Legislative Actions and Information for the Week of April 23, 2018
| This week, the Missouri Senate continues to carry on its legislative work with another productive week. The biggest issue the Missouri Senate tackled this week was completing its version of the state’s operating budget.
On The Floor On Wednesday, April 25, the Missouri Senate worked into the night to finalize its version of the state’s $28 billion operating budget. With the Senate approving its version of the budget, the General Assembly moves one step closer to completing its only constitutional requirement before the end of session: passing a balanced budget. Any differences between the Senate’s budget and the budget approved by the Missouri House of Representatives will now be worked out by a conference committee which will try to reach a compromise on several differing spending items. As the Senate developed its version of the budget, Sen. Nasheed was able to hold the House’s position on an important line item dealing with a summer jobs program in St. Louis. The House’s budget provides $1.5 million for a summer jobs programs benefitting the St. Louis area. This program provides important opportunities for young people in the St. Louis area, not only in terms of providing a source of income, but also valuable job experience as well. Senator Nasheed believes this program is worth the additional investment and is glad to see the General Assembly agree with that assessment. Additionally, Sen. Nasheed was able to secure an additional $2 million for Harris-Stowe State University. Senator Nasheed believes that Harris-Stowe, one of Missouri’s two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), deserves more funding than it has received in the past. Harris-Stowe receives one of the lowest amounts of funds each year in core funding compared to other universities. Senator Nasheed has made it a priority to increase funding for HBCUs like Harris-Stowe, and this year, she was successful in raising awareness for this problem and ensuring additional funds were allocated. Bills and Committees As the final days of the legislative session near, several of Sen. Nasheed’s legislative priorities continue to move through the legislative process. Senate Bill 652 – This legislation allows deputies with the Office of the Sheriff of the City of St. Louis to be Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified. This bill has been approved by the Missouri Senate and is now working its way through the Missouri House. Senate Bill 652, approved by the House’s Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee, has been referred to the House Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee. This legislation also continues to move through the process as an amendment to another bill. Senate Bill 652 was amended onto Senate Bill 966, which contains several provisions dealing with the administration of the state’s criminal justice system. Senate Bill 966 has been heard by the House Judiciary Committee. Senate Bill 785 – This bill creates the Coordinating Board for Mental Health Issues in Higher Education which would establish guidelines and regulations for student counseling facilities. This language has been amended onto House Bill 1419, which requires certain health care professionals to complete two hours of suicide prevention training as a condition of licensure. House Bill 1419, with the amended language, was heard in the Senate’s Professional Registration Committee on April 23. Senate Bill 792 – This bill allows those who were forced into sex trafficking and prostitution against their will to apply to have those charges expunged from their records. Senator Nasheed’s SB 792 was amended onto Senate Bill 793, which raises the age of adulthood from 17 to 18 with regard to criminal offenses. This bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on April 10 and has been referred to the House Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee. Senate Bill 802 – This bill awards “women’s business enterprise” and “minority business enterprise” statuses to certain nonprofit corporations. It has made its way to the House of Representatives where it is scheduled for a hearing on May 1 before the House Economic Development Committee. Senate Bill 803 – This bill prohibits the use of shackles on pregnant offenders during transportation, medical visits and labor. Senate Bill 803 was amended onto Senate Bill 870, which was sent to the Missouri House of Representatives for consideration. Additionally, SB 803’s language is included in House Bill 2026, which was heard this week in the Senate’s Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. On April 25, it was approved by the committee and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Senate Bill 804 – This proposal reauthorizes the Donated Food Tax Credit until December 31, 2026. This language has been amended onto House Bill 1288, which is on the Senate’s informal calendar for third reading. Appropriations The Senate Appropriations Committee sent the state budget to the Missouri Senate for approval. Working for several hours Wednesday evening and with additional input from senators, the Senate approved its form of the budget. The remaining differences between the Senate’s budget and the House’s budget will be worked out in conference committees. Other News State Education Board Nominee Stalls in Senate After just 20 minutes of debate on the Senate floor, a nominee for the State Board of Education was pulled from consideration after receiving push back from several senators. The nominee, Eddy Justice, was one of the governor’s appointees who voted to remove the commissioner for the board near the end of 2017. If the Senate doesn’t confirm Justice or the others before session ends on May 18 and doesn’t allow the governor to withdraw his nominees, under the Missouri Constitution they would be banned for life from ever serving on the board again. Governor Charged with Second Felony The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office filed a felony charge of tampering with computer data against the governor on April 20. The charge, which amounts to electronic theft, was filed three days after the state attorney general announced that an investigation by his office had uncovered evidence the governor committed a crime by taking a donor list from The Mission Continues, a charity he founded for assisting military veterans, and used it to raise money for his gubernatorial campaign. The governor now faces two unrelated felonies, after being charged with an invasion of privacy charge stemming from his extramarital affair in February. Missouri House Moves Forward with Right-to-Work Date Change The House Economic Development Committee voted 8-4 in favor of a resolution moving the Right to Work ballot item from the November general election date to the August primary election. The Missouri General Assembly approved Right to Work in 2017, but a ballot initiative slated for this year will give voters the opportunity to decide whether or not the measure remains in state law. Currently, the Right to Work initiative is scheduled to appear on the Nov. 6 general election ballot, but House Concurrent Resolution 102 would move the date up to the Aug. 7 primary ballot. The resolution still has to clear the full House of Representatives, as well as the Senate, in order to reschedule the election. |