Legislative Update: 102nd General Assembly convenes
Opening Day
At noon on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, both legislative chambers convened for the First Regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly. Representative Dean Plocher (R - Des Peres) and Senator Caleb Rowden (R - Columbia) were formally elected to be Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, respectively.
Legislative leaders outlined the priorities of their respective caucuses. In his opening speech, President Pro Tempore Rowden highlighted specific legislative proposals relating to MO HealthNet services for pregnant and postpartum women (Senator Elaine Gannon) and a transitional benefits program for TANF, SNAP, and low-income housing assistance (Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman); a personal priority to make the adoption process in Missouri easier and cheaper; and the intention to “reimagine and lay the groundwork for implementation of a new blueprint for achieving success in [Missouri’s] public education system” and amend the state’s constitutional initiative process. In the House, Speaker Plocher outlined a number of priorities, including addressing violent crime and public safety; teacher compensation and choices for education; workforce development; responsible infrastructure spending; tax reductions; and economic development and innovation. Senate Minority Leader Rizzo and House Minority Leader Quade identified teacher pay increases, childcare options for parents, limiting access to firearms, and women’s access to health care as priorities.
At the beginning of a new biennium, each legislative chamber will consider changes to its rules of procedures. The Senate approved changes to the number, duties, and composition of its committees on Thursday, January 5, 2023, while the House will take up its rule changes early next week. Once both chambers have adopted permanent rules, legislative leadership will announce committee chair and membership appointments, and the referral of legislation to committees will begin.
Legislative Leadership
After each general election, the party caucuses in each legislative chamber meet to elect their leadership, including nominees for Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, who are constitutional officers. The official votes to elect constitutional officers will occur on the first day of the new legislative session (January 4, 2023).
Over a year ago, on September 20, 2021, the majority caucus elected Representative Dean Plocher as speaker designate. On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, the House Republican caucus filled its remaining leadership positions. On Thursday, November 10, 2022, House Democrats and Senate Republicans and Democrats met to elect their leadership for the upcoming session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
| Majority Caucus (R) | Minority Caucus (D) | |
| Speaker | Dean Plocher * | |
| Speaker Pro Tempore | Mike Henderson | |
| Floor Leader | Dr. Jon Patterson | Crystal Quade |
| Asst. Floor Leader | Jamie Burger | Richard Brown |
| Caucus Chair | Chris Dinkins | Ingrid Burnett |
| Caucus Whip | Hardy Billington | Ashley Aune |
| Caucus Secretary | Ann Kelley | Gretchen Bangert |
| Caucus Vice Chair | Emily Weber | |
| Caucus Policy Chair | Jamie Johnson |
SENATE
| Majority Caucus (R) | Minority Caucus (D) | |
| President | Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe | |
| President Pro Tempore | Caleb Rowden | |
| Floor Leader | Cindy O’Laughlin | J. J. Rizzo |
| Asst. Floor Leader | Jason Bean | Doug Beck |
| Caucus Chair | Tony Luetkemeyer * | Angela Walton Mosley |
| Caucus Whip | Karla Eslinger | Steven Roberts * |
| Caucus Secretary | Sandy Crawford |
* Member of The Missouri Bar
Legislative Dates to Remember
First Regular Session
| Pre-filing of legislation begins | December 1, 2022 |
| Session convenes (first Wednesday following first Monday in January) | January 4, 2023 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No Session | January 16, 2023 |
| President's Day – No Session | February 20, 2023 |
| Final day to introduce legislation | March 1, 2023 |
| Legislative Spring Break | March 13-17, 2023 |
| Easter Break – No Session | April 10, 2023 |
| Final day for floor action on appropriations bills (first Fri. following first Mon. in May) | May 5, 2023 |
| Final day for floor action on bills (first Fri. following second Mon. in May) | May 12, 2023 |
| Session adjourns pursuant to constitution | May 30, 2023 |
| Final day for governor to act on appropriations bills | June 30, 2023 |
| Final day for governor to act on bills passed during regular session | July 14, 2023 |
| Effective date of enacted bills from regular session (unless bill provides otherwise) | August 28, 2023 |
Veto Session
| Session convenes to reconsider vetoed bills (first Wed. following second Mon. in September) | September 13, 2023 |
| Effective date of bills passed over veto (unless bill provides otherwise or veto session lasts more than a single day) | October 13, 2023 |
2023 Introduced Legislation
The introduction of legislation for the 2023 Regular Session began on December 1, 2022. As of January 6, 2023, members of the General Assembly have already filed approximately 1,134 bills and 77 joint resolutions (proposed constitutional amendments).
To see more bills of interest, organized by subject or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center (and bookmark the page). These bills of interest feeds are automatically updated with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to individual bill webpages. The bills of interest listed at the end of this update are just a sample of those already introduced this year, many of which could significantly impact the administration of justice, the integrity of the judiciary, or the dignity of the profession of law. If you have any questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact Government Relations staff at 573-659-2280 or govrel@mobar.org for more information.
Selected Legislation of Interest
Senate Joint Resolutions
SJR24 - Modifies provisions relating to jury trial waivers
Sen. Angela Mosley (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SJR31 - Modifies provisions relating to the judiciary, including access to judicial records, judicial lobbying activities, and the nonpartisan court plan
Sen. Rick Brattin (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
Senate Bills
SB33 - Creates extreme risk orders of protection
Sen. Karla May (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB36 - Modifies provisions relating to expungement
Sen. Brian Williams (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB37 - Establishes a conviction review unit
Sen. Brian Williams (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB72 - Establishes the Judicial Privacy Act, which provides restrictions on the use of a judicial officer's personal information
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB74 - Creates a DWI diversion program
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB83 - Creates provisions relating to the jurisdiction of the attorney general
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB103 - Modifies the expiration dates for provisions relating to court automation
Sen. Sandy Crawford (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB116 - Modifies provisions relating to the disposition of the dead
Sen. Justin Brown (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB123 - Modifies provisions relating to violations while on parole or conditional release
Sen. Brian Williams (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB128 - Modifies provisions relating to costs and fees in divorce proceedings
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB129 - Modifies provisions relating to child custody arrangements
Sen. Rick Brattin (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB137 - Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a patriotic and civics training program for teachers
Sen. Karla Eslinger (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB145 - Creates certificates of exemplary conduct and good moral character issued by circuit courts
Sen. Steven Roberts (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB154 - Modifies the compensation of court reporters
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB198 - Modifies provisions relating to the waiver of fees for births certificates for certain victims
Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB215 - Establishes provisions relating to alternative dispute resolution
Sen. Steven Roberts (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB222 - Establishes provisions relating to moratoriums on eviction proceedings
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB223 - Modifies the expiration dates for provisions relating to court automation
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB239 - Establishes provisions relating to moratoriums on eviction proceedings
Sen. Andrew Koenig (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB245 - Modifies provisions relating to funding for the Office of the Public Defender
Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB252 - Allows the circuit court of St. Louis City to collect a civil case filing fee of an amount not to exceed $20, rather than $15, for certain uses, including the maintenance of a law library
Sen. Karla May (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB253 - Creates a civil action awarding damages for wrongful convictions
Sen. Brian Williams (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB258 - Establishes procedures for entering into and dissolving covenant marriages
Sen. Mike Moon (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB286 - Authorizes the General Assembly and the Attorney General to review and prohibit implementation of certain federal actions in this state
Sen. Rick Brattin (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB288 - Modifies provisions relating to bail
Sen. Rick Brattin (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB297 - Establishes time standards for court proceedings, orders, and judgments
Sen. Angela Mosley (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB298 - Provides exemptions for records of certain offenses from public access on statewide court automation systems
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB302 - Provides for the redaction of personal identifying information of minors and next friends from public court automation systems
Sen. Bill Eigel (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB305 - Modifies provisions relating to unlawful possession of firearms
Sen. Lauren Arthur (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB314 - Modifies provisions relating to child custody
Sen. Angela Mosley (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB315 - Modifies provisions relating to the transfer of appeals
Sen. Angela Mosley (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB320 - Modifies provisions relating to automatic stays of court and administrative proceedings for members of the General Assembly
Sen. Angela Mosley (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB329 - Modifies provisions relating to extreme risk orders of protection
Sen. Angela Mosley (D)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB342 - Creates provisions related to consumer legal funding and litigation financing
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB347 - Creates provisions relating to expungement
Sen. Curtis Trent (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
SB359 - Modifies provisions relating to guardians ad litem
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman (R)
2023-01-04 S - Read First Time
House Joint Resolutions
HJR1 - Proposes a constitutional amendment changing the retirement age of judges
Rep. Hardy Billington (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
House Bills
HB35 - Modifies provisions relating to the retirement of certain judges
Rep. Hardy Billington (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB42 - Provides that a full-time judge shall not be a judge or prosecutor for any other court
Rep. Ingrid Burnett (D)
2023-01-05 H - Withdrawn
HB60 - Provides that the court shall not order a parent to pay child support to the other parent for reasonable or necessary expenses of the child if the parents are awarded equal time with the child
Rep. Marlene Terry (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB61 - Provides that a grandparent shall be given priority if it is in the best interest of the child to be placed in the custody of a third party
Rep. Marlene Terry (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB62 - Modifies penalties relating to criminal offenses involving the custody of children
Rep. Marlene Terry (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB68 - Modifies provisions relating to guardianships and conservatorships
Rep. Marlene Terry (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB77 - Establishes provisions relating to the collection of court costs
Rep. Ann Kelley (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB82 - Repeals and establishes provisions relating to alternative dispute resolution
Rep. Rudy Veit (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB83 - Creates the Change of Venue for Capital Cases Fund to reimburse a county that receives a capital case from another county for costs associated with the sequestering of jurors
Rep. Rudy Veit (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB84 - Establishes the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act
Rep. Rudy Veit (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB87 - Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors
Rep. Rudy Veit (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB90 - Modifies the expiration dates for provisions relating to court automation
Rep. Rudy Veit (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB104 - Changes the age when a person may be excused from serving on a petit and grand jury
Rep. Jerome Barnes (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB129 - Establishes the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act
Rep. Dave Griffith (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB162 - Establishes the Uniform Collaborative Law Act
Rep. Ian Mackey (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB185 - Establishes a rebuttable presumption that child custody arrangements that award equal parenting time are in the best interest of the child
Rep. Jim Murphy (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB204 - Modifies provisions relating to proceedings of the Judicial Finance Commission
Rep. Peggy McGaugh (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB211 - Establishes provisions relating to the refiling of cases dismissed by a court
Rep. David Tyson Smith (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB272 - Modifies the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from five years to two years
Rep. Alex Riley (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB273 - Modifies provisions relating to the collateral source rule
Rep. Alex Riley (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB279 - Repeals the Missouri Limited Liability Company Act and establishes the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act as proposed by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
Rep. Alex Riley (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB281 - Modifies provisions of law relating to child custody arrangements
Rep. Adam Schnelting (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB352 - Establishes provisions relating to expungement
Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB353 - Establishes provisions relating to the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression
Rep. Phil Christofanelli (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB370 - Increases personnel for certain judicial circuits
Rep. Richard West (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB371 - Establishes provisions relating to the removal of certain court records from automated case management systems
Rep. Bill Falkner (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB380 - Creates provisions relating to attorney's fees for certain civil actions brought against political subdivisions
Rep. Crystal Quade (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB390 - Modifies provisions relating to guardians ad litem
Rep. Jim Murphy (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB395 - Modifies provisions relating to expungement
Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Courtway (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB413 - Establishes extreme risk protection orders and gun violence seizure warrants and prohibits certain persons involved in domestic violence from possessing a firearm
Rep. Ian Mackey (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB429 - Modifies provisions relating to the compensation of jurors
Rep. Chad Perkins (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB444 - Provides for the redaction of personal identifying information of minors and next friends from public court automation systems
Rep. Adam Schnelting (R)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time
HB458 - Establishes procedures for petitioning for and issuing risk protection orders
Rep. Peter Merideth (D)
2023-01-05 H - Read Second Time