Congruent bills HB 1428 and SB 662, introduced in the Missouri House and Senate by sponsors Representative Edward Robb and Senator Jason Crowell, respectively, propose to double the scholarship amount to $4000. The purpose of the legislation will be to increase the attractiveness of Missouri higher level institutions for top qualifying Missouri high school graduates.
The next hearing for HB 1428 will be held on January 31, 2006, before the Higher Education Committee. A hearing was recently held January 24, 2006, before the Education Committee for Senate Bill 662. The Effective Date for SB 662 has been set at August 28, 2006, or the beginning of the fall term for many Missouri universities.
Co-sponsors for HB 1428 include: HOBBS, NOLTE, FLOOK, BROWN (50), DARROUGH, CORCORAN, LAMPE, COOPER (158), ZWEIFEL, SANDER, MOORE AND GUEST.
In order for either bill to become law, it must be approved by both the House and the Senate before facing final approval from the governor, Matt Blunt, who recently increased Higher Education spending by 2%.
HB 1231, sponsored by Representative Jim Avery (95) and co-sponsored by Representative Jane Cunningham (86), would provide Bright Flight to students attending an out-of-state institution for programs not offered by Missouri schools. It was referred to the Higher Education Committee on January 19, 2006, however, a hearing is not scheduled.