JEFFERSON CITY— The Missouri Senate this week gave final approval to its version of the first budget bill of the session, a supplemental appropriations measure that fills in budget gaps for the current fiscal year 2010, which ends June 30. House Bill 2014 now moves back to the House, which must approve the changes made by the Senate prior to final passage.
Supplemental Funding Bill
Each year the General Assembly considers funding needs that arise during the middle of the budget year and makes adjustments accordingly through an all-encompassing supplemental budget bill. The measure allocates additional funding to various state departments, agencies and programs for fiscal year 2010.
The Senate’s version of HB 2014 provides approximately $392 million in additional funds to the state. Among other things, the measure supplements funding for the state’s foundation formula for public K–12 schools, MO HealthNet services and public safety expenses.
The Missouri Senate will soon begin debating the budget bills for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1. The General Assembly is constitutionally required to pass the state budget by May 7.
Watch a video clip of Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) presenting HB 2014 to the Senate.
State Employee Retirement
This week the Senate began floor debate on a bill that would change state employee retirement plans. Senate Bill 896 , sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph), would require the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) and the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) to each create a defined contribution retirement plan.
These plans would be for any person who is hired for the first time as a state employee or serves as a judge for the first time on or after January 1, 2011. The amount of benefits provided to each employee would be based solely on the amount allocated to the employee's account, and the employee would gain ownership of these benefits immediately.
While the bill did not reach a vote this week, it may be taken up at any point during the remainder of the legislative session.
Watch a video clip of Sen. Shields presenting SB 896 on the floor.
Passed by the Senate, Sent to the House
This week the Senate sent SB 625 , sponsored by Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City), to the House. The bill requires the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services to develop rules, which would become effective by July 1, 2010, that modify the income eligibility criteria for any person receiving state-funded child care assistance—either through vouchers or direct reimbursement to child care providers.
In addition, SB 733 , sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), also received final Senate approval. The bill changes the state’s Bright Flight Scholarship Program by expanding scholarship eligibility to individuals who have received a GED or who have completed a homeschooling program of study. It also allows eligible students to retain their scholarships while serving in the military.
Watch a video clip of Sen. Pearce discussing SB 733 on the Senate floor.
Senate Bill 991 , sponsored by Sen. Delbert Scott (R-Lowry City), was also sent to the House. The bill eliminates, combines and revises certain state boards, commissions, committees and councils.
Senate Bill 984 , sponsored by Sen. Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis), was another measure to receive a final “yes” vote from the Senate. Under current law, it is a Class B misdemeanor for any gaming licensee to exchange tokens, chips or any other form of gambling credit for anything of value other than as a wager on gambling games or an exchange of money. This bill would allow gaming licensees to exchange tokens, chips, or other forms of gambling credit for payment of food or beverages on excursion gambling boats as well.
And finally, the Senate sent SB 848 to the House this week. Under current law, the Public Service Commission and Department of Natural Resources must issue rules to carry out the Renewable Energy Portfolio requirement (known as Proposition C) that was passed by voters in the November 2008 election. This bill would require the commission and department to include methane generated from farm animal waste as a renewable energy source for purposes of meeting the portfolio requirement.
Bills Ready for Senate Floor Debate
A bill that would require public libraries to adopt policies—consistent with contemporary community standards—on the placement of certain books and materials to restrict minors from gaining access to obscene or pornographic material, was passed by the Senate General Laws Committee this week. Senate Bill 735 , sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield), would also require that the policies contain procedures for the public to challenge the placement of these books and materials and provide comments and guidance on the library policies. As an alternative, any library that does not adopt written policies must prominently display a statement that the library may contain uncensored materials that may be objectionable and offensive to minors.
Senate Bill 881 , sponsored by Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis), was passed by the Senate Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee . The bill would make several changes relating to political subdivisions, including prohibiting them from using an automated traffic enforcement photo radar system to detect or enforce the speed limits on any state highway within their jurisdiction.
Also, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 815 , sponsored by Sen. Matt Bartle (R-Lee’s Summit), this week. The bill would allow a school district to adopt a year-round educational program by a majority vote of the school board, and would also allow school districts to offer, by majority vote of the school board, two start dates for kindergarten.
Senate Committee Hearings
Senate Bill 1066 , sponsored by Sen. Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis), was heard in the Senate Financial and Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee this week. The bill would establish plans to increase the participation of certified socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses, minority business enterprises, and women's business enterprises in contracting with the state.
Watch a video clip of Sen. Wright-Jones presenting SB 1066 to the committee.
Senate Bill 744 , sponsored by Sen. Pearce, was heard by the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee this week. The bill would require insurers to provide coverage for eating disorders (beginning Jan. 1, 2011) and would establish the Missouri Eating Disorder Council to administer various eating disorder education and awareness programs.
Watch a video clip of Sen. Pearce presenting SB 744 to the committee.
Committee members also heard testimony on Senate Bill 1043 , sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Glendale). This bill would change several provisions relating to health insurance in Missouri, including offering small employers who employ less than 50 people a tax credit in the amount of $250 for each employee enrolled in a qualified health insurance plan.
Watch a video clip of Sen. Schmitt presenting SB 1043 to the committee.
Also this week, the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee heard SB 992 , sponsored by Sen. Dan Clemens (R-Marshfield). The bill would create the Missouri Farmland Trust, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture to accept or acquire farmland in the state for the purpose of leasing the land to beginning farmers.
These bills must be passed by their respective committees to be brought up on the Senate floor for debate.
The Missouri Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6. The Second Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly runs through Friday, May 14, 2010.
This legislative update is written on a weekly basis. To follow these and other issues facing the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can track legislation as it passes through the General Assembly, learn more about their district, or listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens. For more legislative news, please visit the Senate Newsroom . There you will find various audio and video programs and other services, such as:
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