MO HB1858

Transfers administration of the Minority Teaching Scholarship program from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Department of Higher Education.

Modifies the teaching scholarship program to award up to 101 one-year renewable scholarships of $2,000 to minority students (Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans) pursuing teacher education in Missouri institutions.

Establishes the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program within the Department of Higher Education to award scholarships to minority and underrepresented students in engineering, environmental sciences, chemistry, and environmental law enforcement fields.

Creates a "Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund" to receive appropriations from general revenue, special fees, federal funding, gifts, and donations, with unexpended balances not subject to biennial transfer.

Establishes a Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee chaired by the Commissioner of Higher Education, comprised of university representatives, the Director of Natural Resources, five gubernatorial appointees, and the state affirmative action officer to oversee scholarship selection.