Senator Curls' Biography
Senator Shalonn "Kiki" Curls, a Democrat, represents part of Jackson County (District 9) in the Missouri Senate. After serving in the Missouri House since 2007, she won a special election to the Missouri Senate in February 2011. Senator Curls won re-election to the Senate in 2012 and again in 2016. <<more
Capitol Office
201 W. Capitol Ave.
Room 434
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3158
District Office
4609 Paseo Blvd.
Suite 102
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 923-6000
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Affordable Care Act
The federal Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA, puts you in charge of your health care. Under this law, passed in 2010, you have the stability and flexibility you need to make informed choices about your health.
For more information on how the ACA can benefit you, please click here or visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website at www.hhs.gov.
To sign up for health insurance coverage, please click here or visit the Insurance Marketplace website at www.healthcare.gov
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If you or someone you know are at-risk of suicide, there is help available, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or the website www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org |
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Legislative News
The most notable news in the Missouri Senate this week is that the budget bills for Fiscal Year 2018 have finally made it over from the House of Representatives. The governor released his proposed spending plan in back early February, at which point the House began its work on the budget bills. During this time, the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which I sit, heard testimony from the various state agencies and departments on their financial needs for the upcoming budget year.
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Senator Curls speaks on the Fiscal Year 2018 budget in the Senate chamber Thursday, April 6. |
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Now that the budget is in the Senate’s hand, the Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on each of the budget bills. After we make any changes we feel are necessary, the budget bills will go before the full Senate body for further deliberation. Once adopted, the bills will be returned to the House, where they will either be accepted or, if not, conference committees will be formed to reconcile any differences. Once a final budget has been agreed upon, it will be sent to the governor for his consideration.
Passing an on-time and balanced budget is the single greatest responsibility my colleagues and I undertake each year. The General Assembly has until May 5 to pass the Fiscal Year 2018 budget.
In other news, the Senate began debating Senate Bill 373, legislation I’m sponsoring to establish the Missouri Senior Farmers’ Market Nutritional Program. This program would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to apply for federal grants to provide low-income seniors with vouchers that could be exchanged for eligible food items at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture programs. Missouri is currently one of only seven states not participating in a senior farmers’ market nutrition program.
Under SB 373 a “senior participant” is defined as a person who is at least 60 years of age or older by Dec. 31 of the program year and who meets the income eligibility criteria published by the United States Department of Agriculture. For example, a couple over the age of 60 with an annual household income less than or equal to $20,826 would be eligible.
According to the National Council on Aging, in 2014, an estimated 10.2 million seniors faced the threat of hunger. The Council also reports the rate of food insecurity among older adults is growing. Senate Bill 373 truly is a win-win for all parties — providing nutritious meals and local produce for some of Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens while supporting local economies and increasing profitability for area farmers. Senate Bill 373 needs two more affirmative votes in the Senate before it will be sent to the House.
Finally, it was my privilege this week to introduce Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. and Caleb Clifford to the Senate body.
It continues to be an honor serving the men, women and children of Missouri’s 9th Senate District. As we move forward through session, please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City.
For a complete list of all Sen. Curls' sponsored legislation and committee assignments, please click here or visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/mem09/.
Sen. Curls’ Sponsored Legislation for 2017 |
Bill Number |
Description |
Status |
Senate Bill 25 |
Allows the Kansas City Police Department chief of police to appoint a lieutenant colonel to be responsible for homeland security matters. |
Passed by the Senate; referred to House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee. |
Senate Bill 26 |
Allows Kansas City to employ airport police officers. |
Hearing conducted in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. |
Senate Bill 27 |
Modifies residential property receivership. |
Referred to Senate Small Business and Industry Committee. |
Senate Bill 92 |
Creates a new tax credit for first time purchasers of homes in a blighted area that will be used for owner occupancy. |
Referred to Senate Economic Development Committee. |
Senate Bill 93 |
Modifies the length of terms of office for certain members of the Kansas City Public School board of directors to ensure terms are staggered. |
Passed by the Senate – Consent; second read in the House. |
Senate Bill 94 |
Changes the notice requirement to a tenant living in a foreclosed property from ten days to ninety days. |
Referred to Senate Small Business and Industry Committee. |
Senate Bill 135 |
Repeals provisions regarding nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings and requires all foreclosure proceedings to be handled judicially. |
Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. |
Senate Bill 136 |
Allows a charter county to submit to voters a proposal for a $5 user fee on instruments recorded with the Recorder of Deeds for an assistance program for homeless persons. |
Referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. |
Senate Bill 137 |
Specifies that Kansas City may require the registration of certain properties. |
Referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. |
Senate Bill 298 |
Modifies nuisance action procedures for deteriorated properties in certain cities and counties. |
Passed by the Senate Small Business and Industry Committee. |
Senate Bill 299 |
Allows certain people to enter abandoned property to secure it, remove trash and graffiti, and maintain the grounds, and provides immunity from civil and criminal liability. |
Passed by the Senate - Consent; second read in the House. |
Senate Bill 365 |
Modifies provisions requiring LLC's owning rental or unoccupied property in Kansas City to list a property manager with the city clerk. |
Hearing conducted in the Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. |
Senate Bill 373 |
Establishes the Missouri Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. |
Hearing conducted in the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee. |
Senate Bill 387 |
Modifies provisions of law relating to long-term care certificates of need. |
Referred to Senate Health and Pensions Committee. |
Senate Bill 388 |
Allows the Missouri Dental Board to create and issue dental faculty permits. |
Hearing conducted in the Senate Professional Registration Committee. |
Senate Bill 436 |
Provides a process for the Parole Board to review the case histories of offenders serving more than 25 years in prison and recommend clemency or allow release on parole. |
Referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. |
Senate Bill 487 |
Designates each month of April as “Parliamentary Law Month.” |
Referred to the Senate General Laws Committee. |
Senate Bill 540 |
Establishes notice procedures for potential adverse action against a State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts licensee who is delinquent on state taxes or has failed to file state income tax returns in the last three years. |
Referred to the Senate Professional Registration Committee. |
Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 |
Urges a commitment to equal rights for people with cognitive disabilities to access technology and information. |
Referred to the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. |
Senate Concurrent Resolution 23 |
Designates each month of April as "Parliamentary Law Month." |
Referred to the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. |
Senate Joint Resolution 18 |
Requires certain statewide elected officials, members of the General Assembly, and judges to receive cost-of-living adjustments if such adjustments are provided to all state employees. |
Referred to the Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee. |
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