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HB 2123 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions governing funding for higher education

HB 2123 creates a merit-based scholarship program for Missouri students attending in-state colleges. It provides up to $3,000 annually for students in the top 3% of Missouri ACT/SAT test-takers and up to $1,000 for those in the top 4-5%, covering tuition at Missouri public or private institutions. Eligibility requires Missouri residency, high school graduation, and a qualifying test score, with special provisions for military service, medical leave, or nonprofit work. The program is administered by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, starting before the 2027-28 academic year.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded scholarship program allocating public funds for higher education, directly advancing state budget spending on education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates merit-based scholarships funding higher education access for top students, directly advancing educational opportunity through new financial support.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSpecial provision for military service in scholarship eligibility directly supports veterans' education access under higher education funding.85% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 2, 2025 Last action Apr 15, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to reclassify it from a House Bill to a House Committee Substitute, indicating it has been revised by the committee. The most significant substantive change is the addition of 'homeschooling' and other accredited programs as valid pathways for high school graduation, alongside the existing GED option. Additionally, a new definition was added for 'Qualified higher education expenses' to align with federal tax code standards.
Scope change
The bill's scope of eligibility was expanded to include students who graduate via homeschooling or other accredited programs, in addition to traditional high school graduation and GED recipients.
ELIGIBILITY

Added 'homeschooling' and other accredited programs as valid methods for completing secondary coursework, expanding eligibility beyond traditional high school and GED.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Qualified higher education expenses' to specify costs eligible for the scholarship under federal tax rules.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill identifier from 'Introduced' to 'House Committee Substitute' and updated the bill number from 4305H.02I to 4305H.03C.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Apr 9, 2026
Committee
Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 9 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 3
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
Referred: Higher Education and Workforce Development(H)
lower
Dec 2, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of John Black
John Black
RRepublican
MO
129