HB 303, HCA 1 -- NATIONAL GUARD SCHOLARSHIPS

SPONSOR:  Overschmidt

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Higher
Education by a vote of 14 to 2.

This bill authorizes the Adjutant General of the state of
Missouri to pay to individuals who reenlist or extend initial
enlistment a month's base pay for each year of reenlistment, up
to a maximum of three years. Currently, the Adjutant General is
allowed to pay $100 for each year of reenlistment up to a $600
maximum.

This bill also removes the length of service, maximum college
testing scores, and grade point requirements for members of the
National Guard receiving educational scholarships.

HCA 1 -- Requires a minimum 2.0 grade point average per
semester, in order to be eligible for National Guard
scholarships. Academic probation for one semester will
immediately follow a semester for which the grade point average
is below 2.0.  If the grade point average does not equal or
exceed 2.0 at the end of the probation period, the individual
loses eligibility for the scholarship.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$157,663 in FY 1998, $401,258 in FY 1999, & $617,754 in FY 2000.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill's provisions will help
the National Guard recruit and retain talented individuals.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Overschmidt and
Bonner.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Debra Cheshier, Research Analyst

HB 303 -- Missouri National Guard

Sponsor:  Overschmidt

This bill authorizes the adjutant general of the state of
Missouri to pay to individuals who reenlist or extend initial
enlistment a month's base pay for each year of reenlistment, up
to a maximum of three years. Currently, the adjutant general is
allowed to pay $100 for each year of reenlistment up to a $600
maximum.

This bill also removes the length of service, maximum college
testing scores, and grade point requirements for members of the
national guard receiving educational scholarships.