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Greetings,
Last week, the Missouri General Assembly gave final approval to the state’s $28 billion operating budget for the next fiscal year. The proposal now heads to the governor’s desk for his consideration.
Passing the budget is the only constitutionally-mandated responsibility of the state legislature. As such, state lawmakers treat it with the utmost importance. As a result of projected revenue increases, the latest budget provides more funding for elementary and secondary education than the previous year’s budget, while managing to keep appropriations for colleges and universities level. As a state, we should be doing more to help every Missourian achieve a quality and affordable education, but this is a good start. Additionally, the budget provides modest pay raises to state employees. This is also important; without our dedicated civil servants, Missouri government couldn’t function. We should reward our state employees, who are some of the lowest-paid in the nation, for all their hard work.
Altogether, I believe this year’s budget process went rather smoothly. The ease with which both chambers agreed to a final proposal days in advance of our May 11 deadline is a testament to the camaraderie within, and between, our legislative bodies. We may not always agree on the issues, but when it comes to keeping the state afloat, lawmakers across the ideological spectrum are more than willing to come together for the good of Missouri.
Now that the budget is passed, the General Assembly will consider a few final legislative proposals before the 2018 legislative session ends on May 18. In September, the legislature will return to Jefferson City to discuss any bills vetoed by the governor over the summer. Then, in January, a new legislative session will begin — and the process will start all over again.
Below, you will find a chart tracking the progress of every bill I have sponsored during 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. |
Hearing conducted in 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. |
On House informal calendar of Senate bills for third reading. |
| 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. |
On House informal calendar of Senate bills for third reading. |
| 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. |
Hearing conducted in 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. |
Voted do pass by 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. |
Referred to House Rules — Legislative Oversight Committee. |
| Senate Bill 965 |
Modifies provisions relating to the "Hand-Up Program" and child care subsidies. |
Voted do pass by Senate Seniors, Families and Children Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1029 |
Modifies provisions relating to county assessment costs. |
Second read and referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1030 |
Increases the Jackson County collection fee on delinquent and back taxes from 3 to 5 percent. |
Second read and referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1031 |
Provides the Jackson County recorder of deeds may collect a $2 fee on the recording of documents and instruments. |
Second read and referred to Senate Local Government and Elections Committee. |
| Senate Bill 1076 |
Requires children under 2 years of age to be secured in rear-facing child passenger restraint systems. |
Second read and referred to Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. |
| Senate Concurrent Resolution 45 |
Designates the third week of every June as Pollinator Week. |
Second read and referred to Senate Rules, Joint Rules, Resolutions and Ethics 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. |
| House Bill 1517 (Senate Sponsor) |
Requires the attorney general and the commissioner of administration to submit to the General Assembly a monthly report of all settlements paid from the State Legal Expense Fund. |
Hearing conducted in Senate Government Reform 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.
<< April 2, 2018 | May 28, 2018 >> |
Serving in the Missouri General Assembly since 2007
