The inability of Missouri community college districts--which serve 54% of the state's population but cover only 17% of the state's area--to enlarge their property tax support base, pass capital bond issues, or to increase operational levies gave rise to a legislative study of four major issues: existing laws covering community colleges; the relationship and impact of community colleges to other institutions of higher education; the relationship of the colleges to the community; and the future development needs for community colleges, both substantive and financial. Public hearings were held and factual data from other states and other studies were collected. Testimony focused on the role and scope of the community colleges, industrial impact, financial alternatives, and the importance of local autonomy for the survival and growth of the colleges. The Senate Committee endorsed the following recommendations: (1) full statewide redistricting on a three-year trial basis, involving existing two-year, regional, and state colleges in either direct or contracted delivery of community college services; (2) full state funding for community college operations and capital improvements, phased in over a five-year period with concurrent property tax reduction; (3) local control through elected boards of trustees; and (4) assumption of responsibility for program coordination, fee approval, and state appropriations by the Coordinating Board of Higher Education. Current and proposed legislation and selected statistical data are appended. (MB)