Senate Sends Measures to House Before
Adjourning for Annual Spring Recess

JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Senate finished its final week before the annual spring recess by approving numerous bills, including sending the first Senate measure to the governor’s desk for possible signature into law.  

General Assembly Sends First Senate Bill to Governor’s Desk, Also Adopts Two Concurrent Resolutions

On Thursday, March 19, the Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 149, sponsored by Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, by a vote of 30-3. The legislation creates a state and local sales and use tax exemption for data storage centers. These centers are used to house computer mainframes that hold online, electronic information for websites. The bill will encourage the growth of these centers by granting them a sale and use tax exemption. However, the project must result in at least $25 million in new facility investment and create 10 new jobs with wages at least 150 percent of the country average over a three-year period.

Senate Bill 149 also allows municipalities to enter into loan agreements, or sell, lease or mortgage, municipal property for a technology business facility project. The Department of Economic Development and the Department of Revenue are authorized under the act to conduct random audits to ensure compliance for the exemptions.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk, where it will either be signed into law or vetoed. If vetoed, legislators will have the opportunity to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.
The Senate also sent to the executive branch House Bill 63, which exempts certain political races from provisions specifying how candidates shall be nominated.

In addition, two Senate concurrent resolutions were adopted by House. Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, sponsored by Sen. Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, establishes the Joint Committee on Solid Waste Management District Operations. Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, sponsored by Sen. Dan Brown, R-Rolla, urges the Department of Defense and Missouri’s congressional delegation to protect, preserve and promote state military bases and agencies in the Show-Me State.

Senate Approves Multiple Measures before Halfway Mark of Session

Before adjourning Thursday afternoon, the Missouri Senate third read and gave final approval to 15 measures, sending them to the House for possible consideration. Legislation approved by the Senate during the week of March 16 included:

• Senate Bill 58, sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, would modify and repeal a number of existing, expired or obsolete committees;
• Senate Bill 164, sponsored by Scott Sifton, D-Affton, would exempt in bankruptcy up to $15,000 of life insurance proceeds for the burial of a spouse, parent or child;
• Senate Bill 216, sponsored by Minority Floor Leader Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, would establish the Missouri Commercial Receivership Act;
• Senate Bill 224, sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, would require a student to be a United States Citizen or permanent resident in order to be eligible to receive reimbursements from the A+ Schools Program;
• Senate Bill 326, sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, extends the expiration date for counties to decrease their annual budgets to July 1, 2026;
• Senate Bill 10, sponsored by Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, would modify provisions relating to infection reporting for healthcare facilities;
• Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Sen. Brown, would modify provisions of law regarding Missouri’s Prescription Drug Repository Program;
• Senate Bill 256, sponsored by Sen. Sater, would establish a pilot program allowing noncustodial parents to reduce the amount of state debt owed;
• Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Wallingford, would extend voter registration deadline for certain military and overseas voting;
• Senate Bill 172, sponsored Sen. Romine, would require the State Board of Education to establish minimum graduation requirements for a career and technical education high school certificate;
• Senate Bill 194, sponsored Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin, would extend the date that a business must commence operations to qualify for a business facility tax credit;
• Senate Bill 330, sponsored Sen. Parson, would modify provisions relating to bonds issued by the State Board of Public Buildings;
• Senate Bill 336, sponsored by Sen. Kraus, would modify provisions relating to income tax withholdings employee’s tips; and
• Senate Bill 341, sponsored by Sen. Jeanie Riddle, R-Callaway County, would establish procedures for reports of juveniles with problem sexual behavior.

These measures now go to the House, where they will be first- and second-read and referred to their respective committees. If differences arise between the two chambers regarding a bill, a conference committee will be called to allow lawmakers to hash out any issues. To follow the progress of any of these bills, click on the legislation’s link to see its status in the legislative process.

The 2015 legislative session runs until May 15. To follow these and other issues before the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov. Visitors can track legislation considered by the General Assembly during the 2015 session, learn more about their legislative district and listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens on the Senate floor.

The Missouri Senate’s Capitol Briefing will be distributed and posted weekly throughout session. 

For more legislative news, please visit the Senate newsroom at www.senate.mo.gov/newsroom, where you will find various audio and video programs and other informational services, such as:

• Missouri Legislative Update – A video program produced throughout the legislative session and interim that provides an overview of news in the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives.  The program features news interviews with lawmakers and stories on issues concerning Missourians.
• This Week in the Missouri Senate – A weekly, audio program that wraps up the week’s news in the Missouri Senate.  Programs are posted online every Friday in .mp3 format.
• The Senate Minute – A condensed, one-minute audio report of current Senate news.  Programs are posted in .mp3 format and are available through podcast.
• Daily Audio/Video Clips – Throughout the year, the Senate Newsroom posts broadcast-quality audio and video highlights from Senate committee hearings, floor debate, press conferences and other legislative events.  Please note: Clips linked to this Capitol Briefing are only available for the legislative week referenced in the publication.