Legislative update: May 17, 2024

The regular session of the Missouri Legislature is set to end today at 6 p.m. Here’s what Missouri lawyers should know:

Budget

The Budget Bills passed both chambers May 10 as required by Missouri’s Constitution.

HBs 2002 through 2012 provide for the state’s operating budget, while HB 2013 provides funding for statewide leasing. Supplemental funding and reappropriation for state agencies are included in HBs 2015 through 2017. Funding for the state’s capital improvements and maintenance, and funding from the American Recovery Plan are included in HBs 2018 through 2020.

Of likely interest to members is HB 2012, which includes funding for the Judiciary and the Office of the Public Defender.

Bills Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed

With both chambers having adjourned on Thursday, in addition to the Budget Bills, the following legislation has been Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed:

• SB 727 (Koenig): Creates and modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education;
• SB 748 (Hough): Modifies provisions relating to reimbursement allowance taxes;
• SB 912 (Brown): Modifies provisions relating to military affairs;
• SB 1296 (O’Laughin): Conveys certain state property;
• SB 1359 (Trent): Modifies provisions relating to financial institutions;
• SB 1453 (Brown): Designates “Dr. Dan Brown Memorial Highway” in Phelps County;
• HB 1495 (Griffith): Requires the Missouri Veterans Commission recommend and implement efforts to prevent veteran suicide;
• HB 1751 (Haffner): Modifies provisions relating to solid waste disposal area permits;
• HB 1803 (Thompson): Increases the limit on investments in linked deposits by the state treasurer;
• HB 1909 (Taylor): Modifies the meeting requirements for county political party committees;
• HB 1912 (McGirl): Modifies provisions relating to the taxation of pass-through entities;
• HB 2057 (Keathley): Modifies provisions relating to video service providers;
• HB 2062 (Brown): Establishes provision relating to a moratorium on eviction proceedings;
• HB 2111 (Christofanelli): Modifies powers of the state auditor;
• HB 2134 (Lewis): Creates new provisions relating to water pollution;
• HB 2287 (Christofanelli): Establishes provisions relating to elementary and secondary education; and
• HB 2634 (Smith): Modifies provisions relating to public funding of abortion facilities and affiliates and provisions relating to MO HealthNet providers.

Details regarding bills Truly Agreed To and Finally Passed today, May 17, will be included in next week’s “Legislative Update.” 

The following bills have been signed by Gov. Mike Parson:

• SS HB 1751 (Haffner): Modifies provisions governing solid waste management permits;
• HB1803 (Thompson): Increases aggregate investment amount that the state treasurer may invest in linked deposits and changes disbursement criteria for eligible parties;
• SS SCS HCS HB 2015 (Smith): supplemental appropriation bill;
• HCS HB 2016 (Smith): Supplemental Appropriation Bill;
• SS HB 2287 (Christofanelli): Modifies provisions related to the virtual school program; and
• SS#2 HCS HB 2634 (Smith): Modifies provisions relating to public funding of abortion facilities and affiliates and provisions relating to MO HealthNet providers.

Floor debate

On May 13, Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman moved to concur with the House Committee Substitute, as amended, for SJR 74. The minority floor leader offered a substitute motion to refuse to concur and request the House recede in its position or to grant a conference on the resolution, with the conferees being allowed to exceed the differences.

The minority party then began its filibuster on SJR 74, which lasted until late Wednesday afternoon, at which time Coleman withdrew her motion to concur and offered, instead, a motion that the Senate refuse to concur and request the House recede in its position or to grant a conference on the resolution.

During the filibuster, there was no action on any other legislation. The House of Representatives continued to third read bills, knowing nothing would be Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed until the Senate filibuster ended. 

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 Missouri Bar 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

Senate Committees did not conduct public hearings on any bills of interest.

House

The House Budget Committee met on May 13 and held a public hearing on the following:

SS SB 748 (Hough), Modifies provisions relating to reimbursement allowance taxes

• A third of the MO HealthNet budget is derived from the tax.  The significance is that, if the tax were not reauthorized, there would be a great negative impact on the general revenue available to fund the rest of state government. 
• In support: Missouri Health Care Association; Missouri Pharmacy Association; Missouri Fire Service Alliance; Missouri Hospital Association; Missouri Ambulance Association; Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital; BJC Healthcare Systems; Ambulance District Association of Missouri; Mercy Healthcare Systems; SSM Health Care; Saint Luke’s Health System; NHS Management LLC; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missouri Nurses Association; and Missouri Occupational Therapy Association
• In opposition: none
• Electronic witness forms

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

SS SB 748 (Hough): Modifies provisions relating to reimbursement allowance taxes

• Do Pass by a vote of 27-0

The committee then began its annual review of tax credits authorized in the State of Missouri. 

Archived video of committee hearing