COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.:3070H.02I Bill No.:HB 1527 Subject:Higher Education; Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development;
Medical Procedures and Personnel
Type:Original Date:March 10, 2025Bill Summary:This proposal modifies provisions governing the "Fast Track Workforce
Incentive Grant".
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON GENERAL REVENUE FUNDFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028
General Revenue*
$0 or More or less
than ($769,250)
$0 or More or less
than ($807,713)
$0 or More or less
than ($848,099)
Total Estimated Net
Effect on General
Revenue
$0 or More or less
than ($769,250)
$0 or More or less
than ($807,713)
$0 or More or less
than ($848,099)
* Oversight notes the bill adds public safety personnel and personnel's dependents to the eligible
students with an exemption from the Adjusted Gross Income requirements for the Fast Track
Workforce Incentive Grant. Program is subject to appropriation. If changes to the program are
not funded, the impact will be $0.
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON OTHER STATE FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Fast Track Workforce
Incentive Grant*$0 $0 $0
College and
Universities$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown
Total Estimated Net
Effect on Other State
Funds$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown
*Transfers-in and distributions net to zero. L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on All Federal
Funds $0$0$0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE)FUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Total Estimated Net
Effect on FTE 000
☒ Estimated Net Effect (expenditures or reduced revenues) expected to exceed $250,000 in any
of the three fiscal years after implementation of the act or at full implementation of the act.
☐ Estimated Net Effect (savings or increased revenues) expected to exceed $250,000 in any of
the three fiscal years after implementation of the act or at full implementation of the act.
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDSFUND AFFECTEDFY 2026FY 2027FY 2028Local Government$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Section 173.2553 - Exemptions for Public Safety Personnel
Officials from Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development assume this
legislation modifies section 173.2553, by exempting public safety personnel (dispatchers, EMTs,
fire fighters, paramedics, and police officers) from the Adjusted Gross Income requirements for
the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant, which covers tuition and fees for certain eligible
programs.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and
Wage Statistics Program (BLS – OEWS), there are 29,050 full-time public safety officers and
first responders in the state (3,190 dispatchers, 3,670 EMTs, 5,570 fire fighters, 3,550
paramedics, and 13,070 police officers). Fast Track is an adult serving program, primarily for
those 25 years or older. According to the best available data, from Zippia.com, just over 60
percent of public safety personnel are over the age of 30, and would be eligible for Fast Track,
and 47.5 percent have below a bachelor’s degree. While salary information is difficult to find for
public safety personnel, data from Statistical Atlas
(https://statisticalatlas.com/state/Missouri/Household-Income#overview) indicates that
approximately 69.1 percent of Missouri households have an income of $75,000 or less. By
removing the AGI requirement for public safety personnel, they would add 21 percent of
households who may not have otherwise been eligible for Fast Track. Assuming a three percent
utilization rate (which is the percentage of Missourians age 25-64 enrolled in postsecondary
education) for those meeting the eligibility criteria, the department estimates that 52 individuals
would be eligible (29,050 * 60.2 percent with eligible service * 47.5 percent below a bachelor’s
degree * 21 percent now eligible by removing AGI requirements * 3 percent utilization).
Additionally, this allows the dependents of public safety personnel to be exempted from the AGI
requirements of this grant, which would include spouses and children. According to Pew
Research, about 53 percent of individuals are married, and Census data indicates that 68 percent
of adults have below a bachelor’s degree. Applying a three percent utilization rate to spouses of
public safety personnel, and adding the 21 percent that are now eligible by removing the AGI
requirement, would result in 66 eligible spouses (29,050 * 53 percent that are married * 68
percent below a bachelor’s degree * 21 percent now eligible by removing AGI requirements *
three percent utilization).
Further, Pew Research estimates that 19 percent of families have children, and the average
family size is 1.9 children. Fast Track allows participation for those below the age of 25, as long
as they have been out of school for two years. Roughly 6 percent of the population are 20-24, of
which 80 percent will stay in state and 60 percent will attend a public postsecondary institution.
Applying the 21 percent qualifier, this results in 63 eligible children (29,050 * 19 percent with
children * 1.9 children * 6 between the ages of 20-24 * 80 percent staying in-state * 60 percent L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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attending a public college or university * 21 percent now eligible by removing AGI
requirements).
This results in 181 individuals
from FY 2024 of $4,250, the fiscal impact for FY 2026 will be between zero and $769,250.
Assuming a five percent annual increase in tuition and fees, the department estimates the fiscal
impact for FY 2027 to be between zero and $807,713 and for FY 2028 to be between zero and
$848,099.
Oversight notes, as provided in DHEWD’s 2025 Budget Request, the Fast Track Workforce
Incentive Grant was created by Senate Bill 68 (2019) and provides assistance to adults who are
seeking to upgrade or retool their skills in order to enter high demand, high wage occupations.
Amendments to the program in Senate Bill 672 (2022) increased the number of eligible training
providers, expanded the grant to apprenticeships, and removed the loan-related requirements.
Students in programs or apprenticeships in an area designated by the Coordinating Board for
Higher Education as preparing individuals to enter these occupations and leading to receipt of a
certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential are eligible. Students must be enrolled at
least half-time and apprentices must be actively participating in an eligible apprenticeship to be
eligible for the grant. Awards under the program cover the amount of tuition and fees remaining
after all other governmental non-loan student assistance is applied or, for apprentices, the amount
of related educational costs. For students, if all tuition and fee costs are covered by other aid, the
award is up to $500 per term or the remaining cost of attendance, whichever is lower. In FY
2024 the average award was $4,250.
Oversight notes DHEWD is assuming a three percent utilization rate for those meeting the
eligibility criteria. Oversight has calculated the below based on DHEWD’s methodology to show
a range of utilization rates. However, Oversight is unable to determine how many individuals
will be eligible or utilize the grant. Oversight notes the Fast Track Incentive Grant is subject to
appropriations and will present costs to GR and the corresponding transfer to the Fast Track
Workforce Incentive Grant Fund as $0 to the amount provided by DHEWD as more or less than
in the fiscal note. Oversight further assumes transfers-ins and grants provided will net to $0.
Percentage utilization/ individuals eligibleCost1% / 147$624,7502% / 164$697,0003% / 181$769,2506% / 233$990,2509% / 285$1,211,25012% / 337$1,432,250 L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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Officials from the University of Missouri and University of Central Missouri assume the
proposal will have no fiscal impact on their respective organizations.
Oversight assumes based on past years the average assistance from the grant will be near
$4,250. However, it is unknown how many participants will take advantage of the proposed
program so Oversight will reflect to zero to more or less than income estimated by DHEWD to
the colleges, universities, and community colleges.
Oversight assumes colleges and universities, as well as community colleges, that provide
certificates, or apprentice programs or industry-recognized credentials will have a positive fiscal
impact as a result of this proposal. However, since the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is
subject to appropriation, Oversight will range the income from zero to more or less than
estimated by DHEWD.
Oversight received limited responses from Colleges or Community Colleges related to the fiscal
impact of this proposal. Oversight has presented this fiscal note on the best current information
available. Upon receipt of additional responses, Oversight will review to determine if an updated
fiscal note should be prepared and seek the necessary approval to publish a new fiscal note. L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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FISCAL IMPACT – State GovernmentFY 2026
(10 Mo.)
FY 2027FY 2028GENERAL REVENUETransfer out – DHEWD - Fast Track
Workforce Incentive Grant - §173.2553
p.4
$0 or More or
less than
($769,250)
$0 or More or
less than
($807,713)
$0 or More or
less than
($848,099)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
GENERAL REVENUE
$0 or More or
less than
($769,250)
$0 or More or
less than
($807,713)
$0 or More or
less than
($848,099)
FAST TRACK WORKFORCE
INENTIVE GRANT FUNDTransfer in – from General Revenue
Fund- §173.2553 p.4
$0 or More or
less than
$769,250
$0 or More or
less than
$807,713
$0 or More or
less than
$848,099
Transfer Out - Distributions of grants
§173.2553 p.4
$0 or More or
less than
($769,250)
$0 or More or
less than
($807,713)
$0 or More or
less than
($848,099)
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
FAST TRACK WORKFORCE
INCENTIVE GRANT FUND$0$0$0
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIESIncome – more eligible students for
grant - §173.2553 p.4$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES
$0 or
Unknown
$0 or
Unknown
$0 or
Unknown L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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FISCAL IMPACT – Local GovernmentFY 2026
(10 Mo.)
FY 2027FY 2028LOCAL POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS
Income - more eligible students for
grant – community colleges - §173.2553
p.4$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown$0 or Unknown
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON
LOCAL POLITICAL
SUBDIVISIONS
$0 or
Unknown
$0 or
Unknown
$0 or
Unknown
FISCAL IMPACT – Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.
FISCAL DESCRIPTION
This bill defines "public safety personnel" to include any police officer, firefighter, paramedic,
emergency medical dispatcher, emergency medical technician, or advanced emergency medical
technician who is trained and authorized by law or rule to render emergency medical assistance
or treatment.
The current "Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant" provides grants for tuition and fees for
eligible students meeting specific eligibility and income requirements. The bill adds public safety
personnel and personnel's dependents to the eligible students without income restrictions.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not
require additional capital improvements or rental space. L.R. No. 3070H.02I
Bill No. HB 1527
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March 10, 2025
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SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
University of Missouri
University of Central Missouri
Julie MorffJessica HarrisDirectorAssistant DirectorMarch 10, 2025March 10, 2025