Legislative Update: Legislature enters final months

Both chambers of the General Assembly reconvened on Monday, April 3, 2023.  The House continued to steadily work through its bill calendars, perfecting and third reading bills.  This week, Senate debate ranged from tax credits and property taxes to sports wagering, with mixed results.  On Thursday, the House appropriations bills were referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Four weeks remain for the Senate to complete its version of the proposed budget and reconcile any differences with the House in conference committees.  The deadline for legislative approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget is Friday, May 5, 2023.  Five weeks remain for consideration of regular (non-appropriations) bills, which must be approved by both legislative chambers by Friday, May 12, 2023.  The General Assembly will be out on Monday, April 10, 2023, for Easter break, and will resume activities on Tuesday.   

FY 2024 Operating Tracking - Perfected 
FY2024 Budget Information 
FY2024 Judiciary Budget Request with Governor’s Recommendations 
FY2024 State Public Defender Budget Request with Governor’s Recommendations

Crossover Legislation and Floor Action

View a complete list of legislation approved by the Senate and delivered to the House for consideration.

View a complete list of legislation approved by the House and delivered to the Senate for consideration.

View the Senate Calendar to see potential bills for floor debate and final approval (Formal and Informal Calendars – Third Reading of Senate Bills, Senate Bills for Perfection, and House Bills on Third Reading).

View the House Calendar to see potential bills for floor debate and approval (House Bills for Perfection, House Bills for Perfection – Informal, House Bills for Third Reading, House Bills for Third Reading – Informal, and House Bills for Third Reading - Consent). 

2023 Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals

On the website of The Missouri Bar, members can access a list of the 2023 Bar-initiated legislative proposals, as well as links to the corresponding legislation introduced in the General Assembly.  These proposals were drafted by committees or division of The Missouri Bar and approved by the Board of Governors.  Members can also access a tracking report to see the current status of the legislation containing Bar-initiated proposals and follow their legislative progress.

Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposals

2023 Bills of Interest

In addition to other legislative resources, The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Engagement Center provides information about bills of interest in different subject or practice areas.  These bills of interest reports are automatically updated with the current bill status and provide links to the relevant bill webpages.  Anyone who is interested in a specific subject or practice area can bookmark the relevant report page for later reference.  If you have suggestions for a new category or if you have questions or comments about specific legislation, please contact Government Relations staff at govrel@mobar.org.

2023 Missouri Bar-Reviewed Legislation

The Missouri Bar limits its review of legislation in the General Assembly to matters concerning the administration of justice, the integrity of the judiciary, improvement of the law, or the dignity of the profession of law.  Each session, Government Relations staff identify and monitor bills of particular interest that impact Missouri courts or the legal profession.  These bills are referred to the Government Relations Committee and the Legislative Review Committee, which review them and make recommendations to the Board of Governors or its Executive Committee for potential action.  Members are encouraged to submit comments on any bills referred for review or any bills eligible for consideration by the Board or Executive Committee. 

Board of Governors or Executive Committee Actions Taken on 2023 Bills

COMMITTEE HEARINGS OF INTEREST

Senate

N.B.:  The “Witnesses” links for Senate committees will lead to the “Committee Minutes” page of the relevant committee.  On the “Committee Minutes” page, scroll to the appropriate bill number in the middle column of the page and click the “View” button.

The Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee met on April 3, 2023, and held a public hearing on the following legislation:

• SB 276 (Trent), repealing the Missouri Postconviction Drug Treatment Program – Witnesses
• SB 502 (Schroer), modifying provisions relating to criminal laws – Witnesses
• HCS HBs 640 & 729 (Sharp), modifying provisions relating to compensation for the Kansas City police department – Witnesses

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

• SB 337 (Crawford), modifying provisions relating to electronic notification to victims of certain crimes – Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0.
• SCS SBs 384 & 276 (Gannon), modifying provisions relating to the supervision of adult offenders on probation or parole from other states – Do Pass by a vote of 5 to 1.
• SCS SB 387 (Trent), modifying provisions relating to behavioral health services for certain accused persons – Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0.
•  SB 405 (Schroer), modifying provisions relating to the offense of endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree – Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0.

The Senate General Laws Committee met on April 5, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• SJR 42 (Carter), creating provisions relating to sheriffs – Witnesses
• HB 402 (Henderson), modifying the definition of “hospital” to include rural emergency hospitals – Witnesses
• HCS HB 417 (Henderson), authorizing grants to employers to encourage employees to gain and improve their skills – Witnesses
• SB 647 (Bernskoetter), modifying provisions relating to the Sheriffs’ Retirement System – Witnesses

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

• SJR 46 (Black), providing for the levying of certain court costs and fees to support the salaries and benefits of certain law enforcement personnel – Do Pass by a vote of 6 to 0.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee met on April 5, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• SB 336 (Crawford), modifying provisions relating to supplemental welfare assistance – Witnesses
• SB 538 (Fitzwater), modifying provisions relating to mental health coordinators – Witnesses
• SB 419 (Gannon), modifying provisions relating to mental health services for vulnerable persons – Witnesses
• SB 420 (Gannon), modifying the definition of "hospital" to include rural emergency hospitals – Witnesses
• SB 443 (Washington), modifying provisions relating to medical marijuana program participants in family court matters – Witnesses
• SB 458 (Coleman), modifying provisions relating to child protection – Witnesses

House

N.B.:  For House committee hearings, witnesses testifying in person may not be reflected in the file available through the Electronic Witness Form link, but these individuals will be noted on the Committee Bill Summary on the webpage of the relevant bill.

The House Budget Committee met on April 3, 2023, to continue discussions on the following appropriations legislation: 

• HB 17 (capital improvement and other purposes)
• HB 18 (purchase of equipment; planning, expenses, and capital improvement projects involving the maintenance, repair, replacement, and improvement of state buildings and facilities, including installation, modification, and renovation of facility components, equipment or systems; grants, refunds, distributions, planning, expenses, and land improvement)
• HB 19 (planning and capital improvements including major additions and renovations, new structures, and land improvements or acquisitions)

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Judiciary Committee met on April 4, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• SB 103 (Crawford), modifying provisions relating to court operations, including court automation, compensation for court reporters, and court surcharges for expungement petitions – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 72 (Trent), modifying provisions relating to judicial privacy, including establishing the Judicial Privacy Act, the offense of unlawful posting of certain information, and the inclusion of personal information of minors in certain court documents – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 835 (Sparks), establishing the offense of use of a minor to commit a crime – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 767 (Morse), specifying that any contract with a person over sixty-five years of age who has certain incapacities must be in writing and signed – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 941 (Baker), modifying provisions relating to workers’ compensation administrative law judges and repeals the position of chief legal counsel – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 720 (Riley), establishing the Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders Act, which provides liability protections for employers hiring those convicted of certain offenses – Electronic Witness Forms

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

• HCS HB 669 (Copeland), modifying provisions relating to the RAP Back system – Do pass by a vote of 12 to 0.
• HCS HB 367 (Seitz), establishing provisions relating to civil actions for vulnerable victims of sexual abuse – Do pass by a vote of 12 to 0.
• HB 721 (Riley), establishing provisions protecting transportation network companies from vicarious liability – Do pass by a vote of 8 to 4.
• HB 902 (Hardwick), modifying provisions relating to covenants between business entities and its owners – Do pass by a vote of 11 to 0 (and 1 voting present).
• HCS HB 185 & 281 (Murphy), establishing a rebuttable presumption that child custody arrangements that award equal parenting time are in the best interest of the child – Do pass by a vote of 12 to 0.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee met on April 3, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• HB 77 (Kelley - 127), establishing provisions relating to the collection of court costs – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 302 (Roberts), modifying the offense of making a false report – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 440 (Hovis), modifying provisions relating to peace officers – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 24 (Hough), creating the “Missouri First Responder Mental Health Initiative Act – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 28 (Brown - 16),  modifying provisions relating to access to public records of the Missouri highway patrol – Electronic Witness Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Children and Families Committee met on April 4, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• SB 82 (Coleman), modifying provisions relating to public assistance – Electronic Witness Forms
• SJR 26 (Fitzwater), authorizing a property tax exemption for certain property used for childcare – Electronic Witness Forms

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

• HCS HB 594 (Kelly -141), modifying provisions relating to do-not-resuscitate orders for children – Do Pass by a vote of 10 to 0.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Elections and Elected Officials Committee met on April 4, 2023, and held public hearings on legislation, including the following:

• HB 204 (McGaugh), modifying provisions relating to proceedings of the Judicial Finance Commission – Electronic Witness Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Financial Institutions Committee met on April 4, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• SB 13 (Crawford), modifying provisions relating to financial institutions – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 187 (Brown - 16), creating the Commercial Financing Disclosure Act – Electronic Witness Forms
• HB 968 (Thompson), modifying the Principal and Income Act to resemble the latest version of the Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act – Electronic Witness Forms [Missouri Bar-Initiated Legislative Proposal]
• HR 12 (Owen), urging Missouri to oppose federal rules or regulations requiring companies to disclose climate change risk – Electronic Witness Forms

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

• HCS HB 425 (Perkins), authorizing financial institutions to provide services to organizations that participate in the marijuana industry – Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0.
• HCS HB 1210 (O’Donnell), modifying provisions relating to the Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit – Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0.
• HCS HB 759 (Davidson), establishing the “Missouri Earned Wage Access Services Registration Act” – Do Pass by a vote of 13 to 0.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Professional Registration and Licensing Committee met on April 4, 2023, and held public hearings on legislation, including the following:

• SB 116 (Brown - 16), modifying provisions relating to the disposition of the dead – Electronic Witness Forms

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House General Laws Committee met on April 4, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• SB 34 (May), authorizing school districts to offer elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 40 (Thompson Rehder), modifying provisions relating to background checks – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 45 (Gannon), modifying provisions relating to MO HealthNet – Electronic Witness Forms
• SB 119 (Luetkemeyer), modifying provisions relating to first responders – Electronic Witness Forms

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

• HB 272 (Riley), modifying the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from five years to two years – Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 5.
• HB 273 (Riley), modifying provisions relating to the collateral source rule – Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 5.
• HB 274 (Riley), modifying provisions relating to actions for damages due to exposure to asbestos – Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 5.
• HCS HB 628 (Christofanelli), establishing the Consumer Legal Funding Act – Do Pass by a vote of 17 to 0.
• HB 1009 (Hardwick), modifying provisions relating to a time-limited demand to settle – Do Pass by a vote of 9 to 5.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee met on April 6, 2023, and held public hearings on the following legislation:

• HB 392 (Toalson Reisch), modifying provisions relating to the reemployment rights of members of Missouri Task Force One who are called to active duty
• HB 1367 (Hardwick), modifying provisions relating to the certification of a juvenile for trial as an adult

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

• HB 77 (Kelley - 127), establishing provisions relating to the collection of court costs – Do Pass by a vote of 23 to 0.
• HCS HBs 187 & 570 (Murphy), Modifies and establishes offenses involving motor vehicles – Do Pass by a vote of 21 to 0 (with 2 voting present).
• HB 302 (Roberts), modifying the offense of making a false report – Do Pass by a vote of 24 to 0.
• HB 440 (Hovis), modifying provisions relating to peace officers – Do Pass by a vote of 24 to 0.
• HCS SB 24 (Hough), creating the “Missouri First Responder Mental Health Initiative Act” – Do Pass by a vote of 23 to 0.
• SB 28 (Brown - 16), modifying provisions relating to access to public records of the Missouri highway patrol – Do Pass by a vote of 23 to 0.

Archived Video of Committee Hearing

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) met on April 6, 2023, and conducted the following business:

• Receipt of the director’s report, which included:
  • A request to authorize the director to testify for informational purposes at legislative hearings on bills relating to the administrative rulemaking process;
  • Updates on current legislation involving rulemaking;
  • Updates on the number of rules, emergency rules, orders, and fiscal notes reviewed by joint committee staff;
  • Updates on the statutorily-required periodic review of rules; and
  • Notification that the director would be presenting on the joint committee and the administrative rulemaking process at The Missouri Bar 2023 Administrative Law Spring Committee Meeting;
• Ratification of delegated authority previously granted to the director to perform certain tasks;
• Approval of the minutes of the meeting on April 12, 2022;
• Election of Senator Nick Schroer as chair and Representative Alex Riley as vice chair for 2023; and
• Closed session pursuant to sections 610.022.2, 610.021(3), and 610.021(1).

Archived Video of Committee Hearing 

Legislative Dates to Remember

First Regular Session

Veto Session