JEFFERSON CITY – Senators jumped right into business on the first day of the 2014 regular legislative session, introducing the more than 190 measures prefiled back in December.  Nearly 35 pieces of legislation were added to this list throughout the week.  Upon conclusion of lawmakers’ work this week, more than 50 of these measures were referred to their respective committees, which will begin meeting next week to hold hearings on assigned bills. 

Priorities for the 2014 Legislative Session

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree that tackling the state’s school transfer law is one of the first issues to bring up this session.  Currently, school districts in St. Louis are seeing dramatic effects as a result of students transferring from their previous school district that was deemed unaccredited by the state to nearby districts that have retained their accreditation.  Meanwhile, schools in Kansas City are watching how this issue unfolds as they will see the effects of the state’s school transfer law next year when students begin their move from unaccredited to accredited districts.  Nearly half of the 30 bills filed pertaining to elementary and secondary education relate to the student transfer and school accreditation issue, including Senate Bill 493, sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, and Senate Bill 516, sponsored by Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City, who also serves on the Senate’s Education Committee.

Senators also set out to revise Missouri’s criminal code, which was originally passed by the Legislature in 1979.  Senate Bill 491 is sponsored by Senate Minority Floor Leader Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City, and co-sponsored by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, who also chairs the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.  This more than 1,000-page measure addresses new felony and misdemeanor classes, elder and vulnerable person abuse, repeat offenders, the death penalty, sex offenses, and intoxication- and drug-related offenses, among other provisions relating to crimes.

Members of the majority party want to focus much of this session’s efforts on tax and tax credit reform while those of the minority party want to continue discussion on Medicaid expansion and overall economic development and job growth in Missouri.

Legislation designed to phase in an income tax deduction for business income and reduce the top rate of tax on personal income over a certain number of years is among the numerous measures filed to implement targeted tax breaks and broad-based tax cuts.  Both Senate Bill 496 and Senate Bill 497 are sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale.  Senator Will Kraus, R-Lee’s Summit, also crafted legislation (Senate Bill 509) that would change provisions relating to Missouri income taxes.  In addition, several bills have been filed that would create, reauthorize, increase, or eliminate various tax credit programs in the Show-Me State.

Medicaid expansion remains a top priority for members of the Senate minority.  Senator Paul LeVota, D-Independence, is sponsoring Senate Bill 661, which would expand services under Mo HealthNet, Missouri’s Medicaid program, starting Jan. 1, 2015.  His legislation would utilize federal dollars available to states through the Affordable Care Act to expand its Medicaid programs to provide health care services to Missouri citizens with incomes up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level; that’s $32,499 a year for a family of four.

Listen to The Senate Minute for Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, which details lawmakers main focus for the 2014 legislative session and the differences in the two chambers’ priorities this year.  Included in these features are Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, and Sen. Justus.

To see a complete list of bills filed during the Second Regular Session of the 97th General Assembly, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “List of 2014 Senate Bills” under the “Legislation” tab.

Committee Schedules Roll Out for Next Week

With more than 50 measures referred to their respective committees, a motion called “second reading,” committees are already scheduled to meet next week.

The Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee is responsible for examining legislation relating to the ownership and operation of small businesses; different forms of insurance; labor management, fair employment standards, workers’ compensation, and employment security within the Show-Me State; and industrial development.  Senator Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville (chairman); Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar (vice chair); Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown; Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau; Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa; Sen. Shalonn “Kiki” Curls, D-Kansas City; and Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at noon in Senate Committee Room 1 to consider:

• Senate Bill 498, sponsored by Sen. Kurt Schaefer, R-Columbia, would require health insurance navigators to be bonded and create a private cause of action against these navigators for unlawfully releasing a citizen’s private information.
• Senate Bill 508, sponsored by Sen. Parson, would require those individuals who apply for a navigator license to submit to a background check and take an exam created by the Department of Insurance.
• Senate Bill 510, sponsored by Sen. Kraus, would redefine “misconduct” and “good cause” when determining if an individual is disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits.
• Senate Bill 525, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville, would allow nonprofit organizations to prepare food in a private home or other area and share these meals at certain charitable fundraising events.
• Senate Bill 526, also sponsored by Sen. Cunningham, would require the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation to develop and maintain a workers’ compensation claims database. 

Members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, which include Sen. Dixon (chair); Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar (vice chair); Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph; Sen. Schaefer; Sen. Schmitt; Sen. Justus; and Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, will also meet next week.  The committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 491 on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m.  The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Justus and would overhaul Missouri’s criminal code.  Members will also discuss committee procedures for the 2014 session and other judiciary-related issues from the legislative interim.

To see a complete list of hearings scheduled for this month, visit www.senate.mo.gov and click on the “Senate” link under the “Hearing” heading on the right-hand side of the page.  As committee hearings are announced, they will be posted to this site.

The Missouri Senate’s Capitol Briefing will resume its weekly posting of legislative events throughout the 2014 regular session.  Members of the Missouri Senate are scheduled to return to the floor on Monday, Jan. 13, at 4 p.m. 

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 conducted by Missourinet’s Bob Priddy and stories on issues concerning Missourians.
• This Week in the Missouri Senate – A weekly, five-minute 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.