HCS/SS/SB 1196 - This act modifies provisions relating to higher education. WORKFORCE DIPLOMA PROGRAM Current law provides for the Workforce Diploma Program to assist students with obtaining a high school diploma and developing employability and career technical skills, with such program scheduled to sunset on August 28, 2028. This act repeals the sunset. (Section 173.831) This provision is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 1207 (2026) and SS/SCS/HB 2896 (2026), and is similar to provisions in SCS/SB 1370 (2026) and HCS/HB 3239 (2026). HIGHER EDUCATION WORKFORCE POLICY PRIORITIZATION ACT This act establishes the "Missouri Higher Education Funding Policy Prioritization Act" to require the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (DHEWD) to develop a funding model for public institutions of higher education. The act sets forth criteria for the funding model, which shall be aligned to meet the professional and workforce needs for the state; shall provide sustainable resources for institutions; and shall be based on the 2023 performance funding study commissioned by DHEWD. The model shall include a process for allocating core appropriations to four-year institutions, community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri, and shall use a cost-based approach, along with a performance component, as described in the act. The model shall also establish a plan for testing and implementation. After the plan has been reviewed and consented to by two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, as well as two senators appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the plan shall be approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly before October 15, 2026. DHEWD shall evaluate the effectiveness of the funding model test and submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker, and the President Pro Tempore before November 15, 2026. The funding model shall be presented to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education for final approval before December 1, 2026. However, the funding model shall not become effective unless approved by the General Assembly by concurrent resolution. For the 2028-29 fiscal year and all subsequent fiscal years, appropriations to four-year institutions, community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri shall be in accordance with the funding model approved by the General Assembly. (Section 173.1541) This provision is substantially similar to HCS/HB 2123 (2026) and is similar to HB 1569 (2025) and HB 2905 (2024), and to a provision in SB 1121 (2026). FAST TRACK WORKFORCE INCENTIVE GRANT This act increases the maximum gross income for eligibility for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant from $80,000 to $100,000 for taxpayers who are married filing jointly and from $40,000 to $50,000 for all other taxpayers. The definition of "eligible training provider" under such grant program is modified by specifying that an eligible training provider shall have been in continuous legal operation within the state of Missouri for no fewer than 12 consecutive months, as determined by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. (Section 173.2553) This provision is substantially similar to HCS/HB 2151 (2026), and is similar to SB 1451 (2026), HB 2992 (2026), SB 416 (2025), HB 855 (2025), SB 1056 (2024), and HB 2278 (2024), and to a provision in SCS/HCS/HB 1569 (2024). This provision contains an emergency clause. WORKFORCE PELL GRANTS This act allows the Governor, in consultation with the Missouri Workforce Development Board, to approve all eligible workforce training programs for participation in the workforce Pell grant program. The Board shall coordinate approval of eligible workforce training programs with other state and federal workforce programs. The act also transfers the Missouri Workforce Development Board from the Department of Economic Development to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. (Sections 173.2570 to 173.2573) These provisions contain an emergency clause. These provisions are substantially similar to HCS/HB 2585 (2026). JOSH NORBERG HA #1 - TRANSFERS SEVERAL SECTIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND UPDATES STATUTORY REFERENCES TO THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HA #2 - MODIFIES PROVISIONS RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNING BODIES