Serving in the Missouri General Assembly since 2007
Legislative Column for the Week of Feb. 19, 2018

Sen. Curls' Biography
Sen. 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. Sen. 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

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 hhs.gov.

To sign up for health insurance coverage, please click here or visit the Insurance Marketplace website at healthcare.gov.

If you or someone you know are at-risk of suicide, there is help available, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or the website suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Greetings,

Last week, I discussed the controversy surrounding Senate Bill 564, a proposal that would institute rate increase caps for public utilities in Missouri while altering the regulatory framework of the Public Service Commission. The Missouri Senate endured an overnight filibuster brought by several of the bill’s opponents before coming to a compromise on the legislation more than 24 hours later. On Thursday, Feb. 15, the Senate gave final approval to a modified version of Senate Bill 564, sending it on its way to further debate in the House of Representatives.

The Senate is an institution of free and fair discussion, designed to foster broad-based cooperation. With Senate Bill 564, this tradition was on full display. A few senators had their doubts on the measure at hand, and used the tools available to them to momentarily stall its progress. Eventually, the bill’s supporters came to the negotiating table, offering concessions in order to push the legislation across the finish line. This is the way the Senate is supposed to work; everyone has a voice, and every voice has value.

I invite you to see this process for yourself. The Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City is a public building, open to all residents of the state. Visitors are welcome to watch Senate and House proceedings from galleries on the building’s fourth floor, or view committee hearings on legislation in several rooms throughout the building. (A schedule of Senate committees can be found at senate.mo.gov, and a schedule of House committees can be found at house.mo.gov.) The first floor boasts an extensive museum of state history, and the central rotunda, situated directly beneath the Capitol dome, is a sight to behold.

The Capitol is truly a magnificent building, one representing the storied history and common bonds that define the people of Missouri. I assure you, it’s worth the trip.

Below, you will find a chart tracking the progress of every bill I have sponsored in the 2018 legislative session. These proposals are important to Missourians of all backgrounds. I look forward to discussing each and every one of them before the Missouri Senate.

Sen. Curls’ Sponsored Legislation for 2018

Bill Number

Description

Status

Senate Bill 779

Modifies provisions of law relating to long-term care certificates of need.

Second read and referred to Senate Health and Pensions Committee.

Senate Bill 780

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.

Voted do pass by Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Senate Bill 781

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.

Second read and referred to Senate Professional Registration Committee.

Senate Bill 787

Establishes the Missouri Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

Placed on formal calendar of Senate bills for perfection.

Senate Bill 855

Requires the State Board of Education to assign classification designations to charter schools in the same manner as school districts are assigned such designations.

Second read and referred to Senate Education Committee.

Senate Bill 856

Modifies provisions relating to the Public School Retirement System of Kansas City.

Second read and referred to Senate Health and Pensions Committee.

Senate Bill 857

Modifies provisions of law relating to the placement of children.

Second read and referred to Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Senate Bill 858

Modifies provisions of law relating to investigations of child abuse or neglect.

Hearing scheduled for Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Senate Bill 930

Modifies provisions of law relating to guardians ad litem.

Second read and referred to Senate Seniors, Families and Children Committee.

Senate Bill 954

Allows individuals found guilty of certain offenses of unlawful use of a weapon to expunge records relating to such offense.

Hearing conducted in Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Senate Bill 965 Modifies provisions relating to the "Hand-Up Program" and child care subsidies.

Second read and referred to Senate Seniors, Families and Children Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 32

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.

Second read and referred to Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics Committee.

Please know I value your input, and I invite you to visit my Capitol office if you are ever in Jefferson City. You may access my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/curls.

<< Feb. 12, 2018 | March 5, 2018 >>

Senate Website | Current Media | Sponsored Bills