Missouri House Advances Higher Education Bill Amid Controversy
The Missouri House has passed a comprehensive higher education bill by a 94-36 vote, marking a significant step forward as the legislative session comes to a close. The bill now returns to the Senate, where lawmakers must decide whether to send it to the governor or form a conference committee to resolve differences.
Originally a concise measure prohibiting colleges from penalizing student groups based on their beliefs, the House’s Emerging Issues Committee expanded the proposal by adding various amendments, including measures aimed at anti-discrimination and student benefits. Among these amendments is a significant provision granting in-state tuition to out-of-state active-duty military personnel stationed in Missouri.
However, the inclusion of a definition of antisemitism sparked intensive debate. This provision mandates that higher education institutions monitor antisemitic incidents, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition. Critics, such as State Rep. Bridget Walsh Moore, expressed concern that this could stifle criticism of the Israeli government. In response to these concerns, the bill’s sponsor amended the provision to clarify that the definition holds no legal weight, yet some legislators remained opposed.
Despite the bipartisan support for the majority of the bill, Walsh Moore labeled the antisemitism clause a "poison pill," indicating that it overshadowed the otherwise positive measures included in the legislation. Additional amendments addressed K-12 education issues, including lead levels in school drinking water and protections for private schools regarding single-sex restroom policies.
As the bill awaits Senate approval, priorities for further legislative action dwindle, with time running short for additional debates. The final decision now rests with the Senate, as it moves closer to potentially reaching the governor’s desk.
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