Modifies provisions relating to the authority to confer degrees at public institutions of higher education

This bill restructures the administration of Missouri's public higher education system by creating a new Coordinating Board for Higher Education to replace the existing Commission on Higher Education. The new board will have the authority to approve or deny proposed degree programs and must ensure that any new programs align with the state's workforce needs and the University of Missouri's role as the sole grantor of research doctorates. Additionally, the legislation mandates that public institutions offering chiropractic, osteopathic, or podiatric degrees do so in collaboration with the University of Missouri unless specific conditions are met. The bill also outlines the board's responsibilities for setting admission guidelines, managing student residency policies, and promoting cooperative agreements between institutions to expand graduate degree offerings.