and those who seek to defend themselves. The Act also seeks to ensure that schools investigate incidents before meting out punishments.
The goal is to ensure that victims aren’t automatically suspended just for being involved or protecting themselves. By implementing clear policies and support mechanisms, schools are empowered to address and prevent bullying and create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all.
The bill requires public and charter schools to restrict the use of zero-tolerance policies, and requires administrators considering punishments to weigh statements from students who acted in self-defense. School employees or volunteers who intervene in incidents would be immune from liability when following specific procedures, and districts and charters would be immune from civil liability for disciplinary actions when proper protocols are followed.
It would also extend counseling programs not only to victims, but also to those who engage in bullying, recognizing that they often need help as well. This addresses the situation by dealing with both the student being bullied, and offering help to the student doing the bullying.
In cases in which investigations find that an incident meets the criteria of 2nd degree harassment, law enforcement or the state Children’s Division will be notified, depending on the age of the instigator.
Missouri House Passes Bill to Safeguard Our Elections
The Missouri House of Representatives this past week approved a resolution that strengthens the state’s electoral process and preserves the integrity of our elections. HJR 104 amends our state constitution to include key voting procedures and requirements in an effort to ensure fair and transparent elections for all Missourians. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
• Only citizens of the United States would be entitled to vote in public elections.
• All elections must be conducted using paper ballots or any mechanical method prescribed by law. This aims to ensure transparency and prevent tampering.
• Each voter is entitled to only one vote for each issue or open seat being voted on in an election. This prevents multiple votes by a single individual.
• The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a primary election for a party becomes the sole candidate for that party in the general election, unless removed or replaced by law. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the general election is declared the winner.
• Voting machines must be tested and certified as secure according to federal standards before each election in which they will be used. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the voting process.
By embedding these in our state Constitution, we protect and improve public trust in our elections, prevent alternative voting systems like ranked choice voting, and recommit our dedication to fair elections. This measure now awaits action in the Missouri Senate and then a possible vote of Missouri citizens.
Missouri Legislature Passes HB 2153 to Safeguard State’s Water Resources
The Missouri House of Representatives has given approval to a legislative measure that seeks to protect one of the state’s most vital resources: water. The Missouri House passed HB 2153, legislation aimed at preserving Missouri’s invaluable water resources, with a vote of 114-35. This bill regulates the exportation of water from the state by limiting or eliminating the shipping of water out of the state, ensuring its availability for residents and businesses within Missouri.
Under the proposed legislation, it would be unlawful for any entity to withdraw water for exportation out of the state without obtaining a water export permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. The bill outlines a comprehensive process for permit issuance, including rigorous review by the Department and approval by the Clean Water Commission.
Water is the state’s most valuable resource, second only to land. While acknowledging potential exceptions, our priority is to retain water within Missouri to meet the needs of our communities. The passage of HB 2153 is a significant step towards safeguarding our state’s water resources, especially in light of increasing water scarcity in neighboring states. Concerns have also been raised regarding drought conditions in Missouri and the potential impact of water exportation on local communities.
