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Week of April 2 updates

The House of Representatives perfected HB2255 sponsored by Rep. Korman. This bill modifies provisions relating to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative. Missouri taxpayers who hire a STEM student attending a Missouri college for an internship in Missouri, or a STEM graduate from a Missouri college for a full-time STEM position in Missouri, may apply to have $10,000 of state tax liability placed in the fund, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Department of Higher Education. The cumulative amount of taxes transferred to the fund is capped at an annual total of $200,000.

HB1275, introduced by Rep. Kip Kendrick, establishes the "Allan Purdy Work-Study Program" within the Department of Higher Education administered by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Any resident of the state enrolled or accepted for enrollment at any accredited two- or four-year higher education institution may qualify for participation in the program. A student may be employed by the institution in which he or she is enrolled, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies or for-profit organizations. Sixty percent of funds shall be used for students with demonstrated financial need. Up to 40 percent of funds may be used to provide funding on another basis.

The House Third Read and Finally Passed HB1368, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Basye. This bill changes the law regarding the Missouri Return Heroes Education Act and requires any institution of higher education, that receives state funds, to limit the amount of tuition it charges to combat veterans enrolled in a program leading to a graduate degree to no more than 30 percent of the cost of tuition and fees. A combat veteran is eligible for the tuition limitation for a 10-year period beginning on the date of the veteran's last discharge from service. Currently, the tuition limitation is provided before all other federal and state aid has been applied. The bill specifies that the tuition limitation will be provided after all other aid has been applied.

On Thursday, the UM System hosted its annual Undergraduate Research Day for the Missouri General Assembly. The event illustrated student accomplishments and allowed elected officials to see firsthand the exciting innovations taking place within the UM System. This year, we were proud to have a total of 57 students from all four UM System campuses participate in Undergraduate Research Day to display their research and findings with our elected officials.

Reviewed 2019-08-05