The Senate Minute

January 2017

Jan. 2: In just two days, lawmakers will return to the State Capitol for the start of the 2017 legislative session. Most of the priority measures have been established. What remains is how soon those bills could be debated and what else could come before May. We’ve included actualities from Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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December

Dec. 27: Missouri senators prepare to return to Jefferson City for the start of the First Regular Session of the 99th General Assembly, which is set to commence at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. We’ve included actualities from Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Dec. 20: Among the issues that could be discussed during next year’s legislative session could be health care. The potential of changing federal law exists, which means Missouri lawmakers would like to have a say in what may be implemented as a replacement. We’ve included actualities from Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
SenateMinute122016 — (.mp3) | SenateMinuteScript-122016 — (.docx)

Dec. 13: Already, nearly 200 measures have been prefiled in the Missouri Senate, as lawmakers prepare for the next legislative session. The 2017 session will start on Jan. 4. We’ve included actualities from Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Dec. 6: The start of the next regular legislative session is only five weeks away. Prefiled legislation will receive bill numbers for 2017 on Dec. 1. We’ve included actualities from Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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November

Nov. 29: The start of the next regular legislative session is only five weeks away. Prefiled legislation will receive bill numbers for 2017 on Dec. 1. We’ve included actualities from Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Nov. 22: Legislation addressing transportation funding and adding a religious freedom clause to the Missouri Constitution were both considered by Missouri senators this year. Both could be among several issues that may be brought back during next year’s regular legislative session. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Nov. 15: Missouri senators pick leadership for the upcoming two years. The First Regular Session of the 99th General Assembly will start in January. We’ve included actualities from Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Nov. 8: Education is the focus of some of Missouri’s new laws in 2016. Senate Bill 711 requires CPR instruction and training during high school. House Bill 1559 designates July 1 as “Lucile Bluford Day” in Missouri. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla, and Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Nov. 1: A new law addresses crime victims. Senate Bill 921 took effect on Aug. 28. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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October

Oct. 25: So far this interim, five committees have held hearings, including the Senate Interim Committee on MO HealthNet Pharmacy Benefits and the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia. Some of these panels plan to have recommendations ready before the end of this year. We’ve included actualities from Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Oct. 18: A couple of measures that have become law this year are aimed at suicide prevention. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50 designates the month of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Missouri. Additionally, House Bill 2379 also addresses dyslexia screening in public schools. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, and Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Oct. 11: Senate Bill 641 creates an income tax deduction for payments received as part of a program that compensates agricultural producers for losses from disaster or emergency. The measure was vetoed earlier this year, but that was overridden by lawmakers last month. The new law will take effect on Friday. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Oct. 4: House Bill 1414 will prohibit certain agricultural data from being subject to public disclosure laws. The measure was vetoed by the executive branch earlier this year, but the veto was overridden by lawmakers last month. We’ve included actualities from Missouri Senate bill handler, Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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September

Sept. 27: Senate Bill 844 modifies provisions relating to livestock trespass liability. It is one of the measures that will become law next month, thanks to its veto being overridden by the Missouri General Assembly earlier this month. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, and Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Sept. 20: Senate Bill 608 modifies provisions relating to health care. The measure was vetoed earlier this year, but that veto was overridden by the Missouri General Assembly last week. The new law will take effect next month. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, and Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
SenateMinute092016 — (.mp3) | SenateMinuteScript-092016 — (.docx)

Sept. 13: Missouri senators are set to start veto session. Among the measures that could be considered for an override is Senate Bill 656, which would make changes to laws relating to self-defense, unlawful weapons use and concealed-carry permits. Veto session will start at noon tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 14). We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, and Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Sept. 6: Most of the legislation introduced this year didn’t go as far as supporters would have hoped. Senate Bill 816 would have repealed the death penalty in Missouri. Senate Bill 653 would have banned gender discrimination in the Show-Me State. These measures may be introduced again next year. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Paul Wieland, R-Imperial, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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August

Aug. 30: There are three new laws now in effect in Missouri that address ethics reform. House Bills 1979, 1983 and 2203 all makes changes to different aspects of campaigning and running elections in Missouri, and all three took effect on Aug. 28. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Aug. 23: Among the measures set to take effect on Aug. 28 is Senate Bill 579, which relates to infection reporting of health care facilities and telehealth services. Most of the measures that were either signed into law or allowed to become law without the governor’s signature will take effect on Aug. 28. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, and Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Aug. 16: A comprehensive higher education measure is set to become law. Senate Bill 997 has several components to it, all of which will take effect within the next year. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Aug. 9: House Bill 1646 creates the Missouri Civics Education Initiative. Even though the measure will become law on Aug. 28, its provisions will not take effect until July 1, 2017. We’ve included actualities from bill handler, Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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Aug. 2: Missouri is about to have a new election law. Senate Bill 786 modifies the law relating to the prosecution of election offenses and will become law on Aug. 28. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
SenateMinute080216  — (.mp3) | SenateMinuteScript-080216 — (.docx)

July

July 26: Certain parts of a person’s criminal record can soon be taken away. Senate Bill 588 makes changes relating to petitions for the expungement of criminal records. The new law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2018. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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July 19: Among the measures not signed into law — but allowed to take effect without the governor’s signature — is Senate Bill 607, which will modify provisions relating to public assistance programs. The new law will take effect on Aug. 28. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, and Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
SenateMinute071916 — (.mp3) | SenateMinuteScript-071916 — (.docx)

July 12: House Bill 1631 would require a person to show photo identification in order to vote. The measure was vetoed by the executive branch on July 7. House Bill 1631 could be taken up at the annual veto session, which is set to start on Sept. 14. We’ve included actualities from bill handler, Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, and Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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July 5: The executive branch vetoes Senate Bill 656, which seeks to modify provisions relating to county sheriffs, self-defense, unlawful use of weapons and concealed-carry permits. When lawmakers return to Jefferson City for the annual veto session in September, this measure could be considered for a veto override. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, and Sen. Scott Sifton, D-Affton, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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June

June 28: Missouri’s Fiscal Year 2017 operating budget will start on Friday (July 1). The budget for the upcoming fiscal year totals $27 billion. We have included actualities from Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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June 21: An addition to last year’s municipal court reform is now set to become law. Senate Bill 572 will take effect on Aug. 28. The new law will make changes to nuisance abatement ordinances, disincorporation procedures for various cities and municipal courts. We’ve included actualities from bill sponsor, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, and Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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June 14: A new law will oversee the online world of fantasy sports in Missouri. House Bill 1941 will provide licensing and taxation for daily fantasy sports games. The measure will take effect on Aug. 28. We’ve included actualities from Senate Minority Floor Leader Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, and Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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June 7: A new law that relates to bullying in schools and suicide prevention is set to take effect. House Bill 1583 was signed into law on June 3, and will become law on Aug. 28. The measure modifies several provisions relating to student safety. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, and Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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May

May 31: Some changes could be in store for some parts of Missouri law that deal with crime. None of these measures has yet been considered by the executive branch, which has until July 14 to sign, veto or let legislation become law without a signature. We’ve included actualities from Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, and Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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May 24: A majority of Missouri senators consider Senate Bill 656 to have been an important issue for this year’s regular legislative session. The measure seeks to modify provisions relating to county sheriffs, self-defense, unlawful use of weapons and concealed carry permits. We’ve included actualities from Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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May 17: The Second Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly ended on May 13. For some Missouri senators, the goal was to get legislation sent to the executive branch. For others, it was a question of keeping certain things from making it to the finish line. We’ve included actualities from Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, and Senate Minority Floor Leader Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, in this feature report narrated by Senate Communications Officer Dean Morgan.
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