Legislative update: Feb. 23, 2024

On Feb. 19, HB 1886, which contained Missouri Bar-endorsed legislation, was defeated on 3rd reading on the House floor. The defeat was attributable to some amendments that had been added to the original language.

Rep. Viet, the bill sponsor, voted against the legislation to preserve an opportunity for reconsideration of the bill. For such to occur, the representative asking for reconsideration must have voted on the prevailing side. On Feb. 22, Viet moved for reconsideration of the bill, and the motion prevailed. He then moved that the bill be sent back to the House Judiciary Committee so that committee members could address concerns with the legislation, and that motion also prevailed.

The committee must now vote on the legislation before it once again moves to the House floor for debate.

In the Senate, SCS SJRs 74, 48, 59, 61 & 83 was the subject of a filibuster that began when the Senate convened on Feb. 19, and lasted through the night until the morning of Feb. 20. The end of the filibuster came with the deletion of language including that no person shall be eligible to vote on any measure submitted to the people that amends, repeals, or replaces this constitution, unless such person is a legal resident of the state of Missouri and a citizen of the United States of America – which already is law.

SS #4 SCS SJRs 74, 48, 59, 61 & 83 was adopted on Feb. 22, by a vote of 22-9.

As of Feb. 22, 1,562 bills and resolutions have been filed in the House, 793 bills and resolutions have been filed in the Senate.

2024 introduced legislation

To see legislation that has been introduced, organized by subject matter or practice area, visit The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center. The bills are automatically updated with the latest status of the bills listed and provide links to the individual bill webpages. 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.

Bar-initiated legislative proposals (2024 introduced legislation)

Committee hearings of interest

Senate

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on Feb. 19 and held public hearings on the following:

SB 864 (Thompson Rehder): Modifies provisions relating to costs and fees in divorce proceedings

• In support: none
• In opposition: none

SB 988 (Coleman): Modifies provisions relating to qualified spousal trusts

• In support: Riezman Berger law firm and The Missouri Bar
• In opposition: none

SB 1379 (Arthur): Modifies provisions relating to funding for the Office of the Public Defender (consent)

• In support: Office of the Public Defender
• In opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SB 984 (Schroer): Creates the “Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act”

• Do Pass by a vote of 7-0
• There will be a substitute.

SB 1096 (Roberts): Establishes provisions relating to alternative dispute resolution

• Do Pass by a vote of 7-0

SB 1379 (Arthur): Modifies provisions relating to funding for the Office of the Public Defender

• Do Pass by a vote of 6-0 (consent)

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee met on Feb. 21 and held public hearings on bills including:

SB 1300 (Bean): Directs the Missouri Department of Revenue to take certain actions regarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

• State agencies mandated to consider Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse data prior to granting a CDL
• In support: Missouri Department of Revenue
• In opposition: none

SB 772 (Gannon): Modifies provisions relating to licenses issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue

• Applies to homeless youth
• In support: Kids Win Missouri and National Association of Social Workers – Missouri Chapter
• In opposition: none

SB 1015 (Bernskoetter): Modifies the application process for Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation special license plates

• In support: Conservation Federation of Missouri
• In opposition: none

SB 1156 (Fitzwater): Exempts certain vehicle dealers from place of business inspections

• Addresses required Highway Patrol inspections of businesses prior to their being granted a license to sell vehicles
• In support: Tractor Supply Company
• In opposition: none

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

SCS SBs 1067, 1308, 1303 (Brown): Designates “Police Chief Mason Griffith Memorial Highway” in Gasconade County

• Do Pass by a vote of 4-0

SB 939 (Brown ): Modifies provisions relating to state funds for regional planning commissions

• Do Pass by a vote of 4-0

SCS SBs 901 & 820 (Schroer): Creates the offense of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention of a motor vehicle

• Do Pass by a vote of 4-0

House

The House Committee on Children and Families met on Feb. 20 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1928 (Gragg): Modifies provisions relating to child care provider licensing requirements for certain providers

• Addresses after school and summer program facility licensing; applies only to school-age youth
• In support: Missouri After School Network, North Missouri Center for Youth and Family, Kids Win Missouri, Missouri State Alliance of YMCAs, Missouri Park & Recreation Association, Missouri Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, and Eldon R-I Schools LEAP
• In opposition: none
• Electronic witness forms

HB 1996 (Perkins): Modifies provisions relating to drug offenses involving persons under 22 years old

• Applies to drug-free school zones; about adults selling to minors
• In support: Campaign Zero and The Justice Action Network
• In opposition: none
• Electronic witness forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HCS HB 2183 & HB 2529 (Hausman): Authorizes a property tax exemption for certain property used for child care, contingent upon passage and approval by the voters of a constitutional amendment permitting a property tax exemption

• Do Pass by a vote of 9-0
• Archived video of committee hearing

The House Financial Institutions Committee met on Feb. 20 and considered the following in executive session:

HB 1987 (Thompson): Modifies the Principal and Income Act to resemble the latest version of the Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act

• Do Pass by a vote of 12-0 (consent)
• Archived video of committee hearing

The House Committee on General Laws met on Feb. 20 and considered the following in executive session:

HB 2578 (Van Schoiack): Provides that an unborn child shall not be considered an employee for civil actions

• Do Pass by a vote of 16-0
• Archived video of committee hearing

The House Judiciary Committee met on Feb. 21 and held public hearings on the following:

HB 1655 (Roberts): Establishes procedures for a violent offender registry, which will include any person on probation or parole for first or second degree murder

• In support: none
• In opposition: none
• Electronic witness forms

HB 1693 (Sparks): Establishes the offense of use of a minor to commit a crime

• In support: none
• In opposition: none
• Electronic witness forms

HB 2700 (Copeland): Modifies the offense of delivery of a controlled substance

• In support: Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
• In opposition: none
• For information: Missouri Office of Prosecution Services
• Electronic witness forms

The committee took action on the following legislation in executive session:

HB 1617 (Seitz): Modifies provisions relating to civil actions for childhood sexual abuse

• Do Pass by a vote of 12-0
• Archived video of committee hearing