May 8, 2023 Capitol Report
As we enter the final week of session, it always seems like things go very slowly and quickly at the same time. The division between the chambers (all seems to be political, but not all of it is partisan) is slowing things to a crawl.
This year's legislative session ends at 6PM on May 12, 2023. Any bills that have not passed at that time are considered dead. With 5 days left in session, there have been a total of 6 bills passed other than the budget.
We squeaked the budget by about an hour before the deadline. The total Missouri budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is approximately $51 billion, and has a number of Democratic priorities in it. I was pleased to be able to vote yes on budget bills this year.
I saw a notice over the weekend alerting Medicaid Recipients of scams and fraud attempts. I have more information in the Medicaid section below.
While hearings are slowing down, you can see the list of all hearings to see what other bills will be heard and voted (executive session) on this week in House committees.
Bills
The final tally for the number of House bills that were filed this year was 1478, which averages out to almost 9 bills per member. (I filed 20.) In the Senate, members averaged 23 bills apiece, with 788 bills filed in total.
Six bills (three more than last week!) have passed both chambers, and two have been signed into law: the Supplemental Budget Request and SB 51, which allows physical therapists to begin treatment without a physician's referral.
I have filed:
HB 500: States that the Courts shall follow current law relating to child custody and enforcement of custody orders.
Language has been amended onto HB 994 (Parker) and to HB 1058 (Hausman), as well as the House versions of SB 72, SB 198, and SB 213. It has not been heard in a Senate committee.
HB 994 was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 24, but has not yet been placed on the Senate calendar.
HB 1058 is in the Senate Judiciary Committee and has not been scheduled for a hearing.
HCS SS SCS SB 72 is currently in a Conference Committee with the language of HB 500 in it.
HB 605: Modifies the exemptions from licensure required for foster homes and child placing agencies
HB 606: Allows funds distributed from a MOST 529 account to pay up to $10,000 of student loans incurred for postsecondary education expenses
Referred to the Elementary and Secondary Education committee
HB 607: Adds tobacco products and vapor products to the Drug-Free Schools Act
Referred to the Elementary and Secondary Education committee
HB 608: Repeals provisions requiring absences from schools in St. Louis City to be reported to the children's division
HB 609: Abolishes the death penalty and specifies that any person sentenced to death must be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole
HB 610: Modifies and establishes provisions protecting immigrant tenants
HB 611: Modifies requirements for voter registration
HB 612: Modifies provisions relating to certified midwife services
Similar bills HB 900 and HB 1148 have been voted do pass by the House Committee on Healthcare Reform.
HB 613: Modifies provisions relating to the pregnancy-associated mortality review board
HB 614: Requires the Department of Revenue to include information about tax credits in its annual combined financial report
HB 615: Changes the laws regarding real property to require the filing of a certificate of value before transferring interest in real property
HB 616: Requires the Office of Administration to submit information related to the Missouri as a Model Employer program to the General Assembly
Truly Agreed and Finally passed as SB 106, awaiting Governor's signature (see below).
Added to HB 971 and passed unanimously out of the House. Voted out of the Senate Emerging Issues committee on April 24.
Perfected in the House on HB 719.
HB 1151: Establishes and modifies provisions relating to child custody and abductions
Passed the House Children and Families committee as HB 1058; this is in the Senate Judiciary Committee and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Is on the House version of SB 198, which is on the Senate Bills for Third Reading - Informal calendar
HB 1232: Establishes provisions relating to the attorney general appearing on behalf of or representing a state department or agency in cases
HB 1266: Establishes provisions relating to child abuse or neglect investigations
HB 1271: Relating to Guardians ad Litem
Hearing was held in the House Judiciary committee
HB 1341: Related to reporting for the Courage2Report System
HB 1342: Authorizes the Department of Labor and the Attorney General to prosecute wage theft. Was not allowed to be discussed as an amendment to HB 188.
HB 1343: Modifies Provisions related to the Champion for Children tax credit