HCR 31 Missouri House · 2026 Regular Session

Establishes a Seal of Civic Recognition for certain graduating high school seniors

HCR 31 establishes the "State of Missouri Seal of Civic Recognition" for high school seniors who meet specific civic engagement criteria. To qualify, students must complete 2-6 years of designated civic education coursework, participate in community service and school governance, join a civic club, and commit to one year of post-graduation civic or military service. The seal is awarded in Bronze (2+ years), Silver (4+ years), or Gold (6+ years) tiers and will accompany the student's diploma. The resolution encourages schools, organizations, and businesses to support recipients with scholarships, internships, or mentorship opportunities. This resolution applies to all Missouri high school graduates in public, private, parochial, or homeschool settings.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Apr 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift from a rigid, fixed set of requirements to a flexible framework where the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education establishes specific criteria for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. The scope was expanded to explicitly recognize military service and ROTC participation, and the bill now encourages, rather than mandates, that nominating entities provide future support like scholarships or mentoring.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific recognition for military service and ROTC, and the eligibility criteria for the Seal of Civic Recognition are now determined by the state department rather than being fixed in the text of the bill.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the award criteria from fixed requirements (e.g., exactly two, four, or six years of instruction) to a flexible system where the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education sets the specific standards for Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Replaced the specific list of eligible organizations with a broader category of 'clubs or organizations' to allow for greater flexibility in what groups can be recognized.

ELIGIBILITY

Added explicit provisions recognizing students who serve in the Armed Forces or join the ROTC program, granting them a special 'Letter of Congratulations, Commendation, and State Gratitude' signed by state leaders.

FISCAL

Changed the language regarding future support from a mandatory requirement for nominating entities to an encouragement for them to provide incentives like scholarships or mentoring.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Committee

Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 16 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

HCS Voted Do Pass (H)

lower

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education(H)

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Read First Time (H)

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors