Bill > HB2367

This bill modifies the definition and operational guidelines for community colleges in Missouri, with a focus on addressing workforce shortages. The bill defines a community college as an institution providing postsecondary education that offers courses in liberal arts, vocational-technical training, and community services, and introduces a new provision allowing baccalaureate degrees under specific circumstances. These circumstances include persistent workforce shortages in specific occupations, increased education requirements for accreditation or licensure, or rising educational standards for employment in a particular field. The bill also introduces a formal definition of "workforce shortage" as determined by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), which occurs when there are more job vacancies than available workers in a specific industry. The legislation maintains existing provisions for state funding of community colleges, which can receive up to 50% of their planned operating costs from state funds, and establishes performance-based funding mechanisms. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to evaluate the resource allocation model and submit reports every four years, and provides guidelines for funding new community college districts and supporting maintenance and equipment projects.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2367&year=2026&code=R