HB 3091 creates a "Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program" through scholarships for students in environmental fields. It establishes a "Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund" to provide financial support to minority and underrepresented students (prioritizing groups identified by the National Academy of Sciences) pursuing degrees in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, environmental chemistry, or environmental law enforcement. The program is administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development with funds from general revenue, federal sources, or private donations. The bill also creates an advisory committee to oversee scholarship selections and requires annual reporting on administrative entities (though this appears disconnected from the scholarship provisions in the provided text).
HB 2748 requires all elementary school students (including those in alternative programs and with disabilities, as appropriate under disability laws) to participate in at least 60 minutes daily of supervised moderate physical activity starting in the 2026-27 school year. It also mandates a minimum 20-minute daily recess in elementary schools and allows middle school students to meet activity requirements through 225 minutes weekly of physical activity. The bill establishes a state recognition program for schools showing fitness improvements and permits districts to meet requirements through recess, physical education, or approved activities. These changes directly affect public school districts, students, and physical education staff across the state.
SB 1600 requires Missouri school districts to screen all students at least once before third grade to identify gifted students. The bill mandates universal screening using multiple measures - including academic achievement, creativity, and teacher referrals - and requires review by at least three trained staff members. It also prohibits identifying gifted students solely based on advanced course participation and sets standards for teacher certification in gifted education for larger districts. The policy directly affects all K-2 students and school districts statewide, with screening requirements taking effect for the 2027-28 school year.
HB 3037 modifies Missouri's tax credit program for donations to scholarship organizations, allowing taxpayers to claim a 100% credit for contributions (up to 50% of their state tax liability) toward scholarships. The bill sets a $75 million annual cap on total credits, adjusted yearly based on state education funding changes, with unused credits carryable forward for up to four years. Donors cannot designate which student receives a scholarship, and the program activates only when transportation funding meets specific thresholds tied to 2021 levels. This affects taxpayers donating to educational assistance organizations seeking to fund student scholarships through state tax incentives.
HB 2866 establishes Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, which provides tax credits to Missouri taxpayers who donate to qualifying charitable organizations that fund education scholarships. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 100% of their contribution (capped at 50% of their state tax liability), with a total annual spending limit of $150 million adjusted yearly based on school funding. The program directs scholarship funds to eligible students through educational assistance organizations, limiting certified organizations to 15 per year and allocating tax credits on a first-come, first-served basis. It directly affects taxpayers making donations, charitable organizations administering scholarships, and families seeking education options beyond traditional public schools.
HB 2772 establishes the "Youth Workforce Development Program" to provide job training, certifications, and life skills to at-risk youth aged 12-21 in counties with over 1 million residents or cities outside counties. The program, administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, offers vocational training, high school diplomas, internships with local businesses, and mental health support - specifically requiring juvenile detention facilities to provide these services to youth held there. A dedicated state fund finances the program, covering costs like transportation, childcare, mental health services, and internship stipends, with annual reports tracking participant employment rates and recidivism. The program targets youth involved in juvenile justice, those with school suspensions, homelessness, or other risk factors, aiming to improve workforce readiness and reduce future system involvement.
HB 2002 is Missouri's 2026-2027 state budget for public education, allocating over $4.28 billion to fund public school operations through the School Foundation Program. It directly affects all Missouri public school districts, child care facilities providing pre-K programs, and the State Board of Education, with specific funding for classroom instruction, transportation, small schools, and voluntary open enrollment. Key provisions include $7.5 million for open enrollment programs (requiring receiving districts to receive state adequacy payments), $16.2 million for pre-K grants prioritizing low-income children, and strict rules prohibiting use of student data for marketing. The bill transfers funds from multiple state accounts, including General Revenue, Lottery Proceeds, and Sports Wagering for Education, to support these education programs during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
HB 2878 sets minimum requirements for school calendars in Missouri public school districts. It mandates a minimum of 169 school days (or 142 days for four-day-week districts) and 1,044 hours of student attendance annually, plus 36 make-up hours for weather-related closures. The bill prohibits districts from opening before 21 calendar days prior to the first Monday in September, with limited exceptions requiring public notice and board approval for earlier dates. Violations result in the state withholding 25% of a district’s annual state funding for each day of non-compliance. The law does not apply to year-round schools or districts with state board-approved exemptions for unusual circumstances.
HB 2933 allows school districts to vote on withdrawing from a special school district that provides specialized education services. If approved by voters, the school district can replace the special district’s tax levy with its own local tax (capped at the district’s proportional share) to fund special, vocational, and technical education programs within its boundaries. The district must continue providing these services after withdrawal, return special district assets, and assume proportional debt, with the change taking effect July 1 of the following school year. This process requires a school board resolution, county election authority involvement, and a 12-month waiting period if withdrawal is rejected.
HB 2776 creates a new pathway for teachers holding temporary teaching certificates in Missouri to earn full certification. It requires completing an approved 18-hour online training program (developed by the state or eligible charitable organizations) and either passing a teaching exam or meeting specific evaluation criteria through school district assessments. This change directly affects current temporary certificate holders seeking to teach in Missouri public schools, streamlining their transition to full certification without requiring additional degree programs. The bill also updates existing certification rules but focuses on simplifying the process for temporary certificate holders to qualify for permanent teaching roles.
