Good morning MACRAO membership-
The Missouri Legislature reopened on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The MACRAO Government Relations Committee wanted to share with you a summary of some of the House and Senate bills that were pre-filed (reviewed those submitted as of December 30, 2025) that may be of interest to the MACRAO membership, which are listed below. The status of these bills (and additional bills proposed as the session progresses) will be reported periodically throughout the spring semester as legislative session progression occurs. Additionally, we have shared some articles below that we felt may be of interest to MACRAO members.
MACRAO Government Relations Committee
[email protected]
Missouri Legislative Updates
House
HB 1640 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1640&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Matthew Overcast (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits public institutions of higher education from accepting examination scores from testing entities that require disabled individuals to undergo comprehensive testing for disabilities that do not change over time.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 1898 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1898&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Adrian Plank (D)
Synopsis: Requires publicly funded state colleges and university to allow medical marijuana use on campus.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 1934 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1934&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Marla Smith (D)
Synopsis: Establishes the “College Admission and Financial Aid Consistency Task Force.”
Status: Pre-filed
HB 2061 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2061&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: George Hruza (R)
Synopsis: Provides protections against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2393 and SB 1051.
HB 2062 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2062&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Wick Thomas (D)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to higher education tuition. Relates to Missouri residency establishment for an individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident based on written statement agreeing to regularize citizenship/permanent residency when eligible to do so.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2487.
HB 2074 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2074&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Brandon Phelps (R)
Synopsis: Creates the “Missouri Disabled Veteran’s Dependents Tuition Waiver” to provide college tuition waivers for the children, stepchildren, and spouses of certain veterans.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to SB 1048.
HB 2110 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2110&year=2121&code=R)
Sponsor: Michael Davis (R)
Synopsis: Established procedures authorizing certain school districts to detach form a community college district upon voter approval.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 2121 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2121&year=2121&code=R)
Sponsor: John Black (R)
Synopsis: Enacts the “Missouri Religious Liberty in Schools Awareness Act.” Would require posting of a religious liberties statement as described in the act to be posted in a prominent location of any public school’s buildings in which the academic instruction of students actually and regularly occurs.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 2123 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2123&year=2123&code=R)
Sponsor: John Black (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions governing funding for higher education. Relates to scholarship funding for ACT/SAT qualifying scores ranked in the top 3% and optionally for those in the top 5% if sufficient funding exists-revision of the Higher Education Academic Scholarship program (Bright Flight). Also creates the Missouri Higher Education Workforce Policy Prioritization Act designed to develop a funding model for public institutions based on factors described in the bill intended for the 2028-2029 and subsequent fiscal years.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to SB 1121.
HB 2125 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2125&year=2125&code=R)
Sponsor: Travis Wilson (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions governing the “Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.” Relates to adjusted gross income eligibility and eligible training provider definition.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 2217 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2217&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Louis Riggs (R)
Synopsis: Establishes transparency requirements for textbooks and curricula. Establishes the “Charlie Kirk Viewpoint Diversity and Transparency Act.” Each approved institution of higher education shall submit to the department of higher education and workforce development information about all college textbooks, integrated textbooks, products, and supplemental material used for each course of study offered by the institution. Information to include bibliographic information necessary to identify including title, author, organization, and website. A detailed course description of each course of study must be supplied containing various information as outlined in the act. All information to be updated every six months. To be effective the 2026-2027 academic year.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 2271 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2271&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Ed Lewis (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits commercial services that provide a user with work submitted for educational credit in the user’s name.
Status: Pre-filed
HB 2367 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2367&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Jeff Vernetti (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions governing community college degree programs in certain workforce fields when labor shortages exist. Relates to baccalaureate degrees.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2577.
HB 2393 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2061&year=2393&code=R)
Sponsor: Ian Mackey (D)
Synopsis: Provides protections against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public postsecondary educational institutions.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2061 and SB 1051.
HB 2487 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2487&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Emily Weber (D)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to higher education tuition. Relates to Missouri residency establishment for an individual who is not a citizen or permanent resident based on written statement agreeing to regularize citizenship/permanent residency when eligible to do so.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2062.
HB 2499 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2499&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Kathy Steinhoff (D)
Synopsis: Establishes provisions relating to purpose-built student housing.
Status: Pre-filed.
HB 2534 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2534&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: Chanel Mosley (D)
Synopsis: Requires teacher education programs to provide credit hours and licensed teachers to participate in professional development regarding social and emotional learning and in social work. Would require any teacher education programs that receive state aid to include at least 3 credit hours in social and emotional learning courses and at least 3 credit hours in social work in education.
Status: Pre-filed.
HB 2542 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2542&year=2026&code=R)
Sponsor: John Simmons (R)
Synopsis: Designates March 1 each year as “Dr. Mun Choi Day” in Missouri (President of the University of Missouri system).
Status: Pre-filed.
HB 2577 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2577&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Brad Banderman (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions governing community college degree programs in certain workforce fields when labor shortages exist. Relates to baccalaureate degrees.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2367.
HB 2585 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2585&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: David Casteel (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to grants for certain workforce training programs.
Status: Pre-filed.
Senate
SB 939 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=273)
Sponsor: Mike Bernskoetter (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions related to the governing bodies of certain public institutions of higher education. Restricts that no more than half of the governing body members of these institutions shall reside in the county of the institution’s main campus. Repeals any other geographical restrictions on the makeup of these governing bodies.
Status: Pre-filed
SB 950 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=381)
Sponsor: Mike Moon (R)
Synopsis: Creates a higher education endowment tax to be imposed on the endowments of qualifying institutions of higher education at a rate of 1.9% of aggregate fair market value of endowment assets. Applied to the endowments of higher education institutions that 1) are affiliated with, or provide medical faculty to, any abortion facility, 2) offer specific medical residencies or fellowships that offer training in performing or inducing abortions, or 3) support in any manner any abortion facility where abortions are performed or induced when not necessary to save the life of the mother. Any institution that becomes a qualifying institution of higher education on or after January 1, 2027, shall remain subject to the tax imposed by the act regardless of whether such institution no longer meets the definition of qualifying institution of higher education as defined in the act. For all tax years in which the higher education endowment tax is activated, this act would also reduce the top rate of individual income tax by 0.17%.
Status: Prefiled
SB 1048 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=133)
Sponsor: Travis Fitzwater (R)
Synopsis: Creates the “Missouri Disabled Veteran’s Dependents Tuition Waiver” to provide college tuition waivers for the children, stepchildren, and spouses of certain veterans.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2074.
SB 1051 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=281)
Sponsor: CurtisTrent (R)
Synopsis: Creates provisions related to protections against discrimination in educational settings. Primarily focused on antisemitism.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2061 and HB 2393.
SB 1121 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=437)
Sponsor: Curtis Trent (R)
Synopsis: Creates the “Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act” and creates and modifies provisions relating to higher education workforce policy prioritization. Relates to scholarship funding for ACT/SAT qualifying scores ranked in the top 3% and optionally for those in the top 5% if sufficient funding exists-revision of the Higher Education Academic Scholarship program (Bright Flight) along with renewal information for a total of four semesters (or six for Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Program students). Also creates the Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act designed to develop a funding model for public institutions based on factors described in the bill intended for the 2028-2029 and subsequent fiscal years.
Status: Pre-filed. Similar to HB 2123.
SB 1155 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=528)
Sponsor: MaggieNurrenbern (D)
Synopsis: Establishes the “Missouri Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act” relating to accommodations for students with disabilities at public institutions of higher education.
Status: Pre-filed.
SB 1192 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=253)
Sponsor: Ben Brown (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits higher education accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Status: Pre-filed.
SB 1196 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=591)
Sponsor: Mike Henderson (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to grants for certain workforce training programs. Relates to approval of workforce training program eligible for federal Workforce Pell Grants.
Status: Pre-filed.
SB 1276 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=551)
Sponsor: Nick Schroer (R)
Synopsis: Creates new provisions relating to discrimination in public entities. Defines “proxy discrimination” and prohibits collection in the application process. Any public educational institution with a selective admission process would be required to publish a comprehensive list of all factors considered or used in the admission process, which must be publicly available on the official website of the institution and made easily accessible to prospective students, parents, and other interested parties. Penalties and potential timelines outlined in the act.
Status: Pre-filed.
SB 1451 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=21558)
Sponsor: MikeHenderson (R)
Synopsis: Increases the maximum gross income for eligibility for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.
Status: Pre-filed.
SJR 86 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26Info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=617)
Sponsor: Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R)
Synopsis: Replaces the Coordinating Board for Higher Education with a direct appointed by the Governor.
Status: Pre-filed.
Additional Articles of Interest
AACRAO In The News: The Shift Towards Year-Long Academic Planning (https://evolllution.com/the-shift-toward-year-long-academic-planning)
AACRAO Update: Executive Director Statement on US Department of Education Plan to Transfer Offices to New Federal Agencies (https://www.aacrao.org/who-we-are/newsroom/executive-director-updates/executive-director-update/2025/12/04/executive-director-statement-on-u.s.-department-of-education-plan-to-transfer-offices-to-new-federal-agencies)
Higher Ed Dive: DOJ: Education Department’s Race-Based Grants are Unconstitutional (https://www.highereddive.com/news/doj-education-department-msi-grant-funding-unconstitutional/808563/)
Higher Ed Dive: What Do College-Bound Students Think of DEI Efforts? (https://www.highereddive.com/news/art-science-dei-college-student-opinions/808321/)
Inside Higher Ed: Congressional Republicans Look to Build on 2025 Higher Ed Reforms (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2026/01/05/college-costs-accreditation-likely-top-focus-congress?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=64e5c99061-DNU_2021_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-64e5c99061-236709166&mc_cid=64e5c99061&mc_eid=5a3a566a01)
Inside Higher Ed: House Ed Committee Advances Financial Aid Transparency Bills (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/12/12/house-ed-panel-advances-financial-aid-transparency-bills)
