SS/HB 1751 - Under the act, the Department of Natural Resources shall not issue a permit for the operation of a solid waste processing facility, demolition landfill, or sanitary landfill located in the city of Kansas City without receiving approval from an adjoining municipality if such area is located within one mile of the adjoining municipality, instead of one-half mile as in the current law.

The act is similar to SB 739 (2024), SB 769 (2024), SB 1139 (2024), HB 2254 (2024), SCS/SB 590 (2023) and HCS/HB 909 (2023).

HCS HJR 69 -- TERM LIMITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SPONSOR: Stephens

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Elections and Elected Officials by a vote of 15 to 1.

The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HJR 69.



Currently, members of the General Assembly can serve no more than eight years total in any one chamber of the legislature, nor more than 16 total in both chambers.

Upon voter approval and beginning on December 5, 2030, this resolution would remove the single chamber prohibition, allowing members of the General Assembly to serve no more than 16 years total in either chamber of the legislature.

This resolution would also prohibit any individual from serving as Speaker of the House of Representative for more than three terms or as President Pro Tempore of the Senate for more than two terms.

The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that Missouri has suffered from a severe drain on governing experience since term limits took effect. It often takes several years for an elected official to get the necessary experience to gain proficiency in the tasks required of them, after which they will quickly be termed out and have to leave. Institutional knowledge disappears, giving legislators a limited perspective of long term problems and the origins of different policies. Inadvertently, by shortening the length of time a legislator can serve, knowledge and expertise is shifted to unelected actors like lobbyists and bureaucrats.

Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Stephens; Missouri Farm Bureau; and Winston Apple.

OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that term limits are broadly popular with the public. Term limits were enacted by popular vote, and to remove them would be to reverse the will of the people. The people want a citizen legislature, not a body of career politicians. Testifying in person against the bill were Jobs With Justice Voter Action; Arnie C. Dienoff; Joseph A. Jefferies; Joshua Vroman; and Armorvine LLC.



Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.

MISSOURI EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (Sections 135.713, 135.714, 135.715, and 166.700)

This act modifies provisions relating to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.

The act changes the maximum amount of tax credits that may be allocated in any year from $50 million to $75 million. Such maximum amount shall be increased annually by any percentage increase or decrease in the amount appropriated to school districts under the foundation formula. The act repeals a provision that the program shall be effective in any fiscal year immediately following any year in which the amount appropriated for pupil transportation equals or exceeds 40% of the projected amount necessary to fully fund transportation aid funding for fiscal year 2021. (Section 135.713)

The act modifies the scholarship distribution order to qualified students. The first students to receive scholarship funds shall be students who received scholarships in the previous year, followed by students who are siblings of students who are already receiving a scholarship. The act further outlines a distribution order that prioritizes funding to students who receive special education services, students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch and who reside in an unaccredited or provisionally accredited school district, students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and students who are the children of active duty military personnel who have relocated to Missouri.

The act modifies the total grant amount for students with an individualized education plan (IEP) or limited English proficiency or who receive free or reduced-price lunch. Students with limited English proficiency shall receive no more than 160% of the state adequacy target; students who receive free or reduced-price lunch shall receive no more than 125% of the state adequacy target; and students with an IEP shall receive no more than 175% of the state adequacy target. All other students shall receive a grant amount that does not exceed the state adequacy target.

The act provides that educational assistance organizations shall provide certain data that is currently provided only to the State Treasurer to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program Board, as well.

The act requires the State Treasurer to post certain information relating to scholarship recipients, qualified schools, and educational assistance organizations on the Treasurer's website annually. (Section 135.714)

The act repeals a provision that the annual increase to the cumulative amount of tax credits shall cease when the amount of tax credits reaches $50 million.

If the total contributions to educational assistance organizations exceed $25 million in any school year, the State Treasurer may certify one additional educational assistance organization to administer scholarship accounts. A maximum of seven, rather than six, educational assistance organizations may have their principal place of business in any one of the counties listed in the act.

The act provides that all laws and regulations that apply to employees of an educational assistance organization shall also apply to the actions of any employees of a private financial management firm while they are conducting work relating to the direct decision-making of the operation of such educational assistance organization.

The act modifies membership of the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Board by removing the Commissioner of Administration and adding an additional member to be appointed by the members of the board who is an employee of an educational assistance organization and whose responsibilities are directly related to such organization's involvement in the program. The board shall assist the State Treasurer with data collection, collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and making recommendations to the State Treasurer regarding the promulgation of rules concerning the program. (Section 135.715)

The act modifies the definition of "qualified school" by providing that FPE schools, rather than home schools, shall be qualified to participate in the program.

The act modifies the definition of "qualified student" by including any student who is a resident of this state, rather than only those students who live in a charter county or a city with at least 30,000 inhabitants, and who is not unlawfully present in the United States or a person who gained illegal entry into the United States. Such definition is further modified by including any student who is a member of a household whose total annual income is 300% or less than the income standard used to qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, rather than only those students whose household income is 200% or less than such standard. The definition is also modified by adding siblings of qualified students who received a scholarship in the previous year and will receive a scholarship in the current year. (Section 166.700)

These provisions are similar to SCS/SB 360 (2023), HB 1738 (2024), HB 2104 (2024), and provisions in SB 1391 (2024), SCS/SB 1392 (2024), and HCS/HB 350 (2023).

MINIMUM SCHOOL TERM (Sections 160.011, 160.041, 163.021, 171.028, 171.031, 171.033, 1, and B)

This act establishes provisions relating to the minimum school term.

The act modifies the definition of "school term" by providing that school districts located in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants shall have a school term that consists of at least 169 school days, unless the district has adopted a four-day school week, in which case a school term shall consist of at least 142 school days. (Sections 160.011, 163.021, 171.031, and 171.033)

The act repeals a provision specifying that school districts shall provide a minimum of 522 hours of actual pupil attendance for kindergarten pupils in order to receive state aid. (Section 163.021)

These provisions shall go into effect on July 1, 2026. (Section B)

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the act provides that school districts located wholly or partially in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 inhabitants may adopt a four-day school week only upon a majority vote of the qualified voters of the school district, as provided in the act. (Section 171.028)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall remit to any school district with a five-day school week an amount equal to 1% for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, or 2% for fiscal year 2028 and all subsequent fiscal years, of such district's preceding year's annual state aid entitlement as calculated in June. For school districts in which one or more charter schools operate, and for all charter schools located in such district, the calculation shall be made prior to any adjustment to the district's or charter school's state aid calculation pursuant to current requirements regarding state aid payments to charter schools.

Any funds received pursuant to this provision shall be used by school districts and charter schools exclusively to increase teacher salaries. Any school district or charter school that fails to utilize such funds solely to increase teacher salaries shall have an amount equal to the amount of the funds received withheld from the district's or charter school's state aid payments under current law. (Section 1)

These provisions are similar to SB 784 (2024), HB 1417 (2024), and HB 1828 (2024).

CHARTER SCHOOLS (Sections 160.400 and 160.415)

The act adds all school districts located in Boone County to the list of school districts in which a charter school may be operated by any entity currently authorized to operate a charter school under state law. Provisions of current law that provide for additional state aid to charter schools shall not apply to any charter school operated in Boone County.

All laws and regulations that apply to employees of a charter school shall also apply to the actions of any employees of a charter school management company while such employees are conducting any work relating to the direct decision-making of the operation of the charter school.

LITERACY OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (Section 161.239)

This act establishes the "Elementary Literacy Fund" for the purpose of providing grants to school districts and charter schools for home reading programs for children in kindergarten to 5th grade. The General Assembly shall annually appropriate an amount not to exceed $5 million to the Fund, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall develop a process by which a district or charter school may apply for a grant. Any district or charter school that receives such a grant shall match any funds that are granted.

The act sets forth certain criteria for a home reading program to be considered eligible for a grant from the Fund. Such program's objective shall be to mail books to students' homes that the students select themselves at a reading level with which they are comfortable. The program shall allow for parental engagement, as specified in the act, and shall allow students to select between six and nine new books to keep. The program provider shall provide summary data on the program to the General Assembly and to DESE, and shall further maintain verification that the provider has secured the required matching funds from the district or charter school. The combined total cost of the program, including matching funds from the district or charter school, shall not exceed $60 per student per semester.

This provision is identical to SB 857 (2024).

MISSOURI COURSE ACCESS AND VIRTUAL SCHOOL PROGRAM (Section 161.670)

Under this act, the average daily attendance of a student who is enrolled full-time in the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program shall be calculated by dividing the total number of hours attended in a term by enrolled pupils between the ages of five and 21 years old by the actual number of hours that the program was in session in that term. Such calculation shall be generated by the virtual provider and provided to the host district for submission to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Full-time virtual school students may complete their instructional activities during any hour of the day and during any day of the week. The hours attended for each enrolled pupil shall be documented by the pupil's weekly progress in the educational program according to a process determined by the virtual program and published annually in the virtual program's enrollment handbook or policy. The full-time equivalent average daily attendance of summer school students shall be added to the average daily attendance of the following school term.

Host districts that enroll one or more full-time virtual school students shall receive an amount of state aid specified in the act for such students on a monthly basis.

The act provides that students who reside in Missouri may enroll in the virtual program of their choice. Provisions of current law regarding a school district's approval of a student's request to enroll in a virtual program shall not apply to full-time virtual program enrollment.

The act requires host districts to adopt student enrollment policies for full-time virtual students and allows virtual schools to mutually agree with resident and host districts on the services that the resident district might offer, including possible financial reimbursements for those services. For students with disabilities, the enrollment policy shall ensure the development of an individualized education program and related services agreement, as necessary.

The act requires a student's parent or guardian, if the student is not considered homeless, to apply for enrollment directly with the full-time virtual program.

The act specifies that student progress reports to the school district are necessary only for part-time virtual school program enrollees.

A host district may contract with a provider to perform any required services involved with delivering a full-time virtual education.

A full-time virtual school shall provide regular student progress reports to parents or guardians at least four times per school year.

This provision is identical to HB 2287 (2024) and is similar to SB 1375 (2024), SB 780 (2024), HB 827 (2023), SB 921 (2024), and SB 545 (2023).

FAMILY PACED EDUCATION (FPE) SCHOOLS (Sections 161.670, 162.996, 166.700, 167.012, 167.013, 167.031, 167.061, 167.600, 167.619, 210.167, 210.211, 211.031, and 452.375)

The act defines a "Family Paced Education school" or "FPE school" as a school that enrolls any student who participates in the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program and that satisfies certain other criteria relating to instruction. The current definition of "home school" is modified by specifying that a home school shall not enroll any student who participates in such Program, and a home school is not an FPE school. The act applies to FPE schools several provisions of law that currently apply to home schools, including provisions relating to child custody and the licensing of child care providers.

SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES (Sections 162.471, 162.492, and 162.611)

Under current law, any vacancy on an urban school board shall be filled by special election. Under this act, the remaining members of the board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment until the next school board election.

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 885 (2024) and HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023) and are substantially similar to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/HB 497 (2023), and in HB 716 (2023).

Current law also provides that any vacancy that occurs on the City of St. Louis school board outside of the normal election cycle shall be filled by appointment by the mayor for the remainder of the term. Under this act, the City of St. Louis school board shall fill any such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 885 (2024) and to SB 363 (2023) and HB 914 (2023) and to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42 & 89 (2023), in CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023), in HCS/SB 155 (2023), in HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), in HCS/HB 497, and in HB 716 (2023).

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE (Section 163.011)

This act modifies the definition of "weighted average daily attendance" as used in the education funding formula by adding to such definition a weighting factor relating to school district enrollment.

"Membership" is defined in current law as the average number of students enrolled in a school district who attended school at least one day during ten days at the end of January and September.

The act defines "weighted membership" as the current law definition of "membership" multiplied by certain weighting factors relating to the number of students who fall into certain population groups, such as the number of students who receive special educational services above a certain threshold number that is determined in a manner provided for in current law.

Weighted membership shall be included in the calculation of a school district's weighted average daily attendance beginning in the 2026 fiscal year. In 2026, a district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 90% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 10% of such district's weighted membership. The percent of weighted membership included in such calculation shall increase by 10% each year until 2030, when a district's weighted average daily attendance shall be calculated as the sum of 50% of such district's weighted average daily attendance as calculated in current law, plus 50% of such district's weighted membership.

The same modification is made in the calculation of weighted average daily attendance for special school districts.

This provision is similar to SB 1378 (2024).

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS OPERATED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS (Section 163.018)

Currently, children between three and five years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and attend an early childhood education program operated by a school district or a charter school may be included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance, provided that the total number of such pupils does not exceed 4% of the total number of pupils between 5 and 18 years old who are eligible for free and reduced price lunch and who are included in such district's or charter school's calculation of average daily attendance. This act increases such percentage to 8%.

SMALL SCHOOLS GRANT (Section 163.044)

The act increases the Small Schools Grant appropriation from $15 million to $30 million. Of such moneys, $20 million, rather than $10 million, shall be distributed to the eligible districts, as described in the act, in proportion to their average daily attendance, and $10 million, rather than $5 million, shall be directed to the eligible districts that have an operating levy for school purposes in the current year in an amount specified in the act.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS' LOCAL EFFORT FIGURES (Section 163.096)

Beginning August 28, 2024, this act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to recalculate the local effort figure of any school district that, in fiscal year 2005, recorded revenues from intangible taxes, the merchants' and manufacturers' surcharge, and payments in lieu of taxes other than tax increment financing in the district's teacher and incidental funds that caused an elevation of the district's local effort figure. The Department must calculate the amount of state aid such a district would have received had the district placed these revenues in the capital projects fund or the debt service fund for payments subsequent to August 28, 2024.

This provision is identical to SB 1479 (2024) and is similar

to SB 272 (2017) and HB 633 (2017).

MINIMUM TEACHER'S SALARY (Section 163.172)

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, this act increases the minimum teacher's salary from $25,000 to $40,000. For teachers with a master's degree and at least ten years of experience, this act increases the minimum salary from $33,000 to $46,000 for the 2025-26 school year and further increases such salary by $1,000 each year until the 2027-2028 school year, when the minimum shall be $48,000.

In the 2028-29 school year and in all subsequent school years, the minimum teacher's salaries shall additionally be adjusted annually by the percentage increase in inflation, as such term is defined in the act. The State Board of Education shall publish the minimum salaries annually in February beginning in calendar year 2026. Modifications to the minimum salaries shall take effect on July 1 of each calendar year.

The act creates the "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Fund" and "Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program" for the purpose of increasing minimum teacher's salaries. The General Assembly may appropriate moneys to the Fund, provided that the total amount appropriated shall not exceed the amount necessary to assist each school district in increasing minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act. School districts may apply to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a grant from the Fund, provided that a grant shall not exceed the amount necessary for a district to increase minimum teacher's salaries as required pursuant to the provisions of the act.

This provision is similar to provisions in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), SB 955 (2024), SB 1163 (2024), and HCS/HB 497 (2023).

COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE (Sections 167.031 and 599.209)

The act provides that a child may be excused from attendance at school if the child is unable to attend school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, provided that the school receives documentation from a mental health professional.

This provision is identical to SB 761 (2024) and SB 122 (2023).

The act also provides that a public school district, public school, or charter school shall not discipline a child for failure to comply with the district's or school's attendance policy, and the parent or legal guardian shall not be deemed to be in violation of the compulsory attendance law, based on such child's honoring a subpoena to testify in a criminal proceeding, attending a criminal proceeding, or for participating in the preparation of a criminal proceeding.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS (Section 167.071)

The act repeals a provision authorizing a seven-director school district to appoint a school attendance officer who has the powers of a deputy sheriff and may investigate claims of violations of the compulsory attendance law and arrest truant juveniles without a warrant.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 819 (2024) and HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023).

RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS (Section 167.850)

This act changes the deadline for a school district to submit a proposal to operate a recovery high school from December 1st of the school year preceding the beginning of operation of the recovery high school to July 1st.

This provision is identical to SB 1393 (2024).

TEACHER CERTIFICATION (Section 168.021)

Current law requires candidates for a teaching license to satisfy certain criteria, including obtaining the recommendation of a state-approved, baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program.

Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop an eighteen hour, online teacher preparation program related to subjects appropriate for teachers in different content areas determined by the Department. The Department may contract with an entity skilled in developing online teacher preparation programs or a charitable organization registered in Missouri to develop and maintain the online teacher preparation program. Such entity or charitable organization shall be certified to develop and maintain the program by the Department. An individual with a bachelor's degree may complete the online training program and receive a certificate of license to teach. However, such certificate shall not be accepted by Missouri public schools, but shall be accepted by private schools and private school accrediting agencies.

The act also provides that the State Board of Education shall issue an additional professional subject-area teaching certification for specific content knowledge or for a specialty area to a teaching certificate holder who applies for an additional professional subject-area certification, successfully achieves an acceptable score on the state-approved teacher evaluation system, receives a recommendation from the employing school district, and completes a background check.

This provision is similar to SB 1394 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and a provision in SS/HB 827 (2023).

HARD-TO-STAFF SCHOOLS AND SUBJECT AREAS (Section 168.110)

The act provides that a school board may include differentiated placement of teachers on the salary schedule to increase compensation in order to recruit and retain teachers in hard-to-staff subject areas or schools, as the terms "hard-to-staff schools" and "hard-to-staff subject areas" are defined in the act. No modifications to the identification of hard-to-staff subject areas or schools shall result in the demotion of a teacher in the salary schedule. Each school district that includes differentiated placement of teachers on the district salary schedule shall annually provide to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education a report containing information outlined in the act.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024) and SB 1163 (2024), HB 190 (2023), and HCS/HB 497 (2023).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS (Section 168.400)

The act repeals provisions of current law that require preservice teacher education programs to include a program of entry-level testing of all prospective teacher education students to be administered by the Commissioner of Education.

This provision is identical to provisions in SB 955 (2024), SB 1163 (2024), HCS/HB 1447 (2024), and HCS/HB 497 (2023).

CAREER LADDER (Section 168.500)

Currently, public school teachers become eligible for the Career Ladder program after two years of public school teaching in Missouri. This act provides that the two year-requirement shall not apply to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or such member's spouse who has teaching experience in another state and who has transferred to this state.

The act repeals a provision of current law that teachers' Career Ladder responsibilities and career efforts shall be required to occur outside of compensated hours. The act also specifies that teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement for certain activities that are not included in the duties that require a teaching certificate under current law.

The act adds serving as a mentor for teachers to the list of activities for which teachers may receive Career Ladder admission and stage achievement.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024), SB 1014 (2024), and SB 1163 (2024).

PSRS/PEERS - WORKING AFTER RETIREMENT LIMITS (Sections 169.560 and 169.660)

Currently, a retired member, except for those retired due to disability, of the Public School Retirement System ("PSRS") may work after retirement in a certified position with a covered employer without discontinuance of his or her retirement benefits if the member does not exceed 550 hours of work each school year and 50% of the annual compensation to the person who last held the position. This act provides that the member, including those retired due to disability, may earn up to 50% of the annual compensation to the person who last held the position or 50% of the limit set by the employer's school board for the position which has been submitted and approved by the Board of Trustees of PSRS.

Additionally, current law provides that if a member of PSRS or the Public Education Employee Retirement System ("PEERS") is in excess of the limitations, the member shall not be eligible to receive the retirement allowance for any month so employed. This act provides that either member shall not be eligible to receive the retirement allowance for any month so employed or the retirement system shall recover the amount earned in excess of the limitations, whichever is less.

These provisions are similar to SB 1286 (2024).

SUICIDE PREVENTION IN GRADES 7-12 (Section 170.048)

This act modifies provisions of current law that require suicide prevention information to be printed on the identification cards of public school students in grades 7-12. Beginning July 1, 2025, the act adds to such information the non-emergency phone number of the local police department. The identification cards may also include the phone number of the Crisis Text Line and the phone number of a local suicide prevention hotline, if such hotline is available.

This provision is identical to a provision in SB 762 (2024).

TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (Section 173.232)

The act changes the name of the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program." The corresponding state treasury fund is also renamed accordingly.

The act provides that scholarship funds may be used to cover up to 100% of the tuition costs related to teacher preparation at a four-year college or university located in Missouri, except that no amount granted for tuition shall exceed the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident at the University of Missouri-Columbia for attendance.

The number of years a student may receive a scholarship is reduced from four to two years. The number of students who may receive a scholarship is increased from 100 to 200 in the 2025-26 academic year, or a maximum awarded amount of $1.2 million dollars. The act further increases the maximum number of scholarships or the maximum awarded amount for each year through the 2030-31 academic year, when the maximum shall be 600 scholarships or a maximum awarded amount of $3.4 million, as provided in the act.

Scholarship recipients after June 30, 2025, shall sign a statement that they have made a good faith effort to secure all available federal sources of grant funding.

The act a repeals a provision that a student must have attended a Missouri high school in order to be eligible for a scholarship.

To be eligible for a scholarship, recipients shall sign an agreement to teach in a Missouri public school that is a hard-to-staff school or to teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area in a Missouri public school, or both, for two years for every one year the recipient receives a scholarship. The act defines a "hard-to-staff school" as an attendance center where the percentage of certificated positions that were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year exceeds 10% as reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A "hard-to-staff subject area" is defined as a content area for which positions were left vacant or were filled with a teacher not fully qualified in the prior academic year.

The scholarships provided in the act shall be available to students who have successfully completed 48 credit hours at a community college, who have been awarded an associate degree, or who have completed 60 credit hours at a four-year college, as provided in the act.

The act modifies the interest rate paid by scholarship recipients who do not follow through on their agreement to teach in a hard-to-staff subject or school and must therefore repay their scholarship award as a loan.

An individual who has qualified as an eligible student under the act shall continue to qualify as an eligible student as long as he or she remains employed by the school district in which he or she agreed to teach, regardless of whether his or her employing school no longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff school, the class he or she teaches longer qualifies as a hard-to-staff subject area, or his or her position within the school district changes.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1447 (2024) and is similar to provisions in SB 955 (2024) and SB 1163 (2024) and to SB 1013 (2024), and is substantially similar to a provision in HCS/HB 497 (2023) and to HCS/HB 809 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act is substantially similar to SCS/SB 590 (2023) and HCS/HB 909 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act is identical to SCS/SB 590 (2023) and to the perfected HCS/HB 909 (2023).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act is effective January 1, 2025.

This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 346 (2023) and CCS/HS/HCS/SS#2/SCS/SB 96 (2023) and substantially similar to HCS/HB 1214 (2023), provisions in the perfected HCS/HBs 267 & 347 (2023), and HCS/HB 783 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

MISSOURI RETURNING HEROES EDUCATION ACT

Current law requires public institutions of higher education to offer reduced tuition rates to certain combat veterans. This act provides that such institutions shall be eligible to receive up to one million dollars annually from the Gaming Commission Fund to offset the actual costs of such tuition reductions. (Section 173.900)

HONORING MISSOURI VETERANS AND SUPPORTING MISSOURI EDUCATION ACT

This act establishes the Honoring Missouri Veterans and Supporting Missouri Education Act.

This act allows the State Lottery Commission to implement a system of video lottery game terminals and to issue licenses to video lottery game manufacturers, distributors, operators, handlers, and retailers. The Commission shall not allow a single vendor or licensee to be responsible for implementing the program, nor shall it allow a single vendor or licensee to control or operate more than twenty-five percent of video lottery game terminals in the state after December 31, 2028. (313.429.1 and .2)

Video lottery game terminals may be placed in fraternal organizations, veterans' organizations, and truck stops, as such terms are defined in the act, and in business entities licensed to sell liquor by the drink. (Section 313.427)

Video lottery game terminals shall be connected to a centralized computer system developed or procured by the Commission. No video lottery game terminal shall be placed in operation without first being connected to such centralized computer system.

The Commission may impose a non-refundable application fee, as described in the act. The initial license shall be for a period of one year. Thereafter, the license renewal period shall be four years with the applicable license renewal fee paid for each year such license is renewed, as described in the act. In addition to such license fees, video lottery game operators shall pay the Commission an annual administrative fee of $300 for each video lottery game terminal placed in service. No license shall be issued to any person who has been convicted of a felony or crime involving illegal gambling. Sales agents shall be registered with the Commission by a video lottery game operator and may not solicit or enter into any contract with a retailer prior to such retailer being licensed to conduct video lottery games. (Section 313.429.3 and .4)

Video lottery game operators shall pay winning tickets using a video lottery game ticket redemption terminal, which shall be located within the video lottery game retailer's establishment in direct proximity of where such video lottery games are offered. Video lottery game operators shall pay to the Commission thirty-two percent of any unclaimed cash prizes associated with winning tickets that have not been redeemed within 180 days of issue.

Video lottery game operators and video lottery game retailers shall enter into a written agreement for the placement of video lottery game terminals. The agreement shall specify an equal division of adjusted gross receipts, or, upon approval of the Commission, a negotiated division of adjusted gross receipts between the video lottery game operator and the video lottery game retailer after adjustments for taxes and administrative fees are made. Video lottery game operators and video lottery game retailers are prohibited from offering anything of value other than the percentage of adjusted gross receipts for the placement of video lottery terminals, except that video lottery game operators may pay for construction of a video lottery terminal area inside the premises of a video lottery game retailer. (Section 313.429.7)

The price of video lottery game terminal credits shall be determined by the Commission, and the maximum wager played per video lottery game shall not exceed $5.00. No cash award for the maximum wager played on any individual lottery game shall exceed $1,100 or the maximum amount allowable by federal law before tax withholding is required.

Operators shall not operate more than eight terminals at any one fraternal organization, veterans organization, or truck-stop, and not more than five video lottery game terminals at any one lottery game retailer that is not a fraternal organization, veterans organization, or truck-stop. (Section 313.429.8)

A person under the age of twenty-one shall not play video lottery games, and such video lottery game terminals shall be under the supervision of a person that is at least twenty-one years of age. Video lottery game terminals shall be placed in a fully enclosed room that is continually monitored by video surveillance and where access to persons under the age of twenty-one is prohibited. Recorded video surveillance footage shall be reviewed by video lottery game operators as required by the Commission and shall be made available to the Commission upon request. An operator or retailer that fails to report any known violation of law may be subject to an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000. Any operator or retailer found to have knowingly committed a violation of provisions governing the conduct of video lottery games may be subject to a fine of $5,000, the suspension of such operator's retailer's license for up to thirty days, or, in the case of repeated violations, the revocation of such operator's or retailer's license for up to one year. (Section 313.429.9)

Video lottery game operators shall pay to the Commission thirty-six percent of the video lottery game adjusted gross receipts. The net proceeds of the sale of video lottery game tickets shall be appropriated equally to public elementary and secondary education and public institutions of higher education with an emphasis on funding elementary and secondary education student transportation costs and higher education workforce development programs. The Commission shall compensate the administrative costs of the city or county in which a video lottery retailer maintains an establishment in an amount equal to four percent of the video lottery game adjusted gross receipts.

The remainder of video lottery game adjusted gross receipts, after the cost of the centralized computer system and administrative costs are paid and apportioned, shall be retained by video lottery game operators and shall be split evenly between video lottery game operators and video lottery game retailers as provided under an agreement. (Section 313.429.10)

All revenues collected by the Commission from license renewal fees and any reimbursements associated with the enforcement of the act shall be appropriated for administrative expenses associated with supervising and enforcing the provisions of the act. (Section 313.429.11)

The Commission shall contract with a state law enforcement entity to assist in conducting background investigations of applicants for licenses and for the enforcement of the provisions of the act. (Section 313.429.12)

A video lottery game licensee suspected of a violation of the act shall be afforded an administrative hearing by the Director of the State Lottery on the record, and an appeal of any action taken to impose a fine on such licensee shall be to the Commission. Any such administrative suspension or revocation upheld by the Commission may be appealed by the video lottery game licensee in a state court of competent jurisdiction. (Section 313.429.13)

Participation in the state lottery under this act shall not be construed to be a lottery or gift enterprise in violation of Article III, Section 39 of the Constitution of Missouri, and shall not constitute a valid reason for the denial or revocation of a permit to sell liquor. (Section 313.433)

This act allows a municipality or a county to adopt an ordinance within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of this act prohibiting video lottery game terminals within the municipality or the unincorporated area of the county. (Section 313.435)

These provisions are identical to HB 699 (2023) and to provisions in SB 1 (2023), are substantially similar to SB 192 (2023), SB 557 (2023), SB 574 (2023), SB 642 (2022), SB 686 (2022), SB 19 (2021), SB 319 (2021), HB 1014 (2021), SB 566 (2020), SB 43 (2019), and SB 452 (2017), and to provisions in SB 906 (2022), SS/HCS/HBs 2502 & 2556 (2022), HB 2080 (2022), SCS/SB 98 (2021), HB 915 (2021), SS#3/SCS/SB 44 (2019), and SS/SCS/SB 767 (2018), and are similar to HB 990 (2017).

COMPULSIVE GAMBLING

The Commission shall promulgate rules for a sports wagering self-exclusion program, as described in the act. Any person who has been self-excluded and is found to have entered an excursion gambling boat or placed a sports wager shall forfeit his or her winnings. (Section 313.813)

Current law allows the Commission to establish programs to provide treatment, prevention and education services for compulsive gambling. This act requires such programs and includes recovery services. This act also requires the Commission to conduct an annual socioeconomic study on the impact of gaming, as described in the act. (Section 313.842)

This act requires the General Assembly to appropriate at least $5 million annually from the Gaming Commission Fund to the Compulsive Gamblers Fund. (Section 313.1021)

SPORTS WAGERING

This act authorizes wagering on sporting events, including esports, and modifies the definition of "gambling game" to include sports wagering. (Sections 313.800 and 313.1003)

Sports wagering shall only be authorized to be conducted on an excursion gambling boat or over the internet to persons physically located in this state. Licensed applicants shall apply to the Missouri Gaming Commission for authorization to conduct sports wagering and shall pay an application fee not to exceed $100,000. If granted a certificate of authority, a certificate holder shall be authorized to conduct sports wagering in a licensed facility or through an interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act. (Section 313.1006)

The act establishes designated sports districts, as defined in the act, in areas surrounding stadiums in which professional sports teams play their home games. Professional sports teams may designate a designated sports district mobile licensee, as defined in the act, to conduct sports wagering via an interactive sports wagering platform within the designated sports district. Sports wagering commercial activity, defined as any operation, promotion, signage, advertising, or other business activity relating to sports wagering, shall be prohibited within designated sports districts, as defined in the act, without approval of the professional sports team. (Section 313.1003.3)

An excursion gambling boat may conduct sports wagering through an individually branded interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act, and may operate such platform or contract with a platform operator to administer sports wagering on behalf of the excursion gambling boat. An excursion gambling boat may conduct sports wagering through an additional two individually branded interactive sports wagering platforms and may operate such platform or contract with a platform operator to administer sports wagering on behalf of the excursion gambling boat, provided the excursion gambling boat pays to the Commission an annual administrative fee of $250,000 for the first additional interactive sports wagering platform and an annual administrative fee of $500,000 for the second additional interactive sports wagering platform. Each designated sports district mobile licensee may offer sports wagering through one interactive sports wagering platform. (Section 313.1008)

An interactive sports wagering platform may apply to the Commission to conduct sports wagering on behalf of a certificate holder. Such interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an application fee not to exceed $150,000. Every year after licensure, an interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an annual license renewal fee not to exceed $125,000. (Section 313.1010)

A sports governing body may notify the Commission that official league data for determining tier two sports wagers is available. The Commission shall notify sports wagering operators of such availability within seven days, and within sixty days of receiving such notification, sports wagering operators shall use only official league data to determine the outcome of tier two sports wagers, with exceptions as provided in the act.

Certificate holders shall ensure that the certificate holder's surveillance system covers all areas in which sports wagering is conducted, allow the Commission to be present through gaming agents during the hours sports wagering is conducted, ensure that individuals under the age of 21 are not making sports wagers, provide certain information to sports wagering patrons, and post a sign indicating the minimum and maximum amounts that may be wagered. (Section 313.1004)

The Commission shall also promulgate rules to ensure that advertisements for sports wagering do not target minors or other persons who are ineligible to place wagers, problem gamblers, or other vulnerable persons. (Section 313.1012)

The Commission shall conduct background checks on individuals seeking licenses under the act. Such background checks shall include a search for criminal history and any charges or convictions involving corruption or manipulation of sporting events.

The act prohibits the direct or indirect legal or beneficial owner of five percent or more of a sports governing body or its member teams from placing or accepting a wager on an event in which a member team participates. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 313.1014.3(2))

A sports governing body may submit a request to the Commission to restrict, limit, or exclude a certain type, form, or category of sports wagering on sporting events sponsored by such sports governing body. The Commission shall request comments on such requests from sports wagering operators. Upon demonstration of good cause, the Commission shall grant such request, as described in the act.

The Commission and certificate holders shall cooperate with investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. (Section 313.1014)

A certificate holder shall maintain records of all bets and wagers placed through an interactive sports wagering platform, and all bets and wagers placed in person that exceed $10,000, including personally identifiable information of the bettor, the amount and type of bet, the time the bet was placed, the location of the bet, the outcome of the bet, and records of abnormal betting activity for at least three years after the sporting event occurs. (Section 313.1016)

A tax is imposed at a rate of 10% on the adjusted gross receipts received from sports wagering conducted by a certificate holder. Such tax shall be remitted by the last business day of each month. Revenues received from the tax shall be deposited in the Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.

A certificate holder shall also pay to the Commission an annual license renewal fee not to exceed $50,000. In addition to such administrative fee, a certificate holder shall pay to the Commission a fee of $10,000 every five years for a reinvestigation of the certificate holder. Such fees shall be deposited in the Gaming Commission Fund. (Section 313.1021)

All sports wagers placed under this act shall be deemed to be initiated, received, and otherwise made on the property of an excursion gambling boat in this state. The intermediate routing of electronic data shall not determine the location or locations in which such wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made. (Section 313.1022)

These provisions are identical to provisions in SB 1 (2023), are substantially similar to SS/SB 30 (2023), HCS/HBs 556 & 581 (2023), HB 953 (2023), SB 643 (2022), SB 764 (2022), SB 1046 (2022), SB 1061 (2022), HB 1666 (2022), HB 2752 (2022), SB 18 (2021), SB 217 (2021), SB 256 (2021), SB 567 (2020), SB 754 (2020), HB 2318 (2020), HB 2691 (2020), HB 119 (2019), SB 1009 (2018), HB 2406 (2018), and to provisions in SB 557 (2023), SS/HCS/HBs 2502 & 2556 (2022), SB 906 (2022), HB 2080 (2022), HB 2144 (2022), SCS/SB 98 (2021), SB 643 (2020), HCS/HB 2088 (2020), HCS/HB 2284 (2020), SS#3/SCS/SB 44 (2019), and SB 187 (2019), and is similar to HB 2320 (2018) and to a provision contained in SB 195 (2019).

JOSH NORBERG

COMPULSIVE GAMBLING

This act requires the Missouri Gaming Commission to promulgate rules for a sports wagering self-exclusion program, as described in the act. Any person who has been self-excluded and is found to have entered an excursion gambling boat or placed a sports wager shall forfeit his or her winnings. (Section 313.813)

Current law allows the Commission to establish programs to provide treatment, prevention and education services for compulsive gambling. This act requires such programs and includes recovery services. This act also requires the Commission to conduct a socioeconomic study every five years on the impact of gaming. (Section 313.842)

This act requires the General Assembly to appropriate at least $1 million annually from the Gaming Commission Fund to the Compulsive Gamblers Fund. (Section 313.1021)

SPORTS WAGERING

This act authorizes wagering on sporting events, including esports, and modifies the definition of "gambling game" to include sports wagering.

Sports wagering shall only be authorized to be conducted on an excursion gambling boat or over the internet to persons physically located in this state. Licensed applicants shall apply to the Missouri Gaming Commission for authorization to conduct sports wagering and shall pay an application fee not to exceed $100,000. If granted a certificate of authority, a certificate holder shall be authorized to conduct sports wagering in a licensed facility or through an interactive sports wagering platform, as defined in the act. (Section 313.1006)

The act establishes designated sports districts, as defined in the act, in areas surrounding stadiums in which professional sports teams play their home games. Professional sports teams may designate a designated sports district mobile licensee, as defined in the act, to conduct sports wagering via an interactive sports wagering platform within the designated sports district. (Section 313.1000)

An excursion gambling boat may conduct sports wagering through up to three individually branded interactive sports wagering platforms, as defined in the act, and may operate such platforms or contract with a platform operator to administer sports wagering on behalf of the excursion gambling boat. Each designated sports district mobile licensee may offer sports wagering through one interactive sports wagering platform. (Section 313.1008)

An interactive sports wagering platform may apply to the Commission to conduct sports wagering on behalf of a certificate holder. Such interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an application fee not to exceed $150,000. Every year after licensure, an interactive sports wagering platform shall submit an annual license renewal fee not to exceed $125,000. (Section 313.1010)

Sports wagering commercial activity, defined as any operation, promotion, signage, advertising, or other business activity relating to sports wagering, shall be prohibited within designated sports districts, as defined in the act. (Section 313.1003.3)

A sports governing body may notify the Commission that official league data for determining tier two sports wagers is available. The Commission shall notify sports wagering operators of such availability within seven days, and within sixty days of receiving such notification, sports wagering operators shall use only official league data to determine the outcome of tier two sports wagers, with exceptions as provided in the act.

Certificate holders shall ensure that the certificate holder's surveillance system covers all areas in which sports wagering is conducted, allow the Commission to be present through gaming agents during the hours sports wagering is conducted, ensure that individuals under the age of 21 are not making sports wagers, provide certain information to sports wagering patrons, and post a sign indicating the minimum and maximum amounts that may be wagered. (Section 313.1004)

The Commission shall also promulgate rules to ensure that advertisements for sports wagering do not target minors or other persons who are ineligible to place wagers, problem gamblers, or other vulnerable persons. (Section 313.1012)

The Commission shall conduct background checks on individuals seeking licenses under the act. Such background checks shall include a search for criminal history and any charges or convictions involving corruption or manipulation of sporting events.

The act prohibits the direct or indirect legal or beneficial owner of five percent or more of a sports governing body or its member teams from placing or accepting a wager on an event in which a member team participates. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 313.1014.3(2))

A sports governing body may submit a request to the Commission to restrict, limit, or exclude a certain type, form, or category of sports wagering on sporting events sponsored by such sports governing body. The Commission shall request comments on such requests from sports wagering operators. Upon demonstration of good cause, the Commission shall grant such request, as described in the act.

The Commission and certificate holders shall cooperate with investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. (Section 313.1014)

A certificate holder shall maintain records of all bets and wagers placed through an interactive sports wagering platform, and all bets and wagers placed in person that exceed $10,000, including personally identifiable information of the bettor, the amount and type of bet, the time the bet was placed, the location of the bet, the outcome of the bet, and records of abnormal betting activity for at least three years after the sporting event occurs. (Section 313.1016)

A tax is imposed at a rate of 12% on the adjusted gross receipts received from sports wagering conducted by a certificate holder. Such tax shall be remitted by the last business day of each month. Revenues received from the tax shall be deposited in the Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.

A certificate holder shall also pay to the Commission an annual license renewal fee not to exceed $50,000. In addition to such administrative fee, a certificate holder shall pay to the Commission a fee of $10,000 every five years for a reinvestigation of the certificate holder. Such fees shall be deposited in the Gaming Commission Fund. (Section 313.1021)

All sports wagers placed under this act shall be deemed to be initiated, received, and otherwise made on the property of an excursion gambling boat in this state. The intermediate routing of electronic data shall not determine the location or locations in which such wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made. (Section 313.1022)

This act is identical to SS/SB 30 (2023), is substantially similar to HCS/HBs 556 & 581 (2023), HB 953 (2023), SB 643 (2022), SB 764 (2022), SB 1046 (2022), SB 1061 (2022), SB 18 (2021), SB 217 (2021), SB 256 (2021), SB 567 (2020), SB 754 (2020), HB 2318 (2020), HB 2691 (2020), HB 119 (2019), SB 1009 (2018), HB 2406 (2018), and to provisions contained in SB 1 (2023), SB 557 (2023), SS/HCS/HBs 2502 & 2556 (2022), SB 906 (2022), SCS/SB 98 (2021), SB 643 (2020), HCS/HB 2088 (2020), HCS/HB 2284 (2020), SS#3/SCS/SB 44 (2019), and SB 187 (2019), and is similar to HB 2320 (2018) and to a provision contained in SB 195 (2019).

JOSH NORBERG

Before such construction work begins, an electrical corporation seeking to include construction work in progress in rates shall file with the Public Service Commission a plan detailing the projected costs of the construction and the plan to recover such costs through rates. Costs recovered by an electrical corporation under this act are subject to inclusion or exclusion from rates in a ratemaking proceeding. The Commission may authorize an electrical corporation to make or demand charges for service based on additional amortization to maintain the electrical corporation's financial ratios in improving cost effectiveness in constructing a clean baseload generation plant or a renewable source generating facility.

This act shall not apply to clean baseload electric generating plants that are in commercial operation before August 28, 2024.

This act is substantially similar to HCS/HB 225 (2023), and similar to SB 333 (2023), HB 1684 (2022) and HB 261 (2021).

JULIA SHEVELEVA

This act is identical to SB 479 (2023) and HB 1202 (2023).

JOSH NORBERG

JOSH NORBERG

MAGNET SCHOOLS (Section 163.161)

Under this act, any school district that operates magnet schools as part of a master desegregation settlement agreement shall not be considered inefficient for purposes of state aid for transportation of pupils attending such magnet schools and shall not receive a financial penalty for the magnet school transportation portion of the overall transportation budget. This provision is identical to provisions in HCS/SS#2/SCS/SBs 4, 42, & 89 (2023), in SB 5 (2023), in HCS/HB 253 (2023), HB 672 (2023), and a provision in SB 1010 (2022).

PUBLIC SCHOOL OPEN ENROLLMENT ACT (Sections 167.1200 to 167.1230)

The act establishes the "Public School Open Enrollment Act" to enable students to transfer from their district of residence ("resident district") to a nonresident district. The Act shall become effective on July 1, 2025. These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 5 (2023) and to SB 1010 (2022), HCS/HB 253 (2023), HB 1814 (2022), and HS/HCS/HB 543 (2021).

TRANSFER POLICY AND PARTICIPATION (Section 167.1205)

On or before October 1st of each year, each school district and charter school shall indicate whether it will participate in the open enrollment program during the subsequent school year. Participating districts and schools may accept transferring nonresident students from any other school district. For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, a district may restrict the number of students who may transfer away from the school district to a maximum of 5% of the district's enrollment for the prior year. The act shall not be construed to require any school to add teachers, staff, or classrooms.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a model policy for districts and charter schools to determine such standards and the number of transfers they may accept. The model policy shall be adopted by all districts and charter schools, whether or not they participate in the program, and may be modified to meet each district's or charter school's particular needs. The model policy shall require each district or charter school to define "insufficient classroom space" and may provide additional standards for evaluating transfer applications.

Nonresident districts shall accept credits toward graduation from other districts and shall award a diploma to any transferring student who meets the nonresident district's graduation requirements.

Superintendents shall cause information regarding the open enrollment program to be posted on the school district's or charter school's website and in the district's or charter school's student handbook.

A student seeking to transfer to a magnet school, an academically selective school, or a school with a competitive entrance process shall submit proof that the student meets all admission requirements.

A student may be denied transfer if, in the most recent school year, he or she has been suspended from school two or more times, was suspended for an act of school violence, or expelled for acts that school administrators are required to report to law enforcement under current law. Such student may alternatively be permitted to transfer on a provisional, probationary basis subject to no further disruptive behavior based on standards that shall be developed by the nonresident district. Students denied transfer shall have the right to an in-person meeting with the nonresident district's superintendent.

A 9th to 12th grade transfer student shall be ineligible to participate in varsity sports during the first 365 days of such student's enrollment, unless the student meets certain conditions as provided in the act. A statewide activities association may provide additional penalties if the student was unduly influenced to transfer for reasons related to participation in sports.

APPLYING FOR TRANSFER (Section 167.1210)

Students may transfer into only one nonresident district per school year. Transferring students shall commit to attending and taking all courses through the nonresident district for at least one school year, and at least one such course shall be in-seat. Students who transfer back to their resident districts shall reapply in order to transfer back into a nonresident district and shall first remain in the resident district for at least one full semester.

Siblings of transferring students may also enroll in the same nonresident district to which their sibling transfers, subject to limitations based on school capacity and the student's disciplinary record.

Except for students who qualify for reimbursement of transportation costs as described in the act and for agreements allowing such students to be picked up at an existing bus stop, transferring students or their parents shall be responsible for transportation to and from nonresident districts. By agreement with the nonresident district, parents of transferring students may waive requirements for such district to provide transportation required under the student's individualized education program.

Any student who qualifies for free and reduced price lunch and transfers to an adjacent school district or charter school shall be reimbursed quarterly by the Parent Public School Choice Fund established in this act, based on calculations described in the act.

PARENT PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE FUNDS (Sections 167.1211 and 167.1212)

Nonresident districts shall receive reimbursement for the costs of certain special educational services for transferring students. Such reimbursement shall not exceed the district's current expenditure per average daily attendance. The reimbursement shall come from the Parent Public School Choice Fund established in the act. The Fund shall consist of an appropriation of $60 million and any subsequent appropriations. The Department shall annually evaluate the availability and use of moneys from the fund. If additional moneys are needed to fulfill the purposes of the act, the Department shall request such moneys by a specific line item appropriation.

NUMBER OF TRANSFER STUDENTS (Section 167.1215)

By October 1st annually, each school district and charter school shall set the number of transferring students such district or charter school is willing to accept for the following school year. The district or charter school may set criteria, including limits on the number of students to be accepted to particular buildings, grades, classrooms, or programs. Districts and charter schools shall publish and notify the Department of such information.

Each district and charter school shall develop a procedure for creating a waiting list for all transfer applications when applications exceed the district's or charter school's maximum. In accepting students from the waiting list, nonresident districts shall give additional priority to students in the following order: siblings of transfer students, children of active duty military personnel, children of district or charter school employees, students who previously attended school in the district or charter school as resident students, and students whose parents' employment circumstances would cause transfer to be in the student's best interest. Nonresident districts may also include other priority factors. Parents of applicants shall be informed of how the waiting list shall operate and may be required to reapply to remain on the waiting list.

APPLICATION PROCESS (Section 167.1220)

A student's transfer application shall be submitted to the nonresident and resident districts on a form approved by the Department before December 1st in the year prior to the school year in which the student seeks to transfer. Nonresident districts shall mark the date and time of receipt on each such application. Applications shall be reviewed and decided upon by the superintendent. Reasons for any rejection shall be submitted to the school board or charter school governing body for review. Rejection decisions may be finalized only by a majority vote of the board or governing body.

School boards and governing bodies of charter schools may adopt a policy granting the superintendent authority to approve transfer applications submitted after the December 1st deadline if conditions described in the act are met, including a finding of good cause. The act provides additional procedures related to the timing of late applications. Resident districts may appeal the decisions of nonresident districts for suspected violations of the late application provisions of the act. The Commissioner of Education or a three member panel selected by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission shall mediate such disputes and shall conduct a hearing if the mediation is unsuccessful. A decision shall be issued within 10 days of such hearing and may be appealed within 5 days.

The superintendents of nonresident districts shall notify the parents of transfer applicants by February 1st whether the application has been accepted or rejected. Such notice shall include, if the application is rejected, the reason for a rejection, or, if the application is accepted, an enrollment deadline and instructions for renewing the transfer enrollment.

AUTHORIZED EXEMPTIONS (Section 167.1225)

The provisions of the Public School Open Enrollment Act shall not supercede any provision of an enforceable desegregation court order or a court-approved desegregation plan. A school district may declare an exemption from the Act if the district is subject to such an order or desegregation plan, or if the district is subject to a settlement agreement to remedy past segregation. Such exemption is irrevocable for one year from the date the district gives notice to the Department. Notice of a district's exemption or intent to resume participation in open enrollment for the next school year shall be issued to the Department by April 1st.

By June 1st of each year, the Department shall report to each school district the maximum number of transfers under the Public School Open Enrollment Act for the next school year.

When students are unable to transfer due to an exemption declared by a school district due to a court order, desegregation plan, or segregation-related settlement agreement, such students shall be given priority for any transfers in the subsequent school year by the resident district in the order application notices were received from such students.

A school district with an approved or voluntary diversity plan may deny an Public School Open Enrollment Act transfer if the district determines that such transfer conflicts with such plan. Such denials shall be deemed to be made in good faith.

Students transferring to nonresident districts pursuant to provisions of current law allowing transfer if the resident district does not offer high school instruction, under the Elementary and Secondary School District Enrollment Option Act, or through the Metropolitan Schools Achieving Value in Transfer Corporation, shall not be subject to the requirements of the Open Enrollment Act. School districts participating in such programs shall also not be subject to such requirements. Students transferring pursuant to the Open Enrollment Act shall not be considered transfer students for purposes of other provisions of current law allowing transfer.

APPEAL PROCEDURE (Section 167.1230)

Transfer applicants who are rejected may file an appeal with the Department or a three member panel selected by the Missouri Charter Public School Commission. The appeal shall be sent in writing within 10 business days after the student or the student's parent receives notice of rejection. A copy shall also be sent to the superintendent of the nonresident district where the applicant seeks to transfer. The appeal shall state the basis for appeal, shall include a copy of the notice of rejection, and may include documentation to show that transfer would be in the student's best interest. The nonresident district may submit additional documentation or arguments supporting the rejection decision to the Department or the three member panel, and shall submit copies of any such response to the student or student's parent, no later than 10 days after receiving a copy of the appeal. The Department or the three member panel shall notify the parent, nonresident district, and resident district of the basis for the Department's or panel's decision if it overturns the rejection.

The Department shall collect data from school districts and each charter school sponsor shall collect data from each sponsored charter school on the number of applications made under the act to study its effects. The Department shall consider the maximum number of transfers and exemptions for up to two years to determine whether a significant racially segregative impact has occurred in any district. Before October 1st of each year, the Department and each charter school sponsor shall report its findings to the Joint Committee on Education, the House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and any other education committee designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

OLIVIA SHANNON

JOSH NORBERG

The act adds "student growth" to the categories of information required to be included in the school accountability report cards of all school districts, public schools, and public charter schools under current law. The act describes how student growth shall be calculated, with reference to a comparison of students' performance on statewide assessments in the current academic year to their performance in prior years.

By July 15 of each year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall provide a confidential version of the school accountability report cards to each school building, school district, and charter school. By August 15 of each year, DESE shall publish the school accountability report cards for the previous year on the DESE website and include in DESE's annual budget request sufficient resources in personnel and equipment to prepare the report cards for the following year.

The act also establishes provisions relating to the preparation of annual performance ratings for public schools based on students' academic performance. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year and in all subsequent school years, the act sets forth a methodology for calculating the annual performance ratings based on students' year-to-year academic growth and achievement. For elementary schools, year-to-year student growth and overall student achievement shall each be weighted at 50% in the calculation, as specified in the act. For high schools, DESE shall create a college and career readiness measure that is based on statistical models that identify schools' contributions to students' long-term outcomes separately from their prior achievement. DESE shall determine a standard for both college readiness and career readiness, and shall promulgate rules relating to such standards. DESE shall consider certain factors when measuring college and career readiness, such as Advanced Placement scores and International Baccalaureate program scores. For high schools, 60% of the annual performance rating score shall be based on a combination of the attainment of college and career readiness credentials and student growth, as described in the act, and 40% of the score shall be based on a combination of student achievement on end-of-course exams and the five-year high school gradation rate.

Each school that has students who are enrolled in the school for the full academic year and who are tested using the statewide assessments shall receive an annual performance rating score and an annual report card. However, a school shall not earn an annual performance rating score based on students' academic performance if fewer than 10 students are tested in the statewide assessments.

DESE shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this act, and shall additionally have the authority to promulgate rules including incentives or rewards for schools and school districts that receive an annual performance rating score of 90% or more or that increase their score by 10% over a three-year period.

This act is similar to SB 804 (2024).

OLIVIA SHANNON

This act provides that government entities shall not have the right to condemn lands owned by a church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious organization unless such condemnation is for the development of a public utility.

MARY GRACE PRINGLE

This constitutional amendment is identical to SJR 37 (2023).

SCOTT SVAGERA

This amendment is identical to SJR 13 (2023) and substantially similar to SJR 46 (2022), SJR 10 (2021), SJR 47 (2020), and SJR 17 (2017).

MARY GRACE PRINGLE