HCS HB 515 Mayhew, Don Committee
HCS HB 515 -- STEM GRANT
SPONSOR: Mayhew
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Higher Education by a vote of 9 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules- Administrative Oversight" by a vote of 9 to 0.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 515.
This bill directs the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) to make available a STEM grant for up to $2000 to eligible recipients. Eligibility for a STEM grant is outlined in the bill, and includes financial considerations similar to the Missouri Access Program under Sections 173.1101 to 173.1107, RSMo.
Recipients must also be working toward a STEM degree, which includes science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields as specified in the bill.
Specific requirements for STEM grant renewal are also provided and include satisfactory academic progress, five or less semesters at a two-year institution, or a total of 10 semesters at an approved four-year institution, or a combination of the two. The bill contains a sunset provision and rule making authority for the DHEWD.
This bill is similar to HB 2763 (2022).
The following is a summary of the public testimony from the committee hearing. The testimony was based on the introduced version of the bill.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this grant will provide some additional assistance to help in recruiting additional STEM interested college students. STEM graduates often go straight to the workforce and are integral to the future growth for most industries.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Mayhew; ACEC Missouri; University of Central Missouri; University of Missouri System; and the Mo Chamber of Commerce.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say that currently about 20% of the 36,000 MOAccess participants are in the STEM programs.
Testifying in person on the bill was Higher Education & Workforce Development.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.