Missouri legislators could pass a few priority bills before they leave for spring break later this week.
Close to the finish line is a House bill that would stop the state from seizing survivor benefits given to foster kids if their parents die. The state currently uses those dollars to help care for the children. House Bills 737 & 486 are sponsored by Rep. Melissa Schmidt, R-Eldridge.
A wide-ranging public safety package is also in the home stretch. It would put the St. Louis Police Department under the control of a state commission, require law enforcement to report the immigration status of suspects, boost the penalties for organized crime rings that raid retail stores, among other things. Rep. Brad Christ, R-St. Louis, is sponsoring House Bill 495.
Another Republican priority nearing passage is a proposal that would allow Missourians to exempt long-term capital gains from state income tax, such as money earned on stocks, land, and other assets. House Bills 594 & 508 are sponsored by House Majority Leader Chad Perkins, R-Bowling Green.
A fourth bill inching its way to the governor is a $1.9 billion extra spending request that would fund state government through June. House Bill 14 includes about $300 million for public education and funding for the Department of Mental Health to clear its waitlist for services for citizens with developmental disabilities. The spending plan would also provide funding for the Department of Agriculture to hire a worker to respond to the bird flu outbreak.
In the House of Representatives this week, it is on track to debate an effort to repeal Missouri’s paid sick leave law and delay the $15 minimum wage to 2028. Rep. Sherri Gallick, R-Belton, is sponsoring House Bill 567. Similar bills have been proposed this legislative session.
Another bill the House could debate is a package that is designed to fight child sexual abuse crimes. Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, is proposing House Bill 1464. It would expand the statute of limitations for victims to sue and restart a statewide task force to fight human trafficking. Another provision would ban dolls, robots, and mannequins that resemble someone under 18 for the purpose of sexual gratification, terrorizing, or causing emotional distress to someone.
Rep. Brad Pollitt, R-Sedalia, could give his open enrollment bill another college try this week. His legislation, House Bill 711, is scheduled for House debate. It would let K-12 public schools decide if they want to allow students from neighboring districts to enroll in their district.
The House could also debate a proposal that would require insurance companies to cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, is sponsoring House Bill 262 to try and give military veterans more healthcare options.
If the House passes the bills sponsored by Gallick, Lewis, Pollitt, and Brown, they would go to the Senate for another round of work.
In the Missouri Senate, that chamber is on deck to debate another attempt to bring back a version of the so-called “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” or SAPA. Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, is sponsoring a measure that would allow the state to avoid enforcement of federal gun laws. Under Senate Bill 23, any state or local law enforcement agency found enforcing federal gun regulations would face a $50,000 penalty per law enforcement agency worker.
In 2022, a federal court sided with a lower court ruling a similar bill as unconstitutional.
The Senate could also debate a legislation this week that would increase the income tax credit amount and income thresholds to help offset the property taxes of low-income senior citizens. Sen. Mike Cierpiot, R-Lee’s Summit, who is sponsoring Senate Bills 101 & 64, wants to tie them to inflation.
The tax credit, otherwise known as the circuit breaker, hasn’t been updated by lawmakers since 2008.
Another bill the Senate could debate is whether to regulate hemp products that can make children sick and high. Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, wants intoxicating cannabis edibles and vaping products to be sold at Missouri marijuana dispensaries only. Senate Bill 54 would still allow the sale of hemp drinks at grocery and liquor stores. People buying these drinks would be required to be at least 21 years old.
If the Senate passes the bills sponsored by Brattin, Cierpiot, and Schroer, they would move to the House for more evaluation.
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