The members of the Missouri House of Representatives this week approved a state operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins in July.
With the FY 2024 state budget plan, House members are making an enormous investment in both the K-12 and higher education systems. The House allocated approximately $9.7 billion for the state’s elementary and secondary education system. That number includes full funding for the state’s foundation formula that is used to fund K-12 public schools. It also includes an additional $233 million to provide a total of $347 million to fully fund school transportation for the second time in as many years.
The budget also includes $50 million for school safety grants for Missouri schools to make physical security investments on their campuses, develop safety plans, establish school resource officer programs, and increase active threat trainings.
The version of the budget approved on the House floor also includes funding for some of the governor’s top priorities. The plan has an additional $78.5 million to expand childcare access, improve facilities, and help employers increase staff wages. The House-approved budget also sets aside $56 million recommended by the governor to expand pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost.
Budget Highlights
•$9.7 billion in funding for the state’s system of K-12 education which includes full funding ($3.6 billion) for the school foundation formula.
•$233 million increase to provide a total of $347 million to fully fund school transportation for the second time in as many years.
•$31.9 million to expand the Teacher Career Ladder Program.
•$1.3 million for a Curriculum Transparency Portal.
•$2 million for Classroom Support Grants.
•$56 million recommended by the governor to expand pre-kindergarten options to all four-year-old children eligible for free and reduced priced lunch at no cost.
•$1.4 billion in total funding for higher education and workforce development.
•Full funding for state scholarship programs such as Bright Flight, Access Missouri, and A+
•$50 million for school safety grants for Missouri schools to make physical security investments on their campuses, develop safety plans, establish school resource officer programs, and increase active threat trainings.
•$20 million to support Missouri’s veteran’s homes.
•$72.9 million in new funding for nursing home rate increases to help ensure homes can continue to provide quality care to some of the state’s most vulnerable Missourians
•$1.3 million for grants to increase access to drug addiction treatment.
•$247.7 million to continue broadband expansion efforts
Bills Sent to the Senate
HB 1162 this bill requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish a medical residency grant program, awarding grants to entities operating residency beyond the currently existing medical residency positions that is within the fields of primary care. Funding will be available on a scaled basis and the Department must expend moneys in the order provided in the bill. Supporters say that while there are plenty of students, there are not enough residency slots, and the federal government has not funded slots to keep pace with the growth in medical enrollment. Missouri is by far not the only state dealing with a critical healthcare provider shortage, but may face a collapse of the statewide healthcare system in the next decade if measures are not taken to address the issues. Moreover, the state in which a medical graduate practices their residency is indicative of where they will practice medicine upon completion of the program. Missouri, overall, is a net exporter of medical students to out-of-state residency programs.
HB 1015 allows the chief law enforcement executive for any law enforcement agency to request assistance from a law enforcement agency in another jurisdiction, including from outside the state but within the United States. The bill creates provisions for how arrests are handled if executed by an officer outside of his or her jurisdiction. The bill also specifies that, for benefits and other employment-related matters, law enforcement officers remain employees of their respective law enforcement agencies throughout any request for assistance. Supporters say that border counties and jurisdictions in Missouri would benefit greatly from this bill in responding to incidents and emergencies. There are currently 45 sheriffs that have jurisdictions that border other states. This bill is an effective tool to enhance officer safety and the safety of the public. This bill is discretionary, not requiring any action or agreement between law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions, but instead empowering such agencies and jurisdictions to cooperate and seek assistance when necessary. Missouri is unique in that it shares its border with eight other states. This bill would empower law enforcement to seek aid from one of Missouri's many neighboring states. Incidents and emergencies requiring law enforcement response can require vastly more personnel and resources than are available to a single law enforcement agency. This bill ensures mutual aid to protect the public in response to such incidents and emergencies.
HB 207 requires that used motor vehicles get an inspection at the seller's expense no more than 60 days prior to a sale. The inspection is not required for vehicles having less than 40,000 miles for the three-year period following the model year of manufacture. The bill also provides that the application for a Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation emblem license plate and payment of the $25 contribution may be made at the time of registration to the Director of the Department of Revenue, who must deposit the contribution to the credit of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
Other bills that passed in the House Chamber include:
HB 15
HBs 651, 479 & 647
HB 725
HBs 913 & 428
HB 863
HB 356
HB 766
HBs 971 & 970
HB 1133
HB 403
HB 225
HBs 882 & 518.
HB 631
To see the summaries of these bills, please go to house.mo.gov, or feel free to reach out to this office for assistance.
