Missouri lawmakers return today from spring break and get to work on the second half of the legislative session. Here’s what to expect this week:
The Missouri House Budget Committee is on deck to work on state budget bills. The roughly $53 billion budget plan includes the state’s obligations to fund Medicaid services for low-income people and residents with disabilities; public education; public safety; the state’s prison system, among other things.
Once the committee passes the budget proposal, the House will debate and vote on the bills. Then the Senate digs into the budget request.
The Missouri House might debate bills this week to:
*Regulate video lottery machines
*Increase the fee by $3 for learner’s permits, driver’s licenses, lien notices, vehicle registrations, renewals, and title transfers
*Ban cell phone use during Missouri K-12 public school hours with exceptions
*Change the minimum marriage age to 18 years old
* Let law enforcement officers, based on reasonable suspicion, stop drivers and inspect their vehicles to determine whether their temporary license plate is valid or current
Missourinet will be paying attention to House committee hearings about the following bills:
*An updated version of a proposed “eHarmony for Babies” database for abortion seekers
*An income tax deduction for Missouri National Guard pay during active duty and state emergency duty
In the state Senate, that chamber could debate bills to:
*Ban Missouri law enforcement from enforcing federal gun laws. Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, is attempting to pass a similar bill, also know as the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” that was previously struck down by a federal court.
*Increase the income tax credit amount and income thresholds to help offset the property taxes of low-income senior citizens. The tax credit, also known as the “Circuit Breaker,” has not been updated since 2008.
*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. People buying hemp drinks at grocery and liquor stores would be required to be at least 21 years old.
*Update a state law that allows high school athletes to get paid for name, image, and likeness endorsements
Missourinet will be paying attention to Senate committee hearings about bills to:
*Presume self-defense when a person uses deadly force to protect themselves or a third person
*Make changes to civil lawsuits about childhood sexual abuse, including the statute of limitations and nondisclosure agreements
*Ask Missouri voters whether to limit new property assessment and reassessment value increases to 2%
Meanwhile, Gov. Mike Kehoe plans to sign House Bill 495 this week to shift control of the St. Louis Police Department back to a state board. The board will be made up of the St. Louis mayor and St. Louis citizens who are approved by the governor and Missouri Senate.
The crime package also includes provisions to:
*Require law enforcement to report the immigration status of suspects arrested for certain crimes
*Ban the use of restraints on jailed offenders in their third trimester of pregnancy, unless they are a substantial flight risk, or another extraordinary security or medical circumstance
*Prohibit stunt driving and street racing
*Allow victims of a restraining order and law enforcement to be immediately notified when the person being electronically monitored enters prohibited boundaries
*Allow restitution for those later determined to be wrongfully convicted
*Create the “Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Task Force”
The bill signing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Missouri Capitol.
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