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 additional House and Senate bills that were proposed after the opening of session that may be of interest to the MACRAO membership, which are listed below. The status of these bills (and those previously shared) will be updated periodically throughout the spring semester as legislative session progression occurs. Currently, none of the previous bills have advanced any further than related committees at this stage of the legislative session. Additionally, we have shared some articles below that we felt may be of interest to MACRAO members.
MACRAO Government Relations Committee
[email protected]
Additional Missouri House Bills
HB 2685 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2685&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Michael Johnson (D)
Synopsis: Designates the week of September 24th to 30th each year as "Historically Black College and University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Week".
Status: Second reading.
HB 2776 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2776&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Willard Haley (R)
Synopsis: Establishes provisions relating to the granting of associate teacher certificates.
Status: Voted Do Pass out of House Committee.
HB 2878 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2878&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Jamie Gragg (R)
Synopsis: Changes restrictions on school districts from preparing a school calendar with an opening date no earlier than 14 days prior to the first Monday in September to 21 days prior to the first Monday in September. While aimed at K-12, we have included since some institutions try to sync calendars with local school districts.
Status: Second reading.
HB 2896 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2896&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Chris Brown (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to the governing bodies of certain public institutions of higher education. Limits the number of board appointees that may reside in the city or count of the specified higher education public institution’s principal administrative office.
Status: Second reading.
HB 3102 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3102&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: John Voss (R)
Synopsis: Modifies provisions relating to programs offered by public institutions of higher education. Would permit public university A+ reimbursement for institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission at a rate not to exceed the tuition rate charged by a public community college within the service area and only in situations where the student is enrolled at the public university in a degree program related to a workforce shortage area and designated by the Missouri economic research and information center.
Status: Second reading.
HB 3140 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3140&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: Kem Smith (D)
Synopsis: Provides for mileage reimbursements for dual enrollment courses for college credit.
Status: Second reading.
HB 3221 (https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB3221&year=2217&code=R)
Sponsor: David Casteel (R)
Synopsis: Prohibits state funding for low-earning outcome degree programs.
Status: Introduced and first reading. Similar to SB 1617.
Additional Missouri Senate Bills
SB 1617 (https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=3237689)
Sponsor: Rick Brattin (R)
Synopsis: Establishes the "Accountability for Low-Earning Outcome Degrees in Higher Education Act of 2026" to prohibit the allocation of state funds for low-earning outcome academic degree programs.
Status: First read. Similar to HB 3221.
Articles of Interest
AACRAO Advocacy: AACRAO Submits Comments to ED Regarding New Admissions Data Collection
AACRAO Advocacy: AACRAO Joins a Community Letter Offering Comments and Highlighting Three Major Concerns Regarding ED’s New Admissions Data Collection
AACRAO Transcript: Are Student Emails “Maintained” under FERPA? The Nevada Supreme Court Changes Course | Thompson Coburn LLP - JDSupra
Higher Ed Dive: Education Department moves to overhaul accreditation regulations | Higher Ed Dive
Higher Ed Dive: Education Department halts effort to implement controversial anti-DEI letter | Higher Ed Dive
Higher Ed Dive: Education Department doubles down on anti-DEI efforts | Higher Ed Dive
Higher Ed Dive: ‘We’re now seeing the results’: Education Department officials tout FAFSA progress | Higher Ed Dive
Inside Higher Ed: The Fight Over Community College Bachelor’s Degrees
Inside Higher Ed: ‘Barrage of Bills’ Would Upend Iowa Higher Ed—If They Pass
Inside Higher Ed: ED Panel Signs Off on New Earnings Test
Inside Higher Ed: College Costs, Accreditation Likely Top Focus for Congress
