2026 Final Legislative Update - Week 18

By Otto Fajen
MNEA Legislative Director

SESSION ENDS!

The legislative session ended on May 15. The Association appreciates the advocacy of Missouri NEA members on priority bills and through Capitol Action Days. Member advocacy played an important role, particularly in the critical, final weeks of the session. For more detailed information on other legislation, visit https://www.mnea.org/get-involved/take-action-your-voice-matters to view legislative updates and other related information.

Both chambers adjourned regular meetings on May 15 and will hold technical sessions to finalize bills that have already passed and deliver those bills to the Governor.

BILLS THAT PASSED

LEGISLATURE APPROVES BUDGET

The House and Senate finally approved the bills for next year's state budget on May 6, two days ahead of the constitutional deadline. The Governor has line-item veto authority for budget bills, but the Constitution specifically prevents the Governor from using the line-item veto to reduce any appropriation for public schools.

The conference version of HB 2002 for K-12 education still underfunds the school funding formula by $190 million for next year. The conference version contains a compromise on funding sources. Concerns were raised after the conference regarding use of less reliable revenue sources, such as lottery funds, to fund the formula. HB 2002 narrowly passed the House by a vote of 83-68. Later in the day, the legislature also finally approved additional fund transfer language in the Senate version of HB 2020 in response to the concerns regarding those funding sources for the formula. The conference version also increases pupil transportation funding by $15 million.

The conference version of HB 2003 for higher education maintains institution core funding while requiring DHEWD to create and present an institutional funding model by the end of the year.

The conference 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 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 legislature approved SS/SCS/HCS/HJRs 173 & 174 (Bishop Davidson). The measure will be submitted 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.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY SCHOOL ELECTION CHANGES

The House passed SS/SB 1002 (Adam Schnelting) on the final day of session. The bill was defeated on the first attempt by a vote of 81-66. The bill was reconsidered moments later and then passed by a vote of 83-64, only one vote more than the bare minimum of 82 votes needed to pass a bill. The bill would move school board and school levy elections in St. Charles County districts to the November general elections beginning in November 2028. The Association opposes SB 1002.

Electing school board members at municipal election allows voters to focus on these local candidates and local school issues outside of the November election cycle when the time and attention of voters is taken up by partisan election campaigns and statewide issues.

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION PROVISION PASSES ON HIGHER EDUCATION BILL, BUT OMNIBUS BILL DIES

The House did not accept the Senate omnibus version of HCS/HBs 2097 & 1905 (John Martin) on May 15, so that omnibus bill died. However, the original bill regarding agricultural education in elementary schools was amended onto HB 2896 (Chris Brown). HB 2896 revises regional requirements for public university governing boards. The House approved the Senate changes to HB 2896, and the bill is now truly agreed to. The Association supports the agricultural education portion of the bill.

STATE OVERSIGHT OF HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

SS#2/SB 863 (Jason Bean) creates a new oversight commission appointed by the Governor and housed within DESE. The oversight commission will review appeals relating to the eligibility of transferring students and appeals relating to contests and contest procedures. The bill also requires MSHSAA to prepare an annual report and present the report to relevant committees in the House and the Senate.

POLICIES ON ANTISEMITISM

SS/HB 2061 (George Hruza) would require policies against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools and public colleges and universities. The Senate version gives school boards and higher education governing bodies more flexibility regarding how their policies define antisemitism.

SCHOOL PROTECTION OFFICERS

HCS/HB 1866 (Lane Roberts) pertains to public safety. The bill 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.

The bill also requires schools to provide employee training on how to properly respond to students who provide them with information about a threatening situation and how to address situations in which there is a potentially dangerous or armed intruder in the school.

MISSOURI RANGERS BILL

SS/SB 905 (David Gregory) would create a training program for Missouri Rangers. The trained officers could volunteer or be employed by interested school districts to focus on preventing and responding to emergency or violent crisis situations in school settings. Rangers could be authorized by the school to carry a firearm or other weapon and would have limited arrest powers. The language was also adopted in SB 1421 (Nick Schroer).

PUBLIC SAFETY BILL

The legislature approved the conference report on SB 1421 (Nick Schroer). The bill originally pertained to the regulation of unmanned aircraft in certain areas. The conference version pertains to public safety and includes provisions relating to two education topics: HB 2742 (Mike Jones), pertaining to the operation of school bus safety cameras and punishments for drivers who fail to stop for a stopped school bus, and SB 905 (David Gregory) to create the Missouri Rangers.

ELECTIONS LAW

The legislature approved HB 1871 (Peggy McGaugh). The bill would enact many changes to the state's election law and procedures. Among many other provisions, the bill: 1) moves the filing time for declarations of candidacy for offices in political subdivisions, including school board elections, one week later, so that the period extends beyond the winter holidays, 2) provides that all lists of absentee ballot applications for people with permanent disabilities will be kept confidential, 3) allows an election authority to increase the minimum distance for exit polling, surveying, sampling, and electioneering to fifty feet from a polling place, 4) allows a notice of election to be sent by email, and 5) updates publishing requirements for election notices.

BILLS THAT DID NOT PASS

HONESTY IN EDUCATION/PARENT RIGHTS/DON'T SAY GAY BILL

Despite the many bills filed on the topic, the legislature did not enact a new law this session pertaining to honesty in education, parent access to school information, book bans, bathroom mandates, or any other similar mandates. Some of the bills would have created a cause of action for citizens to sue educators and school officials. The Association had concerns that those bills would adversely affect the freedom of teachers to provide the honest education our students deserve and interfere with existing policies respecting student and school privacy. The Association opposed the related bills on these topics.

The House defeated HCS/HB 2426 (Ben Keathley) on April 30 by a vote of 70-60. The bill would enact new laws regarding parental rights in the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their children. The Association is concerned that the bill includes new authority to file private lawsuits against schools over alleged violations of these new provisions. The Association recommends adopting the language of HB 1787 (Ed Lewis) regarding parental and educator rights.

STUDENT SCREEN TIME IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

HCS/HBs 2230 & 2978 (Tricia Byrnes) requires school 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 bill also creates an advisory panel of experts and stakeholders to review research and recommend best practices in the use of instructional technology. The Association appreciates the concern and recognition of the impact of screen use on learning and child development and supports the bill.

SCHOOL LETTER GRADE

HCS/HB 2710 (Dane Diehl) would create an A-F school report card for public schools based primarily on state-mandated, standardized tests. The House adopted an amendment to include all underlying indicators for the performance rating on the school report card and add a school climate component to the report card. In negotiations on the topic, legislators again considered proposals seeking to reduce the negative effects of the misuse and overuse of standardized testing, such as language to eliminate Missouri's so-called "accreditation" label along with MSIP mandates and the annual performance report or APR score. The Association believes the school letter grade from HB 2710 further undermines local control and opposes the bill.

EARLY GRADES LITERACY

HCS/HB 2872 (Cathy Jo Loy) would revise laws regarding reading instruction and assessment. The bill clarifies that the existing law restricting "3-cueing" strategies applies only to decoding words, and the components of 3-cueing can be used in other aspects of learning to read. The bill increases oversight and reporting on literacy instruction in educator preparation programs.

The bill also mandates retention in third grade for students with low scores on state-approved reading assessments unless the student is exempted for "good cause". The bill further requires reading success plans for students scoring at the equivalent of "basic" on MAP tests. The Association remains concerned that the changes regarding assessment and retention may disrupt the progress on implementation of the existing reading law enacted in SB 681 from 2022.

SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPATION

HCS/HB 2933 (Brad Christ) would allow individual St. Louis County school districts to vote to withdraw from the Special School District while enacting a new special education tax levy. The proposal would be approved by the district board and submitted to district voters for approval. The HCS adds additional provisions limiting the seclusion of students to classrooms or sensory rooms. The HCS also allows IEP students to continue be served by SSD if the student's home district votes to leave, with the leaving district paying SSD for the cost of the services.

The Association opposed the bill. The Special School District was created with the approval of the entire county. Changes over time have been ratified at the county level, and current law provides an ongoing process to consider and approve necessary changes to governance or operations at the county level. The Association is concerned that this measure is likely to be detrimental both to students in any district that may withdraw from the Special School District and those students who continue to be served by Special School District.

TAX CREDIT VOUCHERS

Many policy bills were filed in each chamber to expand the state's tax credit voucher program to fund private education with public funds. The Senate substitute for HB 2097 (John Martin) would have moved the administration of the program from the State Treasurer to DESE. None of these bills were enacted.

However, HB 2012 includes a $60 million general revenue (GR) appropriation to the State Treasurer for the state's tax credit voucher. The Association opposes the GR expenditures to the state's tax credit voucher program in HB 12.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

The legislature considered several bills pertaining to charter schools. The draft Senate substitute version for HB 2710 (Dane Diehl) would have expanded charter schools to St. Charles County.

SB 1090 (Maggie Nurrenbern) would require charter schools to obtain a certificate of need issued by the State Board of Education to be eligible to operate. The Association supports the bill.

HB 2502 (Ann Kelley) would require that when a charter school closes, the student records for the school must be transferred to the school district in which the charter is located for archival purposes. DESE is also required to provide a process for nonpublic schools to file transcripts and other student records with a repository if the nonpublic school closes. The Association supports the bill.

HB 2404 (George Hruza) pertained to deed restrictions that prohibit buildings from being used as a charter school. The bill would prohibit local ordinances from supporting or allowing deed restrictions to preclude subsequent use of a building as a charter school. The bill also grants public entities the right of first refusal when a district is offering to sell or lease a school facility.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

SB 971 (Curtis Trent) would have created a voluntary system of public-school open enrollment. The Association believes that public school choice plans with state funding may harm students and our public schools unless essential criteria are in place for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating their effectiveness. The Association opposes SB 971 based on this concern. The bill lacks transportation support for low-income students and allows open enrollment to charter schools.

INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL BOARD TERMS

SB 1351 (Joe Nicola) would change the term of office for members of the Independence School District school board from six years to three years. The Senate adopted Sen. Washington's amendment to ensure that a student shall not be considered absent from school while the student accompanies his or her parent when the parent is voting in a scheduled election. The Association supported the bill.

PROPERTY TAXES

The Senate approved SS/SCS/SB 1410 (Sandy Crawford), but the House blocked most changes to property tax law this session. A key provision in SB 1410 requires reassessment rollback by property class. The bill also revises ballot language for school district bond issues and requirements for reporting debt service levy increases to the State Auditor.

SB 1410 also allows a taxpayer participating in the senior property tax credit program to remain in the program without having to reapply annually. The Senate also adopted an amendment to create a program for state assistance to finance eligible school district academic facilities. A newly created commission would oversee the program, set criteria, and select eligible projects based on basic parameters specified in the bill.

Provisions similar to SB 1410 and other provisions contained in HB 2780 (Tim Taylor) were amended by the House onto SB 1066 (Ben Brown), but the bill died in conference.

PROP C SALES TAX ON GROCERIES

SB 1017 (Patty Lewis) would remove the one-cent Prop C sales tax for schools currently applied to groceries. However, the bill did not pass. The regular state sales tax does not currently apply to groceries, and very few states still have state sales tax on groceries. Such a tax is considered regressive since it has a proportionally higher impact on low-income taxpayers. However, the repeal of this portion of Prop C sales tax will remove about $150 million per year from the School District Trust Fund. If this measure is adopted, the Association urges the legislature to offset this reduction in school revenues with another revenue source.

SCHOOL FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

SS/SCS/SB 1029 (Rick Brattin) requires school districts to maintain an easily accessible online record of all money the district receives and spends. The Senate approved Sen. Nurrenbern's amendment to apply the financial transparency provisions to all charter schools before the bill was laid over.

TARGETING "DEI" IN STATE AGENCIES

SB 1031 (Mike Moon) would ban state agencies from spending funds on diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill defines DEI using politically charged language that differs from the normal concept of "DEI" initiatives. This wording raises uncertainty about how the bill will affect the work of state agencies.

HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING

SB 1617 (Rick Brattin) and HB 3221 (David Casteel) would prohibit the allocation of state funds for certain low-earning outcome academic degree programs as defined in federal law.

SB 1121 (Curtis Trent) would create a new higher education funding policy and revise the Bright Flight Scholarship.

HB 3416 (LaKeySha Bosley) to create a state fund to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The fund will receive one percent of excursion gambling boat proceeds and one percent of net proceeds from the Missouri state lottery. The fund shall be divided equally among HBCUs for capital projects and activities.

ADULT VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL

HCS/HB 3239 (Josh Hurlbert) would move the current state adult virtual high school program into the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP). The bill limits funding for the adult virtual high school program to $4 million.

PAYCHECK DECEPTION

HB 3067 (John Simmons) was a "paycheck deception" bill that would prohibit school employees from using payroll deduction to pay membership dues or political contributions. The bill also provides that school districts and professional associations cannot restrict when an employee can join or terminate membership in the association. The Association opposes this unnecessary restriction on school employees' rights of association and opposes the bill.

PUBLIC SECTOR BARGAINING

HB 3283 (Chris Brown) would create 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 supported the original House bill.

GIFTED EDUCATION

HB 1757 (Brenda Shields) would establish procedures for school districts to evaluate for gifted students. The bill outlines screening requirements and requires review by trained staff members. The Association believes well-developed criteria and guidelines for identifying and teaching these students are essential. The Association supports the bill.

HB 1748 (Scott Miller) would add a 60% pupil weight in the formula for gifted students. The Association believes educational programs and services for gifted and talented students must be supported by federal and state funding. The Association supports the bill.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

HCS/HB 2748 (Bishop Davidson) would increase requirements for physical education in schools. Schools would be required to have a period of daily physical education for all elementary students.

The Association believes that regular physical activity provides an active form of learning that encourages a healthy lifestyle and promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellness. This physical activity should be provided through developmentally appropriate physical education classes, recess, and movement activities scheduled throughout the day.

While supportive of the concept of this measure, the Association believes progress on increased physical activity will be best achieved as a part of a broad effort to restore local control and remove other state requirements that conflict with these best practices.

PARENTAL CONSENT FOR CHANGES TO IEP

HB 2304 (Philip Oehlerking) would require parental consent for substantive changes in placement for students with a disability. The Association believes that general and special education teachers, parents, and other professionals, as appropriate, must share in all planning and decision-making that involve placement and provision of services for students with special needs. The Association supports the bill.

SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS

HCS/HB 2722 (Melissa Douglas) requires each higher education institution to designate a homeless liaison for coordination of support for homeless students. The Association believes that schools need to collaborate with the community and related agencies to create opportunities to enhance student access and supports the bill.

ANTI-BULLYING POLICIES

HCS/HBs 2120 & 1698 (John Black) would revise 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.

TRANS ATHLETE PARTICIPATION

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.

DRIVER'S EDUCATION COURSES

HB 2195 (Reedy) would require the State Board to create a driver education program that public high schools, including charter high schools, will include in high school health curricula, but the bill did not pass. The program will include habits and skills needed for the safe operation of motor vehicles, distracted driving hazards, and traffic stop procedures. The program does not require the operation of a vehicle.

SOCIAL MEDIA INSTRUCTION

HB 1792 (Jim Murphy) would require DESE to create a media literacy and critical thinking pilot program. The program will address media literacy, develop strategies for student learning in classroom curricula, and demonstrate various literacy strategies used.

STUDENT NEWSPAPERS

SB 1172 (Washington) and HB 2918 (Scott Miller) would have granted greater freedom for student journalists. The bills include anti-retaliation provisions to protect student communications sponsors and other staff from retaliation by boards or administration for granting students greater editorial latitude as provided by the bills. The Association supported the original bills. The HCS/HB 2918 includes several additional restrictions on student journalism covered under the act.

STUDENT POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL EXPRESSION

SB 909 (Brad Hudson) and HB 2682 (Darin Chappell) would expand recent law pertaining to student religious liberties to also apply to all student political and ideological expression. The Association is concerned that the inclusion of authority to file private lawsuits over political and ideological expression will divert school resources to costly and time-consuming lawsuits and make it harder to attract and retain educators. The Association opposes both bills.

EDUCATOR IMMUNITY

HCS/HBs 2913 & 3228 (Bill Irwin) would provide teachers with immunity if the teacher intervenes in an incident involving violence or defends themself at school. The Association supports the bill.

STAFF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

HB 2335 (Ann Kelley) would have granted flexibility to schools for certain school employee training requirements. Schools may place current annual requirements on a rotating basis based on school and employee needs. The Association believes this will allow more efficient use of staff training time and better meet student and school needs. The Association supported the bill.

TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT

HB 2274 (Ed Lewis) would adopt the "Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact". Thirteen states have already adopted the compact. Missouri already has broad teacher certification reciprocity with other states. Adopting the compact would apply additional baseline standards for certification reciprocity with fellow compact states. Eligible licenses, other than career and technical licenses, must require at least a bachelor's degree and the completion of a state-approved program for teacher licensure. The Association supports the bill.

ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION

HCS#2/HB 2776 (Willard Haley) would revise the temporary authorization certificate. The bill would grant a temporary certificate for completing an associate's degree in a teaching field. Applicants must also achieve a qualifying score on the Missouri general education assessment and complete a background check. The HCS allows four-year institution to offer an intensive two-year program of a similar nature. The bill creates a three-tiered certificate, requiring two years of teaching in the first four years and two more years of teaching in the next three years. The certificate is limited to elementary certification until the teacher reaches the third tier. Teachers employed with this certification will participate in PSRS. The Association believes teacher recruitment and retention challenges should be addressed by pursuing real reforms that restore local school control and professional autonomy for teachers rather enacting more alternative certification routes.

PSRS RETIREMENT SYSTEM

HB 2095 (Willard Haley) would provide a non-cumulative 2 percent annual increase to COLA-capped PSRS retirees in the year following each year when System earnings exceed the assumed rate of return (currently 7.3%) by 2% or more.

HB 2144 (Bob Bromley) would increase the current $5,000 PSRS death benefit to $10,000.

HB 2396 (Bob Bromley) would modify provisions relating to teacher retirement and working after retirement. The bill allows retired PSRS teachers to work any amount while continuing to receive their monthly pension. The Systems have estimated that the bill would increase the PSRS actuarial liability by up to $300 million and raise the PSRS total contribution rate by up to 2.45%. The Association opposes the bill due to the increased cost to the PSRS System and the potential for increased contribution rates.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES

HB 3005 (Doyle Justus) would require public library boards and school boards to have a policy governing the reconsideration of materials in a public library or public school library. However, the bill did not pass.

Read past Legislative Updates at mnea.org/legupdate.