MO SB963

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

Maintains up to 100 one-year renewable scholarships worth $2,000 for minority students (Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans) pursuing teacher education, particularly in science and mathematics.

Establishes a new "Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program" within the Department of Higher Education, replacing a similar program previously administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

Creates a "Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Fund" for environmental studies scholarships targeting underrepresented students in engineering, environmental sciences, chemistry, and law enforcement fields.

Establishes a "Minority Environmental Literacy Advisory Committee" chaired by the Commissioner of Higher Education to oversee scholarship selection and administration.