Legislative Update - 2026, Week 15

By Otto Fajen
MNEA Legislative Director

SENATE APPROVES BUDGET

The Senate debated and approved its version of next year's budget bills on April 22. The budget bills must be approved by both chambers in final form by 6 p.m. on May 8th. The committee took Senate positions on key budget items but accepted the House position on most budget items.

The House version of HB 2002 for K-12 education still underfunds the school funding formula by $190 million for next year. The Senate version increases general revenue to the formula and uses funds from the state capitol commission fund while reducing funding from less reliable sources, such as state lottery funds. The Senate also increases pupil transportation funding by $15 million. The Senate defeated an amendment offered by Sen. Lincoln Hough to fully fund the formula by a vote of 10-20. The bill was approved by a vote of 21-11.

The House version of HB 2003 for higher education includes a sweeping shift to aid for colleges and universities. The HCS eliminates institution core funding and immediately replaces it with a per FTE student funding amount for each institution. The Senate committee adopted the Governor's recommendation, which restores the structure of funding that institutions are currently receiving. The bill was approved by a vote of 22-9.

The House version of HB 2012 for statewide officials continues to divert $60 million in general revenue to fund private schools through the state's tax credit voucher scheme. The Senate agreed to the House position on the existing $50 million funding amount but rejected the $10 million increase approved by the House. The $10 million increase will remain a conference item. The Association opposes both the state's tax credit voucher program and the appropriation of general revenue to fund scholarships under this tax credit program.

INCOME TAX AND SALES TAXES MEASURE HEADS TO BALLOT

The House approved the Senate substitute version of SCS/HCS/HJRs 173 & 174 (Bishop Davidson) on April 21 by a vote of 95-59. The joint resolution is now truly agreed to. The measure will be printed in final form and sent to the Secretary of State for submission to the voters of the state at either the November election or the August election if so directed by Governor Kehoe.

The resolution directs the legislature to enact legislation to reduce and eliminate the income tax based on revenue growth. The substitute also allows the legislature to expand the state sales and use tax to all goods and services, while requiring local subdivisions to reduce local taxes to compensate for any revenue increases due to the sales tax expansion. This proposal could undermine public investment in all sectors and damage the state's economy. The Association opposes the joint resolution and elimination of the state income tax.

PUBLIC SECTOR BARGAINING

The House reconsidered HB 3283 (Chris Brown) on April 21 and referred the bill to the Legislative Review Committee to revise language regarding binding arbitration. The bill creates a basic structure for public sector collective bargaining, including timelines for bargaining to commence, an expectation of good faith bargaining, and requirements for mediation and arbitration to resolve impasse. The House adopted an amendment to specify that the new structure for bargaining in the bill only applies to employees allowed to form labor organizations under the current bargaining law. Teachers and law enforcement are excluded from bargaining under the current law but remain entitled to the right to bargain collectively under the Missouri Constitution and associated court decisions. The Association supports the original House bill.

STUDENT SCREEN TIME IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

The Senate Education Committee will hear HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (Tricia Byrnes) on April 28. The bill requires board policies that specify applicable limits on the use of technology for student learning practices in elementary schools, leaving the specific provisions of the policies under local control. The Association appreciates the concern and recognition of the impact of screen use on learning and child development and supports the bill.

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The committee postponed executive session until April 28. The committee will also hear the following bills on April 28:

SB 1207 (David Gregory) to require the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) to file its annual financial report with the Joint Committee on Education.

HCS/HBs 2120 & 1698 (John Black) relating to school antibullying policies. The bill addresses restrictions on consequences for victims of bullying and requires consideration of student statements regarding self-defense when a student responds to an act of violence against the student. The bill also includes requirements for incident and investigation reports.

HCS/HBs 1663, 1607 & 1973 (Brian Seitz) to remove the current sunset provision and permanently override MSHSAA and higher education institution policies on transgender athletic participation. Since the legislature enacted the current law three years ago, international and national sport associations have adopted more restrictive policies regarding transgender athlete participation, rendering the state law symbolic. The Association believes that educators should continue to establish the policies and procedures that govern the activities of Missouri students who participate in school activities.

SCHOOL PROTECTION OFFICERS

The House approved the Senate version of HCS/HB 1866 (Lane Roberts) on April 20. The bill is now finally passed and will be sent to Governor Kehoe for his approval. The Senate version expands the school protection officer statute. The current program allows school boards to allow administrators and teachers to seek specified training and be approved to carry a firearm and service as a school protection officer. The amendment extends this provision to allow other school employees to serve as school protection officers.