SPONSOR: Riggs
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass with HCS" by the Standing Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 18 to 1.
The following is a summary of the House Committee Substitute for HB 581.
This bill establishes the "21st Century Missouri Education Task Force". The membership of the Task Force includes: three members of the House of Representatives with two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the Minority Leader, three members of the Senate with two appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Leader, the Governor or his designee, 11 members as appointed by the Governor representing various interested parties, the Commissioner of Education and the Commissioner of Higher Education or their designees.
The mission of the Task Force is outlined in the bill and includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of current educational process and funding including the use of technology and artificial intelligence to improve student outcomes. The Task Force will make recommendations for legislation as well as submit a report outlining a summary of task force activities to the General Assembly before August 28, 2022. The Task Force will suspend operations on January 1, 2023 and reconvene January 1, 2024 to provide updates and review recommendations to be presented by August 28, 2024.
This bill is similar to HCS HB 2387 (2020) and HCS HB 744 (2019).
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 it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of public schools and to maximize resources to help areas of need. This bill will help present forward thinking ideas to support innovation and provide concrete steps for future legislation. This bill will help develop skills needed for the future workforce by presenting a thoughtful approach to future of education.
Testifying for the bill were Representative Riggs; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the Missouri National Education Association.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say that adding members from the public education system would be beneficial.
Testifying on the bill was Kenny Bierman, Orchard Farm Board of Education.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: