JEFFERSON CITY — Senate Bill 313, the first bill to receive “truly agreed and finally passed” status, received final approval from the Missouri Senate as well as the House this week, upon which it was sent to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 313 , a piece of bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) and co-sponsored by Sen. Joan Bray (D-St. Louis), creates two specific funds, the Federal Budget Stabilization Fund and the Federal Stimulus Fund, for Missouri’s portion of the federal economic stimulus package money. The funds are designed to help lawmakers and government officials track the approximately $4 billion the state is expected to receive of the $787 billion the federal government approved in February.
Because SB 313 passed with an emergency clause, it becomes effective immediately upon receiving the governor’s signature.
Listen to the Senate Minute’s report on SB 313 .
On a related note, the Senate Select Committee on Oversight of Federal Stimulus Plan met on Monday afternoon for the last time to review the Economic Stimulus Coordination Council’s final report and recommendations for the spending of the federal stimulus money. The committee’s recommendations were due on March 12.
Listen the Senate Minute’s report on the committee’s final meeting.
The General Assembly also made swift progress on a major supplemental budget bill this week. The Senate gave a final passing vote to its version of the bill on Thursday, which will now be sent back to the House for its approval. House Bill 14 provides for more than $312 million to fill budget gaps for the 2009 fiscal year, which runs through June. Budget bills for fiscal year 2010 will be taken up by the General Assembly after mid-session recess.
Sen. Tim Green’s (D-St. Louis) SB 93 received a final passing vote from the Senate on Monday. The bill establishes a statewide drunken driving risk reduction awareness program, which would provide for the placement of signs at or near the scene of a drunken driving accident.
The House of Representatives now considers this bill, as it does all Senate bills receiving Senate approval. (Conversely, the Senate considers all House bills receiving approval in that chamber.)
Senate Bill 255 , sponsored by Sen. David Pearce (R-Warrensburg), also received a final vote of approval on Monday. The measure changes the composition of the Board of Curators for the University of Missouri, providing for at least one, but no more than two people, to be appointed from each congressional district. Under current law, no more than one person from each congressional district can be appointed to the board.
Missouri currently has nine districts, but may lose one after decennial redistricting. This measure allows the number of members on the curator board to remain at nine in either case.
Another bill sponsored by Sen. Pearce, SB 44 , received a final passing Senate vote on Thursday. The legislation establishes regulations to bring private jails more in line with public jails in regards to safety standards.
An omnibus transportation bill received an initial vote of approval from the Senate on Wednesday. Senate Bill 58 , sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton), addresses several issues relating to transportation. Sen. Ryan McKenna (D-Crystal City) successfully added an amendment to the measure, which prohibits drivers from sending, reading or writing text messages or electronic messages while operating a vehicle on Missouri highways.
Sen. Jim Lembke (R-St. Louis) also added an amendment to SB 58, concerning red light cameras at intersections. In order to issue a citation via red light camera, a violation must be clearly identified by a law enforcement officer who considers the evidence presented by the camera, and the driver must be positively identifiable in the picture.
Listen to the Senate Minute’s report on SB 58.
Passed by the Senate Education Committee this week was SB 94 , sponsored by Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City). The measure changes the income eligibility criteria for those receiving state-funded child care assistance.
Senate Bill 254 , sponsored by Sen. Frank Barnitz (D-Lake Spring), also received a passing committee vote. The measure creates a state income and corporate franchise tax credit for qualifying milk production.
Finally, SB 306 , sponsored by Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles), was passed by the Senate Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families Committee. The legislation establishes the Show-Me Health Coverage plan to provide health care coverage through the private insurance market to low-income working individuals in the state.
Lawmakers discussed some of the most anticipated bills of the session before adjourning for mid-session recess this week. The Senate’s major economic development bill (SB 45 , sponsored by Sen. Pearce) was debated on the floor. The body is expected to take it up again after the recess. Also brought to the floor was a bill addressing property taxes, SB 174 , sponsored by Sen. John Griesheimer (R-Washington), and SB 261 , an omnibus crime bill, sponsored by Sen. Matt Bartle (R-Lee’s Summit).
The Missouri Senate will reconvene at 4 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2009. The First Regular Session of the 95th Missouri General Assembly will run through Friday, May 15, 2009.
The Missouri Senate General Column is written on a weekly basis. To follow these and other issues being addressed by the Missouri Senate, visit www.senate.mo.gov . Visitors can track legislation as it passes through the General Assembly, learn more about their Senate district, and listen to streaming audio of legislative debate as it happens.
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