Governor Jay Nixon (D) has signed into law more bills passed by the legislature before its session ended a month ago.
Governor Jay Nixon (photo courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
Among bills signed today is SB 968, that allows certain military members lower tuition rates at Missouri colleges and universities.
The bill means current members of the Missouri National Guard or reserve members of the U.S. Armed Forces will be considered in-state residents by four-year institutions and in-district residents at two-year institutions.
Backers say the lower rates paid by in-state or in-district students will make education more accessible to veterans.
Governor Nixon also signed HB 1681, that exempts yoga teacher training programs from state regulations that supporters say were intended for occupational or vocational schools. They say yoga teacher training is not the same as courses that teach employable, marketable knowledge or skills.
The legislature estimates the exemption will stop the state collection of about $2,500 in certification fees, annually.
He also signed HB 2125, which allows federally chartered and insured banks and financial institutions to offer savings promotion programs, including contests that offer customers prizes for making a minimum deposit into an eligible account. Such contests have to comply with 2014 federal law.
HB 2428 replaces the term “guidance counselor” with “school counselor” in state education law. Supporters say the change is more reflective of the profession as it exists today.
Also signed today, Senate Bills 62 & 582 let the state Board of Education work with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Council to set minimum requirements for a student to earn a CTE certificate in addition to a high school diploma.
Lawmakers and others are still awaiting the governor’s action on some key pieces of legislation, including a bill that would broaden Missourians’ gun rights.