Bar-endorsed measures gain traction in Legislature

The Missouri legislature stood adjourned at midnight, May 30, 2019, ending the First Regular Session of the 100th General Assembly. The General Assembly had concluded consideration of bills at 6 p.m., May 17. 

The Board of Governors of The Missouri Bar endorsed three committee-drafted proposals for introduction during the 2019 legislative session. The first measure, relating to assignments for benefit of creditors (2019-01), was introduced as House Bill 939 sponsored by Rep. Louis Riggs, R-Hannibal, and Senate Bill 422 sponsored by Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin. The second, relating to qualified spousal trusts (2019-02), was introduced as House Bill 981, but later withdrawn. The third proposal, a revision of the Missouri Decanting statute (2019-03), was introduced as House Bill 1041 sponsored by Rep. David Evans, R-West Plains, and Senate Bill 418 sponsored by White. The introduced bills did not advance beyond the committee stage of the legislative process. Learn more about The Missouri Bar’s legislative agenda at MoBar.org/legislative.  

During the 2019 session, legislators introduced 1,832 bills and 171 joint or concurrent resolutions. After nearly 18 weeks of work, the General Assembly approved 91 bills and three concurrent resolutions for consideration by the governor. It also approved one joint resolution placing a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2020 general election ballot. 

All Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed bills were presented to the governor by May 29. Gov. Parson will have 45 days – until July 14 – to return any bill to the Secretary of State with his approval or reasons for disapproval. Any bill not returned within this time period will become law without the governor’s signature. The 17 appropriations bills that comprise the state budget have been signed in advance of the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Except for those bills with an emergency clause or contingent or delayed effective date, bills signed into law by the governor take effect Aug. 28. The General Assembly will reconvene Sept. 11 for a veto session to consider any bills disapproved by the governor.  

Members can review the 2019 Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed legislation in the recent Legislative Update (May 31, 2019) from The Missouri Bar Government Relations Department. To see the current and past legislative actions taken by Gov. Parson, visit the administration's website.

For the review of legislation originating outside the bar, the Board of Governors and its Executive Committee are assisted by 45 legislative review subcommittees, consisting of more than 580 volunteer lawyers. These subcommittees reviewed and commented on more than 400 bills or joint resolutions.

The Missouri Bar limits its legislative activities to proposed legislation that affects the administration of justice, the integrity of the judiciary, or the dignity of the profession of law. To learn more about bar input on selected 2019 bills, click here.