Missouri NEA Weekly Legislative Update
Week 11, March 28, 2025
By Otto Fajen
MNEA Legislative Director
LEGISLATURE RETURNS FROM SPRING BREAK
Both the House and Senate reconvened on March 24 after a week off on spring break. The legislature has seven weeks of session remaining before the session concludes on May 16.
HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE
The House Budget Committee met on March 24 to conduct an executive session on proposed HCS versions of the House budget bills for FY 26: HBs 2-14 (Dirk Deaton). HB 2 is the K-12 education budget bill and HB 3 is the higher education budget bill. The House is expected to take up and pass the budget bills early next week.
The House Committee version does not fully fund the school aid formula, nor does it remove the $50 million GR appropriation for the state's tax credit voucher. The Association continues to urge the legislature to fully fund the formula and remove GR expenditures to the state's tax credit voucher program.
SCHOOL SAFETY
The House approved HB 416 (Brenda Shields) on March 27. The bill adds various school safety requirements on school districts and charter schools. The bill addresses emergency operations plans, blood loss protocols, MSIP safety standards, physical standards for doors, transfer of behavior risk assessments of enrolling students, notifications from juvenile courts, agreements with law enforcement, CPR resuscitation training, and active shooter training.
The House added the language from HCS/HBs 408, 306, & 854 (Jamie Gragg) to require school policies to restrict student cell phone use during instructional time. The House also added the language of HB 232 (Sherry Gallick) regarding cardiac emergency response plans in public schools. The Association supports the provisions concerning restrictions on cell phone use and cardiac emergency response plans.
SCHOOL RETIREMENT
The House gave first round approval to HB 147 (Barry Hovis) on March 26. The original bill pertains to police pensions. The House added three amendments that pertain to school retirement systems. The House added HB 657 (Bill Owen) to enact additional provisions regarding the investments of all Missouri public pension systems, including PSRS and PEERS, regarding proxy voting and their fiduciary investment priority. The House also added HB 977 (Barry Hovis) to require that public pension systems comply with various federal restricted investments lists. Both added provisions are consistent with current PSRS/PEERS policies and operational practices.
The House also added HB 404 (Doug Clemens) to increase the employer contribution rate for St. Louis Public School Retirement System from the current year rate of 12.5% to 14% for calendar year 2026 and thereafter.
TAX CREDIT VOUCHERS
The House Emerging Issues Committee heard HB 77 (Cathy Jo Loy) on March 24. The bill would create an individual tax credit voucher for non-public school expenses. The Association opposes the bill. HB 77 is expected to reduce state general revenues by $1 billion within three years. The Association believes that state mandated parental option plans compromise free, equitable, universal, and quality public education for every student.
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The committee heard the following bills on March 25:
SB 177 (Maggie Nurrenbern) to require charter schools to obtain a certificate of need issued by the State Board of Education to be eligible to operate. The Association supports the bill.
SB 364 (Ben Brown) to clarify that school districts will still qualify for the 1% increase in state aid for a school calendar of at least 169 school days, even if the school is in session fewer days due to inclement weather or another allowed reduction. The Association supports the bill.
SB 594 (Jamie Burger) to require school districts and charter schools to display the Ten Commandments in every building and classroom under their authority. The Missouri NEA believes that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and that instruction in religious doctrines and practices is best provided within a family setting or by religious institutions. The Association opposes state legislation that would promote religious doctrines and opposes the bill.
SB 627 (Stephen Webber) to require the University of Missouri to enter into an agreement with the State Treasurer to establish a separate custodial account for money in the University's Seminary Fund.
HOUSE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The committee heard two bills on March 26:
SS/SCS/SB 68 (Mike Henderson) to require local educational agencies to report school safety incidents to DESE. The bill also requires school districts to adopt policies restricting student use of cell phones and other personal electronic communication devices during the school day. The Association supports the portion of the bill restricting student cell phone use.
HB 1262 (John Black) to require public schools to post a statement relating to religious freedoms for students and school employees. The Association believes that schools should teach the rights and responsibilities associated with the freedom of religion and supports the bill.
The committee approved an HCS/HBs 1287 & 744 (Ed Lewis) pertaining to the rights of parents and educators and codes of student conduct. The Association appreciates the sponsor's effort to make a positive statement in support of educators.
HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
The committee heard four bills on March 26:
HB 90 (Dave Griffith) and HB 616 (Melanie Stinnett) are similar bills to repeal restrictions regarding the conferring of doctoral, professional, and certain other degrees by institutions other than the University of Missouri.
HB 1272 (Bill Owen) to limit the Missouri state income tax deduction for contributions to qualified Section 529 tuition programs to those contributions made to the Missouri MOST Program and not to similar investment plans from other states.
HCR 6 (Cathy Jo Loy) to approve the statewide mission designation expansion for Missouri Southern State University.