To amend chapter 178, RSMo, by adding one new section relating to postsecondary educational consortia.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

     Section A. Chapter 178, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as 178.645, to read as follows:

     178.645. 1. As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall mean:

     (1) "Board", the governing board of a consortium established under this section;

     (2) "Community", an area of similar and like interest for developing an academic, vocational and technical education consortium which supports the goals of the Missouri state plan for postsecondary technical education which may include one or more cities or counties and which shall include at least one entity with general governmental responsibilities and legal authority to accept state or federal funds, gifts, grants or in-kind services; and

     (3) "Consortium", a regional partnership consisting of the coordinating board for higher education, Linn State Technical College and a local community college, established to provide postsecondary academic, vocational and technical education to meet the needs of a community.

     2. A community may establish a community partnership council to plan and propose creation of an academic, vocational and technical education consortium for the community. The governing body of each city and county in a community may appoint one member of such governing body to be a member of the community partnership council.

     3. A community may propose to the coordinating board that a consortium for that community be approved by the coordinating board. The coordinating board may approve the consortium provided the following conditions are met:

     (1) The community can provide assurance satisfactory to the coordinating board of available matching funds for operational expenses;

     (2) The community makes available, at no cost to the state, an appropriate site in the community for the construction of an adequate facility for the needs of the consortium; and

     (3) The coordinating board determines that the consortium will properly serve the postsecondary educational needs of the community.

     4. The board of a consortium shall consist of the following five members: the president of the academic institution of the consortium, the president of Linn State Technical College, the commissioner of higher education and two members of the sponsoring community, to be selected by the community partnership council. The members of the consortium shall work together as equal partners in fulfilling the mission of the consortium.

     5. The board of a consortium shall have the power to:

     (1) Sue and be sued;

     (2) Complain and defend in all courts;

     (3) Take purchase and hold real estate provided by a community under this section and sell or otherwise convey such property back to the community;

     (4) Make and use a common seal and to alter the same; and

     (5) Have general authority over organization, grading and government of programs provided by the consortium, but not including programs provided by a member of the consortium outside of the responsibilities of the institution as a member of the consortium.

     6. The coordinating board shall recommend, to the general assembly, appropriation of sufficient funds for construction of a facility and the state's share of operational expenses for each approved consortium.