MO HB1797

Establishes a Joint Committee on Education composed of 7 Senate members and 7 House members, appointed by the President Pro Tem and Speaker respectively

Committee shall meet at least twice per year and conduct ongoing reviews and studies of public K-12 schools, higher education institutions, education funding equity, and performance measures

Changes the Joint Committee's oversight of the Commissioner of Education's $18 million in discretionary spending on statewide critical needs from requiring prior approval to requiring only review of proposed programs and budgets

Requires the Committee to study open enrollment across school district boundary lines and submit recommendations to the General Assembly by December 31, 2009

Members receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses; a majority of committee members constitutes a quorum for conducting business